Editorial

Give Gov. Jennifer Grannholm credit: Her budget outline for next year begins to give Michigan residents a leaner state government. Her 2010 budget would eliminate 1,500 positions, shrink state government spending by $300 million and cut subsidies to the arts and the horse-racing industry.   These painful-yet-sensible cuts are necessary due to the national recession and Michigan’s own decade-long economic meltdown. The governor — traditionally, a fan of fiscal gimmicks — is almost out of budget-balancing tricks. It is time for … [Read more...] about Don’t tap stimulus to balance budget

Washington can’t decide whether to save or to smother the American auto industry.   A few months ago, GM and Chrysler got a federal lifeline in the form of $17.4 billion in loans, on grounds that their health is essential to the economy. Now comes news that the Obama administration is acting quickly to approve a waiver for California to impose costly new restrictions on carbon-dioxide emissions from cars.   In a move meant to combat global warming, California wants to mandate a 30 percent reduction in tailpipe emissions by … [Read more...] about The rise of self-defeating industrial policy

By JAMES M. HOMAN and MARK J. PERRY   We hear discouraging and pessimistic comments about the economy every day, and many people are afraid of how long the current recession will last. Michigan just got more bad news as its economic forecasters predicted that the unemployment rate will average 11.3 percent in 2009 and the state’s budget will overspend revenues by $1.6 billion. But within the economic slowdown, there is actually plenty of good news if you take the time to look for it.   First, there are areas of the country … [Read more...] about Good news about the bad economy

Michigan’s high excise tax on cigarettes causes a variety of criminal activity, including smuggling, violence and the funding of terrorist activity. The solution is to lower, not increase, cigarette taxes.   By MICHAEL D. LaFAIVE   On Nov. 13, 2008, more than 150 law enforcement officers were involved in a major bust of 18 people involved in trafficking contraband cigarettes in the Detroit area. According to the Detroit Free Press, the smuggling ring involved “104,300 cartons of illegal cigarettes worth more than $2 … [Read more...] about Cigarette smuggling rampant in Michigan

There is no shortage of issues facing Michigan’s roadways.   Falling gas tax revenues have crippled maintenance budgets. A highest-in-the-country vehicle weight limit pulverizes main arteries. And the annual pavement-eating slurry of snow and salt, followed by a hyperactive freeze-thaw cycle, combine to make for a never-ending game of maintenance catch-up.   So as governments struggle to figure out how best to bandage the bullet wounds that are our roads, the last thing needed is a shoddy job once those scarce funds … [Read more...] about Shoddy road work should not be brushed aside easily

THE RICH LOWRY COLUMN By Rich Lowry   The trillion dollar standard   At least the word trillion still has cachet as denoting a lot of money. Billion has been surpassed during the past few months, and million has long been positively quaint.   The Obama team wants to keep its two-year stimulus plan (just) beneath a trillion dollars, sensing that 13 figures is the price point when the public might balk at the fiscal bacchanal. (The entire Pentagon budget is $500 billion.)   That Congress will take more time, … [Read more...] about The trillion dollar standard

Unity.        Set aside old dogmas and prejudices.        Work together for the common good.        Don’t expect government to be the solution to every problem. Each one of us must help solve the problems we face in these difficult times.        These were key themes of President Barack Obama’s Inauguration Day speech. His words challenged all of us. He spoke of his faith in the American people. He spoke of the sacrifices of our forebears. He spoke of his confidence that Americans can come together to overcome the … [Read more...] about Tuesday marks a new beginning

(Editor’s note: The following is an open letter to President Barack Obama from U.S. Rep. John D. Dingell, D-15th District.)   To President Barack Obama:   What you have done is truly remarkable. Powered by a mix of traditional Democratic ideas and a 21st century campaign you have won Americans’ respect as well as inspired them to dream again.   And this inspiration comes when dreams are dying as quickly as American homes are being foreclosed and jobs are lost. Our economic woes have crippled both working families and … [Read more...] about Dingell Column

In a report issued last week, the Congressionally chartered National Safety Council urged federal lawmakers to pass a ban on any and all cell phone usage while driving. The recommendation doesn’t come without clout, either. The NSC was one of the largest proponents of tougher drinking and driving laws that have become the norm over the last 20 years.   Currently six states have laws banning cell phone usage on the road in some form or another and in Dearborn, drivers can be hit with a secondary offense if they commit a traffic … [Read more...] about Ban distracted driving, not cautious conversation