Will The Courser Gamrat Scandal Get In The Way Of A Road Package ? NO.

Nobody cares about them. But this is what WILL keep blocking any progress, as September 2015 ends with no Road Funding Solution in Michigan in sight!

The Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat scandal was such a big deal it even got national news coverage.

What adulterous sex ? What government scandal ? Who Me ?

At first they were innocent - they said. Or just being picked on by the republicans in Lansing who simply did not like them - they said. Well finally they either quit or were thrown out of their jobs. Good - we said.

We screwed up (literally) but give us our jobs back !

Then, surprise surprise, they flip-flopped, turned around (or over) and said to the astonishment of the whole state, that they wanted the voters to decide if they were good enough to be part of Michigan government again and would run for the vacant offices they got canned from or ran out of !

Jackson Mayor Says Pray for Potholes - God Will Fix Our Roads

'If God can part the Red Sea for Moses, he can fix the roads in Jackson'

Jackson Mississippi that is.

The mayor of Jackson MS says that the people of his fair city should pray for the good lord to get to the job done of fixing their pothole filled thoroughfares.

Apparently it is gonna take a lot of prayer.

Jackson, Miss. Mayor Tony Yarber

Does that surprise you? Is he sincere?

Probably no, and Probably yes.

'Boy, can these roads use a Miracle !'

In a recent post I quipped that with the Pope visiting the U.S., maybe his Holiness would perform a miracle and fix the Highway Trust Fund (since congress won't) and Michigan roads will get the benefit.

Michigan Roads Are In Trouble: Here's Why

Highway Trust Fund in peril in Washington

Will Congress Undo the Highway Trust Fund Knot? Or Not...

As if we don't have enough problems with the Michigan legislature failing to do anything about a long term road fix. It's been years and like kids fighting over toys, no one in Lansing can or will give up anything. Not even to make our roads safer.

Now the money Michigan gets from the federal Highway Trust Fund is in a knot and in danger of falling away like my

Road Kill News: Vol. I, Issue IV

Well, I think I am getting the Volume and Issue thing straight. Maybe...

Here is the Road Kill News(c) for another week. Stuff that has something to do with the shape of roads in Michigan - or not. You decide. Just click on the headlines to read.

Why do truck weigh stations seem like they're always closed?

From Michigan Public Radio. How can a weigh station enforce fines on overweight trucks, which some think are destroying our roads, if they always seem to be closed?

AAA says more than a million Michiganders rushing to catch last of the summer sun

Seems like more people are driving this Labor Day, partly because gas is cheaper. Would you be willing to pay a bit extra at the pump to get better roads. Our ignorant  clueless nice lawmakers in Lansing don't think so.

State says lease payments to end soon on idle rail cars 

State pays $3,000-a-day lease payments on idle train cars - $10 million since 2010 - before finally figuring it's not a good idea. No wonder there is so little money for roads. WTF!

Investigation finds Courser-Gamrat "committed misconduct" and are "not credible witnesses" 

Those of us not living under a rock the past few weeks know about this. But the photos of them in this Michigan Radio article are creepy: Their staring right at you! Now some think this is going to keep the hired help in Lansing too busy to come up with a Compromise Road Funding Bill in September. Thanks to two Tea Party lawmakers acting like hormone engorged unchaperoned teenagers under the high school bleachers. How's that working out for ya kids?

Michigan’s Local Leaders Turn Against Zombie Republican Lawmakers

From the Democracy Tree website. The opening paragraph says it all about 'Zombie Lawmakers' -

"The Courser-Gamrat affair, while tawdry in its details, remains the act of two nutty freshmen lawmakers, and simply does not rise to the ethically criminal category found in the dereliction of duty of Republican leadership in Lansing."

Zombie Lawmakers simply don't get things done in Lansing. Why? 

Contact me on this site and if you get it right, I'll send you a FREE BUMPER STICKER!!

 Hint: What zombie nourishment is missing in the Lansing capitol?


Drive Careful,
Will

China Stock Market Crashes When Michigan Governor Snyder Visits

Michigan residents fear China market tumble will affect their own finances.

"Oh - This not good"

Last week around the 21st of August, governor Snyder left Michigan to visit China, and immediately after his arrival the China stock market crashed in spectacular fashion. How big was China’s stock market crash? It's been dubbed “Black Monday” - August 24th ending with Chinese equities down 8.5%, wiping out hundreds of billions of dollars in market capitalisation.

Was Snyder's visit and the Chinese market crash a coincidence? Probably. Well sure, of course. But it got me thinking. If governor Snyder

I Hope The Highway Trust Fund Bill in Washington Fails

Did you know that the Highway Trust Fund runs out of money on July 31st ? This will cause construction on transportation projects across the country to grind to a halt.

The Highway Trust Fund is a transportation fund in the United States which receives money from a federal fuel tax of 18.4 cents per gallon on gasoline and 24.4 cents per gallon of diesel fuel and related excise taxes. In part the Fund provides money to states which funds road construction and repair. It was established in 1956 to finance the United States Interstate Highway System and certain other roads.

Well I think I hope it does run out. That they do NOT pass it. But let me explain...

WASHINGTON -- The Senate inched forward Friday on a $45 billion, three-year bill to fund the nation's highways, bridges and roads -- one week before all funding runs out. Senators voted 51-26 on a procedural motion that puts the bill one step closer to final passage. - Jennifer Bendery White House and congressional reporter, The Huffington Post, 07/24/2015

Now what would Lansing lawmakers say if the Highway Bill failed in Washington D.C. and the funds it provides to Michigan stopped flowing to our road projects? Would they complain that the Reps in D.C. are 'not doing their job' by failing to get Michigan their share of federal money for roads ? Would they cry and complain like babies?

Well probably yes. At first. But then I think this might happen.

Our hired help in Lansing might stop to remind themselves that their job is, in part, to fulfill the requirements of the Michigan State Constitution. That hallowed document in part states that it is their sworn duty to 'keep Michigan roads in reasonable repair'. Then they might take note of a recent study that shows more than half of Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids' roads are in poor condition, even dangerous. This study was put together by the transportation research group TRIP. That makes Michigan roads, the roads they are responsible for, some of the worst in the nation!

And to move things along in Washington, they may draft a letter to Congress urging them to act appropriately and approve funding of the Highway Bill for future years, so Michigan can keep it's roads in safe and 'reasonable repair'. Just like the Michigan constitution requires.

They may come to understand and empathize with the struggle Michigan drivers have dealing with the repair costs associated with Michigan's crumbling roads. These costs affect motorists in Detroit, Flint and Grand Rapids who pay over $800 in additional annual upkeep because of poor road conditions. Lansing drivers paying an extra $733 annual extra vehicle operating cost and Ann Arbor drivers forking out up to $571 in annual repair bills.

And at last our noble Michigan legislators might come to realize the hypocrisy of their own actions over the last several years, specifically their inaction to fund our own road repairs, and make the lofty decision to come together in a show of bi-partisanship and compromise and finally levy the needed taxes, make the budget changes and do whatever is necessary to finally make Michigan roads not the Worst In The Nation, but the most envied in the nation. An admirable goal for the state which is the cradle of the worlds greatest automobile industry.

Naaaww - Who am I kidding! I hope the Highway Trust Fund extension bill passes in congress and we get our needed federal road money. Because nothing will change in Lansing. Our Michigan lawmakers are useless and they have proved it. Under their leadership, or lack thereof, Michigan ranks second to last in state per-capita spending on roads and will continue in that ranking because Michigan legislators that are as lousy at their job as our roads.

And that's why I hope the Highway Trust Find bill passes.

Drive Careful,
Will

Don't forget to get your "Fix Our Roads" bumper sticker!

If you already have one then get another.Some of our state representatives are slow readers.

Road Kill News: Vol. II

Here are some of the topics I noticed being discussed and/or of interested to you if you are interested in fixing Michigan's roads. If you are not interested in fixing Michigan's roads, here is a link to the Comics Web Page :-)

Pothole not to blame for deadly New Hudson Crash - According to Oakland County Sheriff - Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press

Not so sure of the validity of this "investigation". You read it and see what you think.

Michigan's crummy roads cartoon gallery! - Mike Thompson, Detroit Free Press

Really Funny - Really Real.

Editorial: House plan falls short, but offers some hope. - The Detroit News

This plan has now passed with some changes. It was so popular and had so much support in the senate that a Tie Breaker had to be called in to get it off it's ass and out the door!

'Pure Michigan' on its third leader in less than a year after resignation - MLive web site

Not sure what "Pure Michigan" is doing lately for our roads. But if you ask around, a lot of people here and in most other states think of "Lousy Roads" when they think of "Pure Michigan"! I'd resign too.

Michigan roads, politicians and Independence Day - MLive web site

Just because it mentions lousy Michigan roads. And I left a comment on it.

Be Sure to Come Back Next Week for more...

Drive Careful,
Will

Michigan House Votes To Use Forced Labor To Fix Roads ?

If someone takes something from you without your permission what might you call that? Steeling?

If you were told you must work and someone else will get the money even though you do not wish it, how would you feel? Like you were forced?

Some 3/4 Million Michigan tax payers will be forced to fix the roads, whether they like it or not, by working more hours without actually receiving pay in their pockets for the work they do. And the majority of the Michigan house of representatives is all for it. What? Let me try to explain.

Here is what I have read:

"House Republicans voted this week to eliminate the earned income tax credit as part of a plan to spend more on road improvements. Senate Republicans may follow suit this summer." - Oakland Press

The Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EIT) Democrats and others say, is the state credit which helps low-income people pay their bills and buy necessities. About 780,000 qualifying Michigan taxpayers received an average credit worth $140 last year. People who need this credit use the money not for luxuries, but for necessities, like food for their kids. Republicans want to use that money to fix our roads instead.

Fix The Roads - Are We There Yet?

Will this republican plan hurt people in Michigan?

For people earning minimum wage, that might amount to 2 or more days of work. Work which will now be paid, not to them, but to the state to 'Fix The Roads'!

If they do not wish to do that, some feel that may amount to Forced Labor. What do you think?
 
Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof thinks it is a small thing and supports it.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof tells The Associated Press he supports ending the tax credit and so does a majority of his caucus. He says it’s a small credit compared to a larger federal credit. - Oakland Press

And in addition, while republicans exist in office to a large extent off the mantra 'no new taxes' and 'lower all taxes', their vote to completely remove the Michigan EIT is in essence a raise in taxes for those that currently claim it.

Increase taxes on poor?
'Nothing is off the table' - Arlan Meekhof

Is this republican proposal impractical, ignorant or just plain mean spirited? My hope is it simply will not fly and a Real Plan to Fix Our Roads will be put forward by the legislature. However like the Bible says; 'hope is the expectation of things not beheld'. I hope but I just don't see it.

Thanks for taking a look at this, my opinion. Please tell me what you think.

Drive Careful,
Will

The All New Michigan Road Kill News

Here it is. It might be Dead. It might Stink.
Or it might be good for something. You decide for yourself.

I get my news in a lot of ways from a lot of places. Print, Internet, Friends and People I Meet.

When it comes to news about the roads I pretty much pick up everything I can. I am very concerned about the condition of the roads in Michigan, that's one reason why I write this blog. The truth is most of the news about the roads in Michigan nowadays is worthless. Just repeated prattle from some congressman / lawmaker, or a journalist trying to fill some space .

A lot of the news about the roads includes some study about this or that, trying to prove some persons point of view one way or the other. I've seen studies and polls printed barely one day apart painting a complete opposite picture about the exact same subject.

And I l have heard politicians talk about infrastructure and our roads in Michigan, either completely uninformed on the subject, or being outright deceitful, just to look good in front of the reporters and their constituents.

Needless to say all that is time consuming and tiring. So I've decided to start more or less a regular post entitled "Roadkill News". Now there are jokes about things like the "Roadkill Cafe" or people picking up roadkill to bring it home for dinner. True story: I once told a co-worker about a dear that had been hit right across the street from my house. That evening he followed me home, asked me to help him put the deer in the back of his pickup truck, told me his butcher should be able to get good meat out of about half of the poor dead thing. It wasn't just a few days later he was offering me some deer jerky, you guessed it, from that road kill at the end of my driveway. I didn't eat it. With "Roadkill News", you don't have to eat it if you don't want to either.

"Roadkill News" is a lot like what it sounds like. Some of its Stinks, some of it might be good for something. So as a favor to you folks , whether you like it or not I'll put up as much of the news about the roads as I can find, kind of like just the headlines and a quick description. Stick it in the back of my pickup truck so to speak and drop it off here so you can sift through it in a hurry and decide which of it is any good and worth reading. Nothing fancy just headlines with links to the articles and web pages, and a few words. But don't worry, I'll still be getting into detail about the road news that really does mean something and needs to be talked about.



So here is some bits of news I've picked up on the roads, off the roads in the last couple of days.

Low-income tax credit eyed for road funding - Michigan Public Radio

By Rick Pluta • Jun 2, 2015

A state House panel considers elimination of the tax credit for working poor  families to help come up with more money for roads. That's right. Fix the roads by grabbing money out of the pocket of the working poor. Put those people to work. They don't have enough to do already.

Safe Roads Yes on Facebook.
Safe Roads Yes! Website

As of the 1st of June, the Safe Roads Yes! coalition continues to urge us to "Get out and vote YES on Proposal 1" - on Facebook and the Safe Roads Yes! web site. REALLY!

 

Take the Free Press Pothole Challenge - By Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, March 9, 2015

The Detroit Free Press wants to see (and share) what you think is the worst pothole or stretch of potholes across Michigan. You can share your photos and videos on one of the Freep's social media channels. Just can't seem to make up my mind, so many potholes...so many potholes.

 

Highway Trust Fund Is 'Broke,' Ex-Transportation Secretary LaHood Says - STEVE INSKEEP, National Public Radio. May 19, 2015

The primary way that federal highway and transit programs are funded for state, local, and national projects across the country is running out of money for highways, bridges and mass transit. Not good for our Michigan roads, seeing we can't seem to raise any money for roads ourselves. Now our federal hand out just may go away.

Well that's about it for now. Stay tuned for more Road Kill News, where YOU decide if it's really worth the trouble. There is bound to be plenty more.


Drive Careful,
Will