This was published October 22, 2008.


Editor,

            As we end the States fiscal year I would like to take this opportunity to remind voters that this is also the 1 year anniversary of the largest tax increase in Michigan’s history. A tax increase we were told was necessary to keep our State Government from shutting down, A Tax increase that here in the 103^rd district was supported by our State Representative Joel Sheltrown.

         Joel Sheltrown voted YES on a nearly $800 million income tax hike.  Joel Sheltrown voted YES on a $613+ million sales tax increase on services. Then when it was realized by even the tax and spend liberals of the house that the services tax was a jobs killer, and was repealed, Joel Sheltrown voted YES on a whopping 22% sur-charge on the Michigan Business tax.

            Then adding insult to injury, we find out, there was no imminent threat of the State Government shutting down.  In fact the State of Michigan finished the fiscal year 07’ with a $350 million dollar surplus!  These actions prompted a recall effort against our Representative.

            But Michigan voters have had their share of disappointments this year; not only have we seen the largest tax hike in the history of the state.  We've seen the Governor and her party whips screaming about the need for "cuts, revenues and reforms" then voting for tax hikes, and against reforms and also increasing government spending by $750 million.

             But nothing is more disappointing than the betrayal of working families by a self acclaimed would be-conservative.  The worst thing you can do in a troubled economy is raise taxes, yet that is exactly what the democratically controlled house and Joel Sheltrown did.  The speaker of the House, Andy Dillon faces a recall vote this November because he lied about his position on taxes, I believe voters of the 103^rd should send our Representative a clear message as well. 
        Each and every one of us has a role.  For good or for bad, government affects our daily lives.  Its success rises and falls on the attention and scrutiny we afford to its maintenance.  Let the public become disengaged and unconcerned, and government will cater to itself.  But let people become vocal and vigorous about its decisions, and government will have to respond.

Steve Yantiss

East Tawas

The following was published in early October 2008.


Editor,

Do You Know Your Animal Groups?
There's a Pod of Whales,
A Rafter of Turkeys,
A Pride of Lions,
A gaggle of Geese,
A Congress of Crows,
wait a minute, a Congress of Crows?
how appropriate,
American Crows congregate in large numbers,
make allot of noise,
and foul the area they roost in,
Sound familiar?
Maybe it's time to send our Congressional Crows south for the winter,
Washington needs new leadership now.

Steve Yantiss
East Tawas, Mi.

The following is a letter to the editor published early August 2008.

Editor,
      

Recently the phrase “our do nothing congress” has become quite popular with the media and voters alike.  I believe it is quite a testimonial to the average American voter’s intelligence that they see through the “smoke and mirrors” of the status quo and recognize that the democratically controlled congress, while making allot of fuss over the current administrations shortcomings, is really hard pressed to take a serious position regarding the most pressing issues facing our nation today.  Take for example the shameful lack of attention regarding drilling for oil here in the United States.  America’s energy policy needs to be updated at the very least.  Yet the Democrats, led by Nancy Pelosi, decided that the summer recess was far more important than the creation of a National Energy Policy.  Think of it, we stand at the beginning of a new frontier, several sustainable energy options are within our grasp, drilling for oil on our shores is just one of them, yet nothing is being addressed.  This seems to be yet another example of this congress’s disdain for hard work, they should, at the very least, craft a policy that addresses all energy options, and not get stuck on ones that they deem unpopular.  Republicans during this time of crisis have chosen to stay in Washington, staging a “speak in”. That is staying on the job and talking to anyone who will listen about the need for a comprehensive, sustainable National Energy Policy.  Weather you believe in global warming or not, weather you can afford gasoline prices or not, weather you favor solar, wind , nuclear, or hydrogen initiatives, you must at least believe that something needs to be done, our elected officials need to step up to the task of addressing all options on the table.  It’s time for all Americans to stand up and demand that this job get done, and done now.  Our congressman Bart Stupak is one of those Democrats, he professes to be a conservative Democrat, yet his voting record shows he has voted with the Pelosi camp 94.8% of the time, the NRA gives him a C+ for his voting record regarding gun owners rights, and he, as have all Democrats, walked off and left important National Policy decisions for another day.  It is time to remove this “do nothing” legislator from office and replace him with his Republican opponent Tom Casperson.   Fresh new leadership is what is required in Washington today, and the dissolution of the old status quo needs to happen in this election cycle so we can begin the heavy lifting required to change from a “do nothing” congress, to a legislative body that will actually address and produce legislative policies that address the immediate needs of the American people.

Steve Yantiss
East Tawas

Well, for those of you who don't know, the "believeinsteve" campaign lost in the primary August 5th.  However, the entire campaign team is to be congratulated on a job well done.  We came a long way in this campaign, learned many valuable lessons, and stand ready to fight the good fight again in 2010.  The Campaign Committee has not been dissolved, thus assuring a place on the next ballot as early as January 2009.  I will be actively campaigning for the Tom Casperson congressional campaign, and yes, I will be serving in an advisory capacity on the Dave Ryan campaign for State Rep.  I look forward to helping the Iosco County Republican Committee get out the vote and supporting the McCain - Palin campaign for the presidency. I also wish to thank all the good people I've met along the way, and a special thank you to all who volunteered and helped with the campaign, it's not over, we will prevail, the 103rd district seat is open in 2010, and there will be a very exciting Gubernatorial race as well.  All in all we have some very important political decisions to make now, and in the coming months ahead.  I will keep the blog alive by publishing my letters to the editor here, as well as publishing information I feel is important to the voters here in the 103rd.  Again thank you for your support.

Steve 

The last week of June saw the new fiscal year budgets sent to the Governor for approval.  There were no major structural reforms in this year’s budgets to justify the $1.4 billion in Democrat tax increases of last year. Not only do the budgets perpetuate the structural spending problem in Lansing, they send $4 million in additional revenue-sharing funds to Detroit and their embattled mayor, despite only sending a 2 percent increase for schools, police and fire departments over the last two years.

 

What matters most to your family and your community? Money to Detroit or money for your schools? Local police and fire departments, or Kwame’s scandal?

 

Without serious government reforms, Michigan is in line for yet another tax increase, and is looking at a $500 million deficit next year.

 

Michigan’s families deserve bold leadership. These budgets prove that Michigan also needs new leadership who will focus on property tax and income tax relief.

Also, high taxes adversely affect our state’s economy. All other things being equal, states that have high taxes create less wealth and experience lower rates of economic growth.

 

Take, for instance, the Michigan Business Tax, an attempt at reform from the old Single Business Tax model, then thrown out the window when a 22% surcharge was added to help create the $1.4 billion dollar tax increase we saw last year.

 

High business taxes deter business investment and entrepreneurship in Michigan. This high tax burden will continue to drive manufacturing jobs – including automobile manufacturing – out of the state and into lower-tax, lower-regulation states, while also discouraging high value-added service jobs in sectors like finance and information technology from locating in Michigan. Given the economic woes facing Michigan, high taxes, both business and personal, stand in the way of any economic recovery we can hope for here in Michigan.

 

OK, that’s the problem. What, you may ask, are the answers? I believe that there are many ways to turn this state around; today I would like to discuss one that is high on my priority list, and one that I believe needs to happen NOW.

 

The new leadership in Michigan needs to start the new term focusing on establishing an EFFECTIVE, EFFICIENT & ACCOUNTABLE GOVERNMENT.

 

For Michigan to maximize the amount of tax dollars devoted to our most distinctive and competitive assets, our public sector must be nimble, thrifty, and accountable.  State and local government, schools, and higher education must maximize efficiency to assure sustainable funding for Michigan’s most pressing and strategic future needs. Public institutions must better serve people and embrace change. Citizen involvement must be encouraged as essential for effective and accountable government. Here is how this should be accomplished;

 

Establish Accountability & Bipartisan Leadership

We need to increase political accountability so that Michigan can rely on experienced, strategic, competent, and decisive leaders in elected offices.  Leaders willing to set aside traditional party politics to craft and implement bipartisan strategies to move Michigan forward.

 

Clear Taxing & Spending Priorities

Establish a new “public purse” a tightly focused, long term, sustained taxing and spending strategy.  Top spending priorities: education, economic development, marketing our state to the world, and quality of life investments in arts and culture, natural resources, health and safety.  Michigan must continually asses and modernize its tax structure to maximize and sustain those public investments that are crucial for the states competitiveness in the global economy.

 

Establish Government Collaboration & Service Sharing

We must increase collaboration and service sharing among Michigan’s hundreds of school districts and local government units.  Tax revenue sharing and state laws should reward collaboration, service sharing, efficiency, and best practices.

 

These are just a few of the strategies that need bold new leadership to implement.  The old adage that “nobody likes change” should be sent packing, and the new adage, “embrace change” should be our state’s mantra.  Michigan is at a cross roads of sorts.  Either we elect new leadership and embrace change, or we sink further into the economic abyss we currently find ourselves in.

 

Please remember to vote in the August 5^th primary, hopefully I will see you at the campaign victory party August 9^th.

Wednesday, May 21, the House Democrats passed legislation which will damage Michigan's manufacturing and agriculture industries (House Bill 5070).  Democrats (including the 103rd District's current representative) did this despite clear opposition to the bills by the Michigan Farm Bureau and the Michigan Manufacturers Association, among others. This is another great example of how Mr. Sheltrown, who claims to be a "conservative" Democrat (no such thing) will vote with his party every time, even when a bill is nauseatingly liberal at its core.

The legislature has been considering bills which would enter the State of Michigan into a regional water "compact." This compact is designed to help Midwestern states protect the Great Lakes from other regions who would like to divert this precious resource elsewhere. Everyone agrees we must take steps to keep Great Lakes water here and to find a balance between water usage and conservation efforts in Michigan.

However House Democrats, including Joel Sheltrown, passed an extreme environmentalist agenda which will add on EXTRA regulations to the compact, severely hurting farmers and manufacturers who depend on water to grow our food, make our products, and employ our families. This is another example of "wrong-minded thinking" that will DRIVE JOBS OUT OF MICHIGAN and CAUSE FOOD PRICES TO SOAR.

This draconian legislation will put even greater restrictions on water usage than those that exist today and allow any person or organization to sue a farmer or manufacturer who uses water.  Under current law, only those impacted by such usage are eligible to file suit.  Lets not forget that the Michigan Trial Lawyers are one of the biggest PAC contributors to the Democratic Party, and Joel Sheltrown. With these lawsuits, the House Democrats gave radical environmental groups--and litigation-happy trial lawyers--free reign to pursue their agendas.

These votes will allow people who don't care about our jobs or food prices to stop farmers and manufacturers from operating in Michigan. This is another case of a politician going off to Lansing and FORGETTING ABOUT THE PEOPLE BACK HOME.

There must be a balance between water usage and conservation, but this plan will kill jobs, put farmers at risk and drive up food prices. When the farming and manufacturing communities both oppose something, the folks in Lansing should be listening. 

Someone else must have their ear...

 

House Democrats already raised taxes by $1.4 billion, and now, adding insult to injury, they want to spend another $2 billion that we can't afford to build more state buildings, and call it a "jobs program."  At this level of spending, Michigan will have to pay an additional $80 million a year for the next 15 to 20 years in interest costs alone.

The Capitol Outlay Budget includes funding for state building construction, parks, and airport projects. While many of these projects are needed, House Democrats decided to cram the budget full of wasteful, pork barrel spending. The House Democrats plan to spend even more than the governor recommended, so much so that they may have to raise the state bond cap, which is a limit on how much the state can borrow in order to prevent overspending. Think of it this way: raising the bond cap is like maxing out your credit card, then just opening another so you can keep on spending.

If we wan't to fix our economy, we have to get our spending under control. While we may not be able to influence external forces in the global economy that affect Michigan in the short term, we can make a healthy start by putting our own house (pun intended) in order. Fiscal responsibility, government reform, and reduction of waste within our government are concepts that seem to fall on deaf ears of the current legislature. 

Every citizen of Michigan should demand accountability from his or her representative regarding how the state spends its money. If that representative's performance includes wasteful and fiscally irresponsible spending, Michigan's voters can send a strong message this November by removing that "Big Spender" from office.

As I move forward in this campaign I am meeting a lot of good people here in the 103rd District, and I am being asked many pertinent questions relative to the issues and my campaign. In an effort to reinforce my commitment to "return to a truly representative state legislature, I would like to use this forum to share these questions and answers with you.

Q: "What do you see as the role of the 'Medicaid Inspector General?'  Would you have a job description in mind?  If so that would be a fair response." (See April 14 blog post.)

A: Great question. 

The office of "Medicaid Inspector General" would be created by legislation as an independent entity within the Michigan Department of Health to improve and preserve the integrity of the Medicaid program by conducting and coordinating fraud, waste, and abuse control activities for all state agencies responsible for services funded by Medicaid.  Simply stated, the mission of the office of Medicaid Inspector General would be to improve the efficiency and accountability of the Michigan Medicaid program by preventing and detecting fraudulent, wasteful, and abusive practices within the Medicaid program.

This type of legislation is what my campaign is all about--reform and reduction of waste within our state.  I like to refer to these types of initiatives as having a "payback bonus" attached to them.  Not only would we reduce the waste and fraud in the Medicaid system, but the revenue saved could be used to fund the office itself, and also provide a positive return on this investment to the state budget, which in part, would help eliminate the need to raise state taxes.

It would also provide benefits for the uninsured lower- and fixed-income residents, as well as providing residual benefits for the health care provider community by reducing unnecessary and redundant paperwork and creating efficiencies within the Medicaid system itself.

This is just one of many examples of the "low-hanging fruit" that is there for the picking within our great state that will ultimately yield a more efficient, cost effective, and fiscally responsible state government.  These initiatives will help us achieve what every taxpayer in the state is demanding: LOWER TAXES.

Once again thank you for your question, and I encourage everyone to send me your thoughts, questions, opinions, and issues.  As your State Representative my goal will be to achieve an honest and open dialog with every resident of our district.  It will be through this commitment and effort that Michigan can return to a "truly representative state legislature."

The Headline in Sunday's Detroit Free Press says it all: "New Tax Shocks Business Owners."  The article goes on to point out the outrageous tax increases business owners are faced with due to the new Michigan Business Tax (MBT) that became effective January 1st.  What the article fails to tell us is how the state's new tax structure came to be the burgeoning behemoth of a bloated bureaucracy that it is today. The article points out that "as part of Michigan's bitter, drawn out debate last year on replacing the Single Business Tax (SBT), lawmakers in Lansing created the MBT to spread the tax burden more evenly.  Manufacturers got some relief, while service firms were expected to pay more."  This sounds like the nice bi-partisan sound bite it is intended to be, however it falls short of explaining what really happened in the state legislature. 

Early in 2007. Governor Granholm declared that a shortfall in projected state revenue represented a "crisis" for which there was only one answer: a tax increase.  (We now know that this alleged shortfall was a bit off; turns out there was actually a $350 million surplus in the state's coffers!) 

On the last day of the 2007 fiscal year the legislature had not yet passed a budget for FY 2008.  In the early hours of October 1, as state government was beginning the process of shutting down, Granholm finally got what she wanted, a $760 million income tax hike, and a 6% levy on selected services, most of which were business to business.  The service tax was projected to generate an additional $750 million. 

After passing the tax increase legislation, the 6% service tax was quickly seen to be a jobs killer that would adversely affect the big three Detroit automakers, so the service tax component was repealed 2 months later and replaced by a whopping 22%, $600 million surtax on the MBT. That's right, an additional penalty for the privilege of paying taxes! Instead of using the MBT for what it was intended, that being a jobs creator, and a tax burden reducer for business, it has become just another way for the state to glean more money from Michigan's business community. This should help explain the sticker shock businesses are feeling as Michigan firms calculate their estimated tax payments as required by law.

More than a few eyebrows were raised when the House Democrats used the new money to increase gross spending by some $900 million. Leaving us to ask, what happened to the "crisis?"

House Republicans fought this spending spree, uniting to oppose several budgets that are pumped up with the $1.5 billion in new taxes we are sending to Lansing.  No serious reforms were included in these budgets, which means no attempt was made to avoid spending the entire tax increase.  This matters because the House Fiscal Agency predicts a deficit next year of over $400 million.  If House Democrats are skipping spending reforms, spending every dollar AND facing a $400 million deficit next year, what comes next?  You guessed it, MORE TAXES.

One way to stop wasteful and unnecessary state government spending is to require that Lansing post its spending habits online.  House Democrats and Governor Granholm have repeatedly fought against House Republican proposals to do this.  What have they got to hide?

After pressuring House Democrats with a press conference that included Attorney General Mike Cox, House Republicans won a victory for tax payers everywhere by successfully amending several budgets to require that spending be reported in an easy to access online database.  Still, several Democrats voted AGAINST this important reform!  If this was in place last year, the legislature and Michigan taxpayers would have known the state was sitting on a $350 million surplus, at the same time that House Democrats forced $1.5 billion in new taxes on Michigan's struggling economy.  (If you are interested in an example of how this online database would work, check out the State of Missouri site: www.mapyourtaxes.mo.gov No wonder they're called the "Show Me" state.)

It is clear that taxes will be the primary issue for voters this year, yet again House Democrats have showed where they want to be: IN YOUR POCKETBOOK.