It would appear that $195 Million “Bailout” just wasn’t quit enough it was just the starting point. Within 10 hours of these articles the backroom deals must have been cut?
Anybody think this has something to do with the lawsuit that was awarded that the DPS is on the hook for? Throw in all the other liabilities’ and debt into the mix and sure looks like us taxpayer’s will pony up yet again!
In a letter to Schuette’s office dated Sept. 23 asks the attorney general to opine on whether Michigan’s Constitution was violated when the state Republican controlled Legislature passed a bill in December 2012 specifically to divert state school aid funds for the $450 million arena.
AG Schuette OKs school taxes for new Red Wings arena says it’s Constitutional
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette quietly issued an opinion that said state taxes for schools can legally be used to fund the arena’s construction.
So this is Constitutional for the taxpayers of Michigan to fund one of the riches people in the state as listed by Forbes? Oh my….
Gov. Snyder wants the Legislature to offer DPS up to an additional $72 million a year from Michigan Taxpayers! Snyder faces a tough challenge in getting the money for Detroit from the School Aid Fund as he planned.
It’s no wonder when money from that fund went to building the new “Red Wings Arena” with AG Schuette writing an opinion saying it was Constitutional to do so. Wake up people you are being taken by the Republicans who have complete and total control in Lansing!
Follow the timeline in the articles below.
Foundation leader: No bailout for DPS
7:15 a.m. EST November 19, 2015
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/11/18/skillman-leader-expect-foundation-rescue-dps/76031940/
Private aid floated in DPS deal
5:04 p.m. EST November 19, 2015
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/politics/2015/11/19/cotter-detroit-school-debt/76069582/
DPS deal needs realistic funding
9:33 a.m. EST November 15, 2015
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/editorials/2015/11/15/editorial-detroit-schools-funding/75823016/
Price of DPS plan could spike
12:07 a.m. EDT May 15, 2015
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/opinion/columnists/ingrid-jacques/2015/05/15/jacques-editor-note-dps-plan-price/27320421/
DPS to pay $350,000 to teen suing Pugh
11:50 a.m. EST November 4, 2015
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/detroit-city/2015/11/04/charles-pugh-sexual-harrassment-case/75154496/
Schuette OKs school taxes for new Red Wings arena
Links inside article for more information.
http://www.metrotimes.com/Blogs/archives/2014/12/16/news-hits-schuette-oks-school-taxes-for-new-red-wings-arena
Forbes richest Americans list includes 11 from Michigan
http://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/2015/09/29/forbes-richest-americans-list-includes-michigan/73052340/
Michael & Marian Ilitch & family on Forbes Lists of wealthiest in Michigan
http://www.forbes.com/profile/michael-marian-ilitch/
Michigan Outrage: School Funds to be Spent on Arena
By Diane Ravitch who is a historian of education, an educational policy analyst, and a research professor is outraged by this and Michigan citizens should be as well.
http://dianeravitch.net/2014/12/21/michigan-outrage-school-funds-to-be-spent-on-arena/
Schuette Opinion: Use of tax revenue and public money for development
STATE OF MICHIGAN BILL SCHUETTE, ATTORNEY GENERAL OPINION
It is my opinion, therefore, that the Michigan Strategic Fund’s proposal to provide funds from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program for the purpose of assisting in the demolition of the Joe Louis Area after completion of the new arena at the Detroit Events Center does not violate section 88c(3)(a) of the MSF Act, which prohibits the use of such funds for the development of a stadium or arena for use by a professional sports team. ~ Attorney General BILL SCHUETTE
Here is what the Michigan State Constitution says.
Article 9, § 11 of the Michigan Constitution established a State School Aid Fund funded by various tax revenues, and provides in part: There shall be established a state school aid fund which shall be used “exclusively” for aid to school districts, higher education, and school employees’ retirement systems as provided by law.