Please consider for your vote and please pass this along to fellow citizens you may know in this District for true citizen representation. I will vow to represent the citizens and “NOT” Political Party, Lobbyist or Special Interest groups. See district map below
The 56th House District contains Monroe County including these Cities and Townships, Bedford, Dundee, Erie, Ida, LaSalle, Luna Pier, Milan, Monroe, Petersburg, Raisinville, Summerfield, and Whiteford. 
Well it’s election season and the propaganda is in full force. Governor Rick Snyder is trying to redefine not only himself as the “Comeback Kid” reinventing Michigan calling it the comeback state, but the very term common sense. It is critical to the future of our state that voters not fall for either attempt.
It has been pointed out by others and is still worth repeating: Working Michigan families have not experienced a comeback, and therefore the moniker “Comeback Kid” is laughable. The narrative of Snyder’s re-election ad rings decidedly flat for those still experiencing unemployment and under employment in Michigan.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140219/OPINION01/302190004/Comeback-talk-defies-common-sense 
Our state has the fourth highest unemployment in the nation, and almost 400,000 out-of-work “Michiganians” are still waiting for the governor to create “more and better” jobs. Michigan ranks near the bottom, 47th in the nation for not just unemployment but as one of the worst states for doing business.
High taxation, over regulation and crony capitalism is but a few of the issues keeping Michigan at the bottom in both of these categories.
Michigan ranks near bottom of Forbes’ Best States for doing Business
Forbes’ annual Best States for Business list as of year ending 2013 ranked Michigan at No. 47 of the 50 states.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130925/NEWS/130929908/michigan-ranks-near-bottom-of-forbes-best-states-for-business-list#
Virginia ranked first and is also one of the 24 right-to-work states that now includes Michigan. Areas that hurt Michigan’s rating included business cost (the state ranked no. 38), labor supply (no. 48), economic climate (no. 47) and growth prospects (no. 47).
http://www.forbes.com/sites/kurtbadenhausen/2013/09/25/virginia-tops-2013-list-of-the-best-states-for-business/
Business cost is based off Moody’s Analytics cost of doing business, which includes labor, energy and taxes. Labor supply measures educational attainment based off Census data and also considers migration and population projections.
Economic climate measures economic output as well as unemployment during the past five years. Growth prospects measures job, income and gross state product forecasts from Moody’s Analytics.
http://www.bls.gov/web/laus/laumstrk.htm
When our Republican controlled legislature is more concerned with the “Friends and Family” programs and the “Business Buddy Fund” along with legislation benefiting themselves and un-related to creating an environment conducive to job creation, “Houston We Citizens of Michigan Have a Huge Problem!”
Concentrating on such legislation as “A Mortgage Bill for the MIGOP Chairman’s Brother” and passing laws regulating “Pigeon’s” along with wasting taxpayer money and time on a legislative “Polar Plunge” during session is unconscionable.
But it just doesn’t end there. The state of Michigan continues to harass private small business owners such as Mark Baker and his “pig” farm. I guess Mr. Baker doesn’t donate to the campaign coffer’s of our elected official’s or have the clout that the Michigan Pork Producers Association does who pay through donations for access and favorable legislation from our legislators?
Michigan Judge Ruling: Mark Baker Can Raise His “Feral” Pigs, But What About Everyone Else?
The state of Michigan wasn’t seeking any longer to bar Baker from raising his pigs, and wasn’t seeking to impose the $700,000 fine it levied last year. But the damage to the Baker family was already done emotionally and financially.
http://thecompletepatient.com/article/2014/february/27/mi-judge-ruling-mark-baker-can-raise-his-%E2%80%9Cferal%E2%80%9D-pigs-what-about-everyone
Sources:
Retroactive state law lets GOP chairman’s brother off hook for $2.4 million
http://www.freep.com/article/20120331/NEWS15/203310415/
In Lansing, a mortgage bill tailored for one
http://www.freep.com/article/20120401/COL04/204010479/
2013 Senate Bill 631: Revise carrier pigeon licensure mandate (Senate Roll Call 53)
Passed 34 to 0 in the Senate on February 26, 2014.
To prohibit a person from getting a state-mandated carrier pigeon license if his or her facilities do not meet regulations imposed by the local government, but preempt locals from banning carrier pigeons outright.
http://michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=685602
2014 Legislative Polar Plunge
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley Led State Officials in taking the Legislative Polar Plunge
Raising money for charity is an admirable cause but not on taxpayer time. If any Michigan worker were to do this as an employee at their work place do you really think their employer would go for it?
I don’t think so and they would be looking for a new job! Our elected officials are elected to serve all Michigan citizens and not just one special group.
This bipartisan group of legislators had a swimming pool brought in and filled with warm water to take this plunge in front of the Capitol building in Lansing. Some wore suits, some wore costumes such as superman and one was dressed as a German-Austrian with a stein full of beer. Keep in mind this was at 3:00 in the afternoon while “in session.”
http://www.adn.com/2014/02/27/3349135/calley-others-take-plunge-for.html
Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uu3HEXH2utU
2013 introduced a resolution for “Talk Like a Pirate Day”
Senator Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Twp. in 2013 introduced a resolution for “Talk Like a Pirate Day” that was approved by his fellow legislators.
Khan celebrated the passage by taking the podium Tuesday while wearing a black eye patch and saying, “It’s time, and now recognized, that the state of Michigan acknowledges this holiday and grants it the recognition it truly deserves.”
Kahn pointed out that Michigan is the Great Lakes state and should support and promote “worthy maritime initiatives.”
http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=160886
Full-Time Hypocrisy Just Say “YES” to a Part-Time Legislature
The taxpayers of Michigan would be better “served” with a part-time legislature and it would be more in line with the “Pure Michigan” theme. Michigan legislators worked (in session) only 81 days during 2012 and 100 days in 2011; pay them accordingly.
The way it’s set up now only works for the legislators, the powerful “lobbyist” and “special interest” that contribute to their campaign coffers. Essentially public policy is set by these groups over “We the People” who have elected them to represent and serve us. The public be damned.
The idea that they are working for us just does not cut it. The only thing they are working on is getting re-elected so that they don’t lose the gravy train they already enjoy along with their spot at the public “feeding” trough.
Many legislators constantly complain about people receiving welfare benefits without knowing their situations by claiming they are lazy and refuse to look for work. These legislators are in session for less than half of the 365 days a year, and yet receive all the benefits of a full-time worker.
They are nothing more than elected welfare recipients, getting all the benefits from the taxpayers in this state without having to show up for work.
Cornerstone Chamber of Commerce advocates for some semblance of legislative reform, especially in light of the fact that far and away the majority of states across the nation accomplish their work on a part-time basis and have for years.
Since they were able to pass 282 bills (that the majority of us didn’t want) in three weeks of the lame-duck session, three to four weeks is all they need to work. Cut their pay 75% with no more free public-paid health care. Maybe then the citizens of Michigan will finally get their money’s worth.
Feel the pain – it’s time for the part-timers to become part-time. Our illustrious Legislature is overdue to become part-time. Since they act like part-timers and meet so infrequently, let’s make them what they are: part-time! While we’re at it, reduce that over inflated salary to part-time status as well. It’s time these politicians feel the same pain we do with reduced incomes, higher taxes and less benefits.
With big money including “corporations as people,” controlling the legislative process representing the people of your district is a dream.
The only communication I receive from my legislator is a reply from a staff person telling me why my representative disagrees with my position or suggestion, if I receive even that. I have been told by my representative that I just don’t understand how the legislative process works! Oh but I understand all to well.
http://www.freep.com/article/20130204/OPINION04/302040006/Letters-Michigan-legislators-work-only-80-days-pay-them-accordingly
Let’s take a look just some of the wasted time spent by our elected lawmakers in Lansing shall we.
Here in 2014 while our legislators were “in session” Senator Rick Jones (R) got into a facebook exchange with the president of the Michigan Open Carry organization over the Remington Gun manufacturer building a plant in Alabama bringing that state over 2,000 jobs.
Looks to me like our legislators have way to much time on their hands! If they have the time while “in session” to surf the Internet and get into debates we need a part-time legislature.
Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley Led State Officials in taking the Legislative Polar Plunge
Raising money for charity is an admirable cause but not on taxpayer time. If any Michigan worker were to do this as an employee at their work place do you really think their employer would go for it?
I don’t think so and they would be looking for a new job! Our elected officials are elected to serve all Michigan citizens and not just one special group.
This bipartisan group of legislators had a swimming pool brought in and filled with warm water to take this plunge in front of the Capitol building in Lansing. Some wore suits, some wore costumes such as superman and one was dressed as a German-Austrian with a stein full of beer. Keep in mind this was at 3:00 in the afternoon while “in session.”
http://www.adn.com/2014/02/27/3349135/calley-others-take-plunge-for.html
Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Twp. in 2013 introduced a resolution for “Talk Like a Pirate Day” that was approved by his fellow legislators. Khan celebrated the passage by taking the podium Tuesday while wearing a black eye patch and saying, “It’s time, and now recognized, that the state of Michigan acknowledges this holiday and grants it the recognition it truly deserves.” Kahn pointed out that Michigan is the Great Lakes state and should support and promote “worthy maritime initiatives.”
Michigan Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, however, didn’t think very highly of the resolution. “I just want to thank the senator from the 32nd District for making the most compelling argument he could for a part-time legislature,” Whitmer said.
http://www.myfoxdetroit.com/story/22518808/michigan-to-officially-recognize-talk-like-a-pirate-day
Is now the time for Michigan’s Legislature to go part-time?
You bet it is! I and many I have conversed with all agree that the less time our elected officials spend in Lansing the less damage they can do! More time spent with constituents in their districts and their concerns and the less time spent with “lobbyist” and “special interest” that “pay” for their agenda to be advanced on public policy the better.
The Republicans with the Republican controlled legislature in Lansing is passing legislation more in line with the Democrat Party! The Grand Old Party is supposed to stand for a more conservative stand on issues. They are supposed to stand for and believe that the federal government should not play a big role in people’s lives. Most Republicans favor lower taxes and less government spending on social programs. They are supposed to stand for and believe in less government intervention in business and the economy. Not the case here in Michigan!
Our current Republican Governor and his counterparts within the Republican controlled legislature in Lansing has proven the exact opposite of the stated stand above they do not adhere to that ideology. Higher taxation, more regulation and bigger government involvement and intervention in business and the economy at the cost to taxpayers has further proven they are on the wrong track for Michigan’s taxpaying citizens and the Republican Party’s stated mission.
In January 2013, with a $25 million (taxpayer funded) U.S.. Department of Transportation grant under the guise of economic development and the proposed 45 permanent positions for Detroit Department of Transportation workers this project has moved forward. With all the “secrecy” surrounding the Michigan Economic Development Authority (MEDC) and their non-transparency no telling how much other taxpayer funds will be funneled to this project!
We taxpayers have been to this dance before. One look at the projections made when the Detroit People Mover was proposed should send up huge “red flags” to the taxpayers of Michigan. The M-1 Rail Line will eventually be donated to the Regional Transit Authority, officials said. Governor Snyder’s 2014 executive supplemental budget calls $2 million “taxpayer dollars” from the general fund to be allocated to the Regional Transit Authority. How much more of Michigan taxpayers’ dollars will be wasted only time will tell. The M-1 Rail Line is expected to serve 6,000 riders a day initially and eventually grow to 10,000. See People Mover.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140218/METRO01/302180070/
The Detroit People Mover opened in 1987 at the time of planning; the system was projected to have a ridership of 67,700 daily. In it’s first year, an average of 11,000 riders used the People Mover each day. The Mover costs $12 million annually in city and “state subsidies” to run. So, all Michigan taxpayers who never have or never will use this system pays for the few who do use it. In 2006, the Mover filled less than 10 percent of its seats! The daily ridership 7,083 – Annual ridership 2,328,084 (FY 2011).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Detroit_People_Mover
Michigan Senate OKs bill “shifting” $100M for snow removal and RTA
The “Theft” of our road tax money continues!
The legislation would mean at least $10.83 million for the four counties in the Detroit region, including $2.44 million for Macomb County, $3.74 million for Wayne County and $3.86 million for Oakland County, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140220/POLITICS02/302200077/1361/Michigan-Senate-committee-OKs-shifting-$100M-for-snow-removal
Michigan Senate OKs $100M plan to repair damaged roads, fill potholes and taxpayer funded RTA Start Up cost.
The supplemental budget includes: nearly $20 million for Harper and Hutzel hospitals, and $2 million in start-up costs for the Regional Transit Authority of Southeast Michigan among other carve out’s to other entity’s.
Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Township, said passage was crucial for many departments in the state. If our legislators in Lansing would just wake up and open their eye’s they would clearly see that by abolishing the “failed” quasi government entity the business buddy favorite MEDC that would supply the much needed funds that these state departments so desperately need. But if they did that they wouldn’t receive the “kick-backs or campaign coffer enrichments now would they!
http://www.freep.com/article/20140220/NEWS06/302200081/michigan-roads-potholes-repairs-proposal
The authority has $500,000 taxpayer funded capital in the bank to work with, provided through the Michigan Department of Transportation. Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw Twp., whose chairman of the Senate Appropriations committee, said a discussion planned for Thursday on a supplemental appropriations bill between him, House Appropriations Chairman Joe Haverman, a Holland Republican, and state Budget Director John Nixon would likely include additional RTA taxpayer funding.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20131119/regional-transit-authority-ceo-has-yet-to-sign-contract-cites-lack-of-dedicated-funding-stream
Michigan House approves regional transit authority
Senate Bill 911, which allows for the collection of new vehicle registration fees to fund the RTA, also passed through the House by a vote of 57-50. Earlier on Thursday, the House had taken action only to pass SB 909, the RTA enabling legislation.
http://www.annarbor.com/news/michigan-house-approves-regional-transit-authority-including-washtenaw-county-in-57-50-vote/
2012 Senate Bill 909: Create Detroit regional mass transit authority
Public Act 387 of 2012
Introduced by Sen. Tom Casperson (R) on January 26, 2012, to create a new Detroit area regional transportation authority (previously called DARTA now called RTA Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority) covering Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne counties, and potentially others. Among other powers the authority could levy property taxes (special assessments) and higher local vehicle registration taxes with the approval of a majority of the aggregate of all votes cast in an election (meaning a particular community could not “opt out” of the tax increase).
http://www.michiganvotes.org/2012-SB-909
2012 Senate Bill 911: Authorize Detroit regional transit vehicle registration tax
http://www.michiganvotes.org/2012-SB-911
Detroit Reinvention Senate and House Bills and Public Acts
This article list taxpayer funds given to Detroit in subsidies.
http://michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277-57577-291716–,00.html
2012 Senate Bill 912: Create Detroit regional mass transit authority
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on January 26, 2012, to exempt the Detroit regional transit authority proposed by Senate Bill 909 (and House Bill 5309) from local zoning ordinances. This is part of Gov. Rick Snyder’s road and transit tax proposal.
Public Act 389 of 2012
http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=144494
2011 Senate Bill 445: Create Detroit area transit authority
Public Act 391 of 2012
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=145614
2012 Senate Bill 967: Authorize dedicated “rolling transit” lanes
Public Act 390 of 2012
http://www.michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=138435
http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=144492
Comment on Bill – Re: 2012 Senate Bill 909 by waltduro on March 30, 2012
Here Snyder goes again, looking to raise taxes so his buddies at Business Leaders for Michigan can get paid.
Senate Bill 911, Authorize Detroit regional transit vehicle registration tax
Introduced by Sen. Bert Johnson (D) on January 26, 2012, to give the regional transit authority proposed by Senate Bill 909 the power to impose a higher vehicle registration tax in the region to pay for buses and other public transportation.
Public Act 388 of 2012
http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=144494
Business Leaders for Michigan – Members: Many of these listed members have received taxpayer funded subsidies for their individual business ventures here in Michigan. http://www.businessleadersformichigan.com/blm-members/
Michigan ranks dead last in the nation when it comes to its per capita spending on its roads and bridges, according to a report citing U.S. Census Bureau data. Is it because Michiganders don’t pay a high enough gas tax, or have our legislators been re-directing our road tax dollars elsewhere?
Michigan has the 5th highest Gasoline Tax in the nation, only Democrat controlled CA, NY, HI, CT are higher! Michigan’s gas excise tax is 19 cents per gallon. Michigan also collects sales taxes and an environmental regulation tax for a whopping grand total of 39.4 cents per gallon.
Michigan legislators have been stealing, robbing and shifting “our” road fund monies for years! Now that the kitty is bone dry they have the gull to suggest “we taxpayers” pony up by accepting a gas tax and vehicle registration fee increases. Article continues below the picture.
Michigan legislative Transportation and Infrastructure committee chairs Wayne Schmidt (R) House and Tom Casperson (R) Senate would serve their constituents and all Michigan motorist well by pushing legislation that would outlaw any further diversions of Gasoline Tax monies from roads, bridges and infrastructure. Unfortunately these two seem more concerned about “Horse Trading” with politically well connected real estate developers.
There is a clear pattern of history here of transferring “stealing” our road tax dollars for other unspecified state spending projects by our elected officials. And our legislators have the gull to propose new taxes on the citizens of Michigan as to repair our roads! Just say no to any new road taxes!
Republican Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville gave a legislative update to the Monroe Chamber of Commerce on Friday, January 10 2014. When he was through giving this update he opened up the floor for questions.
The very first question asked from a chamber member was, there is a lot of talk about a gas tax increase and vehicle registration fee increases coming out of Lansing will we be seeing this in 2014.
Mr. Richardville responded that we will see some sort of “re-alignment” in the gas tax structure but not until after the 2014 elections! Hmmm…I would say that is code word for “yes” we will see a gas tax and vehicle registration fee increase and you can take that to the banksters who donate to their campaign coffers!
2003 “Forgive” Mackinac Bridge Authority Taxpayer Loan
At a time when the state is struggling to repair its crumbling roads, this bill and the others in the Mackinac Bridge bill package would take more than $5 million away from repairing Michigan’s roads and bridges. Further, the bills in this package would forgive a combined debt of over $65 million owed to the state (we the taxpayers) in restricted funds that are used to fix our roads.”
Fast forward to 2014 and guess what Michigan taxpayers “the chickens have come home to roost” and you Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayers of Michigan are now on the hook for fixing this problem perpetrated on the taxpayers of Michigan by the very “thieves” we have elected to serve us!
2003 House Bill 4627 Introduced by Rep. Tom Casperson (R) on May 6, 2003, to forgive state loans to the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/2003-HB-4627
Fiscal Analysis – MACKINAC BRIDGE AUTHORITY LEGISLATION
HB 4627 (H-1) would amend Section 7 of 1952 PA 214 (the Mackinac Bridge Authority’s authorizing statute) the bill would forgive certain “advances” made to the Mackinac Bridge Authority in the Motor Fuel Tax Act – effectively from the Michigan Transportation Fund (MTF).
As of September 30, 2002, there remained an unpaid balance of $53.2 million associated with this advance. Subsection 5 of the bill indicates that this advance is repaid or forgiven effective March 1, 2003.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/documents/2003-2004/billanalysis/House/pdf/2003-HFA-0464-x3.pdf
A very small legislative sampling of how our road tax money is shifted below and there are many others.
Transfer road tax money to other purposes (Senate Roll Call 539) All Senate Republicans voted in favor to reduce the amount of infrastructure project spending from the transportation economic development fund by $12 million in the Fiscal Year that ends Sept. 30, 2009, and another $12 million in the next fiscal year. House Bill 5073 diverts this money to other state spending that was Signed into law by then Gov. Jennifer Granholm on November 3, 2009.
http://www.michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=423745
Transfer road tax money to other purposes (Senate Roll Call 404) All Senate Republicans but one voted in favor to transfer $5.7 million from the state “Comprehensive Transportation Fund” (from which subsidies to public transportation systems are paid), and use the money instead to avoid reductions in non-transportation state spending in the 2009-2010 fiscal year. See also House Bill 5679 (which transfers money from another source into the CTF). This one was Signed into law by then Gov. Jennifer Granholm on September 17, 2010.
http://michiganvotes.org/RollCall.aspx?ID=505897
2011 Senate Bill 411: Create “DRIC/NITC” bridge authority Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on June 7, 2011, to “revise” the state road tax “allocation” law to “accommodate” the authority proposed by Senate Bill 410 to build a new bridge between Detroit and Windsor (the “Detroit River International Crossing” or “New International Trade Crossing,” a.k.a. “DRIC” or “NITC”). This would essentially take road fund monies away from our roads and transfer those monies to this new government authority! AKA, BIGGER GOVERNMENT!
http://michiganvotes.org/2011-SB-411
All About Michigan’s Road Funding and the Recently Proposed “Gas Tax” Increase
http://bainreport.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/all-about-michigans-road-funding-and-the-recently-proposed-gas-tax-increase/
Michigan Road Tax Investigation: Snyder, State Legislators Ignoring State Law and Continue to “Gouge” Michigan Motorists on Gas Taxes
http://bainreport.wordpress.com/2013/09/26/michigan-road-tax-investigation-snyder-state-legislators-ignoring-state-law-and-continue-to-gouge-michigan-motorists-on-gas-taxes/
It sure looks like it. There isn’t a day that goes by where my research on the “failed” Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) hasn’t “given away” the citizens of Michigan’s tax dollars. This must and should stop! How can our elected representatives in Lansing justify asking we taxpayers for a tax increase for our roads with this type of cronyism benefiting themselves and their business buddies? They can’t! Read more below the picture.
Ye Olde Butcher Shoppe Closes Michigan Taxpayers Lose Again
The Shoppe faced a series of setbacks before announcing closure after just 16 months. Just another in a long list of taxpayer funded failures through the “failed” MEDC. The Solakas, the owners were not the only parties to lose money.
$130,000 in community grant money was spent assisting the butcher shop from organizations including Midtown Detroit Inc., the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. and the “failed” (MEDC) Michigan Economic Development Corp. Is every business in Michigan propped up and funded with taxpayer dollars? Sure looks like it!
http://www.freep.com/article/20140211/BUSINESS06/302110031/Why-Ye-Olde-Butcher-Shoppe-is-closing-Detroit
There was “NO” mention of this taxpayer giveaway through the “failed” MEDC in this November 2012 article.
http://www.freep.com/article/20121118/BUSINESS06/311180155/Brothers-hope-Midtown-grocery-store-doubles-as-gathering-place
Whole Foods opens in Detroit with Taxpayer Help
George Jackson, who as president of the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. helped bring Whole Foods to the city. If Detroit is broke where did the Detroit Economic Growth Corp. get the money for this subsidy? Ah how about the “failed” MEDC funneling yet more of all Michigan taxpayers monies to these businesses! Read more below the picture.
Olga Stella, vice president of business development at Detroit Economic Growth Corp. which provided a $1.25 million grant. The DEGC is a private nonprofit group that supports economic development in Detroit. The remaining $5.8 million came from state and local grants and the sale of tax credits tied to the project.
Whole Foods should send Michigan taxpayers a big thank-you note.
http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887324423904578523712663750112
Some of the prominent names that show up in this endeavor are local businessman and the politically connected Alfred Taubman. If you remember he was also a partner in the “failed” MEDC subsidized Raleigh Film Studio in Pontiac the taxpayer funded movie studio that the under-funded state pension fund is now on the hook for their “failed” missed bond payments! The under-funded state pension fund is “you” the taxpayers of Michigan!
Also of interest is Mr. Taubman’s Antitrust Conviction the early 2000s, an investigation into alleged price-fixing between Sotheby’s and rival auction house Christie’s led to a confession by Sotheby’s CEO Diana Brooks of an elaborate price fixing “scheme” with her counterpart at Christie’s, Christopher Davidge.
In a plea bargain arrangement, prosecutors offered to keep her out of prison if she agreed to implicate Taubman. She did, and thereafter Taubman was convicted in a jury trial of price fixing. He was fined $7.5 million (USD) and imprisoned for ten months in 2002 for anti-trust violations.Taubman was released in 2003.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Alfred_Taubman
One of Mr. Taubman’s partners in that “failed” Raleigh Film Studio is John Rakolta Jr. who is the CEO of Walbridge (formerly known as Walbridge Aldinger). Governor Rick Snyder appointed Mr. Rakolta to the board of, you guessed it the “failed” (MEDC) Michigan Economic Development Corp. Can you say a definite conflict of interest? Rakolta has also served as the chairman of New Detroit from 2003 to 2010.
John Rakolta and his company Walbridge was recently involved in the shady dealings in the new Wayne County Jail project that was shut down and has recently come under investigation by Wayne county prosecutor Kym Worthy in Detroit.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Rakolta
So my fellow Michigan taxpaying citizens does anybody but me see that these businessmen and their political buddies in Lansing are running a criminal enterprise using “our” tax dollars in an all for profit scheme? Shady characters and convicted felons are working with our elected officials literally stealing our money!
A word to the wise come election time here in 2014, be very careful how you cast your vote you may well get something you don’t necessarily want! Politicians will tell you what you want to hear as to get elected but the results are not in your best interest!
Additional Sources:
It took 15 years to build a grocery store. Not only 15 years, it also took a whole lot of corporate welfare as well.
http://motorcitytimes.com/mct/2014/02/detroit-small-business-closes-cites-government-bureaucracy-regulations-and-corporate-welfare/
