Another Crony Gov. Rick Snyder Appointee Target of FBI Probe

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                                                    “The Boji Files” Boji Ficano Snyder Richardville
The Snyder administration scandals’ starring his appointee’s is just unconscionable. All this corruption revolves around real-estate, real estate development and construction with our legislators in Lansing. The list is like the energizer bunny it just keeps going and going.
The “Friends and Family” program and the “Business Buddies” fund is alive and well in Lansing and it’s definitely not in the best interest of the citizens of Michigan. Those you elect to serve you are serving the lobbyist and special interest group’s best interest not yours.

FBI Probe into Democrat Bob Ficano and his buddy Snyder Appointee Ron Boji
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/even-with-ficanos-days-numbered-fbi-probe-into-wayne-county-stretches-into-year-three

Wayne County has been ordered to repay an $850,000 federal grant
With the help of Wayne County, developer Ron Boji received federal funds to build it. Boji was a longtime supporter of Ficano, showering him with campaign donations and throwing a fundraiser at his mansion in Orchard Lake.
http://www.wxyz.com/news/local-news/investigations/hud-orders-wayne-county-to-repay-850k-grant-after-fmr-asst-ceos-conflict-with-developer

Despite all the baggage connected to Boji, he’s still a BIG favorite of crony capitalist Governor Rick Snyder. Governor appoints Ron Boji to Michigan Strategic Fund Monday, January 7, 2013

LANSING, Mich. – Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Ron Boji, of Orchard Lake, to the Michigan Strategic Fund board of directors.
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277–292353–,00.html

Ron Boji appointed to state Transportation Commission
Snyder today announced the appointment of Ron Boji, of Orchard Lake, to the state Transportation Commission.
http://www.michigan.gov/snyder/0,4668,7-277–314872–,00.html

Ron Boji was appointed by Gov. Rick Snyder effective Oct. 17, 2013. Mr. Boji is involved with Bob Ficano in the FBI ongoing probe.
http://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9623_31969_31970-315012–,00.html

2013 Senate Bill 509: Authorize new state Senate office building
Introduced by Sen. Randy Richardville (R) on September 17, 2013
To authorize the sale of the Farnum Senate office building in Lansing and construction of a new building for Senators’ offices.

This was referred to the Senate Government Operations Committee on September 17, 2013. It was reported in the Senate on November 13, 2013, with the recommendation that the bill pass.
http://michiganvotes.org/2013-SB-509

Richardville Pushes Questionable Real Estate Bill “MIGOP” History of Crony Capitalism Combined With Unsavory Characters Casts Dark Cloud Over SB 509
https://bainreport.wordpress.com/2014/01/09/richardville-pushes-questionable-real-estate-bill-migop-history-of-crony-capitalism-combined-with-unsavory-characters-casts-dark-cloud-over-sb-509/

Michigan Senate moves to allow sale of Michigan Senate building to Ron Boji
http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/michigan_senate_moves_to_allow.html

Ron Boji has hosted Ficano fund-raisers at his West Bloomfield home
Ron Boji and the Boji Group: Data and Deceit
http://ludingtoncitizen.ning.com/forum/topics/ron-boji-and-the-boji-group-data-and-deceit?xg_source=activity

Chaldean appointed to state transportation commission
LANSING — Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Ron Boji to the state Transportation Commission. Boji is Chaldean.

Boji is president of the Boji Group, where he manages, develops and leases the company’s real estate portfolio. Can you say the Senate Farum building in Lansing or the Bob Ficano FBI ongoing investigation?
http://www.arabamericannews.com/news/news/id_7638/Chaldean-American-appointed-to-state-transportation-commission.html

Chaldean Mafia Threat Analysis
This article by the National Criminal Justice Referance Service profiles the emerging “Chaldean Mafia.”

The Chaldean Mafia is a gang composed almost exclusively of individuals tracing their roots to the country of Iraq, and has a conspicuous presence in areas with large Middle Eastern populations such as Michigan.
https://www.ncjrs.gov/App/publications/abstract.aspx?ID=200792

Urban dictionary on Chaldeans
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=Chaldean&defid=3848574

 

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Companies Leaving Michigan – “Comeback State Fantasy of Fiction”

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1 comback-forbes-on-snyder The list continues to grow as companies are leaving the state closing their doors or filing for bankruptcy. The rhetoric coming out of Lansing doesn’t match the reality. People are still struggling to find full time employment as to make ends meet for themselves and their families and the bad news continues.

The signs are not good all around our state and businesses will go where they feel they can best prosper and it’s not here in Michigan. When you have third world country roads because our legislators continue to “steal” our road fund dollars for other state spending purposes plus the fact so many municipalities and school districts are going under emergency managers what else can we expect.

Below is just a very small sample of companies that have left and we are not counting the ones that have either went out of business or have filed for bankruptcy protection. Some have merged with other businesses as to try and keep afloat (ACO & Ace Hardwares) but with the direction our legislators are taking the state it’s just a matter of time till they to will fail. A1 ACO_Ace_Hardware_320_240

By giving huge tax breaks to big corporations all for corporate campaign donations to those we elect to serve us “We the People” (under the guise of economic development and job creation) and leaving the small business owners to fend for themselves while balancing these favorable tax breaks on the backs of the working middle class, poor and small business owners it’s a recipe for failure. 3 PulteGroup

Pulte’s Atlanta Move Stuns State, Business Leaders and Politicians
The PulteGroup said it will relocate about 325 Michigan jobs for the new headquarters in Georgia. Employees who do not make the move will receive severance packages.
http://www.freep.com/article/20130531/BUSINESS06/305310055/PulteGroup-Bloomfield-Hills-Atlanta

Medical Supply Company Leaving Michigan for Tennessee
The Canton offices and production facility of a medical supply company will close this fall and 145 people will be laid off as it expands operations in Tennessee. 2 Bankruptcy
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2014304110111

Coldwater Creek Files for Bankruptcy, Stores to Close
Michigan loses yet more jobs as another business goes belly up! Michigan has 12 Coldwater Creek stores and all employees will be affected.
http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/viewart/20140411/BUSINESS/304110031/Coldwater-Creek-files-bankruptcy-protection

Companies Lay-Off Thousands, Close Stores, Affects “Michigan Workers” 6 a-tsunami-of-store-closings-layoffs

A Tsunami of Store Closings and Layoffs
I’ve been posting and reporting this for months now while some choose to blow off my reports even going as far as saying the economy is doing much better! 

That day of reckoning, some say, has arrived, with one retail watcher predicting a “tsunami” of store closings this year.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140308/BIZ02/303080019

Hewlett-Packard Expands Job Cuts by another 5,000
The computer company will eliminate 5,000 more jobs than originally planned, bringing the total number of layoffs to 34,000 by October. Hewlett-Packard employs thousands of workers here in Michigan.
http://www.bizjournals.com/albany/morning_call/2014/01/hewlett-packard-expands-job-cuts-by.html Diapers & Food

RadioShack to Close up to 1,100 U.S. Stores
The Company didn’t immediately identify which stores will close or how many jobs would be affected. A call to the company, based in Fort Worth, Texas, was not returned Tuesday afternoon. RadioShack employs thousands of workers here in Michigan.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140304/BIZ02/303040046/0/BIZ02/RadioShack-preps-ax-up-1-100-U-S-stores

Staples to Shutter 225 stores
It’s is unclear how many jobs will be lost or what locations will be shuttered. The company did not immediately return a call from the Associated Press early Thursday. Staples employ thousands of workers here in Michigan.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140306/BIZ02/303060051/0/BIZ02/Staples-shutter-225-stores-sales-move-online

Denver-based Quiznos to file for Bankruptcy
Quiznos operated about 5,000 restaurants at its peak in 2008, but the count has since dropped to an estimated 2,100 worldwide, including 1,400 in the U.S. 10 Quiznos

There are numerous Quiznos restaurants located throughout Michigan that employ thousands of workers. Quiznos is the second-largest submarine sandwich shop chain in North America, after Subway.
http://www.denverpost.com/business/ci_25241309/quiznos-preparing-file-bankruptcy-protection

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Detroit City Airport to get Michigan Taxpayers “Bailout” Too

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Detroit City Airport to get $28.5 Million Taxpayer Money in Revised Bankruptcy Plan Detroit City Airport Grave Yard

The fleecing of Michigan taxpayers money continues with revised bankruptcy plan. The $28.5 million earmarked in Detroit emergency manager Kevyn Orr’s revised restructuring plan would also set aside money for a study of the airport’s role in its east-side neighborhood.

The money would come from the city’s anticipated bankruptcy settlement and the total could go as high as $40 million according to some reports. The city’s general fund has subsidized the airport in recent years because its revenues “have fallen far short of expenses,” Orr’s plan says.

This is on and above the $350 Million “bailout” proposed by Governor Rick Snyder in which the Republican controlled legislature is currently working on about a dozen Bills in Lansing in regard to this “bailout.” Detroit Bankruptcy

In 2013, the city’s general fund contributed $300,000 to fund the airport’s operations. That contribution increased to $600,000 in 2014. Some would say why not privatize the airport as to take the burden off Michigan taxpayers.

While that is a novel idea the problem with that is anyone that would purchase this airport would most likely receive taxpayer funded subsides through the “failed” MEDC under the guise of economic development and job creation.

While reading the comments on this article this one really hit home! “The city needs a jewel of a landing facility for all those revitalization fairies arriving on their little pink flying unicorns.” Wasn’t this the airport of choice for Kawme and his corrupt buddies who robbed the city of Detroit and caused this bankruptcy?

http://www.freep.com/article/20140404/NEWS01/304040017/Detroit-bankruptcy-plan-calls-for-revitalizing-Detroit-city-airport

Detroit City Airport PROPOSED MAJOR CITY AIRPORT IMPROVEMENTS Detroit City Airport 2

Where is Detroit going to get this money from being that it’s in bankruptcy? I’ll tell you…all the taxpayers of Michigan.  TOTAL INVESTMENT: Approximately. $40 MILLION.

http://www.detroitmi.gov/DepartmentsandAgencies/Airport/Improvements.aspx

Detroit’s Spruce Goose: City Airport

The city of Detroit struggles in bankruptcy and one way to move Detroit forward during and after bankruptcy is by unloading municipal assets, especially the assets that have been dragging the city down.

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/19677

Detroit’s Lonely City Airport Might See $28M in Upgrades 2 Bailout Detroit too-big-fail

Kevyn Orr’s latest bankruptcy plan involves spending $28.5M to improve Coleman Young International Airport, commonly known as City Airport. The improvements would add a few modern amenities, potentially luring a commercial airline. The terminal hasn’t seen regularly scheduled passenger service in 14 years.

http://detroit.curbed.com/archives/2014/04/city-airport-could-see-millions-in-improvements.php

Detroit City Airport

The city is also exploring whether to lease or sell the Coleman A. Young Municipal Airport. Until a new strategy is decided, the city will continue to subsidize and operate the airport because it doesn’t want to trigger a requirement to repay prior Federal Aviation Administration grant money, Orr’s office said. 

http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140221/METRO01/302210096

Orr’s Detroit bankruptcy Detroit Bankruptcy 1

http://www.freep.com/article/20140221/NEWS06/302220011/governor-rick-snyder-detroit-bankruptcy-plan-of-adjustment

Detroit proposes lower pension, creditor payouts in new revised bankruptcy plan 

http://www.freep.com/article/20140331/NEWS01/303310141/Detroit-bankruptcy-plan-adjustment-disclosure

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Republican Controlled Legislature Drafting Bills for Detroit “Bailout”

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State legislators are working on about a dozen bills that will use $350 million taxpayer money that Governor Rick Snyder has proposed. We taxpayers “bailout” the auto companies, banks and Wall Street now we are adding cities to the list of too big to fail. Who is next on this list the insurance companies?  1-Bailout-rick_snyder

You just know whenever you hear politicians talk about using taxpayer money in this fashion or when they talk about increasing our taxes more often than not it becomes a reality. As I have previously reported about the talk of a gas tax and vehicle registration fee increases this to will come to fruition.

The thing about the gas tax and vehicle registration fee increases are two fold: One our elected legislators have been stealing our road fund monies for years for other unspecified state spending purposes playing the shell game of robbing Peter to pay Paul. The other is because of possible repercussions here in the 2014 elections they will not bestow these increases on we taxpayers till after the elections.

When will we taxpaying citizens of Michigan come to the reality that we can no longer allow any one Political Party to hold power and control for more than one term? What we really need is a viable Constitutional third Party that represents “We the People” instead of the lobbyist and special interest groups who have a stranglehold on our elected leaders in both of the two major parties. 4 Bailout kwame-kilpatrick-award-2
http://www.freep.com/article/20140401/NEWS01/304010020/Legislature-Detroit-grand-bargain-bankruptcy

How Detroit Went Broke Taxpayers of Michigan now on the Hook
The Wall Street types who applauded former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s financial acumen following his 2005 deal to restructure city pension debt should consider this: The numbers prove that his plan devastated the city’s finances and was a key factor that drove Detroit to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in July.

The State of Michigan and its legislators are also contributors in the blame. Lansing politicians reduced Detroit’s state-shared revenue by 48% from 1998 to 2012, withholding $172 million from the city, according to state records. We are currently seeing the results of the cuts to revenue sharing in municipalities across the state. These cuts were part of the very favorable big business buddies reform of the business tax in 2012.
http://www.freep.com/interactive/article/20130915/NEWS01/130801004/Detroit-Bankruptcy-history-1950-debt-pension-revenue

Crony Capitalism and Corruption

The Wall Street types who applauded former Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s financial acumen following his 2005 deal to restructure city pension debt should consider this: The numbers prove that his plan devastated the city’s finances and was a key factor that drove Detroit to file for Chapter 9 bankruptcy in July.

http://www.freep.com/interactive/article/20130915/NEWS01/130801004/Detroit-Bankruptcy-history-1950-debt-pension-revenue 5 Bailot Monica Conyers 2009 mug shot

Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers Convicted of Bribery
Mrs. Conyers was the council’s president pro tem, went from one of Detroit’s most politically powerful and mercurial women to an admitted felon in a “pay-to-play” scheme for a $1.2-billion-plus sludge treatment contract.

Conyers plead guilty and sent to prison for taking cash-stuffed envelopes at a city recreation center and in a McDonald’s parking lot. She admitted taking at least $6,000 from Detroit businessman Rayford Jackson to change her vote in favor of a $1.2-billion in the Synagro sludge disposal contract scandal in 2007.
http://www.freep.com/article/20090627/NEWS01/906270358/Conyers-guilty-bribery-case

Former Detroit Police Chief Convicted of Embezzlement 6 Bailout Chief Hart
The corruption and theft of taxpayer money goes why back in Detroit. Take former police chief William L. Hart as but one example. Hart was police chief under the Mayor Coleman Young administration. He was convicted of stealing $2.6 million in taxpayer money over seven years.

When the FBI raided his home they found thousands of dollars in a ceiling fan. When questioned about that money being hidden in the ceiling Hart said he didn’t believe in banks. Hart embezzled the money to buy luxury cars and gifts for three former “girlfriends” as well as to renovate his home and a cottage in Canada.
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/05/08/us/former-detroit-police-chief-convicted-of-embezzlement.html

Schostak Bros. plans $111 million, 16-story Detroit office tower
The Detroit Brownfield Redevelopment Authority’s nine-member board has reviewed a $27-million brownfield tax incentive plan for site preparation and infrastructure improvements for the building, which is expected to include first-floor retail space and a parking deck wrapping around Cadillac Tower facing Campus Martius. Capital Cronyism Stop

http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130916/NEWS/130919874/schostak-bros-plans-111-million-16-story-detroit-office-tower

Detroit-based Meridian Health Plan is expected to be the sole office tenant
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130919/NEWS/130919821

$27 million in tax incentives approved for new Detroit office tower
In addition to the brownfield incentives, Schostak and Meridian are pursuing Michigan Economic Development Corp. Community Revitalization Program grants and U.S. Department of Treasury New Markets Tax Credits and other incentives to help finance the building.
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130925/NEWS/130929905 Capital Cronyism Free Markets

Meridian Health Plan expected to move into 16-story Detroit building in 2017
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130918/NEWS/130919855

Schostak Bros. plans $111 million, 16-story Detroit office tower to seek taxpayer subsidies
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20130916/NEWS/130919874

Snyder Awards Meridian Health Plan for Medicaid Expansion Healthy Michigan SnyderCaid
http://www.mha.org/mha/weeklymailing/2014/012014/monday_report.htm

Bob Ficano, John Rakolta and the Big Jail Problem Capital Cronyism Fascism
Rakolta and Walbridge simply cannot be allowed near another government contract. Even projects that aren’t directly funded by taxpayers, but will take advantage of public bonding for initial cash flow, should be off-limits.

Like Team Ficano, Walbridge has proven to be a poor agent for residents and taxpayers. It’s time for us, as principals, to cut them loose. Capital Cronyism Kills

Looks like the Democrats and Republicans are working together as to pull off this heist of taxpayers’ dollars for their political and personal gains. Rakolta is a big Republican Party donor who was heavily involved in Mitt Romeys presidential campaigns in both 2008 and 2012.

He is also a partner with heavy Democrat donors in the “failed” Raleigh Film Studio. He was recently appointed to the board of the failed MEDC by Governor Rick Snyder. Oh yeah and we taxpayers are now on the hook for that studios “failed” missed, bond payments.
http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/5094/bob_ficano_john_rakolta_and_the_big_jail_problem

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Jobs Report: Read Between the Lines When the Media Manipulate the Numbers

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If statistics are like bikinis, revealing only what is interesting; the monthly government jobs data is the swimsuit cover-up. While the headlines out of the report capture a glance, the revealing information is inside.
http://www.newsobserver.com/2014/02/27/3660286/the-week-ahead-look-below-the.htmlJobs Report Read Between the Lines

Michigan Unemployment Rate Plummets to 7.8 percent?
An article published by mlive.com on March 05, 2014 the day after my article on Michigan being the “false” Comeback State is chalk full of misleading information bordering on fuzzy math and propaganda! It sure looks like the liberal media with their “presstitutes” are on the Snyder administration’s liberal payroll?

http://www.mlive.com/lansing-news/index.ssf/2014/03/michigan_unemployment_rate_dro.html#incart_river_default

Definition of “presstitutes” – A person or media entity reporting news in such a biased manner; misleadingly tailoring news to fit a particular partisan, financial or business agenda.
http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/presstituteJobs message from the Presstitutes

These numbers, released Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget a quasi non-elected government agency would anyone expect anything different especially in an election season.

Those within this agency are given jobs by “team” Snyder and we shouldn’t expect a true picture of the unemployment and job numbers.

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget was created by former Democrat Governor Jennifer Granholm in 2009 under Executive Order No. 2007 – 30 and was effective March 21, 2010.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michigan_Department_of_Technology,_Management,_and_Budget

Michigan as the “Comeback State” Defies Even Common Sense or Better Yet “Pure Propaganda”
http://bainreport.wordpress.com/2014/03/05/michigan-as-the-comeback-state-defies-even-common-sense-or-better-yet-pure-propaganda/

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Michigan as the “Comeback State” Defies Even Common Sense or Better Yet “Pure Propaganda”

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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 Comback Forbes on Snyder

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

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Governor Rick Snyder Flips Position Agrees with Clinton to “Force Internet Sales Tax”

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Snyder “Favors” State Action on “Internet Taxes!” Governor Rick Snyder said Wednesday the Legislature should tackle the problem of collecting sales tax on Internet purchases instead of waiting for action by Congress as he’s previously advocated.Clinton & Gov. Snyder

Snyder’s shifting view on the issue came one day after The Detroit News first reported his newly appointed state treasurer, Kevin Clinton, came out in favor of the so-called “Main Street Fairness Act” legislation aimed at forcing all Internet retailers to collect the sales tax.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140226/POLITICS02/302260099

Main Street Fairness Act was introduced by a Democrat.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Street_Fairness_Act

Snyder’s Newly Appointed State Treasurer Clinton: Force Internet retailers to collect Michigan’s sales tax
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20140225/POLITICS02/302250063/Treasurer-Force-Internet-retailers-collect-Michigan-s-sales-tax

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Is “Team” Snyder tied to Kawme Kilpatrick’s Criminal Enterprise?

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Governor Rick Snyder’s economic “team” was one of several contractors who pumped millions into ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s alleged criminal enterprise. Although the government hid the companies’ identities in the indictment, public records and interviews helped put names to aliases. The list of companies includes deep-pocketed donors and powerful executives. Hmmm… maybe that’s why the governor chose to abolish the “Nerd Fund” rather than to expose his donors?Kawme & Snyder

The companies involved are going to be needed by the FBI and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to help prosecute the case. “It’s always hard to say whether the payer of a bribe is culpable or a victim of the crime,” said Peter Henning, a law professor at Wayne State University and former federal prosecutor.

“Sometimes that’s hard to distinguish.” So far, most executives linked to the corruption probe have escaped indictment. Some witnesses were granted immunity and others are victims, U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade said.

Among the contractors who were allegedly extorted to retain Bobby Ferguson as a subcontractor include Walbridge, a general contractor headed by John Rakolta Jr., a longtime area powerbroker who was recently named to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. (MEDC) by Snyder. Wayne County and its Building Authority has filed a law suit seeking to recover $154 million from 3 jail contractors including John Rakolta’s Walbridge.

John Rakolta’s film studio, Raleigh Film Studios in Pontiac was awarded taxpayer funded subsidies when this studio defaulted on it’s bond payments the taxpayers of Michigan are now on the hook for making those missed payments through the under funded state pension fund. These subsides were awarded through the “failed” MEDC prior to Rakolta being appointed to the MEDC board. Can you say conflict of interest?

As of Sept. 30, 2010, the Michigan Public School Employees’ Retirement System and the Michigan State Employees’ Retirement System were unfunded by $21.7 billion.

The “secrecy” and back-door “deals” are very suspect to say the least surrounding politicians, government, and businessmen and looks to be a scheme (scam) bilking the taxpayers of Michigan out of millions of tax dollars all for political and financial gains. Let’s just hope and pray that U.S. Attorney Barbara McQuade and her “team” continue looking down this rabbit hole of corruption and bring those businessmen and politicians to justice.
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20101217/METRO/12170403&template=artiphone

Additional Sources:
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20131031/NEWS/131039973/wayne-county-files-suit-seeks-to-recover-154-million-from-3-jail

Bob Ficano, John Rakolta And The Big Jail Problem
http://www.deadlinedetroit.com/articles/5094/bob_ficano_john_rakolta_and_the_big_jail_problem

Feds’ subpoenas target Wayne County business dealings
http://www.freep.com/article/20111117/NEWS02/111170499/Feds-subpoenas-target-Wayne-County-business-dealings

Wayne County Executive Bob Ficano replaces top officials (Romney related)
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2805204/posts

So, what was Schuette’s cut?
http://rightmi.com/old/www.rightmichigan.com/story/2013/11/4/113017/236.html

Suspicions sometimes followed after Kilpatrick, Ficano dealings along with John Rakolta
http://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20120909/FREE/309099962/suspicions-sometimes-followed-after-kilpatrick-ficano-dealings

John Rakolta allegedly through media reports donated $10,000.00 to Democrat Bob Ficano’s campaign war chest only to receive the contract for the new Wayne County jail project.
http://bainreport.wordpress.com/2013/11/24/welcome-to-michigans-world-of-the-political-illusion/

Public Employee Pension Systems Raided To Pay Film Studio Bills
http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/18384

Michigan-Subsidized Film Studio Fails; State Pension Fund Had Guaranteed Loan
http://taxfoundation.org/blog/michigan-subsidized-film-studio-fails-state-pension-fund-had-guaranteed-loan

House Cuts $25M State Film Subsidies in Proposed Budget – Not So Fast Say’s Richardville
https://bainreport.wordpress.com/2013/04/26/house-cuts-25m-state-film-subsidies-in-proposed-budget-not-so-fast-says-richardville/

Report: State pension funds bankroll Pontiac studio; taxpayers lose on films
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/general-news/20130308/report-state-pension-funds-bankroll-pontiac-studio-taxpayers-lose-on-films

Michigan Pensions Cover Missed Bond Payment for Film Studio
http://news.heartland.org/newspaper-article/2012/02/02/michigan-pensions-cover-missed-bond-payment-film-studio

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