Citizenship Project at Creative Learning

Citizenship Project News

It is never too early to learn how to be a good citizen.  Our children are watching us.  We’d love for you to share in these activities.

Events:
· Michigan Democratic Party Endorsement Convention, for the purpose of endorsing candidates for attorney general and secretary of state, will be held Saturday, April 17, at Cobo Hall in Detroit. Constituency Groups meet from 8:00 – 10:00 a.m.; Congressional Districts meet at 10:00 a.m.; and the Endorsement Convention convenes at 1:00 p.m.
This is an opportunity to hear from many candidates -- including several for MI Supreme Court -- as well as for MDP members to participate in the choice for probable nominees for two of our most important statewide offices, attorney general and secretary of state.
The impressive resumes of Richard Bernstein (for AG) and Jocelyn Benson (for SOS) are strong testament to the quality of character and intellectual gifts each would bring to their office. Charismatic and accomplished, each would certainly do much to elevate the level of excitement in this year’s election. And each seems to me to embody the very highest ideals of our Democratic Party. To learn more about them, go to: http://www.bernsteinformichigan.com/ and http://www.votebenson.com/
More details about the Convention can be found at www.michigandems.com.
· DFA Campaign Academy Training in Jackson, MI, April 24 – 25. For all details and to register, go to http://www.democracyforamerica.com/events/33830-dfa-campaign-training-in-jackson-mi.
· MSU to offer 100 free New Economy Training Programs in 60 days as part of the Michigan Prosperity Initiative. This initiative is an important partnership between Michigan State University, the State of Michigan, regional councils of Government and Michigan’s local governments to better prepare Michigan to compete in the global New Economy.
The free trainings, to be lead by the MSU Land Policy Institute and MSU Extension, will take place in each region from Monday, April 19 through Wednesday, June 16. The initiative includes three levels of training programs: New Economy 101, 201 and 301. Each event is progressively more complex, with 101 being intended for general audiences.
In West Michigan, New Economy 101 will be held Monday, April 26, in Muskegon. To register and to learn more, go to www.landpolicy.msu.edu/modules.php?name=Pages&op=viewlive&sp_id=498.
· “First Friday” May, moved up to Friday, April 30, features former city Commissioner and current candidate for Michigan Senate David LaGrand. Complimentary hors d’oeuvres and happy hour beer and wine 5:00 – 7:00 at the Ottawa Tavern, Waters Building, downtown Grand Rapids at Pearl and Ottawa; your donation of $25, $50, $100, or whatever goes directly to the candidate. Make checks payable to Committee to Elect David LaGrand or contribute on line at http://davidlagrand.com.
· Michigan Great Lakes Wind Council is hosting the 3rd and last meeting to get input from the public on its off shore wind development recommendations Tuesday, May 4, at the Muskegon Community College, Collegiate Hall, 221 S. Quarterline Rd., Muskegon. The Open House begins at 6:00 p.m., and presentations run from 7:00 p.m. to conclusion at 9:00 p.m. For more details and to download background material, go to www.michiganglowcouncil.org/meetings.html. I am informed that earlier meetings have been both exceptionally educational and civil.

Announcements and News

· Announcing an Exciting New Program in Michigan to Discover/Treat Environmental Cancers

· More doctors sought for training and participation.

· Detroit's Karmanos Cancer Institute in cooperation with Michigan Blue Cross/Blue Shield and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry has undertaken a unique "national demonstration" program to identify cancers caused by environmental toxins and treat them at the earliest possible stages.

· Michael Harbut, MD is the Director of the Environmental Cancer Initiative. The effort's first phase is aimed at identifying cancers caused by arsenic, asbestos and radon. Physicians who choose to participate have taken 4 hours of on-line coursework, giving them the basics of diagnosing and treating environmental diseases.

· Help Get the Word Out About this Program-
Be sure to ask your doctor if s/he has taken the coursework, participates in the Environmental Cancer Initiative, and to screen you for environmental cancers. If you have questions, e-mail Cyndi Noraian at Noraianc@karmanos.org.

· Find out more about the program at Click here: Cancer Treatment | Cancer Research | Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute | Detroit, Michigan or http://www.karmanos.org/app.asp?id=1264&ssec=7

"What We Know About Climate Science"

http://climatecrocks.com/

Peter Sinclair’s long list of five minute videos "crock of the week" all address
specific single misrepresentations by climate deniers. This ten minute
show is a more general overview intended as an introduction to the
factual evidence versus the glib hype being offered by the naysayers.
It is an excellent short presentation of the incredible complexity and
depth of climate science. And no, it won't convince everyone, because
some people just would rather not be convinced no matter what the evidence.

Globalization in reverse driven by diminishing availability of cheap fossil fuel? Hear what Jeff Rubin, Canadian economist, has to say on the subject at the 2009 Climate Change Conference: Jeff Rubin at the The Business of Climate Change Conference 2009 | Energy Bulletin


Message from a Better Michigan Future: Tax Loophole of the Week

This week's loophole is a slippery one -- $7.5 million for Michigan's own version of The Beverly Hillbillies. People in Michigan with oil wells producing under 35 barrels a day get a tax break. When this loophole went into effect, oil sold at $13.35 a barrel. Today's prices are more like $82.04 a barrel.
Michigan’s oil barons can generate over $1 million in gross revenue a year from just one well and should be paying the same tax rate as other oil well owners. So let’s give Michigan families a break by closing this wasteful giveaway and using the money for schools, public safety and roads!
Luckily, state Representative Fred Miller feels the same way. Miller sponsored a bill, HB 4487, that eliminates the loophole. The bill, which is before the state House Tax Policy Committee, would amend the Severance Tax Act of 1929 and equalize the fees paid by small and large oil wells.
Instead of drawing red lines through the vital programs and services that will be the key to rebuilding Michigan, lawmakers should be redlining tax loopholes that are obsolete and do not create or retain jobs.

We're at a crossroads, and we have to choose. The people of Michigan or nonsensical tax loopholes for corporations? Tell your lawmakers to choose Michiganders by closing tax loopholes!
Facts Matter Tax Expenditures: Silently Draining the State Budget, is one of a series of briefs highlighting Michigan’s budget and tax system, and prepared by the Michigan League for Human Services.
At a time when state and local revenues are plummeting and the state faces a serious structural budget deficit, the Michigan Legislature continues to pass tax expenditures that would further erode state and local revenues. …This briefing examines tax expenditures and provides recommendations on how to improve the tax expenditure process.

What are tax expenditures?
Simply put, tax expenditures reduce or eliminate taxes that would have been otherwise paid by individuals and entities, thereby reducing tax revenues. Tax expenditures can be defined broadly as the tax revenue forgone as a result of preferential provisions such as credits, deductions, exemptions, deferrals, exclusions on lower tax rates, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. These provisions are tax expenditures because, like appropriations, they allocate resources for specific public purposes, but do so through the tax system rather than the expenditure system.

How much does Michigan “spend” on tax expenditures?
Tax expenditures [were] projected to increase 6.7 percent between fiscal year 2008 and 2009 – from $33.6 billion to 35.8 billion, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury. To put that in perspective, Michigan’s total state tax revenue for fiscal year 2009 [was] estimated to be $24.2 billion. Tax expenditures – the revenue Michigan forgoes – are growing at a faster rate than state tax revenue. Between 2005 and 2008, tax expenditures grew by about 15 percent compared with an 8.8 percent growth in total state tax revenue.

Why should we be concerned about tax expenditures?
Tax expenditures:
· Reduce revenues available to the state for spending;
· Can grow in cost;
· Are not regularly reviewed by the Legislature; and
· Do not have to go through the appropriations process.

Like spending on specific programs, tax expenditures directly impact the state budget, but they do so in a more silent way. Some have even referred to tax expenditures as “silent spending.” Particularly during difficult budget times, state spending is closely scrutinized by the governor and the Legislature. In order for any spending to occur, it must first be authorized by the Legislature and the Governor. There is no continuation funding for state programs. Tax expenditures, on the other hand, continue on without authorization, unless they are eliminated.

Over the last several years, more than $4 billion has been cut from the state budget, but few if any tax expenditures have been eliminated. When the governor and Legislature look at revenues available and line items in the budget, tax expenditures are not a part of that discussion. Essential services are being cut and eliminated while tax expenditures continue without evaluation. A list of tax expenditures is included in the governor’s budget, but unlike budget bills, the list is not debated by the Appropriations Committees.

Do tax expenditures stimulate economic development?
Defenders of tax expenditures often use the argument that such expenditures are needed in order to stimulate economic development and to create jobs. The evidence, however, suggests otherwise. According to a 2003 report for the Louisiana Department of Economic Development, tax incentives “often have no measurable impact on growth, and even when they do, it is likely that they are not cost-effective…most economists in the field would recommend economic development policy based on sufficient and appropriate infrastructure investments and service provision, and a balanced, predictable and fair tax system.”

How could the tax expenditure process be improved?
The Legislature should take action to require that every tax expenditure be reviewed by the appropriate appropriations committee as part of the budget process. Rather than just allowing tax expenditures to continue without review, a decision should be required as to whether a tax expenditure continues or ends. Tax expenditures should be evaluated to determine whether they are still necessary, are meeting their goals, are cost-effective, are benefiting the public at large and are worth their cost to the state budget. Some tax expenditures are worthwhile and a good use of state money, others are not. A review system is needed to determine which is which.

Estimated Michigan Tax Revenue and Tax Expenditure Trends ($s in Billions)

Estimated State Tax Expenditure Trendline

$29.1 $30.0 $30.7 $33.6 $35.8 Est’d 59% potential

State tax revenues

Foregone
Total State Tax Revenue Trendline

$23.9 $24.2 $24.4 $26.0 $25.1 Est. 41% of potential

State tax revenues

Collected
2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2009


BOOK BANK  
Research shows that children who own books are much more likely to enjoy reading and be better readers.  We have a goal of collecting 1,000 quality books this year to give to children who need books.  So far we’ve collected and distributed around 250 books.  Creative Learning has committed to give one book for every book that is purchased for 30% off and donated to the BOOK BANK.  Gently used books are also very welcome.


 Cathy Albro    

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