Posts
Sunday, February 5, 2012
To Everything There is a Season
The Internet has a graveyard littered with discarded and abandoned blogs.
People lose interest or other interests intervene. Life throws you a huge curve ball, death, divorce, job loss and your priories change. Some how giving your two cents just isn't as important any more in the larger scheme of things.
Been pretty quiet here as it has been awhile since I been here, seems funny in an away, like visiting your old neighborhood and ruminating over your life and who you were back then
I became a tea party organizer Feb. 27th 2009 and I still posted here but the demands of posting here and two others sites, necessitated making a choice
So nowadays I exclusively post on my "tea party" site Grassroots in Michigan and send out a Newsletter to several thousand across the state. Busy, busyness
However, the Bible said in; To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:..." (Ecclesiastes 3:1)
And so there is.
So I'll return here exclusively, but it won't be the same "The World According to Me" because I am not the same. The years since 2009 have been filled with immeasurable personal highs and lows, stress, lose, triumphs, and tragedies. I am tested and tired
The realization that nothing really does stay the same and whenever corruptible men are involved (as such IS the nature of man) most often times, "Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof..." (Ecclesiastes 7: 8)
Nevertheless, the most valuable "purpose under heaven" is really simple, Love God and Love you fellow man. Live your life as unfettered by other's expectations as any of your own that are apart from the will of God.
But what is God' will for my life and yours? "He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does the Lord require of you, but to act justly, To love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? (Micah 6:8)
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Daniel Hernandez, intern, stays by Gabrielle Giffords' side
Daniel Hernandez, intern, stays by Gabrielle Giffords' side
Amid the tragic, an acts of herosim...Please join me in praying for Rep. Giffords, the familes of the deceased, injured and the family of the young shooter, a mentally distrubed kid who choose to feed himself with hate until hate became him
God Bless America
Amid the tragic, an acts of herosim...Please join me in praying for Rep. Giffords, the familes of the deceased, injured and the family of the young shooter, a mentally distrubed kid who choose to feed himself with hate until hate became him
God Bless America
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
It’s been an amazing year and a historic election because of the hard work and devotion to our state and country from “ordinary” citizen patriots like you!
I want to thank you for all you do and will continue to do as we enter a New Year, for our great state of Michigan and for our country.
I would also like to encourage you to reach out to those in need in your local community at this special time of the year. There are many worthwhile charities that need assistance. Food banks, Toys for Tots, Angel Trees, Coats for Kids, local Animal Shelter just to name a few.
Wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year
Joan
aka "apackof2"
Thursday, December 9, 2010
CALL these 10 Senators and Tell Them to VOTE NO on the DREAM ACT!
Be sure to give them your name and your zip code especially if one of these is your SenatorTell them no other countries allow illegals. We are not against immigration, my grandparents came to this country from Italy but they did it illegally.
Coming to America is a privilege, not a right and our laws need to be respected and obeyed!
Call These Senators VOTE NO ON DREAM ACT!
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Call to Convention
Fellow Conservatives Precinct Delegates,
Congratulations! The success of the Tea Party movement is keeping the serious issues we face in restoring our state and Republic, the public spot light combined with activism has resulted in an historic election. However, this is the beginning of a solid foundation in which to built upon to ensure the future of our state and country.
Like it or not, we have a two party system, despite the talk of a 3rd party. Third parties historically have either disappeared or simply cannot win. And to TAKE BACK MICHIGAN we must win and continue to win. Part of that process is for Constitutional Conservatives to become involved in their County party and run from Executive Committee members and County Chairs.
As of now you should have received the official call to the Ingham County Convention on Tuesday, Nov. 30, at 7:00pm Hannah Community Center 819 Abbott Rd East Lansing. As you know the purpose will be to select 27 members to he executive committee.
In order to see Constitutional Conservatives in all areas of our local County Party we must begin to build critical infrastructure for a Constitutional Conservative coalition and voting block
The next Convention is not only an opportunity to run for Executive Committee but also to mingle and discovery other Tea Party/ Constitutional Conservative delegates to begin the process of forming a coalition within the County Party
I urge you to send in your desire to be considered to serve on the Executive Committee. You may do so by contacting the Ingham County Chair Linda Tarver at hallelujahllw@aol.com NO LATER THAN 5:00pm on Monday, November 29
TO HELP AT THE CONVENTION:Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart Robert's Rules of Order Motions Chart
to print and take to the Convention and for future Ingham County GOP meetings.
Additionally and to vacillate identifying fellow Constitutional Conservatives, Grassroots in Michigan is co-hosting the Ingham County Republican Christmas party on December 17th Details to follow
See you at the Convention!
May you have a blessed and grateful Thanksgiving
Friday, September 10, 2010
TP News: Michigan Sovereignty TEA Party @ the Capitol!! 10-10-10 in Support of the 10th Amendment
Michigan Sovereignty TEA Party @ the Capitol!!
10-10-10 in Support of the 10th Amendment
Michigan Patriots!!
Join your fellow Michigan patriots as we support our 10th Amendment Sovereignty rights against Unconstitutional Federal over reach such as ObamaCare, a prime example of national law that oversteps state jurisdiction and results in the loss of rights of Michigan's citizens!
Date: Sunday October 10, 2010
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Michigan State Capitol
100 N. Capitol
Lansing, MI 48933
Sign Contest- We LOVE your Signs!! Top 3 Creative and Artistic Signs will receive a Prize!!
Concessions by Clint's Hot Dogs
"All American Food and Drink"
Speakers Include:
Mark Lerner- co-Founded two national organizations; the Constitutional Alliance and Stop Real ID Coalition and is the author of the new book and DVD, "Your Body is Your ID" Available at the event. Mark has spent the last six years openly speaking out against the same industry he once supported. He has testified before many state legislatures, including Michigan on the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and national/international identification cards. Website Click HERE.
Rep. Paul Opsommer- has been on the forefront in Michigan introducing sovereignty legislation including HJR YY , HB6414 and in the fight against the RFID "enhanced" drivers license in Michigan. Website Click HERE.
Bill Schuette- GOP candidate for Attorney General is a former Congressman, Director of Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan State Senator and Michigan Appeals Court Judge and currently an attorney. Website Click HERE.
Ruth Johnson- GOP candidate for Secretary of State, former Michigan House Rep currently Clerk and Registry of Deeds for Oakland County, second largest County. Ruth's investigation helped to expose the "fake" Tea Party and keep them off the November general election ballot. Website Click HERE.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Volunteers- If you would like to help with the TEA Party- please contact Volunteer Coordinator Alexis Millisor: alexismillisor@hotmail.com
SEE YOU THERE!!
NEVER FORGET 9-11-01
September 11, 2001 marks the day when thousands of American citizens were
murdered in a terrorist attack the on World Trade Center, the Pentagon,
American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines
Flight 77, and United Flight 93. That day, left 2,740 dead, 1,609 people
lost a spouse or partner and more than 3,051 children lost parents.
We must never forget those thousands of our fellow Americans or there families and importantly we must never forget that we are still engaged in a war with an enemy who wants to kill us simply because we are Americans and have freedom of worship
Remembering 9-11 Slideshow
Michiganders, 2010 is the year that we must and will TAKE MICHIGAN BACK!
The 2010 elections are only 52 days away!
This is one of the most important elections in our life time.
For 2010 we must turn our attention to home, to our beloved Michigan. As
Michiganders we have seen the results of the same liberal's policies that
the Obama regime is now trying to implement. After 8 years of liberal
"leadership" Michigan is in shambles. Unemployment is at almost 15%, the Car
Capitol of the World has seen a government take over of GM, jobs evaporate,
foreclosures rise and families leave.
Michiganders, 2010 is the year that we must and will TAKE MICHIGAN BACK!
If we are honest with ourselves we must take responsibility for not being
educated and active in the polices that have shaped our lives and hurt
Michigan. We need to change that, for our state, our families, and our
future. We must muster all soldiers in the Constitutional Conservative army!
But How Do We Accomplish This?
WE MUST:
1. Identify Constitutional Conservative Candidates to support with character, in all offices, local, county, state, school boards, and court system, who believe that holding office is a civic duty and that the government is the problem not the answer.
2. Campaigns need two things: People and Money
We must support these candidates with time and/or money. It doesn't matter if you have 1 hour or 40 hours to give, $5 or $5,000. What matters is that you become engaged. Any campaign will plug you in, in an area that you are comfortable with. Literature drops, phone, banks, admin, door-to door etc are opportunities.
Michiganders- We have a tremendous opportunity in 2010!
10-10-10 in Support of the 10th Amendment
Michigan Patriots!!
Join your fellow Michigan patriots as we support our 10th Amendment Sovereignty rights against Unconstitutional Federal over reach such as ObamaCare, a prime example of national law that oversteps state jurisdiction and results in the loss of rights of Michigan's citizens!
Date: Sunday October 10, 2010
1:00 - 3:00 p.m.
Michigan State Capitol
100 N. Capitol
Lansing, MI 48933
Sign Contest- We LOVE your Signs!! Top 3 Creative and Artistic Signs will receive a Prize!!
Concessions by Clint's Hot Dogs
"All American Food and Drink"
Speakers Include:
Mark Lerner- co-Founded two national organizations; the Constitutional Alliance and Stop Real ID Coalition and is the author of the new book and DVD, "Your Body is Your ID" Available at the event. Mark has spent the last six years openly speaking out against the same industry he once supported. He has testified before many state legislatures, including Michigan on the RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) and national/international identification cards. Website Click HERE.
Rep. Paul Opsommer- has been on the forefront in Michigan introducing sovereignty legislation including HJR YY , HB6414 and in the fight against the RFID "enhanced" drivers license in Michigan. Website Click HERE.
Bill Schuette- GOP candidate for Attorney General is a former Congressman, Director of Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan State Senator and Michigan Appeals Court Judge and currently an attorney. Website Click HERE.
Ruth Johnson- GOP candidate for Secretary of State, former Michigan House Rep currently Clerk and Registry of Deeds for Oakland County, second largest County. Ruth's investigation helped to expose the "fake" Tea Party and keep them off the November general election ballot. Website Click HERE.
WE NEED YOUR HELP!
Volunteers- If you would like to help with the TEA Party- please contact Volunteer Coordinator Alexis Millisor: alexismillisor@hotmail.com
SEE YOU THERE!!
NEVER FORGET 9-11-01
September 11, 2001 marks the day when thousands of American citizens were
murdered in a terrorist attack the on World Trade Center, the Pentagon,
American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines
Flight 77, and United Flight 93. That day, left 2,740 dead, 1,609 people
lost a spouse or partner and more than 3,051 children lost parents.
We must never forget those thousands of our fellow Americans or there families and importantly we must never forget that we are still engaged in a war with an enemy who wants to kill us simply because we are Americans and have freedom of worship
Remembering 9-11 Slideshow
Michiganders, 2010 is the year that we must and will TAKE MICHIGAN BACK!
The 2010 elections are only 52 days away!
This is one of the most important elections in our life time.
For 2010 we must turn our attention to home, to our beloved Michigan. As
Michiganders we have seen the results of the same liberal's policies that
the Obama regime is now trying to implement. After 8 years of liberal
"leadership" Michigan is in shambles. Unemployment is at almost 15%, the Car
Capitol of the World has seen a government take over of GM, jobs evaporate,
foreclosures rise and families leave.
Michiganders, 2010 is the year that we must and will TAKE MICHIGAN BACK!
If we are honest with ourselves we must take responsibility for not being
educated and active in the polices that have shaped our lives and hurt
Michigan. We need to change that, for our state, our families, and our
future. We must muster all soldiers in the Constitutional Conservative army!
But How Do We Accomplish This?
WE MUST:
1. Identify Constitutional Conservative Candidates to support with character, in all offices, local, county, state, school boards, and court system, who believe that holding office is a civic duty and that the government is the problem not the answer.
2. Campaigns need two things: People and Money
We must support these candidates with time and/or money. It doesn't matter if you have 1 hour or 40 hours to give, $5 or $5,000. What matters is that you become engaged. Any campaign will plug you in, in an area that you are comfortable with. Literature drops, phone, banks, admin, door-to door etc are opportunities.
Michiganders- We have a tremendous opportunity in 2010!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Why I Support Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State
The Secretary of State is an extremely important position, especially as the incidents of election fraud have been on the increase. The Democrat candidate for Secretary of State is Jocelyn Benson a dangerous Progressive and is part of and funded by a George Soros project called the “Secretary of State Project"
In a nutshell, the goal of the Secretary of State Project is to get Progressives in charge and then look the other way when ACORN and SEIU and other Progressive/Liberal groups commit voter fraud by rigging the election for the Democrats. We can not let that happen! We need a strong Conservative backed by Conservatives!
That is why I am personally supporting Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State.
As precinct delegates, elected at our County Conventions, Aug 12, we will decide the Secretary of State candidate that will be on the November Ballot by voting at the Republican State Convention held Saturday, August 28th at MSU Breslin Center, East Lansing
As Oakland County Clerk and Register of Deeds (Michigan’s second largest county) Ruth Johnson has proven to be diligent in protecting Personal privacy rights by mandating that Social Security numbers on registered documents be removed from public view. More importantly, Ruth is against using RFID (radio frequency identification chips) in our drivers license and will be active in fighting to remove
Ruth Johnson isn’t afraid to take on the fight against corruption. While serving in
In addition, as Oakland County Clerk, Ruth Johnson has implemented cost saving programs,cutting her own staff by twenty percent and $1 million out of the Oakland County budget, saving taxpayer dollars.
Furthermore, Ruth Johnson is the first woman
Ruth Johnson has proved herself to be a hard-working fighter for conservative values and principals, an accomplished administrator, who leads by example.
I encourage my fellow precinct delegates to Vote for Ruth Johnson for Secretary of State.
For
Regards,
Joan Fabiano
Organizer
Grassroots in Michigan
Joan Fabiano is among the “pioneers" of the tea party movement, having co-organized the event held at the State Capitol on February 27, 2009, which occurred simultaneously with those in 40 other cities. Soon after she founded the citizen activist group, Grassroots in Michigan.
Fabiano is a retired General Motors employee and United Auto Workers Union member now running a small business part-time. She has lived in the state of
Grassroots in
Additionally, Grassroots in
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
MI Elections MORE RESULTS FROM 2010 M.A.P.S Candidate Questionnaire Results
ONLY 20 DAYS UNTIL THE AUGUST 3RD PRIMARY! We continue to receiverequests for the Candidate Questionnaire and will release additional results as they are scored.
The M.A.P.S.Candidate Questionnaire is NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF ANY CANDIDATE
As a reminder, the purpose of the M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaire is to:
1. Provide a tool to help Tea Party adherents identify a Constitutional Candidate with character who is worthy of their time and money; and
2. Encourage adherents to get
involved before the Primary on behalf of their Constitutional Candidate(s) of choice.
Answers were scored from 1-10.
A “10”answer is one that is:
ThoughtfulSpecific
Thorough
Responsive
Clear
Demonstrates a strong level of understanding
and commitment to Constitutional Conservative
ideas
and commitment to Constitutional Conservative
ideas
REMEMBER: THE BEST WAY TO GET TO KNOW ANY CANDIDATE
IS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM!
Additional sources of research when deciding on supporting a candidate:
Russell Kirk -
Ten Conservative Principals
The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal is a nonprofit educational institute based in Mecosta, Michigan,home of the American writer and thinker Russell Kirk (1918–1994).
LATEST M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaire Results
Click on the Candidate Name
M.A.P.S CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE RESULTS
Bill Schuette Candidate for Attorney General
Tom Stillings Candidate for 1st District House Congressional Seat
Michael Ennis Candidate for 9th District State Senate
Lori Levi Candidate for 21st District State
House of Representatives
Michael Shmina Candidate for 32nd District State House of Representatives
Jeff Hall Candidate for 67th District State House of Representatives
Tricia Opper Candidate for 67th District State House of Representatives
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Independence Day
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of HappinessThis sentence has been called "one of the best-known sentences in the English language"
And rightly so...
John Adams - Declaration of
From the movie “John Adams” may be rented at most video stores
The book “John Adams” by David G. McCullough
4th of July
"Stars and Stripes Forever" is a patriotic American march widely considered to be the magnum opus of composer John Philip Sousa. By act of Congress, it is the National March of the United States of America.[1]
American Beauty
When I first heard this song I knew a video had to made. In the capable hands of
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
A mash-up using Carmon's "America Again" to celebrate July 4th, 2010. God bless
Thursday, June 17, 2010
The DRIC Bridge & HB HB 4961- A Conversation with Rep. Paul Opsommer
Recently I had an opportunity to converse with Rep. Paul Opsommer about the hotly debated DRIC bridge and HB 4961.
Below is the results:
Joan: Rep. Opsommer, thank you for your time. As Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee I appreciate the information you have to share today.
Rep. Opsommer: Thank you, it is my pleasure.
Joan: I have to tell you, HB 4961 is a very confusing bill. I know it is supposed to relate to the DRIC (Detroit International River Crossing) bridge debate, but you would never know that by reading the bill.
Rep. Opsommer: You’re absolutely right, it is confusing. What HB 4961 does is give MDOT new powers to enter into a variety of tolling contracts on their own, without legislative approval. If you’re on the inside you know that one of the projects they would like to do is the DRIC, so that is why the mainstream media is calling it the DRIC bill. But the word DRIC or any of its details aren’t actually in it.
Joan: So why write the bill like that? Wouldn’t it be normal to just write a bill specific for that bridge?
Rep. Opsommer: MDOT absolutely could, and in fact if you look at all the rest of the toll projects we have here in MI they have been authorized only after the legislature has voted to specifically allow for tolling to take place. I have a letter from the Attorney General’s office that confirms that currently MDOT can’t toll bridges, roads, or other projects on their own; they have to get permission from the legislature first.
Joan: And that would go away then if HB 4961 is passed?
Rep. Opsommer: Yes, it would. MDOT would be able to create and enter into these tolling projects on their own, and the legislature would have no say in it. And that would apply not just to the DRIC, but to any project anywhere in Michigan that MDOT would like to toll.
The jury is still out in Michigan on how much people want to see tolling get used; I hear arguments on both sides. But when I talk to taxpayers there is wide agreement that decisions on where to toll, and how high the toll rates can go, should stay with someone who is elected. Otherwise you have unelected bureaucrats making those decisions, and whether you want to call it a toll, a user fee, or a tax, I think we should make sure it is still the legislature who approves the use of toll roads in particular. This is even more important when I hear that toll road rates would be used not just to break even on a project, but as a source of revenue for mass transit and other projects. If you are going to set toll rates not based on breaking even but to generate revenue for other purposes, it is no longer a user fee, it is a tax.
Joan: The Governor has control over MDOT, correct?
Rep. Opsommer: Yes, it is her department, but if you cut out the legislature you lose an important check and balance. The Governor would be able to enter into tolling contracts on her own. In my mind whether you want to look at it as the administration having that power or MDOT, it is very similar either way. Otherwise, you might find that some of the roads in your backyard have been turned into carpool lanes, or toll roads, and there won’t be anything your State Representative or Senator can do about that.
Joan: So they can’t just change the law?
Rep. Opsommer: Maybe going forward, but not after the fact. There is for example a moratorium on these kinds of projects now in Texas, called “Public Private Partnerships”, because people got upset after the law was passed and projects were underway. But the projects that were already started had to be allowed to go forward because the contracts had already been entered into. These agreements can be worth billions of dollars over the life of the contract. They can last 50, 75, even 99 years or more, and the lawsuits that would arise out of trying to break them would be monumental. You remember what happened here in Michigan with the contract for the State Police HQ. That contract would be small peanuts by comparison.
Joan : The term used to describe these projects in HB 4961 is called “Public Private Partnerships” Can you define for me Public Private Partnerships?
Rep. Opsommer: Well, these are generically referred to as “P3s”. I think everyone knows what a public road is, and everyone knows what a private road is. A P3 is kind of like a blend of the two, that depending on who you talk to can either bring the best or the worst of big government and big business together.
Joan: How would you answer that question?
Rep. Opsommer: To me, it all comes down to how much taxpayers can be on the short end of the stick if a toll operator doesn’t get enough revenue. Let me explain how these work. In some cases, what will happen is the state will lease a piece of its infrastructure over to a third party. The state gets a big chunk of money upfront, and in exchange the private operator is allowed to use tolls or charge the state rent on those roads for several decades to both recoup that money and also make a profit. In other cases they will build a new road and essentially do the same thing.
Most people who have called my office are more concerned when existing infrastructure is leased out than they are over when something new is being built. They don’t like the idea that something that they have already paid for and already owned is being handed over. In the case of the DRIC bridge, we would be looking at them building something new. The main concern for me there is whether the state would have to come up with “availability payments” if toll revenue isn’t adequate to cover the cost of maintaining the bridge. Because if the state has to pay, we all know that really means taxpayers.
Joan: What is an availability payment?
Rep. Opsommer: I guess you could best describe it as a form of rent, kind of like a financial guarantee. Basically, MDOT could enter into one of these tolling agreements and structure it in a way where the private operator would be guaranteed a certain amount of money every month. It would be set up so that they would get that money primarily through tolls, but in months when not enough people drove, the state would step in and make up the difference. So that is one way taxpayers could end up on the hook if you do these wrong, because we would have to take that money somehow out of our general fund or gas tax revenue.
Joan: So why would the state make that guarantee? The way I have heard the DRIC bridge described it would be private companies taking on all the risk.
Rep. Opsommer: Well, that is kind of the rub, and the debate, and that is why people realize that a public-private partnership is not the same as a truly private project. In a truly private project, a private operator does assume all of the risk. If they have a month where ridership is down, they eat that. There are no guarantees for them, there are no noncompete clauses to protect them, and they can’t rely on eminent domain to secure property for them. Those are the kinds of questions that need to be answered before you can determine if a P3 is prudent or if it is just a government sanctioned monopoly.
Joan: What is a noncompete clause?
Rep. Opsommer: They can mean a lot of different things, but in general they are parts of these contracts that help to give the private operator certainty that they will be able to make a higher rate of return on their investment. In some past cases, they actually prohibited the public from building for example any new roads that were close enough to the toll road where they might be considered as competition. It is my understanding that type of clause is not used much anymore, in favor of what they call “compete penalties”. This is where the public could still build its own roads, but would first have to pay the operator compensation to retain that right.
So that is another way that tax dollars come into play on these deals. In some cases the contracts are written so that you can minimize the amount of compensation that would have to be owed by intentionally slowing down some other roads to make the toll road look more attractive. There was a case of this in Colorado I was reading about where they lowered the speed limit and added traffic lights on a parallel public road in an effort to get more people to use the toll road instead.
Joan: Really. Is that legal?
Rep. Opsommer: I’m not sure if there have ever been any decided court cases over that, but that is what is in some of these contracts and how they get enforced. These contracts get relied on and when people complain everyone shrugs their shoulders and says I didn’t vote for it, it’s part of the contract and out of my control. That is one reason why I think you still want the legislature to vote on where these contracts can be entered into, so we can put some qualifications on them to make sure they don’t run counter to legislative intent. I’m a free market advocate, but I’m not an advocate for a fixed market based on collusion and public manipulation.
Joan: Rep. Opsommer, you also mentioned eminent domain. Didn’t we change law so that you can’t take private property from one person if you are just doing that for another private entities business purposes or profit? There was a big reaction to the Supreme Court case.
Rep Opsommer: Well, it is my understanding that eminent domain concerns were one of the reasons for the moratorium on these in Texas. Depending on who you listen to they wanted to construct parts of the so called NAFTA superhighway, which was going to be a big project and was going to take a lot of land that some people didn’t want to sell.
I wasn’t there so I don’t know the ins and outs of all that, but I do have a question about eminent domain and how it would work under HB 4961 because of some clauses about additional commercial activities and also how they define an instrumentality of government. So you may not be talking about property just for roads and bridges, but also for gas stations, fast food restaurants, or things like hotels if they are part of the project. And even if eminent domain remains with a public body, it needs to be in a public body wholly from this state, not in a non-domestic instrumentality of government.
Joan: Rep. Opsommer would you please explain what an “instrumentality of government is?”
Rep. Opsommer: That is a good question, I’m not sure if it is entirely clear in HB 4961 as written. My first take on it is that it is a kind of “government authority”. Authorities are new governmental bodies that get made by other governments in order to do things jointly. For example, you may have several fire departments in different communities that come together and form a fire authority that somewhat merges the departments.
In the case of HB 4961, MDOT gets to create new authorities between them and other governmental units to form a new instrumentality of government that would govern a certain project. It would have the powers of MDOT, but other members in the authority would also get to help make decisions. When you look at how HB 4961 defines an instrumentality of government it includes governments from other countries and other states. So if a project gets governed by a mixed authority, you could have people from outside of Michigan having a vote on what happens regarding toll rates or eminent domain on the Michigan side of the border.
Joan: Well I find that alarming! Can you give me an example?
Rep. Opsommer: Well, let’s use the DRIC as an example. You could set it up so that Michigan owns its half of the bridge, and Canada the other half. Michigan then sets the toll rates on its side. That is how the Bluewater Bridge works for example. But if they want to create a new instrumentality of government to be the authority that governs the entire bridge and sets those rates, they need to find a way to bring Canada in. Some other bridges are set up that way.
I think it should be up to the legislature to be part of that process, determining how it would work, rather than just letting MDOT be able to approve it. I mean, Canada is supposedly loaning us $550 million dollars to help build this. I want to make sure there are no strings attached to that money. I don’t want a situation where as a result of that money we only end up owning 40% of the bridge. I don’t want to see a situation where eminent domain decisions are getting made on property holdouts on the Michigan side in way we can be outvoted.
Joan: And that hasn’t that all been decided?
Rep. Opsommer: No, not at all. You will read a lot in the main stream media that would make you think that. But there is nothing official. Remember, as you said, DRIC is not even mentioned in the bill. In fact, Canada or Canadian corporations being an instrumentality of government isn’t limited to just the DRIC. Like most of HB 4961, it is very open ended, and since they want to include governments from even other states, you have to assume that there are other mixed-governance projects like this that they have in mind.
Joan: Is it just Canada, or Canadian Corporations also?
Rep. Opsommer: The bill says both. I am looking into that, and they appear to be corporations that could best be described quickly as similar to not for profit corporations. I wanted to find out if the Ontario pension fund OMERS could be one of those corporations, but if they could I think it would have to be as a sister company.
Joan: Both? That’s another cause for alarm. Who is OMERS?
Rep. Opsommer: They are one of the likely bidders on a P3 for the DRIC. They were recently granted new investment powers by the Canadian government, and as we see more instability in stocks and bonds there is this push to find ways to turn transportation projects into a reliable stream of revenue. I think it is one of the reasons Canada is so interested in doing all of this. They have fought with the Ambassador Bridge on some issues, and if the DRIC would allow them to bypass that and also earn their pension funds profit at the same time, I see how this would be a big win for them.
Joan: So, what are your thoughts? Is the DRIC going to be built?
Rep. Opsommer: I honestly have no idea. It has passed out of the House, and could be voted on in the Senate any day. It’s obviously an important issue I have been involved with, but until I get answers to all of these questions its hard to say with any degree of certainty what it is you are even being asked to vote on. But as long as they are wrapping the DRIC bridge up into the P3 bill HB 4961 it will certainly be a highly controversial issue. I don’t want to see tolling take place in the counties I represent just because of a bridge debate on the other side of the state, especially when HB 4961 would strip me of being able to vote on it.
Joan: Are these laws allowing for that right to be stripped away in other states, or is this just being proposed in Michigan?
Rep. Opsommer: In some they only allow these with legislative approval, but in other cases they are indeed taking that power away. California is an example where their DOT doesn’t have as broad of power as what is being proposed in MI, but they recently changed the law there and stripped away the power from the legislature. So in some ways what MDOT is proposing is less than what they now have in California, but in other ways they want to mirror what Schwarzenegger has done and even go beyond that.
In Chicago they have done a lot of P3 projects, they recently turned their parking meters into a P3 project, and they almost did the same thing with the airport. Things have slowed down there a little because of the scandal with Governor Blagojevich that was in part due to him allegedly trying to raise cash with his unilateral ability to enter into projects like these. That case is now being heard, so we’ll have to see what the facts are in the end.
But Chicago has in general been raked over the coals for these deals because they have almost entirely spent all the money they received on these deals less than 5 years into them when most of the contracts last for 75-99 years. This is how they balanced their budget to a certain degree, but I think eventually they are going to run out of public infrastructure to put on the market, and they’ll end up at the exact same place they started.
Joan: Rep. Opsommer, thank you for your time. I appreciate your updating us on this important issue.
Rep. Opsommer: Thank-you.
Below is the results:
Joan: Rep. Opsommer, thank you for your time. As Vice Chair of the House Transportation Committee I appreciate the information you have to share today.
Rep. Opsommer: Thank you, it is my pleasure.
Joan: I have to tell you, HB 4961 is a very confusing bill. I know it is supposed to relate to the DRIC (Detroit International River Crossing) bridge debate, but you would never know that by reading the bill.
Rep. Opsommer: You’re absolutely right, it is confusing. What HB 4961 does is give MDOT new powers to enter into a variety of tolling contracts on their own, without legislative approval. If you’re on the inside you know that one of the projects they would like to do is the DRIC, so that is why the mainstream media is calling it the DRIC bill. But the word DRIC or any of its details aren’t actually in it.
Joan: So why write the bill like that? Wouldn’t it be normal to just write a bill specific for that bridge?
Rep. Opsommer: MDOT absolutely could, and in fact if you look at all the rest of the toll projects we have here in MI they have been authorized only after the legislature has voted to specifically allow for tolling to take place. I have a letter from the Attorney General’s office that confirms that currently MDOT can’t toll bridges, roads, or other projects on their own; they have to get permission from the legislature first.
Joan: And that would go away then if HB 4961 is passed?
Rep. Opsommer: Yes, it would. MDOT would be able to create and enter into these tolling projects on their own, and the legislature would have no say in it. And that would apply not just to the DRIC, but to any project anywhere in Michigan that MDOT would like to toll.
The jury is still out in Michigan on how much people want to see tolling get used; I hear arguments on both sides. But when I talk to taxpayers there is wide agreement that decisions on where to toll, and how high the toll rates can go, should stay with someone who is elected. Otherwise you have unelected bureaucrats making those decisions, and whether you want to call it a toll, a user fee, or a tax, I think we should make sure it is still the legislature who approves the use of toll roads in particular. This is even more important when I hear that toll road rates would be used not just to break even on a project, but as a source of revenue for mass transit and other projects. If you are going to set toll rates not based on breaking even but to generate revenue for other purposes, it is no longer a user fee, it is a tax.
Joan: The Governor has control over MDOT, correct?
Rep. Opsommer: Yes, it is her department, but if you cut out the legislature you lose an important check and balance. The Governor would be able to enter into tolling contracts on her own. In my mind whether you want to look at it as the administration having that power or MDOT, it is very similar either way. Otherwise, you might find that some of the roads in your backyard have been turned into carpool lanes, or toll roads, and there won’t be anything your State Representative or Senator can do about that.
Joan: So they can’t just change the law?
Rep. Opsommer: Maybe going forward, but not after the fact. There is for example a moratorium on these kinds of projects now in Texas, called “Public Private Partnerships”, because people got upset after the law was passed and projects were underway. But the projects that were already started had to be allowed to go forward because the contracts had already been entered into. These agreements can be worth billions of dollars over the life of the contract. They can last 50, 75, even 99 years or more, and the lawsuits that would arise out of trying to break them would be monumental. You remember what happened here in Michigan with the contract for the State Police HQ. That contract would be small peanuts by comparison.
Joan : The term used to describe these projects in HB 4961 is called “Public Private Partnerships” Can you define for me Public Private Partnerships?
Rep. Opsommer: Well, these are generically referred to as “P3s”. I think everyone knows what a public road is, and everyone knows what a private road is. A P3 is kind of like a blend of the two, that depending on who you talk to can either bring the best or the worst of big government and big business together.
Joan: How would you answer that question?
Rep. Opsommer: To me, it all comes down to how much taxpayers can be on the short end of the stick if a toll operator doesn’t get enough revenue. Let me explain how these work. In some cases, what will happen is the state will lease a piece of its infrastructure over to a third party. The state gets a big chunk of money upfront, and in exchange the private operator is allowed to use tolls or charge the state rent on those roads for several decades to both recoup that money and also make a profit. In other cases they will build a new road and essentially do the same thing.
Most people who have called my office are more concerned when existing infrastructure is leased out than they are over when something new is being built. They don’t like the idea that something that they have already paid for and already owned is being handed over. In the case of the DRIC bridge, we would be looking at them building something new. The main concern for me there is whether the state would have to come up with “availability payments” if toll revenue isn’t adequate to cover the cost of maintaining the bridge. Because if the state has to pay, we all know that really means taxpayers.
Joan: What is an availability payment?
Rep. Opsommer: I guess you could best describe it as a form of rent, kind of like a financial guarantee. Basically, MDOT could enter into one of these tolling agreements and structure it in a way where the private operator would be guaranteed a certain amount of money every month. It would be set up so that they would get that money primarily through tolls, but in months when not enough people drove, the state would step in and make up the difference. So that is one way taxpayers could end up on the hook if you do these wrong, because we would have to take that money somehow out of our general fund or gas tax revenue.
Joan: So why would the state make that guarantee? The way I have heard the DRIC bridge described it would be private companies taking on all the risk.
Rep. Opsommer: Well, that is kind of the rub, and the debate, and that is why people realize that a public-private partnership is not the same as a truly private project. In a truly private project, a private operator does assume all of the risk. If they have a month where ridership is down, they eat that. There are no guarantees for them, there are no noncompete clauses to protect them, and they can’t rely on eminent domain to secure property for them. Those are the kinds of questions that need to be answered before you can determine if a P3 is prudent or if it is just a government sanctioned monopoly.
Joan: What is a noncompete clause?
Rep. Opsommer: They can mean a lot of different things, but in general they are parts of these contracts that help to give the private operator certainty that they will be able to make a higher rate of return on their investment. In some past cases, they actually prohibited the public from building for example any new roads that were close enough to the toll road where they might be considered as competition. It is my understanding that type of clause is not used much anymore, in favor of what they call “compete penalties”. This is where the public could still build its own roads, but would first have to pay the operator compensation to retain that right.
So that is another way that tax dollars come into play on these deals. In some cases the contracts are written so that you can minimize the amount of compensation that would have to be owed by intentionally slowing down some other roads to make the toll road look more attractive. There was a case of this in Colorado I was reading about where they lowered the speed limit and added traffic lights on a parallel public road in an effort to get more people to use the toll road instead.
Joan: Really. Is that legal?
Rep. Opsommer: I’m not sure if there have ever been any decided court cases over that, but that is what is in some of these contracts and how they get enforced. These contracts get relied on and when people complain everyone shrugs their shoulders and says I didn’t vote for it, it’s part of the contract and out of my control. That is one reason why I think you still want the legislature to vote on where these contracts can be entered into, so we can put some qualifications on them to make sure they don’t run counter to legislative intent. I’m a free market advocate, but I’m not an advocate for a fixed market based on collusion and public manipulation.
Joan: Rep. Opsommer, you also mentioned eminent domain. Didn’t we change law so that you can’t take private property from one person if you are just doing that for another private entities business purposes or profit? There was a big reaction to the Supreme Court case.
Rep Opsommer: Well, it is my understanding that eminent domain concerns were one of the reasons for the moratorium on these in Texas. Depending on who you listen to they wanted to construct parts of the so called NAFTA superhighway, which was going to be a big project and was going to take a lot of land that some people didn’t want to sell.
I wasn’t there so I don’t know the ins and outs of all that, but I do have a question about eminent domain and how it would work under HB 4961 because of some clauses about additional commercial activities and also how they define an instrumentality of government. So you may not be talking about property just for roads and bridges, but also for gas stations, fast food restaurants, or things like hotels if they are part of the project. And even if eminent domain remains with a public body, it needs to be in a public body wholly from this state, not in a non-domestic instrumentality of government.
Joan: Rep. Opsommer would you please explain what an “instrumentality of government is?”
Rep. Opsommer: That is a good question, I’m not sure if it is entirely clear in HB 4961 as written. My first take on it is that it is a kind of “government authority”. Authorities are new governmental bodies that get made by other governments in order to do things jointly. For example, you may have several fire departments in different communities that come together and form a fire authority that somewhat merges the departments.
In the case of HB 4961, MDOT gets to create new authorities between them and other governmental units to form a new instrumentality of government that would govern a certain project. It would have the powers of MDOT, but other members in the authority would also get to help make decisions. When you look at how HB 4961 defines an instrumentality of government it includes governments from other countries and other states. So if a project gets governed by a mixed authority, you could have people from outside of Michigan having a vote on what happens regarding toll rates or eminent domain on the Michigan side of the border.
Joan: Well I find that alarming! Can you give me an example?
Rep. Opsommer: Well, let’s use the DRIC as an example. You could set it up so that Michigan owns its half of the bridge, and Canada the other half. Michigan then sets the toll rates on its side. That is how the Bluewater Bridge works for example. But if they want to create a new instrumentality of government to be the authority that governs the entire bridge and sets those rates, they need to find a way to bring Canada in. Some other bridges are set up that way.
I think it should be up to the legislature to be part of that process, determining how it would work, rather than just letting MDOT be able to approve it. I mean, Canada is supposedly loaning us $550 million dollars to help build this. I want to make sure there are no strings attached to that money. I don’t want a situation where as a result of that money we only end up owning 40% of the bridge. I don’t want to see a situation where eminent domain decisions are getting made on property holdouts on the Michigan side in way we can be outvoted.
Joan: And that hasn’t that all been decided?
Rep. Opsommer: No, not at all. You will read a lot in the main stream media that would make you think that. But there is nothing official. Remember, as you said, DRIC is not even mentioned in the bill. In fact, Canada or Canadian corporations being an instrumentality of government isn’t limited to just the DRIC. Like most of HB 4961, it is very open ended, and since they want to include governments from even other states, you have to assume that there are other mixed-governance projects like this that they have in mind.
Joan: Is it just Canada, or Canadian Corporations also?
Rep. Opsommer: The bill says both. I am looking into that, and they appear to be corporations that could best be described quickly as similar to not for profit corporations. I wanted to find out if the Ontario pension fund OMERS could be one of those corporations, but if they could I think it would have to be as a sister company.
Joan: Both? That’s another cause for alarm. Who is OMERS?
Rep. Opsommer: They are one of the likely bidders on a P3 for the DRIC. They were recently granted new investment powers by the Canadian government, and as we see more instability in stocks and bonds there is this push to find ways to turn transportation projects into a reliable stream of revenue. I think it is one of the reasons Canada is so interested in doing all of this. They have fought with the Ambassador Bridge on some issues, and if the DRIC would allow them to bypass that and also earn their pension funds profit at the same time, I see how this would be a big win for them.
Joan: So, what are your thoughts? Is the DRIC going to be built?
Rep. Opsommer: I honestly have no idea. It has passed out of the House, and could be voted on in the Senate any day. It’s obviously an important issue I have been involved with, but until I get answers to all of these questions its hard to say with any degree of certainty what it is you are even being asked to vote on. But as long as they are wrapping the DRIC bridge up into the P3 bill HB 4961 it will certainly be a highly controversial issue. I don’t want to see tolling take place in the counties I represent just because of a bridge debate on the other side of the state, especially when HB 4961 would strip me of being able to vote on it.
Joan: Are these laws allowing for that right to be stripped away in other states, or is this just being proposed in Michigan?
Rep. Opsommer: In some they only allow these with legislative approval, but in other cases they are indeed taking that power away. California is an example where their DOT doesn’t have as broad of power as what is being proposed in MI, but they recently changed the law there and stripped away the power from the legislature. So in some ways what MDOT is proposing is less than what they now have in California, but in other ways they want to mirror what Schwarzenegger has done and even go beyond that.
In Chicago they have done a lot of P3 projects, they recently turned their parking meters into a P3 project, and they almost did the same thing with the airport. Things have slowed down there a little because of the scandal with Governor Blagojevich that was in part due to him allegedly trying to raise cash with his unilateral ability to enter into projects like these. That case is now being heard, so we’ll have to see what the facts are in the end.
But Chicago has in general been raked over the coals for these deals because they have almost entirely spent all the money they received on these deals less than 5 years into them when most of the contracts last for 75-99 years. This is how they balanced their budget to a certain degree, but I think eventually they are going to run out of public infrastructure to put on the market, and they’ll end up at the exact same place they started.
Joan: Rep. Opsommer, thank you for your time. I appreciate your updating us on this important issue.
Rep. Opsommer: Thank-you.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
RESULTS OF THE M.A.P.S CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Michigan Patriots,
The results of the M.A.P.S Candidate Questionnaire is BELOW
The Purpose of the M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaire Project is:
1. Provide a tool to help tea party movement adherents determine a Constitutional Conservative Candidate with character who is worthy of their time and money.
2. To encourage involvement BEFORE the Primary (and after) for the Constitutional Conservative Candidate with character, of choice.
The liberal progressives are working hard, we need to work harder in support of our candidates!
Don’t see your candidate?
Any local, state or national Michigan candidate for office who wishes to fill out a Questionnaire may e-mail us at grassrootsinmi@gmail.com and we will be happy to send a questionnaire
We will continue to send out the results of the M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaires as we receive them from candidates
Right to Life of Michigan http://www.rtl.org/#
Open Congress http://www.opencongress.org/
On the Issues http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm
Russell Kirk - Ten Conservative Principals http://www.kirkcenter.org/kirk/ten-principles.html
The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal is a nonprofit educational institute based in Mecosta, Michigan, home of the American writer and thinker Russell Kirk (1918–1994).
Click here for the M.A.P.S CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
Click on the Candidate Name
Bill Schuette Candidate for Attorney General
Tom Stillings Candidate for 1st District House Congressional Seat
Michael Ennis Candidate for 9th District State Senate
Lori Levi Candidate for 21st District State House of Representatives
Michael Shmina Candidate for 32nd District State House of Representatives
Jeff Hall Candidate for 67th District State House of Representatives
Tricia Opper Candidate for 67th District State House of Representatives
Laurie Raines Candidate for 71st District State House of Representatives
FOR MICHIGAN AND AMERICA!
The results of the M.A.P.S Candidate Questionnaire is BELOW
The Purpose of the M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaire Project is:
1. Provide a tool to help tea party movement adherents determine a Constitutional Conservative Candidate with character who is worthy of their time and money.
2. To encourage involvement BEFORE the Primary (and after) for the Constitutional Conservative Candidate with character, of choice.
The liberal progressives are working hard, we need to work harder in support of our candidates!
M.A.P.S IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF CANDIDATES RATHER A TOOL FOR YOU TO USE TO MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICE
Don’t see your candidate?
Any local, state or national Michigan candidate for office who wishes to fill out a Questionnaire may e-mail us at grassrootsinmi@gmail.com and we will be happy to send a questionnaire
We will continue to send out the results of the M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaires as we receive them from candidates
REMEMBER: THE BEST WAY TO GET TO KNOW ANY CANDIDATE IS TO MAKE CONTACT WITH THEM!
Additional sources of research when deciding on supporting a candidate:
Michigan Votes http://www.michiganvotes.org/Right to Life of Michigan http://www.rtl.org/#
Open Congress http://www.opencongress.org/
On the Issues http://www.ontheissues.org/default.htm
Russell Kirk - Ten Conservative Principals http://www.kirkcenter.org/kirk/ten-principles.html
The Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal is a nonprofit educational institute based in Mecosta, Michigan, home of the American writer and thinker Russell Kirk (1918–1994).
Click here for the M.A.P.S CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
M.A.P.S. Candidate Questionnaire Results
Click on the Candidate Name
Bill Schuette Candidate for Attorney General
Tom Stillings Candidate for 1st District House Congressional Seat
Michael Ennis Candidate for 9th District State Senate
Lori Levi Candidate for 21st District State House of Representatives
Michael Shmina Candidate for 32nd District State House of Representatives
Jeff Hall Candidate for 67th District State House of Representatives
Tricia Opper Candidate for 67th District State House of Representatives
Laurie Raines Candidate for 71st District State House of Representatives
FOR MICHIGAN AND AMERICA!
Friday, May 28, 2010
REMEMBERING THEIR SACRIFICE
To those who sacrificed so much and to their families our eternal gratitude and profound respect....
Memorial Day, holiday in the United States observed in late May. Previously designated Decoration Day, it was inaugurated in 1868 by Gen. John A. Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of Civil War veterans and has since become a day on which all war dead are commemorated.
Known as Decoration Day, the holiday was changed to Memorial Day within twenty years, becoming a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead. It became a federal holiday in 1971, and is now observed on the last Monday in May...to learn more about Memorial Day
Memorial Day, holiday in the United States observed in late May. Previously designated Decoration Day, it was inaugurated in 1868 by Gen. John A. Logan for the purpose of decorating the graves of Civil War veterans and has since become a day on which all war dead are commemorated.
Known as Decoration Day, the holiday was changed to Memorial Day within twenty years, becoming a holiday dedicated to the memory of all war dead. It became a federal holiday in 1971, and is now observed on the last Monday in May...to learn more about Memorial Day
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