Time to Use Our Strenth

I need to ask you a favor. Please contact your legislators and the Local government committees of the house and senate about the below information. They are being held hostage by local government lobbyists. they can not get the votes to move them because local government lobbyist have testified against the right of Michigan taxpayers to vote before having their taxes raised.

We need to know who they represent, the lobbyists or us.

In the summer of 2015 Wayne County placed a judgment of $39 million on our summer taxes. Inkster placed several million dollars worth of taxes on Inkster taxes. This kind of thing goes on all over the state. Their authority they say comes from PA 236 which allows them to place judgment directly on our tax bills without a vote of the people.

We believe that this is a violation of the Headlee Amendment which is part of Article IX of the State Constitution which was passed by the voters in 1978. It requires that increases in taxes require a vote of the people. We requested the help of the legislature to change PA 236. As a result we received a response from Senator David Knezek (D) who informed us that he has requested the legal council and legislative analysts to design a bill that will prohibit the placing of these judgments on our tax bills. We never heard from him again in spite of our attempts to contact him.

The Senate bills SB630 and SB 631 introduced by Senator Shirkey now resides in the Senate local government committee and HB 5150 introduced by Rep. Poleski and 5159 introduced by Reps. Yonker, Price and Garcia has been introduced in the House and are now in the House local government committee. These bills will bring judgments in line with the State Constitution.

Senate Committee Clerk | 517-373-5323

House Committee Clerk | 517-373-5323

House and Senate

http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,4669,7-192-29701---,00.html

Please contact them and request that these bills be moved for a vote. Ask your friends to do the same. When contact your elected officials to vote in favor of their passage so they know it exists when it comes to the floor.

Gun Rights

On September 25th,1994 the Jon Coon, Libertarian for US Senate campaign hosted a "Brass Roots" rally, honoring both the Second Amendment to the US Constitution and Article I, Sec. 6 of the Michigan Constitution. The 10,000 Michigan gun owners who attended contributed hundreds of pounds of spent brass "from firearms they vow to never give up" that was melted down and cast into a 4' x 6' plaque.

Shortly after its creation, state representative, Leon Drolet, got legislation to install the plaque on the Capitol grounds adopted by the House on a 104-0 vote.  Unfortunately, the bill was not taken up by the senate. 

We are now making a second attempt to finally put this monument to our cherished right to keep and bear arms in a deserved place of honor -- where it will serve as a continuing reminder to both public officials and the public generally of the one right upon which all the others depend.

Rep. Martin Howrylak, along with 15 cosponsors, has introduced HB 5595 to accomplish this long-sought goal -- hopefully in time for a dedication ceremony on the 20th anniversary of the original "Brass Roots" event. 

Any help you might provide in this effort would be greatly appreciated.  Please take a moment to call your state rep and urge support for HB 5595.  Then forward this e-mail to every other Michigan gun owner you know.  Thank you.

Yours for liberty from one who was there,

Tim O'Brien

Obamacare Strikes Again

President Obama and his administration behave more like thugs everyday.  They behave like we are criminals that need to be watched and intimidated to bring us into compliance with their idea of what is right. We have to put a stop to this before we become the shadow of other countries who are taking to the streets with violence.

There are not just one or two issues to concern ourselves with but a large number of fronts on which he and his administration should be confronted. We have a constitution to which he swore an oath. Our legislators took the same oath to protect and defend it. We need to become relentless in our efforts to hold them accountable.

Please don't let this go unaddressed. If you feel this is not a problem to you now, you can rest assured that it will be a significant personal problem in the future.

Part-Time Legislature Needed

Years ago we almost got our part-time legislature back. We just missed the mark. We also thought that Term Limits would help alleviate some of our problems and it did. Now it is up to us to make another attempt.  A Part-Time legislature just might help them come home to their constituents (they really only work part time anyway) and have to do work in the real world.  

Get a petition and circulate it. We have a much better network now to promote and make contact. Take the petitions to your work, church. clubs and family gatherings. If enough people get involved we can make this an easy job. Do your share and make it harder for the lobbyists to be heard over their constituents. 

If you are unable to circulate petitions, (that means you can't sign your name and have no friends) then you can at least make a contribution for printing the petitions and fighting those special interests that will be trying to defeat the proposal. As a matter of fact, do both.

Lets give this all we have got.
 http://parttimemi.com/

Representative Government

 

Sent to Wayne County State Legislators:

I would like to address those who have decided to support Governor Snyder wish to pass HB 4714.  I would also like to acknowledge those who took  the time to respond to my initial email both pro and con.  I have been following Lansing for 31 years only to be frequently disappointed in the representation.  I am aware that sometimes your job is difficult.  I am also aware that you are sent to Lansing to represent your constituents.  It seems that too frequently, government is at odds with that representation and the costs, as a result, are detrimental to good government and harmful to the taxpayer.

While you may choose to support the governor over the citizens of this state, you must also accept the fact that you may be the focus of those who oppose and elect you. Should any of the groups who oppose your decision start to feel the negative effects of that decision, you can rest assured that they may seek  other  groups to come to their assistance.   The legislature recently passed a law to make it more difficult to remove officials through recall.  Once again, not serving those who elected you but your own interest.  I suggest that before you decide such a life changing decision for Michiganders that you could become the object of their frustration.  I am not proposing this, but wish you to be aware. In  http://home.comcast.net/~bogaert/Opinion.pdf  you will see that the groups can work together to remove the legislator who most egregiously has worked against them. 

Obamacare is not a small issue. You must realizes anything you can do to hinder its implementation will help save us from a disaster waiting to happen. For those who say “it is the law of the land” remember Rep. Nancy Pelosi’s comment that “we must pass it to know what is in it”.  If that is how you think laws should be passed, you represent no one not even yourself.

Respectfully,

Rose Bogaert, Chair

Wayne County Taxpayers Association, Inc.

Recall Change Could Be Unconstitutional

Recall Change Could Be Unconstitutional: [...] More: Recall Change Could Be Unconstitutional


If everyone, including the legislature, were doing their job, none of this would be necessary.  By passing this law it makes it almost impossible for anyone that doesn't have a ton of money behind them or an army , such as a union, to have a recall.   The State Constitution says that the language must be clear period. It is up to those for or opposed to the recall to determine the outcome of the recall.   The validity of the argument will be determined at the polls.  The self righteous know it all attitude of some of our legislators is what gets them in trouble in the first place. They forget they represent us not themselves.

I should attempt to recall someone just to have standing in the courts to throw this self serving law in the garbage where it belongs. If they vote for something they should believe in it enough to explain it and defend it.  If they neither believe in it nor can defend it they should not have voted for it.  It was difficult enough to recall someone under the old law.

STOP the shell game and END the “Temporary Tax”

This is a familiar story, where a tax is created for one purpose, then diverted to another in a political shell game at the Capitol, when it really should have gone away.

Twenty-five years ago, in 1987, a special tax was created in Wayne County, a 30% tax on parking at and around Detroit Metro Airport that raised about $8 million annually.

It was designed as a bailout for an earlier Wayne County fiscal crisis. It was supposed to go away in 2010 when the bailout debt was paid off, but in typical style, the debt is gone but the tax remains.

Currently the tax brings in $21.5 million annually,and has raised over $340 million in the last 25

years. Some goes to the State Aeronautics Fund. Some goes to the City of Romulus. Most goes to Wayne County, not to solve a fiscal crisis or to support airport operations, but to fund indigent health care.

Now Senate Bill 1257 plays another shell game with this tax money. Under this bill, most of the revenue would be diverted to pay for Medicaid.There’s no tax like this at any other airport in Michigan. And there’s no good reason the business and vacation travelers who park their cars at Metro Airport should pay a special tax to fund Medicaid. Medicaid is for the entire state, not just a handful of travelers.And there’s a good reason to stop this diversion of funds dead in its tracks: it most likely violates federal law and common sense. Two different federal laws say you

can’t tax airport travelers and divert the funds away from air travel.
Furthermore, it’s the diversion of money off the Airport to the County that prompted the legislature to make the Airport a body independent of Wayne County 10 years ago. That legislation was supposed to separate the Airport financially from the County, now it’s time to finish what was started over a decade ago.
Enough is enough. Twenty-five years have passed and now is the time to repeal the airport parking tax.
Temporary taxes should be temporary, and shouldn’t live on just because politicians get
addicted to the money. But if they’re going to keep levying this tax, every dime of the revenue should be earmarked directly for the airport – improving its safety, security and operational effectiveness for the traveling public. Taxing the parking at the airport is an airport user fee. And money from an airport user fee should stay at the airport.

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO GET INVOLVED EMAIL STOPTHESHELLGAME@GMAIL.COM

Recalling Recall and Senate Joint Resolution S

Senate Joint Resolution S is about restricting your right to recall to criminal offenses and misconduct.  Recall is more than that. The State Constitution provides a tool to the electorate when your representative refuses to represent you or does something illegal and that is recall. Recall requires that you collect the valid signatures of 25% of the number who voted in the last election for governor in the district. This is not an easy task.   After the signatures are gathered and certified, the person to be recalled gets to put a rebuttal on the ballot.

In the early 80's two recalls occurred. Senators Mastin and Sarotkin were successfully recalled from office from Michigan's state legislature for voting for a 38% increase in income taxes.  Having decided that it had to be stopped, the third senator, Patrick McCollough was prevented from being recalled.

As one of the instigators of that recall, I can accurately describe what happened. There certainly has been enough misinformation to go around. This was truly a grass roots movement. We had next to no money and we only had our anger to keep us warm in one of the coldest winters I can remember. The ability for politicians to curb their spending was not even a consideration.  Why should they when the taxpayer could pick up the tab?

So how did they end it?  Of course they made us look like the bad guys.  We were all volunteers. They harassed us as we stood out in the cold collecting signatures.  They followed us door to door.  They signed false names and addresses on our petitions.  They held cameras close to our faces and took pictures.  They signed our petitions more than once, knowing that both signatures would be discarded based on a previous court decision disenfranchising even those who may have accidentally signed twice over the three month signature collection period.  They tried to block  access to the tables we set up to collect signatures.  They became so disruptive that we had to call the police numerous times to stop them.

So who were these people?  Well some of them were Sen. McCollough's relatives or so they said.  There was also MEA union members who were also the largest contributors to his committee.  His mother was head of the House Education Committee and had a great deal of influence. There were others union and non union members involved in the disruption.  The Democratic Party was deeply involved because they pushed for the tax increase.  Many of the rank and file union members were on our side.

Years later in 2007, the propaganda continued with a program sponsored by MGTV Michigan Political History Soc.  with plenty of representation by those who are not supportive of recalls including McCollough himself who continued to call us names and tell lies about us.  

Apparently, I'm a slow learner and a true believer.  In 2007 I again attempted a recall with the help of others.  Rep. Andy Dillon voted to increased our income tax by 12% and  enacted a surtax of 22% on business that was passed down to us. He voted to increased General Fund Spending more than 8% and called it a cut. He voted to increased their legislative budget by over 7%. He did all this at a time when Michigan families are struggling to pay their mortgages and keep their homes. 

Again the same suspects tried to disrupt the efforts with their money and influence.  That effort failed as well.  But in both instances, it slowed them down by causing them lots of money and personal effort that they could have used for mischief elsewhere.  It also makes them think twice about their decisions and their consequences.

So why go through all the trouble? Because good government doesn't just happen. Because it is your obligation to pay attention. The less you pay attention the weaker you become and the more intrusive government becomes. I believe that the tax increases have hurt the people and the business climate of this state. So take a position, whatever it is, and get involved.

 I am frequently asked why recall is necessary when our elected state officials are term limited and will be up for re-election or moving on. The most important thing I could say is that a lot can happen in six months. It did not take them six months to raise our income tax 12%. It did not take them six months to enact a 22% surtax on business. ( May I remind you that the tax gets passed on to the consumer.) It took them less than six months to increase General Fund spending more than 8% for 2008. They succeeded in increasing the legislative budget by over 7% for 2008 in less than six months. Now add to that the cost of borrowing money at 40 cents on the dollar for the failed 20th Century Jobs Fund in 2005, which was a flop, and will take a long time to pay back with future revenue.

The next question is always ," What about the cost of the election?" It is minor compared to the damage they can do.

Please contact Senators Meekoff and Richardville and tell them you do not support the proposed change. Then contact the Committee on Government Operations with the same message.  Don't Forget your legislators as well.

Please Help

Just click on this link to locate your legislators. You can also copy and paste this to your browser.
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/%28S%28ufs3fxz5g22iryuvf0icrneo%29%29/mileg.aspx?page=home

We can stop this legislation. Right now many cities and townships share services and procurements without creating authorities. That is why we elect individuals to make decisions for us.  Please call, email or visit your legislators.

Please pass this information on.

RESA Wants Millage Increase

The Wayne County Intermendiate School District RESA wants a millage increase. Suprisingly, they are getting school districts to agree that they want more money. The Detroit School Board still believes, or at least claims to believe, lack of money is their problem. I guess more than $11,000 per student in Detroit is not enough to expect some kind of resonable education. This is insanity.

How did this come about? With the passage of Proposal A and the change in how schools were funded, the only way to increase operating millage was on a county wide millage. Exempt from this were sinking funds and bonds which were still allowed on a local district level and are used unmercifully.

The County millage could be increased up to 3 mils with the approval of the districts that together make up more than half the student population of the county district and then it would be placed on the ballot. We should be grateful they are so considerate to ask for only 1.9 of the three mills allowed. That is only $1.90 for every $1,000 of taxable value on your property. If your taxable value is $50,000 this means you will only have to pay $95 more per year. This millage will only generate $92 million. It will then be distributed back to the districts based on student population. More redistribution of wealth with no accountability and guarentee of better education.

If we let this happen we deserve it. Accountability first. If we don't get accountability, we are throwing good money after bad.

I Love these Ladies

I am sure this is an oxymoron, but "Common Sense in Government" is at it again. You have to admire the imagination of Wendy Day and Melanie Hall. These two can think up more ways to make a point than any two people I know. Their latest adventure was to build snowmen at the foot of the capitol steps - more than a dozen of them. They even made Fox News.

Wendy told me that they try to make fun out the work they are doing to cut government taxes and reduce their spending. I guess she wasn't kidding. These ladies always have a smile on their face when I see them and you can see their enthusiasm in their work.

I can't do the things I used to. I guess there is envy in my heart. I would be right there with them, building their snowmen and distributing flyers, if I could. That fact does not discourage me from asking you to join them when you can. It is so very important that the fight be brought to the forefront. We need to make our elected officials aware that we are watching them and we will hold them accountable.

No matter what your ability, do what you can.

Something You Shouldn't Miss

Austin Texas then and now.





You really should subscribe to the "Michigan Capitol Confidential". Its free, well written, entertaining and factual. The only thing that might upset you is the content. They expose government waste and things that you may not find out in the press or may have missed on the tube.

The internet has given us an oportunity that was not available before and we should take advantage of it. Individuals are now able to discover things and comunicate them. If you are young and it has always been the way things are, you can not appreciate the difference.

The Tea Party movement would not be the movement it is without the internet. Grass root conventions, seminars and meetings would not be as well attended or as easily organized. It is much harder for a despot to take control of our government without being exposed because of the internet. There is always the comfort in the realization that you are not alone in your thinking.

Most of all, it gives even those who are unable to get out much, the elderly, moms with small children, those who are still employed and those who are not, an oportunity to get involved.

Click on the link it will be worth your time.

An Honor to Honor

We are often accused of being negative. I attribute that to those who would rather call us names than judge our solutions. This time, we are sure our effort can not be misconstrued. When Leon Drolet of Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and I were deciding who should be honored, we found it easy to agree on Mr. Robert Bobb and Mr. Frank Beckmann to receive top honors.

Robert Bob has been doing yeoman's work at the Detroit Public Schools weeding out fraud and abuse. Frank Beckmann has been a voice of sanity and a source of information and taxpayer advocacy for years. This will be an event you will not want to miss. These men deserve to be recognized. For information click here.

Please help us make this a memorable event. Join us and join the fun. Jacket and tie for men and business attire for women.

Who would of thought that Governor Granholm would lack imagination? After all, she is such a dramatic actor. Who else can pretend to care for this state and not try to do anything different? She knows that the changes she suggested are DOA according to Speaker Andy Dillon. Here are the changes she suggested according to “Cynical Synapse”:

Here’s what Granholm’s plan includes for Michigan’s budget over the next 2 years: $2.2 billion in cuts, $1.09 billion in tax/revenue hikes, and using $2 billion of Federal stimulus money. It’s important to note this is on top of the $500 million in cuts Granholm proposed in February. To entice Republicans, she’s offering to phase out the Michigan Business Tax 22% surcharge over 3 years, beginning in 2011.
Reduce film industry tax credits from 42% to 37%
Reduce other business tax credits by 12%
Extend 6% sales tax to live entertainment tickets, vending machine sales, and service contracts
Impose a 1% sales tax on bottled water
Increase the cigarette tax by 25 cents per pack to $2.25
Double non-cigarette tobacco taxes
Increase liquor license fees
Cut school aid by $520 million
Reduce local revenue sharing by $74 million
Squeeze $34 million out of funds used to entice business—and jobs—to Michigan ($22 million from the 21st Century Jobs fund and $12 million from a road improvements fund)

If the legislature knew the proposed suggestions for balancing the budget was unacceptable, why did they go on vacation?

If we had a part-time legislature this would have been resolved by now. Passing a continuation bill is not acceptable. I say we shut the state down. Most people would not even notice and others who get funds from the state might take some concessions and squawk so loud the legislature might get something done.

What A Fix I Am In

I am conflicted. As a resident of Wayne County I know that I should be doing everything I can to encourage business to stay and flourish in Wayne County. As I have just become a major stockholder in GM, I now have other considerations to take under advisement.

Right now Detroit and Warren are having a disagreement over where the Headquarters of General Motors should be located. First lets look at the taxes. Mayor Bing and Executive Ficano are proposing a tax free zone for the Renaissance Center. While, The City of Warren has offered a 30 year abatement if GM moves its headquarters to the GM Tech Center.

If lower taxes are good for GM, why are they not good for everyone else? The small businesses that will suffer or be put out of business because of automotive downsizing are sure to need propping up. There is also the average taxpayer to consider, who must pick up the burden for the hole that exists in revenue left by the break given to businesses.
I know that as consumers we are paying them anyway, but somehow if you don't pay them directly they seem less harmful and there is still the possibility that they will not pass the break on.

Then there are the employees. Would they rather go into Downtown Detroit and pay a fortune for parking?
Or, would they rather park in the huge parking lot at the Tech Center? If they wish to live near work, would they rather live in Detroit with poor services and inadequate schools ? Or, live in Warren where schools and services are not so bad and their spouses will not have to pay the 2.5% resident income tax? That is if they work.

How about property values? Would you rather invest in housing which will continue to decline under present tax rates and exiting population? Or, in property which will very likely appreciate in the future?

The Detroit News has given you an opportunity to vote on the question of whether they should stay in Detroit or move to Warren. I am torn on the question to be sure. It isn't easy being a business owner in Michigan.

The Simplified Single Business Tax

Remember the reason for changing the Single Business Tax in Michigan? They wanted to make it more simple and it had to be revenue neutral. First they thought up the Service tax that turned out to be a disaster and then quickly changed it to a 22% surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax. That too turned out to be anything but simple or revenue neutral.

Chairman, President, and CEO of the Edward Rose and Sons Building Enterprises, Sheldon Rose is holding his tax return for Michigan. It weighs between 7 and 8 lbs. and is ten times the size of his previous return. When asked what he thought about it, his response was that it was "preposterous". I cant' think of a better word to use.

The family-owned company is a residential developer, general contractor, and property owner and manager with a large presence in the Midwest. How has our legislature encouraged him to keep his business here in Michigan? They seem to be perplexed by the fact that people and business are leaving. If we do not become more business friendly in this State there will be no one left to produce or employ. This is the thanks we give to people who create jobs, operate and invest in Michigan. That is of course unless they are hand picked by Governor Granholm to receive taxpayer money.

Are You Up To A Challenge

According to the Orlando Sentinal the taxpayers "Tea Party" in Orlando, Florida drew over 4,000 taxpayers to show their discontent with Washington. Carrying Signs and chanting they showed their frustration over government spending.

I am issuing a chalenge to all of you to help us exceed that number. If you can not afford the gas, bring others and ask them to share the expense. If it is a long way, turn on the radio to entertain you. There are certainly more than 4,000 available people out there. We have more reason than the federal spending. We have state spending to complain about. They are thinking of raising taxes again. You can bet that every time they do, there are fewer people and businesses to pay them.

Our "MI Taxpayers Tea Party will be on April 15, at High noon on the steps of the Capitol Building in Lansing. You can take the time to do this. Even bring gramma and grandpa. They helped build this country and I am sure they do not want to see others destroy it. Get excited! Get angry! Tell them "your not going to take it anymore." Hold them accountable. Work against them or remove them, if they will not listen.

We can do better than Orlando. There are fewer people everyday who have anything better to do. You are responsible for preserving our freedoms. You are responsible for our children's future. Your actions determine the life, libertyand persuit of happiness for future generations.

How To Appeal Your Property Assessment

The Michigan Taxpayers Alliance and the Wayne County Taxpayers Association will be sponsoring :

How To Appeal Your Property Assessment

Workshops

Wayne County:
Dearborn Heights: Saturday, January 24 at 3:00PM. Canfield Community Center, 1801 Beech Daly Road, ½ block South of Ford Road.
Detroit: Friday, January 30 at 7:00PM. Wayne Community College, Eastern Campus, The Eastern Campus is located on Conner Road adjacent to I-94.

Macomb County:
Macomb Township: Saturday, February 7 at 2:00PM. Clinton/Macomb Public Library, North Branch, 16800 24 Mile Road, 48042
Washington Township: Friday, March 6 at 7:00PM. Washington Township Hall, 57900 Van Dyke (1/2 mile north of 26 Mile Road)

Oakland County:
Troy: Wednesday, February 11 at 7:00PM. Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois Rd. (room 304)

For More Information Call 313-278-8383

This is an important year to consider appealing you property assessment. This year the CPI is 4.4% . Your CV will increase. Your SEV will likely decline. Your TV will likely increase. Did I mention that we will define terms at the workshops?

We will tell you what to look for in and about your home. We will give you information which will help you decide if appealing is worth your time. We will provide you with information they can not use to increase your assessment. We will answer the question " How can my taxes go up when my property value is declining?"

You owe it to yourself to attend.

Distribution of Someone Elses Blog

I am going to do something I have never done before. I am going to distribute to the Wayne County State Senators and Representatives the recent blog of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. First, because I believe it to be truthful and second, it has a link to former Rep. Leon Drolet's parting speech to the legislature, which I feel the other legislators should read.

I am so tired of everyone saying that our problems would be solved if only there were no term limits. There were reasons why the voters of this state proposed and voted for term limits and the reasons are as valid today as they were then. I hope you will take the time to read the blog and the farewell speech.

I am old enough to remember the way it was before term limits. People say that they lack experience with term limits. No one else has two years to learn their job. This is not a game you learn to play, but a cooperative effort to govern. Presumably, they brought skills with them to the job. If they haven't they do not belong there.

Recall Wayne Westland Style

You have to believe by now that I am not against recall after being involved in the attempt to recall Speaker Andy Dillon of Michigan for the last 1 1/2 years. I am, however, opposed to the recent attempts to recall members of the Wayne-Westland School Board. It seems that the attempt to recall them was a result of the school board's warning that they might fire teachers who failed to obey the law. They went out on strike for four days until the court ordered them back to work.

The Wayne-Westland Education Association stated that the board failed to respond to their request to reduce class size and that any reduction would have to come out of the teachers contract. The union rejected outright the proposal put out by the board that would allow a different insurance carrier.

The school board is not requesting that the teachers receive a cut in pay or a freeze. They are not suggesting a change in insurance benefits either. They are requesting that they be allowed to shop insurance instead of using MESSA. MESSA is a not-for-profit membership organization established by the MEA as a Voluntary Employee Beneficiary Association (VEBA). Because the union gets a cut, they are reluctant to allow competitive bidding. The union wants MESSA insurance at no cost to its members. The board wants to tie the districts costs to the increase in revenue received from the state. The union flatly refused it.

Salaries for the contract year 2007-2008 for Wayne Westland range from $34,409 for the first year new hire to $94,459 to a teacher who has a PHD and has been working for the district for 14 years. Their health care benefits are among the best money can buy. The districts MEAP scores are at or below the state average.

There is no doubt that teachers have a difficult job and a great deal of responsibility. But, they do have to get a grasp on reality. They have a closed community. They use children to their advantage and even to spread their propaganda which I believe they really think is true.
They can not go on living as if there has been no change in the economy and the world. They have to remember there are people standing in line wanting their job and they are qualified to do an equally good job or better. Taking children hostage is terrorism and their parents and the community are subject to extortion.

I am glad that they are going into fact finding. Maybe an equitable solution can be reached. In a state which will soon be in worse trouble, we can not make any more promises that we can not afford. Under no circumstances should the board allow binding arbitration. People should be applauding their board not recalling them.

You can recall your board, but it will not solve the problem.