Insurers can use credit score to determine auto insurance rates

WTF!~!@#$%^&*( What bright light bulbs on the bench believe a credit score is germane to your driving record? They seem to be leaving the door open to consider the credit scroe for other aberrations of economic justice. Appeal... Appeal ...Appeal ...Michigan court: Insurers can use credit scores
www.detnews.com
Lansing -- The Michigan Supreme Court ruled Thursday that insurance companies can consider credit scores when setting auto premiums.

Candidates in the 5th House District offer no real substantive websites!

Canddiates without websites are not in keeping with the ways in which a growing constituency demand access to their representative. Snail mail takes to long, and there is no written record via a phone call-that's if you get through. Many candidates in the fifth Michigan House District don't have websites nor do they in... most other district races-yet they say they want to represent the people and give them access to their deliberations and doings. Social media places one in direct contact and not having a website to me is a tell tell sign of what kind of bedside manners you will have in office.

Kilpatrick failed to get a plurality of the votes in 2008 and statistically will falter in 2010 delivering Hansen Clarke just that-a plurality of the votes as a signal to her failed leadership.See MoreU.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick faces tough race in 13th District | freep.com | Detroit Free Pre
www.freep.com
Have two years dampened the anti-Kwame Kilpatrick sentiment toward the former Detroit mayor's mom, U.S. Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick?

Charles Pugh "Let city run schools?"

Pugh has got to be joking-right??! He cannot get his own department in line with best practices nationally-last I check the President of the Coucnil was the Administrator of the group? He cannot seem to get the the grass cut and he wants to take on that behemouth of a task of managing the Detroit School with no experis...e in the field: Everything is not a sound bite. The man has failed to report an accident in which he destroyed city property in a timely fashion and he is calling for City of Detroit ran schools when we are so far under debt we cannot see air! 37 Departments and agencies( and the State has only 23)-no audit-Pugh could call for an audit but has not and will not but wants to take over the schools! urggggghhhhhh~!@#$%^&*()

Rochelle Riley: Charles Pugh: Let city, not mayor run schools | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
www.freep.com
Detroit City Council President Charles Pugh said that the mayor of Detroit should oversee the Detroit Public Schools -- but not the current mayor. And not by himself.

Obama will visit Holland, MI battery plant

Detroit needs to suppy battery plants with key parts that are not being made Vertically by the same plant. If Michigan State University would acquire the old Highland Park Community College and adjacent properties it could open a specialty campus that specializes in renewable energy technology and then help to transfer... the technology into a real world application in the form of new start ups that could take root in Highland Park's Oakland corridor. American Axle could do a joint venture since auto suppliers are trying to horizontally integrate new green technology into its operations by way of venture capital.

Obama will visit Holland battery plant Thursday | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
www.freep.com
Holland's mayor says he expects the president will tour the LG Chem factory during his visit.

A Better Lesson Plan for Parents

I agree with Kathy Yanich of Rochester Hills on the necessity of Libraries. How do we expect kids to do their homework in Highland Park whose library has been closed for nearly ten years!!!! In a title I school district? Also, I concurr with Patrick Pierce of Clinton Township who didactically admonishes Parents to encourage and direct their children to be more studious. His examples of mastering the multiplication tables and to learn to read more (practice makes perfect).

A better lesson plan for parents, teachers | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
www.freep.com
In response to your July 8 article 'DPS tries something new: A school run by teachers': At last -- a school run by teachers with guaranteed parental input. Who, other than the teachers and the parents, knows what is best for students?

30,000 Signatures versus 70,000 who said NO!

The Power is in the People: if so then the People have already spoken. I am not impressed with 30,000 signatures when twice as many Detroiters have already said Flat-out "NO" when asked this same question, by ballot, less than four years ago!

Detroit council told to put school control issue on ballot | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
www.freep.com
Detroit City Council members said Monday that they need more information about how mayoral oversight of Detroit Public Schools would operate before putting the issue on the November ballot. Change for Better Schools has collected 30,704 signatures supporting mayoral oversight and is to present the p...

First Archer-Now Bing Supports Dillion: But The Citizens have disagreed

Archer backs Dillion who says he would not have voted for Barack H.Obama's healthcare plan: Hmmmm? Archer does not back the 13th or 14th Congressional choice of Bernero: Hmmm? I believe Archer, Dennis W. is out of touch with the pulse of the community. BTW, Mr. Archer what is the Dillon Urban Plan? He states in this ar...ticle you gave him the endorsement because of his urban plan-what is it about Dillion's urban plan that is worthy of rejecting the party's choice, who backed you. Granted I differ on some issues, but not the issue of the next gubenatorial office holder in the 26th State of the Union. Vote Bernero for Governor of Michigan in 2010

Archer endorses Dillon for governor | freep.com | Detroit Free Press
www.freep.com
Saying Michigans next governor needs to be a bridge builder, former Detroit Mayor Dennis Archer endorsed Democrat Andy Dillon for governor this morning.

DPSD seeks Write-in Candidates ....

John Olumba and LaTrelo Sephers should run as write-in candiates for the Detroit Public Schools. Mr. Olumba ran for Charter Commission, State Rep in 2008, but has no idea about the governance of the State of Michigan as his website says nothing in substance about that office he is currenly vying for. Both of these gent...elmen failed to do an important video interview with MIVote.org! Maybe their lack of preparedness would blend in well on the DPSB!See MoreDetroit Public Schools board gets no candidates | Write-in campaigns for fall vote needed to fill tw
detnews.com
Nobody wants to run for two available seats on the Detroit Public Schools board. The deadline to get on the Aug. 3 primary ballot passed May 11 without anyone filing, meaning only a write-in candidate can be elected this fall.

Tough Leadership Needed in Lansing, Michigan

I agree that the State is a symbiotic state of "lassitude" due to ineptness on the part of the "paymasters" who influence bad governance. I agree with a multi-year budget. I even like a UniCarmeral Legsilature and reducing the number of politicians from 148 to 74. I especially support increasing funding in safety net ...programs like HIgher Education and Community College funding. Lastly I think the Department of Correction can be merged with the State Police and operational changes could be made in the MDOCs to encourage rehabilitation of those with release dates of 5 to 7 years by encouraging them to pursue a community college credential and early release of non-violent offenders as well as outsourcing non-core services at the Prison. Daniel Howe is right on this one!

It's simple: Same old, same old in Lansing, or tough leadership
www.detnews.com

The choice really is simple: Michigan can opt for a would-be governor and legislators who recognize the dysfunction and move systematically to correct it, or they'll get more of the same. That would deliver more decline in population, property values, personal income, educational attainment and jobs...

Council Rejects Resolution Opposing Mayoral Control

This is a great litmus test for how the city is to be managed from within: Whoever supports Mayoral Control is going against the dictates of the people and should be removed from office!

Detroit City Council rejects resolution opposing mayoral takoever of Detroit Schools | freep.com | D

www.freep.com

The Detroit City Council voted today against a resolution proposed by Councilwoman JoAnn Watson that would have officially opposed mayoral governance of the Detroit Public Schools.

Bill May Electriy Green Car Growth

I like this Senate initiative. It can be improved though by offering a further incentive to those who buy E85 vehicles to also help transform the infrastructure. 50% electric vehicles is a solid goal-but what about the other 50%: why not aim high and say 100% Alternative Energy Vehicles in 8years.

One way to drive the demand for they ...Hybrid vehicles has been listed on my website under the Clark-Hill Great Debates Question. I suggested that the incoming Governor use their Executive Powers under Emergencies to declare a State Wide Energy Emergency mandating that all gas stations in the State of Michigan offer multiple E85/Elec. Car Recharge Stations or face a hefty energy penalty for not fostering best practices.

One year ago this August 2010 I competed for Bio Mass/Clean Cities Grant for retooling the nation's infrastructure. My firm Future Energy (SM) presented a business plan for the nation's first all renewable energy gas Station, e.g., wind, solar, LED lighting and alternative bio mass fuels like E85/B85/E90/B90, Bio-Diesel (GM® Clean Diesel Technology), and Electric Recharge services or products.

It would be wise to offer E85 vehicles purchasers a rebate that they can apply to their State taxes as a write off to help push the demand for the products and foster thousands of jobs!
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Bills may electrify green car growth | Senate panel wants to boost retooling loans and promote plug-in infrastructure and alternative fuel retooling nation-wide

detnews.com

Washington -- The Senate Energy Committee approved a pair of bills Wednesday that would boost the development of vehicles powered by electricity and other alternative sources of energy.

The MI. Manufacturing Assoc.: The Great Debates

1.) Recognizing that manufacturing remains by far the largest sector of the Michigan economy and is fundamentally different than other sectors of the business community, what is your strategy to grow the Michigan economy? How will you design a competitive tax strucutre and economic development efforts to attract and retain high job multiplier effect industrial capital investment in Michigan, compared to the tax policies and aggressive incentive efforts of other States and nations?

First and foremost since one of the jobs of a State Legislator is to act as a liaison to the Federal government I would ask Congress-inclusive of the U.S. Senate to demand fair trade and if the American auto industry does not get fair trade, e.g., less stringent measures to sale U.S. automobiles in foreign markets, the U.S. should protect its markets with higher tariffs to protect manufacturing jobs that seem to have disappeared with a combination of free-trade/unfair trade imbalances and policies that prohibit a USA penetration into foreign markets.

Next I would promote from Lansing to transform the State Fair Grounds into a Research Park specializing in the Life Sciences and Green Technology, inclusive of bio-mass. Leveraging 143 acres of viable land into a high wage job center. Similarly, I would call for the closure of the Detroit Municipal Airport and transform it into a mega outlet/retail complex, e.g., bringing a CostCo, Sam's Club, Wal-Mart and several major national franchise eateries.

2.) With a per capita income that is about $6,000 lower than the national average, ranking 37th, Michigan must crub its historic spending trend. How ill you address the chronic structural deficit problem in Michigan?
Again, one way to curb spending is to shrink the size of the bureaucracy from 23 Departments and Agencies to about 17 or so and then to privatize non-core services like Housekeeping at Universities, Food Services and Housekeeping in Prisons, and mandating service sharing amongst municipalities like Hamtramck and Detroit and Highland Park, e.g., the school districts. Besides, holding a Con. Con. to determine how to shrink the size of the legislature to a UniCarmeral legislature to reduce the number from 148 to 74 and save tens of millions in the process.

3.) What changes would you propse for the regulatory system to improve Michigan's business climate and make Michigan manufacturers' more competitive?

I would like to speak to the the Michigan Manufacturing Association to determine issues that might be specific to their sector that I could advance meta what I have already advocated.

The MI. Ed. Assoc.: The Great Debates

Key Questions

Specifically, how would you fix Michigan's antiquated tax structure and the failed school funding systems to ensure adequate, equitable, stable funding for public education?

See my MI Platform

What is your position on recent school reform efforts and what is the appropriate role for educators, parents, lawmakers and others in ensuring Michigan provides quality pulbic education for all?

I like the current reforms, again see my MI Platform on this important issue.
Do you oppose outsourcing schol employee jobs to private, for-profit companies?
No, non support services should be outsourced this speaks to the creative way to include business into service providing that is not core to the business operation of the government entity and partners businesses with Government for a market based approach.

Brandy Vaughn, Substitute Teacher; Associates of Arts; BA Candidate, Teacher Education: "First of all, parents have a responsibilty and a priority first to see that their children are educated and attending school like they should. Parents set the foundation for failure or success. It is up to them! The educators priority is to make sure and enforce the grade level expectations and continue to have high expectations for all of their students personally and professionally! The GPA requirement for a teacher should be a 2.75 or higher and likewise the standard for a substitute teacher should be a completed Associates or higher degree."

MI. Assoc. Health Plans: The Great Debates

1.) Currently Medicaid represents nearly one in five Michigan citizens. With federal health care refrom, those numbers will increase to one in four. What approaches would you support to fund this increasing caseload? A cut-only approach will reduce provider rates and drive up costs to other payers. Are you willing to support other revenue to fund Medicaid, or do you think we should continue to cover health care for Medicaid through underfunding and uncompensated care (hidden taxes) that increase health insurance premiums?

Mandating an individual perform some type of community service for 48 hours per year would help earn a return on services rendered in a different way. In lieu of the community service one could pay 500.00 a thousand dollars as a type of goodwill tax. Also allowing companies to advertise in centers where medicaid dollars are being sent to generate revenues.

2.) Federal reform will result in the same obligations for all insurance carriers. Will you support insurance reform in Michigan that will amend the BCBSM legislation and Insurance Code to create the level playing field envisioned under the federal reform?

Yes!

3.) Do you support an active State policy to implement federal reform in Michigan or, a policy through default to the federal government?

I support federal reform in Michigan.

The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce: The Great Debates

1. Do you support the elimination of the Michigan Business Tax and the Personal Property Tax?
No, just the reduction from double digits to single digits.

2. Do you support reducing public sector employee benefits to align them with private sector benefits?
No, I am not for hi-jacking benefits of public sector employees, but would agree to imposing higher co-pays.

3. Do you support legislation to encourage and enable local governments to consolidate and share services?
Yes, first the State of Michigan should set the example by mandating that the University System of the State be a one system-system likened to the University of Texas, University of California and University of North Caorlina systems. This will allow for the capture of synergies in the supply chain and thereby add value and equalize pay, e.g, if you are a full professor at U of M you will not be paid more than a full professor at MSU or WSU or EMU or CMU, etc.

Clark-Hill: The Great Debates

1. As Michigan continues to lead the nation in unemployment and job loss, what economic poicies should the State's political leaders embrace in order to turn Michigan around?

From what sector do you believe Michigan's new jobs will be created and what can State leaders do to help incentivize those businesses to invest in the State? I believe the economic policy that can help Michigan are encouraging local government to streamline their business licensing and inspection into a centralize online e-z step process, to encourage them to compete for the Malcolm Baldridge Prize for efficiency sponsored by the U.S. Government. I think the three sectors that will see amazing job growth is the fields of healthcare management (LTC facilities-the graying of America), Green Jobs (Renewable energy products and educational training), and the Wet-science in the fields of bio-technology.
2. Do you think Michigan's current tort laws are adequate to promote a strong business sector, if not, what reforms do you think are necessary?

I am not in agreement with limiting punitive damages so companies can continue to take shortcuts with minimal backlash.

3. Do you believe Michigan's business tax structure should be reformed and, if so, what system should replace it? For example, do you favor a broader tax liability that includes a sales tax extension to services?

Yes, the tax structure can be reformed, e.g., there should be an increase in the gas tax for roads and mass transit, the business tax should be cut to single digits, and Property taxes should be lowered across the State for every home owner and the new car tax as well to spur more home purchases and vehicle orders of new hybrids especially and credits given for retrofitting homes with LED lighting and renewable energy products to help drive the demand for the technologies.

Business Leaders For Michigan:

1. During the past three fiscal years, Michigan has over-projected revenues and has twice failed to pass budgets by October 1, making it difficult for schools, local government, and others to plan tehir own budgets. Will you support measures to help provide more predictability to the budget process, including:

Multi-year [strategic] budgeting and long-term financial planning;
Forming an independent private/public economic forecasting council; and
Implementing a pay as you go policy to adopt no new program unless others are cut or revenues grow?

2. Michigan has gotten smaller and poorer in the last decade and cannot sustain its current size of government. Will you adjust State employee pay and benefits to bring them in line with national averages, reduce the State workforce, and transition all new teachers to a defined contribution plan?

I do not think hi-jacking pensions and making teachers pay higher contributions other than co-pays would be sanguine. Teachers are already underpaid. However I do agree that teachers could be ask to rise to higher standards academically to be licensed automatically, that student teaching could be exchanged for Substitute teaching and substitutes could be asked to have at least 60 credits at a B average or have a completed Associates degree with a B average. We need our best minds in front of the classroom.

3. Michigan's tax structure is unattractive to job providers. Will you support measures to make Michigan's business tax structure more competitive and one that reflects our changing economy by significantly reducing the Michigan business tax and reducing the sales tax extending it to services?

Yes, I support reducing the business tax to single digits from double digits which should signal that Michigan is business friendly.

Law makers must craft policy to keep up w/development

I would support this legislation by amending it Wind Mills should be solely regulated by the State and no local authorities to keep the pending policy 'coherent' to drive the technology transfers and energy diversity while stimulating growth in jobs and income aided by Research & Development in Detroit, Michigan for biomass and green technology.Editorial: Lawmakers must craft policy to keep up with development of windmills in state

Wind farms in the Great Lakes, once considered a far-fetched idea, now have become a more realistic possibility and should be moving onto the state Legislature's radar screen.

detnews.com

ArtServe: the Great Debates

1. In 2010, State funding for the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs is at its lowest level of funding since 1974. What is your position on whether and how increased arts and cultural funding should be part of Michigan's economic strategies for the future?

I believe Art and Culture should be merged with Libraries and History to preserve our Record for posterity and future generations. EMU's preservation of the historical marker programme is great, but the State needs to fund something for a State wide festival say at the Wayne County Fair and concomitantly for the Detroit Cultural District by offering some programs that can be free to the public likened to what is done on first Sundays at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, but could extend to the DIA and other cultural venues.
2. Arts and culture, education, entrepreneurship, transportation, phyusical design and walkability, recreatiion, green initiatives, and public safety are among the critical building blocks for sustaining vibrant and strong Michigan communities. Will you commit to supporting new revenue strategies, and what strategies would you employ, to ensure the sustainability and vibrancy of Michigan's communities?

Likened to the Appalachian Trail that goes North to South in the USA, Michigan could develop a trail that goes from the Detroit Riverwalk to the U.P. corporations could partner with the State and government entities that the trail would traverse so that companies could poster attractive LED (new technology bill boards along the path that could be powered by renewable energy).
Describe the priorities of public investment, in addition to building a competititve tax structure, you believe are critical to creating and sustaining vibrant communities and quality of life that would attract and retain talent, businesses and families in Michigan.
See above

AARP: The Great Debates

What Steps can and should Michigan take to prserve essential safety net services in the midst of this budget crisis?

The Legislature could prioritize based on a MDM baseline: Increase Higher Education/Community College funding and drecrease funding in PUblic Safety: the ending sounds counter productive but when I say Public Safety I am talking about re-assessing the Department of Corrections budget.
2. What revision of Michigan's business tax structure can help resolve the State's structural and cyclical budget crisis?

I believe lowering the Business tax to a single digit from a double digit is the right getsture to current businesses and emerging producers.
3. How will you address yet another nearly $2 Billion budget deficit, requiring a revenue solution that involves business, sales and income taxes and that preserves efficiencies in current spending that do not harm our safety net programs?

Being more frugal and even tying outcomes to funding to ensure a proper ROI

Accident Fund(R): Re-doing term limits a priority

Term limits took effect in 1994. Since then many political insiders feel much of the partisanship and legislative inability to reach agreements on issues like the budget stem from the relative inexperience of the legislators "Yes, I agree with the opinion and would support eliminating the current term limits by at a minimal- extending the time say 10yrs for Reps instead of only 6yrs. and 12yrs for a Sen in-lieu of 8yrs."

10 Best Cities: What Detroit could learn!

What is awesome about this city at the number one slot is that it-unlike the other cities has a population well over a million residents and tipping towards two-million. This is an excellent case study on What Detroit needs:

"Austin is arguably the the country's best crucible for small business, offering a dozen community programs that form a neural network of business brainpower to help entrepreneurs. Now overlay that net with a dozen venture-capital funds and 20 or so business associations, plus incubators, educational opportunities and networking events. Mix all these elements in what many call a classless society, where hippie communalism coexists with no-nonsense capitalism, and you've got a breeding ground for start-ups.Don't discount the fun factor: In the self-proclaimed live-music capital of the world, music and business creativity riff off one another. The city's famous South by Southwest festival, where concerts, independent film screenings and emerging technology overlap, is a prime example."realestate.yahoo.com

President Obama Seeks More Oversight of the Auto Industry

The POTUS is correct in his analysis. Part of what cause the economic crisis was predatory lending-subprime mortgages is predatory in its spirit. I don't see why the President does not scare the bejesus out of these lawmakers by saying he will use his Executive Order authority to ensure that automakers comply by heaving a severe penalty, but why the automaker would want to make more unstable financial conditions on the American public does not sit well with me it would clearly demonstrate that they have no honor amongst thieves: LOL, simply do what is right credit wise...and above all stop using credit scores in employment decisions should be a Presidenital posture!See MoreObama urges oversight of auto lending

Two Democratic senators and the wife of Gen. David Petraeus urged Congress to reject efforts to exempt auto dealers from oversight from a new consumer watchdog agency.

www.detnews.com

Judge Dismisses Pulte Suit Against Union

I cannot believe Pulte who merged recently with Centex homes took this stance instead of personally squashing the case, re-hire the employee, and make amends and start to build and market affordable first time home buying opportunities??? SMH?Judge dismisses Pulte suit against union

Romulus -- A federal judge today dismissed a lawsuit brought by Pulte Homes Inc. against the Laborers' International Union of North America as union officials planned demonstrations outside the homebuilder's annual meeting.

www.detnews.com

Kilpatrick says he failed as Mayor!

I can appreciate the former city executive's candor, but he's wrong the city needs to heal in regards to what has happened-it needs to start acting like it understands what is neccesary in government to spearhead change instead of acting aloof from direct responsibility, a propos the Mayor's office-currently, and the c...urrent City Council. See my other posts in re: Bing and his budget.See MoreKilpatrick says he failed while mayor in magazine interview.

Kwame Kilpatrick gave an hour-long interview for a Jet magazine story that just hit newsstands in which he admits he failed while serving as Detroit's mayor but said he shouldn't go to jail.

www.detnews.com

Senate Lets Fed Retain Oversight of Smaller Banks

If this is so, then I would ask that the Feds move with its oversight of Flagstar Bank a Michigan based Depository and help to right that ship. Flagstar holds too many accounts to go belly up. I think their current management team may be able to get things going in the right direction, but the Michigan Senate and House... Finance arms ought to work to get that Bank on the right side of a balance sheet-that would be all we need to lose the auto industry to a near catastrophe and then lose a bank on top of the Bank bailouts!See MoreSenate lets Fed retain oversight of smaller banks.

Washington -- The Senate has overwhelmingly voted to let the Federal Reserve retain its supervision of smaller banks. The measure changes a financial regulation bill that would have given the central bank oversight only over large financial institutions.

www.detnews.com

Wayne County to Raze 450 Detroit Structures

At the 14th Congressional Democratic Meeting this past Saturday it was mentioned how the Prencinct Delegates could play a more integral role in neighborhood revitalization as "Captains" in a Community Organizing Sense. I then offered the idea that I would write both Home Depot and Lowes to ask for free plywood and materials to Board up 1,000 homes in 100 days using competitors in political races as motivators to have other groups, e.g., cultures and races and neighborhoods to work today by coalescing into a vibrant network of concerned citizens over this summer using Block Clubs as the catalyst to change.See MoreWayne County to raze 450 Detroit structures in 45 days.

Detroit -- Wayne County leaders joined the city's fight against blight, unveiling an aggressive initiative that partners with faith leaders to tear down 450 structures in 45 days.

detnews.com

A Michigan Success Story

I like the story for two reasons: it takes place in Michigan and it is Michigan's third largest city-although, Warren may be bigger by population.A Michigan success story: A small city has reinvented itself for the 21st century. Can Detroit learn anything from Grand Rapids?

money.cnn.com