a:1:{s:15:"field_news_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:6365:"<span style="font-size: xx-large;">----------------------------<br />
NEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />
----------------------------<br />
<br />
&nbsp;A new ballot question committee known as </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span>The Raise Michigan</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span> coalition, consisting of community, social justice and labor organizations, has filed with the state to put an initiated law on the ballot in 2014 to raise the minimum wage in Michigan. <br />
<br />
The group would need to gather valid signatures equal to 8 percent of voters from the most recent gubernatorial election, which comes to over 258,000 signers. <br />
<br />
In Michigan, the minimum wage currently stands at $7.40 and </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span>The Raise Michigan</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span> coalition wants the minimum wage to be raised to $10.00 per hour.<br />
<br />
Charles Owens, Michigan director of the National Federation of Independent Business, says raising the wage will convince many employers to forgo hiring entry-level workers and instead hire those with more established job skills.<br />
<br />
A spokesman for the Small Business Association of Michigan, added that raising the minimum wage for federal contract employees will make it harder for smaller firms to compete for federal contracts.<br />
<br />
<br />
----------------------------<br />
NEW POLL QUESTION:<br />
----------------------------<br />
Should the voters of Michigan be the ones to set Michigan&rsquo;s Minimum wage instead of the legislature?<br />
<br />
Yes<br />
No<br />
Undecided<br />
<br />
TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THIS LINK<br />
<a href="http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-voters-michigan-be-ones-set-michigan%E2%80%99s-minimum-wage-instead-legislature">http://www.clinton-countygop.com/content/should-voters-michigan-be-ones-set-michigan%E2%80%99s-minimum-wage-instead-legislature</a><br />
<br />
(To enter your comments click on </span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;"><span style="font-size: xx-large;">'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />
<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />
-----------------------------------<br />
<br />
Should the legislature pass a law to allow for online voter registration and no-reason absentee voting?<br />
<br />
Yes - 15%<br />
No - 85%<br />
Undecided - 0% <br />
<br />
FOUR COMMENTS WERE MADE ON THIS POLL QUESTION:<br />
<br />
COMMENT #1---------------------------------------<br />
Online Registration &amp; No Reason<br />
<br />
Sure, let's devalue voting more by allowing proxy voting, or maybe letting your dog do it for you, or better yet, let's allow dogs to vote. No wonder there are growing groups of people who do not appreciate the right to vote and how precious it really is.<br />
<br />
COMMENT #2---------------------------------------<br />
Anonymous wrote 3 days 46 min ago<br />
No reason absentee voting<br />
<br />
In a society of completely honorable people this would be a wonderful convenience and should be adopted. However, we are not so far removed from dishonest operation of the election process that we should ignore history. How easy would it be for political bosses to collect the absentee ballots, fill them out and then have the &quot;voter&quot; send them in?<br />
<br />
Johnson stole the primary for senator in Texas with graveyard votes. Chicago stole the election for Kennedy. Let's not make it easier for the thugs.<br />
<br />
COMMENT #3---------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Anonymous wrote 3 days 5 hours ago<br />
on-line voting<br />
<br />
Absolutely not . . . .<br />
<br />
If the Democrats believe that there are people who cannot get out to vote, I would prefer to see moneyspent to shuttle people to the polls.<br />
<br />
COMMENT #4---------------------------------------<br />
<br />
Anonymous wrote 3 days 5 hours ago<br />
Online registration &amp; NO REASON absentee voting<br />
<br />
It is no surprise that Byrum would come out in favor of these changes to the election law now that she is being considered as Schauers running mate. Democrats need all the votes they can get from people who don't have a clue of who they are voting for -- they just want to continue to be on the government dole.<br />
<br />
It is disgraceful that MOST VOTERS don't know who they are voting for once you get beyond the top of the ticket which is a travesty. Now we want to make voter fraud easier? The next show to drop will be online voting. When we get to that point the game is truly over.<br />
<br />
The democrats are all about fairness - but what about accountability? They don't want anyone to have to show a picture ID and want same day registration and voting.<br />
<br />
As the protections against voter fraud are chipped away year after year we can rest assured that elections will be dominated by those who know best how to manipulate the the process - and the democrats are the professionals in that area.<br />
<br />
The sad things is that Michigan's Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is in agreement with Byrum.<br />
<br />
As democrats say &quot;vote early and vote often&quot;!<br />
<br />
____________________<br />
<br />
<br />
</span>";s:6:"format";s:1:"1";}}}