a:1:{s:15:"field_news_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:4758:"<span style="font-size: x-large;">----------------------------<br />
NEW POLL OVERVIEW:<br />
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The State of Michigan will probably end up with over a $1,000,000,000 surplus as we begin 2014.<br />
<br />
There have been many suggestion as to where that money should be targeted including the following:<br />
<br />
&nbsp; 1. Road repairs that the Governor says we need $1.3 billion<br />
&nbsp; 2. Roll back the state income tax to 1/10 of a point per year until 3.9%<br />
&nbsp; 3. Additional school aid funding.<br />
&nbsp; 4. Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit.<br />
&nbsp; 5. Adding to the State rainy day fund.<br />
&nbsp; 6. $130 million to get matching funds for Medicaid.<br />
&nbsp; 7. Terminal repair at West Michigan Regional Airport in Holland.<br />
&nbsp; 8. $100,000 to the state beach grooming fund.<br />
&nbsp; 9. $300,000 for pre-college engineering program in Detroit<br />
&nbsp; 10. OTHER<br />
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NEW POLL QUESTION:<br />
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What should the projected Michigan 1-billion dollar plus budget surplus be used for?<br />
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&nbsp; 1. Road repairs that the Governor says we need $1.3 billion<br />
&nbsp; 2. Roll back the state income tax to 1/10 of a point per year until 3.9%<br />
&nbsp; 3. Additional school aid funding.<br />
&nbsp; 4. Restore the Earned Income Tax Credit.<br />
&nbsp; 5. Adding to the State rainy day fund.<br />
&nbsp; 6. $130 million to get matching funds for Medicaid.<br />
&nbsp; 7. Terminal repair at West Michigan Regional Airport in Holland.<br />
&nbsp; 8. $100,000 to the state beach grooming fund.<br />
&nbsp; 9. $300,000 for pre-college engineering program in Detroit<br />
&nbsp;10. OTHER<br />
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TO VOTE IN THIS POLL CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINK<br />
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<a href="http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/what-should-projected-michigan-1-billion-dollar-plus-budget-surplus-be-used">http://www.clinton-countygop.org/content/what-should-projected-michigan-1-billion-dollar-plus-budget-surplus-be-used<br />
</a><br />
(To enter your comments click on </span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span>Add new comment</span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">'</span></span> after you vote.)<br />
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PREVIOUS POLL QUESTION:<br />
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Should the Michigan Legislature pass a bill to repeal the pension tax on seniors and the Homestead Property Tax Credit?<br />
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Yes - 65%<br />
No - 27%<br />
Undecided - 8%<br />
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------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #1 <br />
Senior Tax<br />
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The so called pension tax was also available on other types of retirement funds. The Michigan Tax system allowed an annuity to be treated as pension tax. This was a tax increase for all retired people. The Homestead exemption was cut on the middle class. It need to be restored and the pension tax stopped.<br />
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------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #2<br />
Pension Tax was on ALL<br />
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The last comment is NOT correct. Ask any money manager. Your 401K could be annuitized and then was treated just like a &quot;pension&quot; in Michigan Law. The pension tax was a tax increase on ALL seniors.<br />
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Even John Nixon stated we could change the Michigan Business Tax and balance the budget without placing more taxes on the seniors.<br />
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This bill IS very Republican.<br />
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It was a mistake by the Governor and will cost republican seats.<br />
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------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #3<br />
Not smart, and not Republican<br />
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The &quot;pension tax&quot; is actually an exemption for public sector pensions that, you guessed it, the rest of us do not receive. Now that the public sector has a large gap in its favor in benefits, including pensions, it is inconceivable that we would allow the much-higher pension income for the public sector to the income-tax-free, while making small business persons and other pay taxes on theirs.<br />
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Please take note, legislators.<br />
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------------------------------------------------- COMMENT #4<br />
tax rate<br />
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Lower the rate if you are lowering the tax. Keeping it simple keeps it equitable.<br />
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