The Michigan Democratic Party is proposing a series of ballot initiatives and is looking to put some or all of them on the ballot in 2010. The highlight of this proposal is a $10 minimum wage (currently $7.40)--which would make the Michigan minimum wage the highest in the nation. This would be a 35 percent increase. The ballot proposals would bypass the legislature and go directly to the people in 2010.
Which ballot proposals to pursue for the ballot would be picked via an online survey and/or a statewide poll.
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce, called the proposals "anti-jobs, anti-growth" and said they may be used by economic development directors in other Midwestern states to discourage businesses from locating or expanding in Michigan.
The Democratic Party ballot proposals include:
• Require all employers to provide health coverage or pay a fine.
• Increase unemployment benefits by $100 a week, extend benefits by six months and make all workers eligible for unemployment. The maximum unemployment benefit is now $387 a week.
• Cut utility rates by 20 percent.
• Impose a one-year moratorium on home foreclosures.
Many believe that the Democratic Party will only circulate petitions to put one or two proposals on the ballot--after polling. Circulating of the petitions for signatures would start in early 2010.
Many Republicans feel that the Democratic Party is just trying to get the base Democratic vote excited and interested enough to increase their party vote in the 2010 elections.
This proposal also reflects the increasing disappointment in the legislature's ability to get "the job done" or to make difficult or controversial decisions--especially in an upcoming election year when the entire House, Senate, the Governor position, the Attorney General and Secretary of State positions are all up for election in 2010 (with no incumbents on the ballot, except in the House, and eight in the Senate). Due to term limits only 8 of 38 State Senators would be returning after the November 2010 election, so 30 senate seats are open and control of the Senate could change with this many vacancies.
Michigan could see a ballot that looks like the California ballot--long, complicated and multiple ballot proposals. Other groups are also considering ballot questions and are planning to circulate petitions: tax reform (service tax, repeal of Michigan Business tax, graduated income tax, etc), same sex marriage, right to counsel funding, etc., etc..
Looks like 2010 might be a good year for pollsters, campaign managers and staff, public relations companies and lobbyists. So what is new?
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