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Susan Trojanowicz - Saturday, November 07, 2009   taxes??? Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (193 votes cast) Those politicians who think Michigan should raise taxes and fees to deal with Michigan's deficit might establish a fund to which Michigan residents might donate. There are some citizens in Michigan who still can afford to "pay more taxes" who might wish to donate to the welfare of the state. These donations could be declared a deduction, similar to charitable deductions, when the taxpayer pays the annual state income taxes. A goal could be set and the weekly amount of donations applied to the goal with the remaining sum yet to be collected could be announced weekly. It would be a fund the might have a name such as "The Challenge of Michigan" to become a great state again. The donation campaign would be a short time project rather than an annually required tax which people would fear to be a fixed, never to be reversed, amount of dollars extracted from them annually from the state. I believe people might be more apt to donate to Michigan of their own free will rather than there be a tax enforced upon them. They could see this fund as a way to jump start the state's economy back to a satisfactory state thereby saving their job, home, and community services.

Renee Kelley - Friday, November 06, 2009   Save money by cutting back Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.1 (196 votes cast) All families have to live on a small budget and we, the taxpayers, are the employers of the government. I, for one, can no longer afford our representatives their luxuries. Judges do not need to have cars financed by the taxpayers. This expense would save the state money, no matter how large or small, it would still make an impact. Each employee with an expense account should be audited by an outside source on a regular basis or better yet, no expense account and have the receipts turned in for reimbursement. Perhaps that way, the employee would think twice if they have to wait to be reimbursed. I am tired of the governor using the threat of school funding and road cleaning as a way of bullying to get her way. All the state government officials need to have a wage freeze, pay for their own vehicle and gas (my employer does not pay for mine), and be held accountable for ALL their spending. Just because one is a Senator, Representative or Governor, it does not mean money can be spent like it grows on trees. I am very tired of business as usual and feel their needs to be an overhaul.

H. Keith Lafer - Friday, November 06, 2009   Cap the lottery at 1 million and let 300 people or more win Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (173 votes cast) Imagine a 365 million dollar Michigan lottery prize split up amoung 300 winners a million a peice. With a program that caps the lottery at a million a winner but spreads the winnings to as many winners as their are millions, the lottery will grow expotntially. Everybody will feel like they could win and soon you'll have 500 million dollar purses with 500 new Michigan millionaires every week. In order for Michigan to gain the most, the Michigan Lottery should be closed to anyone outside of Michigan. The other 65 million in my example... hold it for the next weeks lottery. With so many lottery winners willing to help their families and friends or invest their winnings in Michigan business, our entire state will benifit on many levels. Job creation, improved community health, increases in homeownership, more children able to afford the high cost of higher education. Car sales, restaurants patroage, and Michigan recreation spots would all benifit well from the increase in wealth more people would have to spend in and around Michigan.

Vicki - Tuesday, November 03, 2009   Wind for Energy Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.1 (243 votes cast) Tap into our year round resource, the wind by installing energy windmills throughout the state.

Lisa Peers - Monday, November 02, 2009   Allow and Promote Same Sex Marriage Rate this idea:   Current Rating: 3.0 (215 votes cast) A recent study by the UCLA School of Law estimates that Iowa stands to gain $5.3 million annually through gains in state sales and income tax, as well as a decrease in means-tested public benefit programs. (Visit http://www.law.ucla.edu/williamsinstitute/publications/IowaFiscalImpact.pdf for the full report.) There is also compelling evidence that a state that embraces diversity and gay and lesbian rights encourages creative business development - the kind of business development Michigan so badly needs. According to Richard Florida's book, The Rise of the Creative Class, there is a direct correlation between high tech growth and diversity and tolerance. What's more, college-age and recent college graduates overwhelmingly support gay marriage. A recent Washington Post poll showed 66% of those polled under 30 support gay marriage, as do 57% of the college graduates surveyed. In a state facing severe brain drain, it is important for Michigan to embrace the mindset shared by the majority of younger, college educated people to encourage them to stay in state.