The Oakland Press: Local News

The Oakland Press: Local News has reported on Gov. Granholm's '2 percent proposal'. In essence, this proposal, which, if passed, will take effect on June 1, 2007, states that there will be a 2 percent tax added on to consumer services that are not currently being taxed through the Michigan's current 6-cent rate, which will include business - to - business services.

Personally speaking, I seriously wish California had something this comprehensable for its people. While no one ever wants to pay more tax on anything, at least this type of tax adjustment is more 'even keeled'. Services, and other purchases, would be taxed at 2%, which would generate a much-needed revenue for California, while evening out the tax brackets.

Under Gov. Granholm's plan, businesses from all levels will have to pay their fair share. It's about time! Larger companies and corporations will have less of a tax break, while smaller companies have somewhat of a tax break (evening out the board a bit). Places like Bowling centers, barber shops, salons and so forth will have to add a 2% tax to their 'services rendered'. What a grand idea. But, what will this cost the average person?

According to proposal, a family of 4, that is earning approximately $57,000.oo per year, will be paying about $65.00 per year. Not month, day or week. YEAR. This proposal has not even passed through the lawmakers of the state of Michigan yet, and already people are complaining. Now let's break this down to reality for a moment. A family of 4, earning approximately $57,000.oo a year....and they're complaining about paying $65.oo in taxes on an annual basis? WHY?!

Think about this. These are people who likely spend more than this on school supplies for their 2 kids, and if said kids are teenagers, they're paying three times that amount, just for all the 'in' gadgets alone. These are people who spend $100.oo and up on iPods, cell phone calling plans, cell phones, video games and computer related items. And yet they have an issue when it comes to paying LESS that this per year? Basic math will tell you that this averages out to no more than 17 CENTS a DAY.

So if I'm understanding this correctly, people in Michigan are getting all bent out of shape over having to pay a proposed 17 cents a day, to help balance out the state's budget, for programs that will benefit not only their children, but also themselves if and/or when they ever need any type of medical attention? Wow, cheap people!

Buck up Michigan. Californians would LOVE a tax like this one. Unfortunately for us, we're still working on the gay marriage rights issue, and fighting Washington on stem cell research. Given the chance to pay only 2 percent on a tax proposal that would gain our state an additional 1.6 billion dollar increase... yeah, we'd jump at it.