Tally of contributors to anti-millage campaigns: 1

Yep, you read that right. The campaign finance statements were due last Friday, and it looks like the anti-millage campaigns have come up with no more than a single source of funding: McKinley Associates, Inc. Part of what makes this so significant is that McKinley Associates has a substantial financial interest in defeating any millage (not just a school millage), as it holds substantial amounts of rental properties and real estate. There were two contributions from McKinley, one for $50,000 and a second for $25,000. You can view the financial statements here and here. McKinley has much to gain by stopping a millage. By stopping the millage, McKinley's taxes will be less than if the millage passes. Moreover, $75,000 is pocket change to McKinley, representing less than .003 of its annual revenue of $237.2 Million, on a real estate portfolio worth $2.4 Billion. If your household were to generate a grand total of $50,000 this year, donating a comparable amount would be $150, less than an average car payment. Not exactly a bank-breaker. Clearly, McKinley considers its interest in its own bottom line to be more important and worthy than the interests of families with schoolchildren. In trying to save on its property taxes, it harms the very communities in which it owns property. Worse yet, these campaign contributions come from revenue generated at least in part by the rent charged by McKinley. I hardly think that is what its renters had in mind when they handed over their rent payments. This, in my view, is greed at its worst. A second group opposing the millage received no contributions and spent no money. The third group didn't bother to file any statements. Conversely, the two pro-millage groups generated just over $43,000 from well over 350 contributions, the vast majority of them from individuals living in this area. Most of the contributions were in the $20 - $300 range. You can view their statements here and here. You will find my contribution among the pro-millage supporters. It is truly wonderful to see so many grass roots, individual contributions from people who know what this millage means to our communities and to our schools. With a state legislature in gridlock and greed controlling the agenda at the state level, this may be the last chance in a long time to give a much needed boost to our schools. Get out and vote in favor of the millage on November 3, 2009!

Fall leaves

The view from our yard today was stunning. Here are a few pictures, although they don't do justice to how beautiful things really looked.

Vote YES on Proposal I on November 3

What is the Regional Enhancement Millage? This millage is designed to help fund current operations for Ypsilanti Public Schools and the other nine public school districts in Washtenaw County. The funding generated from this millage will only be used for existing programs, not to add new ones. Without this support, the schools face serious staff and service reductions. Why a millage? We need good schools, and our schools are in trouble. State funding of schools has not kept pace with inflation for years and YPS has reduced expenditures annually. The current economic downturn threatens to decimate our public school districts. With the state’s unstable funding, Ypsilanti faces a six million dollar shortfall for the current school year and the 2010-11 school year looks even more bleak. Our neighboring districts face similar shortfalls. Why is this important? Investment in our children. Our children need the best preparation possible for the jobs of the future, no matter what they do after high school. The economy is changing, and our schools need the resources to get our kids ready. The money stays here. Every penny raised by this millage would stay in the county and go directly to teaching the children in the ten districts of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District: Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake, Willow Run and Ypsilanti. The state government has not been able to fund our schools adequately; it’s time to take the fate of our schools back into our own hands. That’s why our school leaders have carefully and thoughtfully chosen to address this problem locally by seeking this millage—100% of which will be distributed to our local school districts. Why do we need to act now? “School funding is heading toward a crisis point…” – The Ann Arbor News editorial May 31, 2009. Most districts are facing severe shortfalls in next year’s budget—some in the millions of dollars. The Ann Arbor News editorial goes on to say that staff cuts and one-time stimulus money are part of the solution. But, more state cuts in the district's per-pupil funding—which makes up the bulk of the schools’ revenue—are projected for next school year. Boost for our community. This millage is a long term investment in our community. Industry and businesses are attracted to areas with strong schools and a ready, educated work force. People want to live in communities with good schools, not schools that are always in a funding crisis. Strong schools make our neighborhoods and communities nice places to live. What has Ypsilanti Public Schools done to reduce costs? Ypsilanti Public Schools has over 150 years of experience educating children and this tradition has been challenged with the recent cuts in state funding. Schools aren’t in trouble because they are overspending. YPS has cut 17 million from its budget over the past five years. The per-pupil funding from the state has decreased 9% since 1994, after inflation. We’ve lost many of the programs that have made our schools unique. Here are some of the ways we’ve already altered educational programs and facilities: Eliminated drama and Spanish classes in elementary schools Closed two schools Sold Fletcher School to EMU Reduced staffing in Music, Art and Physical Education Increased class sizes Restructured the middle school program, taking away coordinated teaching and teaming and an elective period Eliminated one liaison officer Reduced secretarial staffing at YHS Reduced maintenance staffing Reduced noon supervisors by 50% Line item budgets were reduced significantly How much funding would each district receive? According to the School Code, the ISD shall distribute 100% of the revenue to its constituent school districts based on the number of students in each district according to the most recent audited pupil count. Using the audited September 2008 pupil count, the annual distribution of enhancement millage revenue is listed to the right. How much will the millage cost? Two mills represent a tax of varying size depending on the taxable value of a primary home. On a primary home with a taxable value of $50,000, for example, a two mill increase in property taxes is $100/year. The following chart shows the cost of the additional millage for this and other taxable values for two mills. Depending on your individual income tax circumstances, the additional property tax paid may be eligible as a federal income tax deduction and/or for the MI Property Tax Credit. Renters do not pay this tax at all. ______________________ Voter information: All registered voters who live in the school districts of Ann Arbor, Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake, Willow Run and Ypsilanti can vote on the proposal. Register to vote by October 5, 2009 – http://michigan.gov/sos. All the above information came from a flier that was paid for by the Friends of Education Committee P.O. Box 157, Dexter, MI 48130 Larry Cobler, Treasurer. To donate to the campaign, write your check to: Friends of Education, and mail to above address. To donate online, or to learn more visit www.washtenawfriends.org. For a yard sign, email amydoyle@ypsi.com. To download the flyer, click here.

Political songs and videos

Obama Girl doing a duet with the Prez: T-Pain addresses health care by singing a duet with Obama:

Music video for nerds like me

This is kind of clever: I hope Carl Sagan isn't rolling over in his grave . . . .