Taxpayers United Reports Gov. Granholm Increased 'Total State Revenues' (Taxation and Spending) 10% in 2009 Over 2008

LANSING, Mich., Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- "Grassroots taxpayers now have proof Gov. Jennifer Granholm (D) is responsible for Michigan's continuing financial ruin by expanding the size and uncontrolled spending of State government while increasing taxes and fees beyond the ability of grassroots taxpayers to keep on paying her accumulating debts," reported Bill McMaster, State Chairman (Volunteer) of Taxpayers United Michigan Foundation, during a meeting today on limiting Government's creation of "Authorities" as new units of government with taxing power held in the State Capitol.

TOTAL STATE REVENUES (Taxes and Fees from all sources) and TOTAL STATE SPENDING (Expenditures)

For Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2008 ......................................... $43.6 Billion

For Fiscal Year Ended September 30, 2009 ......................................... $47.9 Billion

"That represents a 10% increase in State Taxation and State Government Spending in Fiscal Year 2009 over 2008," McMaster stated.

The almost $48 billion collected and spent in 2009 includes $5 billion in Obama Federal Stimulus Money.

Gov. Granholm estimates TOTAL STATE REVENUES for the current Fiscal Year Ending September 30, 2010 will be $44.5 billion including what's left of Stimulus Money.

The federally reported CONSUMER PRICE INDEX (Cost of Living /COLA) for Michigan residents in 2009 was -0.05 or Minus 1/2 %.

MICHIGAN'S UNEMPLOYMENT RATE under the last three years of Gov. Granholm's reign has been getting worse:  Consistently 50% worse than the national average.

MICHIGAN UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ENDING DECEMBER 2009 ......... 15.6%

NATIONAL UNEMPLOYMENT RATE ENDING DECEMBER 2009 ......... 10.2%

"More than half of the 2009 job losses in the United States were in Michigan."

Taxpayers United was founded in 1976 by Dick Headlee (Deceased 2004) and Bill McMaster to successfully win statewide voter approval of the 1978 Headlee Tax Limitation Amendment.  It has evolved into a tax deductible 501(c)(3) under the IRS Code as a non-partisan, non-profit educational foundation helping educate grassroots taxpayers how to defend and control their Constitutional Rights despite exploitation by unethical public officials and units of government.  

SOURCE Taxpayers United Michigan Foundation