Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Oops! Comstock Park budget off by $400K


Oops! Comstock Park budget off by $400K
"Instead of $931,000 in its reserve fund, the district has just under $540,000 and now district leaders are working with accountants to sort it all out.
Basically, in June 2008, the school board approved a 2008/2009 budget with a reserve fund of $931,000. Then auditors did their annual audit and found the fund was off by about $400,000."

This is a SCHOOL district.
And it doesn't sound like a simple mistake.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

Michigan lawmakers want government help to free up auto loans

Michigan lawmakers want government help to free up auto loans
"Michigan lawmakers asked the government on Thursday to make it easier for car buyers to get loans, in hopes of helping U.S. automakers ride out the financial crisis."

"easier car loans..?"
Will those fools never learn?!!!!!!!

Michigan State University raises tuition, but covers its costs

Michigan State University raises tuition, but covers its costs
"Michigan State University will raise tuition by 1.2 percent but students won't have to pay the higher rate until summer.
Technically the tuition increase announced Friday takes effect with the spring semester. But the university will cover the cost, meaning students wouldn't have to pay higher rates until summer.
Many students don't take summer classes and would not feel the effects of the higher rate until next fall.
The university said higher tuition rates are needed because state aid has been less than anticipated.
The higher rates would have a freshman from Michigan taking 15 credits pay $4,721.25 for a semester. That's $56.25 more than this fall.
Michigan State raised tuition 6.8 percent headed into this fall."

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

TaxProf Blog: Obama and the Tax Tipping Point

TaxProf Blog: Obama and the Tax Tipping Point: "What happens when the voter in the exact middle of the earnings spectrum receives more in benefits from Washington than he pays in taxes? Economists Allan Meltzer and Scott Richard posed this question 27 years ago. We may soon enough know the answer"

Wednesday, October 8, 2008

90% of Mich. school buses pass safety check

90% of Mich. school buses pass safety check
"Michigan says nine in 10 school buses passed safety inspections last school year.
Ten percent failed the checks. Some could continue operating as long as defects were repaired within two months."

Thankfully our kids aren't riding 747s to school!

Cockrel: Detroit could face $100M budget deficit

Cockrel: Detroit could face $100M budget deficit
"Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. says Detroit could be facing a budget deficit of at least $100 million"