Issues vital to Mr. Friar's campaign are the Fair Tax and a Part-Time Legislature.
The Fair Tax
It replaces the state income tax system, which taxes what we earn, with a tax on what we spend. The MI FairTax is a consumption tax: the more you buy, the more you pay in taxes; the less you buy, the less you pay in taxes. So everyone pays fairly when they choose to spend.
The MI FairTax: Makes sure everyone pays their fair share, allows you to keep your entire paycheck free of state taxes, un-taxes the poor with a rebate on the necessities of life, and stimulates investment, economic growth and job creation
The MI FairTax is Simple: NO Tax Filings, NO Loopholes, NO Hidden Taxes
The MI Fair Tax Proposal is definitely the single most far reaching and important step forward in the effort to make Michigan competitive again. Michigan needs fundamental and structural change if it ever wants to climb out of the hole it has dug for itself. Business as usual isn't going to cut it. It's time for bold and innovative change. It is time for the citizens of Michigan to take matters into their own hands. 2008 is the right time for the MI FairTax.
Part-time Legislature
Fact: 46 of 50 states have part-time legislatures. Only New York, California, Pennsylvania, and Michigan have "standing" legislatures. Michigan's legislators receive a base salary of $79,650 per year which makes them the second-highest paid legislators in the nation. Legislators also receive a $1,000 per month per diem in addition to their base salary (total compensation minus health benefits/pension = $91,650 p/year!). Unlike those states with part-time legislature and whose members are paid only for actual days in session, Michigan's legislators are paid an annual salary regardless of the number of meeting days and are considered to be full-time.
So if these fat tax-payer funded salaries aren't motivating our legislators to pass a budget, stop our bleeding job-base and actually focus on real issues, why not cut 'em down? After all, 49 other states' representatives are doing their jobs better than ours in less time and for less money.
Summary of Part-Time Legislature Amendment
* Limits regular annual sessions of the legislature;
* Lawmaker salaries reduced by half from $79,650 to $40,000, expense accounts limited, and no state paid pensions or lifetime medical.
* One percent each day ($400) deducted from the salary of an absentee legislator.
* Officeholders Compensation Commission Eliminated
* Governor still has right to call special sessions,but total special sessions are limited to 20 days each year.
Vote Matt Friar Nov. 4!
