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Steve Markel Withdraws, Gives Support to Sean Mullally

Thanks to all my supporters, but the reality of a too-crowded race has forced me to withdraw. There are some "not-so-democrats" runing as democrats in the primary race. It is more important that Sean Mullally, an individual who repesents the real values of our Democratic party, wins this race. If I were to continue as I have been, there is a chance an "elephant in donkey's clothing" could win the primary election. Therefore, I have given my full support to Sean.

Sean Mullally's blog entry on this event can be found at http://networkedblogs.com/5CiCO.

Funding

Funding for the many vital service we have come to expect from the state is done through taxing. Income tax, sales tax, small business tax, corporate tax, sin tax, luxury tax, property tax, gas tax are a few of the funding sources. When revenue comes up short, services are cut. Due to the current economic situation, cuts in services have become amputations. This was a known potential when the 1994 Proposal A shifted the state's revenue burden from a property tax to the sales tax. In addition, local control for school funding was taken over by the state. This broken unstable funding system is undermining the education of our children (see Education), the security of our police and fire protection, and the maintenance of vital infrastructure.

With Michigan topping our Country's highest unemployment rate (see Jobs) and state revenues (see Taxes) declining regularly, we need to address the current broken funding system by having a flexible and controllable revenue source for meeting our State's budget (see Budget). Funding law needs to be changed so a more stable revenue source occurs. Revenues should have the ability to grow at a stable controlled rate if necessary during good economic times and remain stable or decline at a predictable and dependable rate during poor economic times. This is possible if lawmakers have the political will power to address the funding issue with a new funding mechanism.

Please support Steve Markel's concept of a sensible, affordable, and stable funding process by donating, volunteering, and/or voting for Steve Markel for State Representative in the August 3 primary.