LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Are Local Governments no Better than the Corporate Form we Have in Washington?

Recent research carried out by two professors supports the following conclusion:

“…policy makers in D.C. respond primarily to economic elites and groups representing organized business interests.” *

Our own city and county officials are also influenced by money and power.  We see this being played out in countless ways.  Here are some examples.  Recently SPARK CEO Paul Krutko appeared in front of Ann Arbor city council.  Krutko asked for approval for SPARK to continue receiving $75,000 from taxpayers.

How did council respond?  Jack Eaton initiated a tabling of the contract with SPARK.  This action provoked Council members Chuck Warpehoski, Chris Taylor, Margie Teall, and mayor John Hieftje to attack Eaton.  They were strongly in favor of handing over the money then and there.  Council voted 6-5 to table.

SPARK claims non-profit status, but in reality shares profits with investors.  SPARK was co-founded by Gov. Snyder.

The governor recently threatened to veto a bill that would repeal Act 88.  This is a 1913 law allowing taxes to be raised without a vote of the people.  The bill was resubmitted to exclude Washtenaw County making us the only county where taxes can be raised without a vote of the people, because of the use of this archaic loophole.  The bill has not yet been voted on.

And, using the 1913 Act 88, Washtenaw County Commissioners contribute our taxes to SPARK.  From The Ann Arbor Chronicle, June 17:

“The county levies a tax under Act 88, and out of that levy, last year the county contributed $200,000 according to the information provided to the city by SPARK.”

So, my answer to the question: “Are local governments no better than the corporate form we have in Washington?”

is: our local governments are no better than the federal government.

Libby Hunter

Ann Arbor, MI