Taxes! Taxes! Fundraising! Spending?

<p>In the first State of the State Podcast of the new year, podcasters from <a href="https://ippsr.msu.edu">Michigan State University’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research</a> talk taxes, the economy, the elections near term, mid-term and long-term.</p><p>Highlights:</p><p>·      Institute Director Dr. <a href="https://twitter.com/MattGrossmann">Matt Grossmann</a>: New surveys show Michigan’s public and policy insiders believe Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will win re-election in November 2022’s vote. National trends and election history predict the in-power party – the Democrats – are likely to lose to Republicans in off-presidential year elections. “The mood of the state is relatively sour” in survey results, but Whitmer was upbeat in her State of the State speech. “She said the word ‘bipartisan’ three or four times. Nonetheless, “she still is vulnerable.”</p><p>·      Associate Institute Director Arnold Weinfeld, host of the IPPSR Podcast, navigated the conversation through Whitmer’s upcoming budget message, new General Motors Corp. investments in Michigan, the choice between short-term tax cuts and investment in long-term state needs, long-term concerns about the viral pandemic COVID-19.</p><p>·      IPPSR Podcast Guest <a href="https://twitter.com/Simon_Schuster">Simon Schuster</a>, former IPPSR Graduate Fellow and now executive director of the <a href="https://mcfn.org/">Michigan Campaign Finance Network</a>, outlined a general lack of transparency in campaign finance regulations in Michigan, especially compared to other states.</p><p>·      Emeritus MSU Economics Professor Charles Ballard noted Whitmer State of the State speech call for more mental health funding, especially for K-12 pupils. He questioned Whitmer’s call to repeal the “pension” tax, primarily on retirees. Affluent retirees still pay fewer taxes than those still in the workforce. He issued a strong call for efforts everywhere to reduce the spread and threat of COVID-19 and its variants. “If you haven’t been vaccinated, please do