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Proposal A Veterans Meet For
Reunion
MIRS, June 2, 2003
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Several of the 14 lawmakers who helped craft the state's
school-funding scheme Proposal A met today in Lansing to answer
two main questions — “What did we set out to do when we crafted
Proposal A?” “Did it work?”
The reunion of many of the original 14 — except now deceased
former Rep. James O'NEILL (D-Saginaw) and former Rep. Bob
BRACKENRIDGE, who moved out of state — was the first step in
what could be a series of meetings. The upshot of this reunion
could be hearings or, ultimately, suggested Prop A revisions.
The other 12 appear to have expressed an interest, but not all
12 could make it to the first meeting today in Lansing.
“At this point, it's been more of a question of what has
happened,” said former Rep. Lynn JONDAHL (D-Okemos). “To what
degree have we achieved what we have sought to achieve? We
haven't talked about recommending any changes.”
Jondahl, one of the leading Democrats behind the bi-partisan
legislative group at the time, said he was looking at getting
the old gang back together again in 2000, but was unable to put
the work into it because of health concerns. With Michigan
reaching nearly the 10-year anniversary of the passage of
Proposal A, now is a good benchmark to review the legislation.
Although Jondahl headed up the transitional team for Gov.
Jennifer GRANHOLM, Jondahl said he is not acting on a Granholm
request and Granholm's spokeswoman insists she has nothing to do
with the Proposal A review.
Granholm's team wants to stay far away from this one after the
ribbing she took in the 2002 gubernatorial campaign from
Republican challenger Dick POSTHUMUS for her desire to “tweak”
Proposal A. Posthumus shot back at the time that “it didn't take
a decoder ring” to see that she wanted to raise property taxes.
“We neither endorsed nor requested of (Jondahl) to do it,” said
Spokeswoman Mary DETLOFF. “The governor has said repeatedly
since the campaign and after that she had no intention of
raising school taxes. However, we would review any pertinent
information the group comes up with.”
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