Our previous coverage and list of resources, regarding Proposal 1 of 2015, can be found here. -Eds.
TO THE EDITOR
Alternative to Proposition 1
Our Michigan legislators were elected to try to solve the State’s infrastructure and operational problems. Instead, with Proposition 1, they have insidiously passed this duty onto the Michigan citizens. By doing it this way, they have taken no responsibility for the outcome. The word, to describe this type of action and failure to do what they were elected for, is cowardice.
We have been told that, if Proposition 1 fails to pass, there is no Plan B! However, I have such a plan and I hope that serious consideration would be given to it by the citizens and the legislature.
Landfill Surcharge
I propose that a surcharge be added to every cubic yard of waste that is put into Michigan landfills. According to the Michigan DEQ website, 2014 Landfill Report 47,043,458 cubic yards of waste were put into our landfills. Of that amount 7,677,835 came from Canada and 2,971,300 from other States. If, for example, a $1 surcharge were assessed to every cubic yard of waste, then over $47 million per year would be obtained for fixing our roads, public education system, etc. Over 10 years this amounts to 47 billion dollars. I strongly believe that this amount would be more than enough to solve all these problems without having to increase the Sales Tax or for that matter any other tax.
There are additional benefits to this land fill surcharge; (1) the incentive for Canada and other States to bring their trash to Michigan would be greatly reduced, if not eliminated (also heavy truck traffic on our roads would be reduced), (2) there will be enough money generated for the creation of a much-needed, state-wide, recycling program.
Glenn T. Lottie
Manistee County
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