Mackinac Center: Saving $5.7 billion annually without higher taxes or program cuts in Michigan

I've mentioned the $5.7 billion number several times in this blog, but the Mackinac Center for Public Policy now has a video of what most of us would call common sense' reforms:

Every year, politicians in Lansing propose raising taxes and cutting programs to balance the state's budget. There is an alternative: Bringing public sector benefits in line with private sector benefits would save Michigan $5.7 billion annually. Find out more: www.benefitsinbalance.com.

The video:

Instead of cuts, we have an unnecessary increase in the budget. Again: State Spending From State Sources Going Up Next Year

Despite headlines, the 2012 Michigan budget signed into law on June 22 actually hikes state spending by $758 million. In addition, a Senate Fiscal Agency analysis released last week understated this increase by leaving out so-called “one time” spending items (for example, $25 million for film subsidies, a figure that some lawmakers are already trying to increase).

Given all the news stories about “draconian cuts,” many might be surprised by this news. Yet only after accounting for the winding down of federal stimulus money does the state’s bottom line show a less costly government. In other words, when a new fiscal year starts in October, the state will be spending more money that’s taken directly from taxpayers here, and less that comes from the federal government.

It's like The Blob. 'It just keeps getting bigger.'