DIA millage gets big support in Wayne and Oakland, but victory slim in Macomb
Naturally Macomb, the home of the so-called "Reagan Democrats" would give it a hard time. But that museum is so precious to so many people that even the huge concentration of 1%ers in the O.C. voted for it.
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http://www.freep.com/article/20120808/NEWS01/308080160/DIA-millage-gets-big-support-in-Wayne-and-Oakland-but-victory-slim-in-Macomb
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It wasn't surprising that it came down to the wire in Macomb, where DIA supporters spent much of Tuesday rallying for votes. With 100% of precincts counted, the millage passed by just 1,340 votes, with a total of 125,200 votes cast -- representing 21% of the county's 607,750 registered voters. The margin was 50.5% in favor of the tax, and 49.5% against.
The measure was enjoying a much wider margin in both Wayne and Oakland counties. In Oakland, 64% were in favor and 36% opposed, with 62% of the vote counted. In Wayne, 69% were in favor and 31% opposed, with 85% of the vote counted.
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The steady stream of tax dollars amounts to a life preserver for a museum that has been living hand-to-mouth for more than two decades after losing $16 million in state funding dating to 1990. The impact of the recession raised the stakes to fever pitch, and in 2009, the DIA eliminated 60 employees and cut its annual budget by 20% to $25 million.
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There will undoubtedly be some teabagger howls, but reality check: People DID vote for it. The PEOPLE have spoken.
Other millage proposals, including a levy to help support public transportation, have passed as well:
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http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20120808/POLITICS01/208080364/Millages-Wayne-County-jails-Warren-police-services-pass?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFRONTPAGE%7Cs
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A two-year renewal of a 0.59-mill tax for the SMART bus system looked like it won residents' support.
With 185 of 297 precincts reporting late Tuesday, the measure had more than 79 percent of the vote.
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Despite the Grover Norquist "drown it in a bathtub" rhetoric, people are willing to pay for essential services and education.