Do You Support a Sales Tax for Online Purchases?

Leave a comment to join the conversation about the Marketplace Fairness Act.

Do You Support a Sales Tax for Online Purchases?

The Marketplace Fairness Act was approved this week in the U.S. Senate, and is headed to the Republican-controlled U.S. House for consideration. Both Michigan's senators voted for the bill, which would require merchants to collect state taxes on internet

Michigan's U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, voted in support of a bill that requires merchants to collect state sales taxes for online purchases. The Marketplace Fairness Act passed the U.S. Senate 69-27 on Monday. Next up, the legislation goes to the GOP-led House. President Barack Obama has previously said he supports the bill. Supporters say the bill would level the paying field for traditional local retailers and collect much needed tax revenue for state. Opponents, including anti-tax activists and retailers, say it will be overly burdensome on small businesses and would effectively result in a tax increase. Neither Levin nor Stabenow issued public statements after Monday's vote explaining their support of the…

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Huntington Woods City Commissioner in D.C. for Stabenow Swearing-In

Jules Olsman was in Washington on Thursday with the Michigan senator.

Huntington Woods City Commissioner Jules Olsman was in Washington, D.C., on Thursday as Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-MI, was sworn into office. Vice President Joe Biden, who serves as president of the Senate, performed the ceremony and The Detroit News reports that Carl Levin, Michigan's senior senator, accompanied Stabenow as she took the oath. Her 86-year-old mother, Ann Greer of Lansing, also was on hand for the ceremony, according to The Detroit News. "It is truly an honor to serve the people of the great state of Michigan in the U.S. Senate," said Stabenow, who was re-elected in November. "I will continue to stand-up for Michigan's middle-class families and businesses as we work hard to grow our economy and create the jobs of the future." …

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Bill Clinton Comes to Royal Oak Friday

Michael “Chet” Chetcuti and Kyle Evans will entertain the 42nd President of the United States in their Royal Oak home at a fundraiser for U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow.

You might have seen him star in the “Companies Like Mine” political ad with U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow or as the front man for the garage/punk rock band the Chet Offensive, but for Royal Oak’s Michael “Chet” Chetcuti, his biggest role yet may happen this Friday. That’s when he’ll play the part of host to the 42nd President of the United States. Bill Clinton is set to visit Chetcuti’s Royal Oak home, which was featured in the 2012 Royal Oak Woman’s Club Home and Garden Tour, for a fundraiser for Stabenow. “Having Bill Clinton at our house should be an honor for Detroit’s entire LGBT community,” Chetcuti said. Along with partner Kyle Evans, the couple couldn’t be more excited to open their home to such a special guest, Chetcuti said. …

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Levin Rallies Democrats in Berkley (With Photos)

Approximately 70 people turned out Tuesday evening to hear the U.S. representative and a handful of Democratic candidates for Oakland County offices during the invitation-only event at Jaycee Park.

Incumbent U.S. Rep. Sander Levin and members of the Oakland County Democratic ticket rallied supporters Tuesday evening during a picnic in Berkley. Approximately 70 people turned out to hear Levin and a handful of Democratic candidates – including incumbent Oakland County Treasurer Andy Meisner, Oakland County executive hopeful Kevin Howley and Oakland County sheriff contender Jane Felice Boudreau – during the invitation-only event at Jaycee Park. "We have a very strong ticket. There isn't a weak link, so let's work like the dickens," Levin told the crowd as he stood with the candidates, each of whom spoke briefly. Levin also acknowledged Oakland County Clerk candidate Lisa Brown of West Bloomfield and incumbent Oakland County Prosecutor …

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U.S. Senate: Durant Concedes to Hoekstra

Current U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow will face Pete Hoekstra in the November election after voters narrowed the field Tuesday during the August primary.

Former U.S. Representative Pete Hoekstra has won the Republican nomination in the U.S. Senate primary race after his main rival, Clark Durant of Grosse Pointe, conceded Tuesday shortly before 11 p.m. Shortly after midnight, the Secretary of State's office showed Hoekstra leading the way with more than 97,000 votes while Durant was trailing with almost 59,000. There are about 30 more counties whose results are not yet included in those figures as they have not reported final results to the Secretary of State's office. The race began with four men seeking the Republican nomination: Current U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, of Lansing, was the sole candidate seeking the Democratic nomination.  Durant's concession Tuesday means Hoekstra and …

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POLL: Is U.S. Senate Candidate Hoekstra in Bounds or Over the Line?

Republican from Holland defends his Asian-theme ad shown during the Super Bowl that is provoking outcry.

A Michigan campaign ad first shown during the Super Bowl has people buzzing about Pete Hoekstra, a Republican former congressman from Holland who wants to unseat second-term U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow. He mocks her as "Debbie SpendItNow" in the half-minute spot, but that's not what provokes talk locally and nationally. His half-minute ad, which opens with the sound of a gong and other traditionally Asian tones, features an Asian-American actress speaking broken English as she claims "Debbie spends so much American money ... we take your jobs." Several Detroit pastors issued a statement urging Hoekstra to drop the ad, which is scheduled to run statewide for two weeks on cable TV. The Michigan chapter of a group called Asian & Pacific …

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Nancy Hanus

10:37 pm on Monday, February 6, 2012

We really do encourage debate, but when a comment string gets so mean-spirited and off topic, we have no choice but to close it down. We really expect respectful discussion, and this discussion has disintegrated. Thanks to those of you who have tried to get things back on topic.   more ›