Yes it passed along with the Director's 400K per year salary

Who is underpaid when compared to other museums, with comparable collections, in the country.

400 k salary, huh, more then the president of the U S A, or the gov. or the mayor.. wth?

The director of the Lourve makes less than this guy does. No wonder Michigan is bankrupt. They deserve nothing less than total devastation.

@Angela I doubt if this guys salary had anything to do with the entire countries economic meltdown and the falling of Detroit's middle class....Which actually is occurring in just about EVERY major city in the U.S.

AMEN! This initiative was for the museum, not Graham's and the other administrators' retirement fund. Keep it lean!!!

I agree with petey, I like the DIA but where is the financial accountability? The rest of us had to make cuts and adjustments when the economy is in a downturn. The free admission is not free - you're paying through your taxes!

About a week ago in the Detroit papers they listed salaries --- we placed second to end in major Midwest city museums!

And while you’re there you can pay an exorbitant amount for parking, get robbed, your car broken into, harassed by drug dealers and prostitutes. Golly G that sounds great!

Nothing is free-unless you are a renter

Bill, I didn't know that people who own rental properties didn't pay taxes!

Oh, wait. They do pay taxes and can't claim the homestead exemption, so they actually pay more taxes. Presumably landlords don't rent at a loss so they pass those taxes along to their renters.

So it looks like you're getting the "free ride" here.

Hey GP for Life, your landlord was taking you to the cleaners. I was a landlord in Ferndale for 4 years and I paid all the taxes and they paid the rent. My wife rented in Ferndale for 3 years and she never paid a dime in property taxes.
Sorry your landlord made you pay rent and taxes, not trying to mean but your the only person I've ever heard of that's paid rent and property taxes. First time for everything I guess.....

I am not sure how you misunderstood me, but you did. Rent, is a function of many things, one of these variables is property taxes. Rent is a cost of the landlord who then passes that cost onto their tennants through the vehicle of rent.

GP for life, if your a renter and I suspect that you are? You have a contract between yourself and your landlord or dwelling in which you reside that states how much you will pay monthly for your contractual obligation. You could vote yes on every millage in the world and "your rent" will not go up!!! My mortgage on the other hand will. I hope this clears matters up for you.

I can't help you.

Buddyb, once your contract is up for renewal then they will pass on the increases to you. Your rent isn't a fixed price forever! So yes, ultimately any increase in costs for the owner will be passed onto the renters.

You wrongfully assume that those who opposed this never go to the DIA. That is simply not true. One can oppose this and still be a patron of the DIA. I for one did not support the proposal, and I frequent the DIA. I would have preferred that the DIA find the money elsewhere and not on the backs of ALL regional taxpayers.

First the zoo, and now the DIA. Any other Detroit owned and operated institutions that need a bailout from the suburbs?

Totally agreed!

Well said.

Completely agree with you DJG this was a money grab just like the bank bailouts! The other places do it without handouts. More $ out of my families pocket, sure its only 15 or 20 but when you add all the other 15 or 20's its gettin up to the 100 range. It all adds up.

DJG, great points, but its $20 per $200K value of your home. This is nothing more than a tactic for the City of Detroit to tax the suburbs. DIA has over $100 Million sitting in the bank for a rainy day. I believe there's a storm cloud overhead

Perfectly said, DJG I could not agree more. I am quite surprised everyone is so cool with this, with all the struggles the people are having these days. 100 million dollar endowment sounds pretty large to me, and 2 million a month to operate the place...seems a bit much for janitorial and guards, jus saying.

I couldn't agree more!

$20 per $100k of the tax assessed value. Most will pay less.

The average tax assessed value in Royal Oak is less than $70k, meaning the average homeowner here will pay less than $14 a year for this tax - that's a dollar a month.

Exactly the reaon why I voted NO....

I feel your pain. The jail millage also passed - so not only are we paying for the DIA bailout, we have to bail out the jail instead. If our individual households have to tighten our budgets, why doesn't the DIA and jails????

Right on the money Patricia! This should NEVER have been put to a vote. It's just another example of "we the people" bailing out another failing business. And, how in the hell can anyone justify the Director's outrageous salary? Like many suburbanites, if I want to visit the DIA and pay to do so, that is MY CHOICE.

"It's only $20.00" , are you kidding me? The amount is not the issue, it's the fact that this additional tax was voted on in the first place. Finally, it absurd to compare this tax to funding law enforcement services in Rochester Hills.

100% behind you on this one Patricia! Thanks for putting my feelings into words!

BTW - I have never been nor do I have plans on ever going to the DIA, anyone wanna buy my "$20.00" membership? LOL!

Are you honestly saying we should cater to the 70-80% of people who give up their right to vote voluntarily? Not pass important legislation because people aren't doing their civic duty? That's really quite frightening of an idea! And as someone who managed to vote yesterday, it quite honestly angers me a bit.

The more they spend on successful fundraising the better. Think about it... would you rather they ask for more money from the homeowners or ask for less and spend part of it to solicit additional money in donations? I am pleased they asked for a modest amount and still plan to work hard at fundraising for the rest of the money they need.

There are many reasons why your property taxes may have risen this year. Largely it would depend on when you bought your home. If it was more than 15-20 years ago, then your property taxes had been increasing more slowly than the value of your house was. When prices fell, the corresponding decline in the taxable value never fell to the level that your property taxes were being calculated at, so your taxes continued to rise while others fell. The people calculating your property taxes are not crooks. Take the time to figure out why your taxes are going up instead of slandering people who work hard to keep our communities functioning.

This will benefit the entire metro Detroit region.

That's just great Christiana; I guess you feel that compulsorily payments are good for society? How long do you think it will be free, or should I say how long you think I’ll have to subsidize you and other before someone decides that they need to charge an entry fee? This will start off by only charging for special events, then every occasion will become a special event, soon after everyone will forget about the “free days” and they begin charging full admission. Keep in mind, at one time tax dollars from the city were allotted to pay for the DIA. What happened to those funds? Is someone in jail for misappropriation of funds? I doubt it. You’ve been taken!

Glad we are subsidizing your personal interests-- Taxation does not motivate--if anything it is discouraging to pay out more and more--Detroit has never sent money our way--it's a one way street.

Because their (sports stars & musicians) jobs produce their own income. Don't get me wrong, they make a shocking amount for what they do, but enough people pay to watch / listen to them for them to make that much.

It's not as if anyone's asking to increase my property taxes to help pay Matthew Stafford's salary.

I can't recall his name, but there was a member of the DIA (Board of Directors, I think it was) on WJR a few days ago who admitted without saying "yes" that the DIA director is paid more than the director at the Louvre. That's quite outrageous, I believe.

Ahh no-New York IA is paid about 125K

So Joe you actually think the owners of sport franchises and the recording industry actually pay directly out of their pockets? You forget most tax dollars pay for the arena's that are built for these teams and entertainment venues..Well maybe you didn't know but you do now.

Leslie - Again, not a good comparison. Did anyone ask you to raise your property taxes when ANY of the stadiums were built? No. Some of the money used to build them did come from tax funded accounts, but taxes that were already in place (like sales taxes for example - Not an increase to our property taxes). The City / State can choose to use our tax money on these stadiums, because they in turn produce more tax income.

The City / State have chosen to cut the funding to the DIA lately, instead of using the tax money they already have, for whatever reason (probably because it doesn't produce enough return tax income, and becomes just an expense that doesn't rank as high as other items needing the funding). Therefore, a NEW tax added to our property taxes is the solution? That would NEVER fly for a new sports stadium.

@ Leslie yes the sports franchises and owners do pay the salaries much the same way any business has a payroll. A certain amount of revenue goes towards salaries, benefits etc. Do they do so at a loss? In most cases no the revenue the sports franchise brings in covers payroll. Taxes most likely do not play a very large part at all in covering any athlete's salary.

Overpaid -----take in the whole picture---all the facts---overpaid, overpaid, overpaid.
Never once did he mention cutting his half a million dollar package, not once---
overpaid for Detroit, over paid for Michigan, overpaid for the size and scope of the DIA, overpaid-- And Christine, I don't pay salaries for sports stars from my taxes.

I don't believe the DSO was ever funded by taxpayers (correct me if I'm wrong!). The DIA was supported by the city and the state, and then both stopped funding it. This is not a case where the DIA was poorly managed and couldn't bring in enough money, it is a case where they were, from the very beginning, supported as a tax-funded institution. When they no longer received the tax dollars, it left their finances a mess.

I am a supporter of the DSO, but I do not think they should, or will, ask for a millage as they never were (to the best of my knowledge) supported by tax payers. If they run out of money (which they kinda have) it really is their own fault (but this I mean the management, not the musicians).

Also, it is not at all practical for the DSO to allow free admission as the DIA has to compensate the taxpayers.

You are correct JH. The DSO has never been funded by taxpayers. But, and correct me if I'm wrong, I recall reading that they were one of the entities in the 2002 arts millage that failed.

It was proposal K in 2002 where the DSO is listed along with 16 other institutions.
http://crcmich.org/PUBLICAT/2000s/2002/memo1067.pdf

Mark, thanks for the link! As a supporter of the arts, I can say I'm glad that proposal K failed. I think there is a major difference in continuing to support institutions who have always relied on tax dollars until they can build up an endowment to support themselves versus starting to support an institution with tax dollars who never received tax money before. I see this a difference between not screwing institutions who relied on tax money already vs bailing out a failed private enterprise.

I would not vote for a millage to start publicly supporting what had previously been private, but I would (and did) vote to continue supporting the zoo and DIA.

I do hope the Detroit Science Center finds a way to reopen their doors though.

So let’s make sure I get this right. The family has no money for grocery's and culture, but has plenty of money for video games? I would bet they also have internet access, laptops, cell phone with full internet access, cable TV, and a married of other benefits paid for by tax payers. I though the schools already had programs in place to take kids to the DIA, they do, once again paid for by tax payers. So why on earth do folks like you think that now at this moment the apex of Detroit’s culture rests soundly on the DIA? What has changed.

Robert your problem is you make to many assumptions and generalizations. It's people like you that have me fearful to walk the streets of Detroit with a harmonious attitude at times. Because you never know when you're going to pop a screw and go on a shooting rampage about government taxation. I know the Government wants your guns too...Yeah Okay..

Leslie, I do find it interesting how liberals such as yourself tend to accuse conservatives of acting vicious and hateful, but in reality you are the ones displaying such language and actions. read your post back to yourself, then read mine. I stated facts, challenge them if you like, you spit out hate.

Robert I'm sorry to tell you I am card caring Republican. However there comes a time when you have to see beyond party lines and social labels (liberal/conservative) and do things that are not at your interest but will help a city that is slowly dying and in of something positive to keep it afloat. As a ex Navy service member I learned that sometimes we have to sacrifice some of my comfort to assist others. This millage is good for all the surrounding suburban areas as well as Detroit. Besides no need to be mad at the people who celebrate this achievement, you should be mad at all the folks who are complaining about it that didn't get out and vote it down. That would make more sense don't you think? On a sidebar note: I believe we all have the right to bare arms I also believe in open carry, However I don't believe the government is trying to take that right away. After all guns are what allowed the United States to become independent from British rule. So why would the government take away what it was actually built upon...Just something to think about...Logical thinking is better than irrational responding.

Leslie, thank you for the comments and I apologize for referring to you as a liberal, but this is not about personal sacrifice, or a betterment to society. It’s about the gross abuse by our governmental system through excessive taxation. It’s preposterous that this ever made it to a vote. With all of the problems in Detroit this was at the top of the list???? When will it be enough? I have no issue with supporting the arts or any other museum or cultural aspect in our society if it in-deed is a true cultural factor and not simply a pet project from a special interest group. I’m not upset that the pay for the director of the DIA is over $400K. But “entertainment” should be supported by those interested in it, not as a compulsorily tax. $20 today will turn in to $40 tomorrow, then $100 and so on. You’ve got to believe that every other program, museum, or special interest will now attempt to litter our voting process with petitions to get a piece of the pie. This is troublesome.

Robert I believe the voters are smart enough to see if there's some trickery going on and wouldn't not afford the government the ability to squeeze more tax revenue from the citizens. Allowing Detroit to die would not be beneficial to the surrounding suburbs. No major city = failing suburban cites and those who can't move away from the state will only migrate to the surrounding areas (Yep you got it, the suburbs) that means crime and all. I would rather change the culture of the city to a positive, than to have the culture stay negative and find it's way to my neighborhood.

I doubt a trip to the DIA is going to rehabilitate any criminals. If that were the case wouldn't we be sending prison buses and not school buses?

Leslie, excellent point and I would not like to see the Detroit crime come to my neighborhood, but your comments lends to the old adage of throw money at the problem so it leaves you alone. You see the battle between the state trying to fix the problems in the city and those who just want more money to continue the downward trend. They make claims of racism, bigotry, and hate to influence popular sovereignty. Aren’t you tired of this? The DIA is just a microcosm of the issue, but we’ve got to start paying attention to such issues. I have no confidence that additional program petitions will be stifled before being pushed for a vote.

The last sentence is incorrect. Should read... "After all, you're paying for it through taxation."

Well Mark through taxation we pay for a lot worst things.. I think it's worth an extra $50 that my wife and I would blow on a dinner.

I think it's worth it also. As I've written in previous posts, I attend the DIA at least once a year, sometimes twice if out-of-town friends/family want to attend. This tax is saving me money. I just have issues with the wording of the agreement, it needed to be written up differently. The DIA wasn't going to close up shop if it wasn't passed this time around.

COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY,COMPULSERARY,COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY,

It's in Detroit, the culture is killing it self, the whole region will become one giant new city........... culture to me is Belle Isle, Nature etc. some one actually get paid to decide which painting this month will come out, and which one hides in the closet........... we are talking 175 million, as of now, 200 mil. over 10 ....... that is more then cities run on.
as for 1.00 a month, in just my community, the library tax, the tax increase, two headly over rides, the water each yr, not just to use, but to dispose of....... dda tax, side walk tax, county parks, county ???, also, School millage, so we can have kids from the out side, whose parents don't pay our school taxes, 4 million bond for computers, a 23 million road and sewer bond, now a new sewer bond for 4 million, EACH and Every Time, some official comes up with YOUR HOUSE will cost you ????? 1.285. a year......... yikes.... all done on my fixed income.......try and do it, you "Invincible's" do it with out moving back with your parents.

Rachel L When will people recognize that? You're so right.

Detroit is already dead. What is needed next is to spend money on bulldozers. We can move the museums out to the suburbs

Yeah Robert I would love to view a Renoir in a building made out of township brick.

It is not a subsidy for the city of Detroit. It is a subsidy for the DIA. Quite a big difference.

doesn't a millage for a govt. use? if this is not a Detroit entity, who owns it.?

I just want to point out that it's $20 per $100k of tax assessed value, not the value the house is actually worth.

For example, the average house price in Royal Oak is ~$140k but the average tax assessment is just under $70k, so the average homeowner will be paying less than $14 a year for this tax, not $40.

So glad you can afford Starbucks, sporting events, etc. but how about those who are struggling to put food on their tables or paying daily living expenses? Will a trip to the DIA fill an empty belly?

yes Mary but those people want to go to the sporting events and they want their starbucks. The word Want is the thing here. If these silly little chunks of money keep coming out I am gonna have to ask for a millage to bail me out! Besides I live in White Lake so its gonna cost me $20 to get there and back and probably $20 to park and whatever my deductible is for a stolen car and a cab ride home. oops I said that out loud.

COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY,COMPULSERARY,COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY, COMPULSERARY,

This is really interesting, Bill. I've been skimming all the comments and believe this is the most unselfish one yet. It isn't that I agree or disagree with all the other points of view, but yours is a nice breath of fresh air for me. Most of the people here are thinking of themselves. MY taxes will be higher or I think it's a great thing. Just a lot of arguing and discord. Thinking of others is something I find rare these days. Hopefully, more people than just your son will appreciate it more. Well played.

That would have been $32. Median house value in wayne county is 98k (http://www.city-data.com/county/Wayne_County-MI.html). So the median tax is an extra $20 per household. So unless you have a house with a much higher than median value, you should be paying less for the whole year, and you can go as many times as you want. And if you are in a house that's valued much higher, I would think you would be able to afford a slight tax increase.

No it wouldn't Joe unless you earn over 500k annually than you would be paying about $100 annually which a current annual membership only cost $80

Earnings have nothing to do with what the millage will cost you. It's the assessed value of your home. If you paid $150,000 for a home last year. Your assessed value is appx $75,000. So the passed millage will cost you about $15/year.

No Mark --- i think you are mistaken. It's not the assessed taxable value for the DIA millage, it's the MARKET VALUE of your home that they use (or 2X the assessed taxable value). This way, it's not capped. If your home goes up by 100,000 or $200,000 in the next 10 years, you will be paying another $10 to $20 per year. If I remember right, didn't Proposal A (years back) cap the amount that your assessed value can be raised each year ---- wasn't it 5% per year??????? By taxing the market value of your home, doesn't the DIA skirt this cap??

Anyway, what bugs me is that we all pay different rates to use the same "museum". Why should someone in Oakland County foot the bill (pay more) for someone in wayne county to use the same DIA??

4x4, just like all other taxes, the millage rate is multiplied by the taxable value, not the market value. Do you expect them to come out and appraise your house in order to tax you?!?

For this to cost you more than ticket prices, your house would have to have a market value of over $320,000. That's assuming you only want to go once in a year. If your house is worth that much then congrats, you've done well for yourself and you're correct that tickets would have been cheaper for you. For most people this is not the case though.

The DIA had $2 million to spend in getting this passed, those of us against the millage had no funding to mount any opposition.

James, correction on your post. My house is now worth way more than 20% less than it was several years ago but my property taxes have still continued to increase.

Greg, look at your annual statement from Oakland County. The reason your taxes have risen will be explained there. My guess is that your capped value that is used for calculating your tax is still lower than your SEV, hence the increases even with the declines in home prices over the past 5 years.

Thanks Mike, I am aware of why my taxes have continued to go up I was commenting on James post. ;-)

It's easy to make cheap shots when you hide behind some made up screen name. I can't help but wonder if your tune would be different had you not been able to hide your identity here.

@Jim Routhier
It's not a made up screen name. I live in Ferndale, and I moved here in 1986.

You speak for all of those voters? I highly doubt it.

Boy sounds like those other 6 should have gotten out and voted.

And most of the other 6/7 of the population probably don't have a good reason why they didn't vote.

(I woke up horribly sick that morning, good reason. I'm on a vacation that I planned months ago but never bothered to get an absentee ballot, I don't think my vote counts anyway, or I just didn't feel like voting, then don't complain!)

This is why organizations love having millages in the summer elections. Most pass with minority choosing for the majority.

Since when do people who do not vote have a right to complain about the actions of those who did vote? Additionally why do people who DO NOT pay property taxes have a right to vote on a millage? I am talking about those who just do not ay the tax that they are supposed to pay; I am not talking about renters who pay the tax through their landlord

Art, remember your DIA membership is tax deductible!

Also without your membership you will still have to pay to get intospecial events and showings, and you will lose your discount at the gift shop (and I am not just talking trinkets and toys but the ability to purchase art you may want in your home).

Is you thinking so small that all you can come up with tea party speak. You have missed the principle of the subject. BTW, Detroit is not barely in the same class as the cities you mentioned. Barely is a long way away.

GpGr67 - "Anti-thinking"? Nice. Anyway, it wouldn't matter if is was $1, that's not the point at all. Just because attendance and donations are down, this millage literally forces 3 large counties to buy an annual membership to the DIA through their property taxes.

I have no problem with property taxes, but this is not what they are for. Adding to them to keep a business open because they can't fund-raise sufficiently and lost their government funding? This is great for those that love the DIA, but those that don't want to donate or attend, shouldn't have to. They should be able to put their money wherever they want - Starbucks included.

If people are complaining about paying an extra $20-30 in taxes annually they should consider themselves useless to society. Most will spend that amount in the local bar in Macomb county buying a couple of drinks...I really don't care how much they're paying the director as long as the venue is utilized for the purpose of what it's intended for. It's a institution that should be supported by all. You never know when that trip to the museum may inspire some young person for their future growth and development.

Leslie Curtis, I don't care that you don't care about the tax payers. I do care about American contributors and the unreasonable tax burden which people such as you take no issue putting on us. It’s not your call to determine what I do with my money. That is my business and so called citizens of the world such as you have no input.

Robert I'm not sure i understand your statement "People like me?" I'm a tax payer as well and I probably pay more than you however somethings in our society need to be accessible for all and this millage provides that. People complain about the crime in Detroit maybe this will expose some of those who commit those crimes to something different turning their lives around. You can't be so selfish as to worry about $20 annually because you never know it may just be the best $20 you ever spent. I don't mind because I see the good that can come from this. So Robert come on to the 21st century because in order to sustain a region someone has to pay. No it's not fair but hey, its part of life and we can afford to. At least I can.

it's $20 for this cause and $30 for that cause. Here, another $10, there another $15 --- where does it stop. The sun would still come up tomorrow if the DIA was closed. Peoples' lives would still go on...and Detroit would still be on the decline. We don't "need" an art "museum". How many hundreds of people visit the DIA each year compared to the millions that visit Comerica every year? I just heard that the Tigers have drawn almost 3 million this year -- what is the DIA numbers for attendance?

There are other "art" facilities in MI -- Cranbrook has a nice art gallery.....seems like they can operate on a budget. I wonder why? Aren't there galleries in the artsie/fartsie town of Ann Arbor???

The zoo receives funding from a millage too.

Good luck with your petition....

Since they're now a taxpayer supported entity you could probably get a hefty salary reduction out of them. $400k is a bit excessive. I mean, if the dude was making it rain huge corporate donations, I could understand. That is apparently not the case.

I am forced to pay for wellfare checks, medacare, social securiity, and god knows what else. These things add nothing to my life and only serve to continue a culture of entitlement which enslaves the recipients to a life of poverty. Whereas this money attempts to shine of light of culture into an otherwise black pit of ignorance. To me this is money well-spent.

Your rambling makes no sense

The DIA is called the DIA because it's in Detroit, not because it's run by the City of Detroit. This is not a Detroit burden.

James, it's a shame but the fact is that Detroit is unable to solve many of their problems on their own. So, whether or not we want them, their burdens will soon be upon us. Honestly, it's the price we have to pay for letting illiterate masses try to self-govern.

just like the book, "if you give a mouse a cookie"...

KEN, $100 million endowment is throwing off maybe, maybe, $7 million in cash a year, and I would doubt it's that high. They're probably getting $4 to $5 million a year out of the endowment given current market conditions. You can't pay many $400k salaries with that!

$400k a year is not excessive for a director of a museum that has the stature of the DIA. There are directors of museums that have much smaller and less significant collections that are being paid 2, 3 and 4 times that amount. If we want a top-10 art museum, it has to be run with someone with extensive experience in the arts, not a recent grad making 20k. As for the comparison between civil and political salaries, nobody gets into politics because is pays well.

Ken, the only thing wrong that occurred with the millage is that too many eligible voters in the eligible counties didn't show up. The VOTERS always get to decide in a majority wins format. Fortunately, the all eligible voters are made aware of the millage long before the election is held. Participation by all is what is needed. I for on am very happy to have taxes decided up by those who will be paying for the tax. It is much better than a tax being forced upon the citizens by government officials. In the future, you may consider organizing transportation to the voting booth for those voters who share your point of view.

The beauty of democracy is that taxes like the DIA millage are not forced on the people. The people are provided ample time & freedoms to organize before the vote to gather participation at the voting booth. Voter approved taxes are always more favorable than government mandated taxes.

John, Thanks for sharing that list....very interesting. As an Art teacher, I am thrilled the measure passed. The arts and creativity are so important in developing our children for an ever-changing world. We learn at the DIA how the arts have been a mode of expression for centuries.

Per state law, a millage can only be used for a government entity, not a private or public business.

Mr. Herrington, you are free to put forth new millages to your representatives as you see fit. The DIA millage passed only because the VOTERS passed the millage. Participation in democracy is always a good thing. Only the citizens of the counties which voted will receive free entry. All others will pay for their entry. Although, if you think about it, since the citizens of the millage counties are paying for the millage, it isn't free for them either. Fortunately they had a say in deciding up or down on the millage.

No, its an example of how foolish voters can be when they don't pay attention to the issues. Much the same as how we ended up with Obama. People voted with how they feel, and not with their heads.

a victory? I was last there in the 50's, I dare you to tell me I don't have Culture, I raised 5 kids all professionals, 1 is a PGA pro, 1 saves breast for Susan G koman, boston. Not once did a painting put any food on our table, etc, saying a victory of what 100k voters, out of an area of 3 million (?) if people were that interested, the DIA would not be begging, I would think. what is the victory, I say it is the dangerous precedence it sets , people voting for some thing that only told you what they wanted to sound needy, now the next Regional Vote will be, to help0 tear down the homes in Det.? this is scary, never has so few dedicated people tell the rest what they will like, using 4 letters, free , well grand pappy always said, nothing of quality in life is free....... this $20 could be 40 in 10 yr's ........

@ Kelly ----- I am going to be sick....

@ Haulin --- nice. You are exactly right. No painting has ever put food in my household either. Congrats on raising some successful kids.

4 x 4 driver, I am sorry you are not feeling well. Perhaps the next election will go your way. Please gather up as many eligible voters & help them get to the voting booth. It is a lack of participation by those who didn't vote (not suggesting you) and not those who did vote that brought about this millage. A millage to help fund those who are hungry would be a wonderful thing for you to bring to the next election. I am very happy that this was a Voter Approved millage approval & not a government mandated millage approval. Democracy in Action works best when everyone (not just you & me) participate.

I am not bragging about my 5 kids, this whole journey was not done or manage by the Silver Spoons, I punched the clock most of my 31 yr's at the same place, they went to H S at 2 very well known girls school, & the boys went right next door to their school, I was tuition poor, but that kept them all under guidance, while Dad was 24 miles away, working, there was no tri county bail out. there 45, 43, 40, 34, & 27 now...... a lot of corners were cut, by getting into and surviving the competition, in the hall ways, every where, as for the only daughter, I saw some of her classmates cause how dare her teacher deduct 0.015 from her over all score...... Give me a break, your GPA only matters to the college your appl. to, wait a year, reapply and they done care if you were all "B's ............. so a lot of less stressful ways to do the same thing

I wish I could understand your last post Haulin'. It seemed interesting.

The Thinker by Rodin is also free at the DIA ---right outside the front door and you do not even have to travel to Londo to see it

Nope. They don't owe you a thing. They followed the rules agreed up within our democracy. They came to the voting booth and placed 1 vote either up or down for the millage. They even gave you (if you are a resident of the counties which are now subsidizing the DIA) the opportunity to vote too. Not only that, they campaigned with their position. This gave you the opportunity to gather up voters who share your position to vote against. Oh, and for the record, all the folks who voted for the millage are indeed subsidizing it. After all, that is what the final outcome decided. It is great to live in a democracy.

Kelly, unfortunately not all of the voters will subsidize it. The majority of residents in the city of Detroit rent, and do not pay property taxes. Now I realize that they do pay a small portion of the tax in their monthly rent, but it’s not anywhere near what an actual home owner pays. In fact many the rental fees are locked for prolonged periods and section-eight housing is even further locked. So in essence this tax has the same effect as school mileages passed in areas where there are there are high concentrations of apartments. The burden falls on those who actually own property.

It is true that the property taxes are being used, as outlined in the millage that the citizens were able to vote down. Fortunately for all who own their own homes, the property owners of rental properties (including those which house businesses) will also be subject to the millage. Fortunately for the rental property owner, they are allowed to raise the rent as per the rental contract. Again, this is another great thing about a millage voted up by the voters. Home Owners, Renters & Property Owners alike all get to cast 1 vote.

Kelly you make it sound like every one voted, ( less then 10%) so the will of the people does not holdm just a selfish few, who gloat, for making others may for your habit. , I do not care about the texture of the paint, canvas, or firmness of brush strokes........ etc ... any more then you do such quality time spent it pit row, or restoring a classic.......... the DIA never won any war, etc..... enjoy, this is what happens when there was no funding the opposition... if I was a politician, I would of snuck some thing through of over all value, cause it won't happen again

I think you should be more concerned with the (using your figure) 90% who didn't vote rather than those who did but don't agree with you.

Yes, 10% is not necessarily the "will of the people" but if that many are willing to leave it up to the other 10%...

If you are a citizen, you are more than welcome to propose such a millage. That is the beauty of democracy. You have the power to organize other of like mind to change our laws.

I'm sure that Eric B would be accused of being a gun toting maniac by several grass roots groups and any attempt to put fourth such a petition would be considered paramount to a threat to overthrow the government.

Robert, no one ever said that it would be easy to put a millage on a ballot & then get it passed. Due to the first amendment, opponents due get to label one another. Although childish, this is a fact of politics (one we could all do without in my opinion). On the bring side, the labeling of Eric B for his proposed millage would not disqualify him from bringing the millage to the ballot. That is the beauty of our democracy. Yes, it requires the courage to stand up to name calling & labeling.

VOTERS who RENT, do not have to pay for the milage increase, yet they can now visit the DIA for free?

They should have increase ticket prices.

lala ts, Yes renters who live in the 3 eligible counties are able to enter the DIA for free. Please remember this was a millage that was voted on by the residents of those counties. All voters who were opposed to the millage had ample opportunity to help one another get to the voting booth to put down the millage. As the millage passed with so very few people voting at all, it seems the majority of eligible voters really were ok with renters attending the DIA for free. After all, their landlord pays the property tax where they live. This is the beauty of living in a democracy. Those who care about the issues (pro or against) get to decide by voting. It is wonderful that we are also free to speak to one another before the election to encourage others of like mind to do the same.

That doesn't sound communist.....

Yes so communist that a workers wage keeps up with inflation. Real communist. Now what is that called when the people at the top have all the money?

The Veterans Millage that was approved will raise 1 million a year for 6 years.

To say that our veterans are more important than art I agree. But who puts that high value on art?

I've heard that renters sometimes get the property tax passed on to them.

kidcat, I've rented for 20 years, in 10 different michigan cities. I've never heard of your rent changing mid contact because of millage increase.

Probably not Lala but you can believe that as an owner's expenses go up so will the rent come contract renewal.

Constitutionality aside, I have never seen ignorance like I have seen in this thread. Your worried about non-property owners voting and I am concerned about people like you voting. You and your ilk cannot grasp the simplest of concepts as it relates to how cost increases flow to the consumer. You probably think the tax rate on corporations should be 90% so consumers don't have to pay taxes. Disturbing.

charge admissions.............. start putting in parameters, racial profiling