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Perry Johnson is promising "property tax reform", as well as elimination of the state income tax, all covered by eliminating "waste, fraud, and abuse". Wow, we have heard that line before.

So, what, exactly, is the "property tax reform".

from the net sifter:

Perry Johnson’s 2026 Michigan property tax reform proposal aims to reduce tax burdens on homeowners and seniors, specifically targeting the 6-mill state education tax for elimination on primary residences. His plan, often paired with a push to eliminate the Michigan income tax, emphasizes reducing, capping, and eventually reforming property taxes through both legislative action and constitutional amendments

Elimination of 6-Mill Tax: Phasing out the 6-mill state education tax on owner-occupied primary residences.

Backfilling Revenue: Proposes covering lost revenue through "budget prioritization," "waste elimination," and "reform of economic development subsidies".

Homeowner Focus: Designed to specifically aid seniors on fixed incomes and working families by reducing the strain of rising property taxes.

Multi-Faceted Approach: Integrates with wider Republican efforts, including potential alignment with House Republican plans to eliminate "pop-up" taxes (when properties sell) and reduce personal property taxes.

Defunding education. What an original idea from the GOP! (a bit of background. In the early 90s, Lansing took over the bulk of the funding of local school districts. This was, unsurprisingly, the doing of GOP Gov Engler) So now, a GOP candidate is proposing that, Lansing having taken over educational funding, can now cut it.

Of course, this would push more middle class kids to private schools, as a long standing GOP objective has been to kill public education. Then the "JCs" can have another tax cut. :)

Presently, Johnson is trailing, in GOP primary polling, to James, another "JC".

Steve

Property taxes have been driven so high by those commies in Lansing that last year I had to buy a smaller bass boat. And we had to cut our trip to the Maldives, settling instead for a couple of nights in the Bahamas.

And why should I pay to support schools? Kids are grown and out of the house. I don’t need it.

James, another "JC".

Decided to take a look at what James is proposing.

from the net sifter:

As of early 2026, Michigan Republican gubernatorial candidate John James is proposing a "Freedom Agenda" focused on parental rights in education, government transparency, and economic reform. Key proposals include a parents' "bill of rights" for school oversight, shifting control of Michigan’s education system to the governor, and expanding FOIA laws

Key Proposals & Policies

Parental "Bill of Rights": Proposes allowing parents to opt-in to federal tax credits for private school tuition, enhancing oversight of school curriculum, and rolling back some confidentiality protections for minors in schools and medical settings.

Education Reform & Accountability: Seeks a constitutional amendment to hold the governor directly accountable for education outcomes, allowing the governor to hire/fire the state superintendent. Promotes "back to basics" education, including phonics, mastery-based promotion, and trade certification for students not attending college.

Government Transparency & Reform: Proposes opening the governor's office and state legislature to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Also includes a "Freedom from Corruption" initiative involving comprehensive audits of state departments, such as the Department of Health and Human Services.

Ah. Johnson's proposal to eliminate the state property tax that funds public education would require legislation pass the House and Senate. James wants dictatorial control of the state's education system. The the Gov would be positioned to push more kids into private schools, while cutting public schools down to the "three Rs", so that graduates are just about qualified to polish a "JCs" private jet. We here in Michigan have had a taste of direct, dictatorial, control of school systems by a Governor appointed "emergency manager". Budget for educational materials is cut. Budget for building maintenance is cut. Staff is cut.

The net sifter on the impact on Detroit Public, of an "emergency manager".

Detroit Public Schools (DPS) operated under state-appointed emergency managers from 2009 to 2016, a period marked by severe financial constraints, enrollment declines, and persistent academic failure. While intended to stabilize finances, the state takeover faced criticism for stripping local control and failing to address underlying structural deficits

Key Aspects of the Emergency Management Era (2009-2016)

State Control: Multiple emergency managers (Robert Bobb, Jack Martin, Darnell Earley) were appointed by Governors Granholm and Snyder to control finances and operations.

Financial Crisis: Despite severe cuts, the district's deficit remained high, reaching $169.4 million by early 2015.

Declining Enrollment: Enrollment dropped from 97,000 students in 2008-2009 to 47,000 by 2015.

Declining Infrastructure: Conditions included issues like black mold, rodent infestations, and broken heating.

Criticism: Critics argued the "hijacking of democracy" deepened the school system's crisis, with many calling for a return of local control.

Imagine every public school district in the state getting the same treatment, by Governor's decree. The result, of course, would be to drive more kids, with the money, into private schools.

Steve

And why should I pay to support schools? Kids are grown and out of the house. I don’t need it.

Who would wipe the oatmeal off your chin, in the nursing home?

Steve

Who would wipe the oatmeal off your chin, in the nursing home?

My private nurse.

I have to pay her salary too, which is another argument against paying for other parents’ responsibilities

God, these arguments are so easy to make. I shoulda gone MAGA a long time ago.

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