Legislator trying to turn back fireworks law

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I have a new hero and I need to spread the word about what he’s doing.

State Sen. Glenn Anderson
State Sen. Glenn Anderson

State Sen. Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) is introducing legislation to undo perhaps the single, most stupid act of the Michigan Legislature ever: The expansion of the fireworks law regulating what can be sold and used in the state.

It’s about time.

When Livingston County 911 sees a call coming from a certain phone number that belongs to me, I am sure they know what it’s about. I’ve called so many times — at the direction of my local elected officials — that the 911 folks answer, “Hey, what direction are the booms coming from, Maria?”

I am always apologetic for calling, and the folks on the other end of the line are always understanding because they can hear the booms too.

Then, a couple weeks ago, I got a dispatcher who wasn’t all that sympathetic to my plight.

fireworksyeller“You know, fireworks are legal, right?” she said.

She seemed ignorant of the days and times the use of fireworks are legal, much like the a$$&^#@s disturbing the peace of me and my neighbors. Blame our genius legislators who figured folks stupid enough to blow off high-powered explosives in neighborhoods would restrict their activity to certain days and times.

Since the law passed in 2011, life has been hell for those of us who want to enjoy the outdoors without feeling like we need a bomb shelter, and those of us who love our dogs. I first wrote about it here, and here, and for those of us who love our dogs, here.

Post blogger Rebecca Foster, here.

I can’t tell you the number of times this year that I’ve had to leave my screen porch to retreat into my house, close the windows and turn on the air conditioner because folks are blasting off all manner of fireworks. I can’t tell you the number of times I’ve raised the volume on the radio or television to drown out the blasts from outside.

It’s maddening.

And it’s simply not fair.

Why must I surrender my peace and quiet because some rude a$$&^#@s delight in blowing stuff off whenever they like. Believe me when I tell you that explosions this year have come at 7:30 a.m. all the way to well after midnight, on days outside of those given the OK by our esteemed legislators.

What’s curious is that legislations specify during which times and on which days folks can shoot off fireworks, but the explosives are for sale every single day of the year.

Why do fireworks — and the Legislature’s inability to balance its budget — trump my peace?

After years of tax cuts, Michigan needed money. Instead of raising taxes, the Legislature chose instead to raise fees, tax pensions and put into place this wrong-headed expanded fireworks law that made the selling of more-powerful explosives legal — and profitable.

Under this new law, those who sell the high-powered stuff pay an annual “certificate fee” of $1,000 for permanent locations and $600 for non-permanent locations. That’s an ANNUAL fee. They also have to purchase additional insurance. In the first year alone, over 500 retailers bought certificates. You do the math on what amounts to a big win for both the state and insurance providers.

A “fireworks safety fee” of 6 percent is added to the retail price of the fireworks, on top of the usual 6 percent Michigan sales tax. Folks are paying 12 percent on all their purchases. Another big win for the state.

Me?

I’d gladly trade the annoying fireworks law for a small tax hike. I’d not think twice. It’s hard to put a price on my peace and quiet.

The expanded fireworks law leaves folks like me, who live in regular neighborhoods, paying the biggest price as we lose our right to live in peace.

If you’d like to leave a comment of support for state Sen. Glenn Anderson, click here.

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Maria Stuart worked at The Livingston County Press/ Livingston County Daily Press & Argus as a reporter, editor and managing editor. These days, she runs The Livingston Post.