For our legislative quote of the year, we travel to Michigan where state Rep Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Worst Economy in America) tells us:

"We can't afford to let the state spiral down. The state government is a strong component of our economic recovery. If we can't put the revenue into the economic recovery, we might as well turn out the lights."

That's right boys and girls, Rep Smith thinks that the solution to the economic catastrophe that is Michigan is raising the state's income tax by $1 billion -- because taking money away from taxpayers so the government can piddle it away, has always been a fabulous solution to economic problems.

But, before you go thinking Rep Smith is out in left field on this issue, it bears mentioning that Smith was commenting on an actual bill being voted on right now (10:56 AM EST), by the Michigan House of Representatives. Over the past two days the state House has engaged in a series of votes to raise taxes between $1.1 billion and $1.7 billion on sales and income.

I guess now we know why Michigan's economy is as bad as the University of Michigan's football team.

UPDATE 9/17/07 at 12:32 AM EST: In a marathon vote that has been open for three days, there is still no movement on the income tax increase with 48 Democrats in favor at 49 Republicans opposed.