April 14 may seem like another spring Sunday in Michigan, but there's reason to celebrate: It's Tax Freedom Day in the Great Lakes State.

According to the Tax Foundation, a Washington, D.C., think tank, April 14 is when Michigan residents have worked enough days to satisfy all of their tax obligations to the federal, state and local governments.

Theoretically, Michigan workers can keep the rest of their earnings for the year after Sunday, though the national Tax Freedom Day is April 18.

But when federal borrowing is included, Americans would have to work to May 9 to satisfy the federal government's deficit spending, according to the Tax Foundation.

Former Attorney General Mike Cox maintains he's still in the Grand Old Party despite breaking with most Republicans this week by endorsing same-sex marriage.

Cox said his increasingly "libertarian" philosophy led him to conclude gays and lesbians should be allowed to marry to obtain the same property rights as heterosexual couples.

But Cox, who recently said he wouldn't run for the U.S. Senate next year, wants fellow Republicans to know he hasn't left the reservation like a certain former governor from Traverse City.

"I don't want to be like Bill Milliken , who pretends to be a Republican when he isn't," Cox told The Detroit News.

Mike Flanagan , the state superintendent of schools, surprised political observers last month when he expressed interest in running for retiring U.S. Sen. CarlLevin 's seat next year.

Apparently, his wife, Anna , was a bit surprised to learn of his political aspirations as well, only learning about them when her husband announced his interest March 13 on Michael Patrick Shiels ' statewide radio program.

Originally posted here:

Political insider: Celebrate tax freedom April 14