What Really Happened, or Why a Golf Outing is more Important than a State Budget

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 03:34:32 AM EDT

Speaker of the House Andy Dillon is mad, really mad, and once you find out why he's so mad, well, I imagine you're going to be pretty hopped up too.

As reported here on MichLib last night, the Senate led by Republican Mike Bishop (R-Hair Gel) adjourned early for the evening until next Tuesday even though he had originally struck a deal with Dillon not too. 

From MIRS (subscription only) -

Dillon told reporters on the House floor that today was a "step backward" in the budget process, and claimed Bishop's refusal to go for the plan was just the latest roadblock the Senate Majority Leader has put in the way of finding a budget compromise. The Speaker also broke away from his longstanding demeanor of refusing to attack Bishop.

"I've been chasing Mike Bishop to try to get a budget deal since February," Dillon said. "All I've asked of Mike is to 'tell me what you want.' But he'd never say anything definitive. When I offered the proposal today, he said 'I can't do that.' If there's a government shutdown, the responsibility for it is Mike Bishop's."

If you were like most of the state, you fell for the line that had Dillon and Bishop as chums. It comes now as no surprise that Bishop's been the problem child all along, despite Gov. Granholm and Dillon's best efforts to keep things moving. 

But tonight Dillon said he was breaking his silence on the alleged budget deal Bishop claims didn't happen in May.

"He (Bishop) cut a deal in May with the Governor that did include new revenues," Dillon said. "We weren't supposed to talk about so I haven't up to now. But yesterday Mike Bishop went too far when he made some remarks... about the House. He went over the line. I'm not going to keep getting punched by him."

The Speaker also remarked that the House was sill in the chamber and ready to work through the weekend if necessary, but the Senate had adjourned.

"Mike Bishop has a golf outing to raise funds," Dillon said.

After you pick your jaw up from the floor, be sure that's fact, we've had that independently confirmed here at MichLib.

We don't have a state budget, because Mike Bishop couldn't miss his donning his tweed pants for his golf outing today.  

Don't think it's not for a lack of trying on the Dems part.

Various newsources around the state and sources here at MichLib confirm that both Senate Democrats and Republicans and Governor Granholm were all on the House Floor today attempting to broker a deal with House Republicans. 

Those efforts were made in vain after Bishop decided to close shop early.

So to the State Employees -

• the Troopers
• the Corrections officers
• the over-burdened caseworkers within the Foster Care System
• the folks at the Sec. of State
• the good people at the Dept of Treasury, Ag, etc.

I personally apologize to you that your paycheck hangs in the balance because of one man's complete and utter disregard for this state, your job and you and your family's well-being.

But perhaps there's hope. Maybe if you stop what you're doing, and offer Mr. Bishop a game of golf and a life-time supply of mirrors and hair gel,  well who knows, we may just find ourselves averting a state shutdown with a budget.  

Until then, you can contact Bishop and let him know what you think of his treatment of you and your fellow citizens.

Office Address: S-106 Capitol

Mailing Address:

Senator Mike Bishop
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536

By Phone: (517) 373-2417

By Fax: (517) 373-2694

By Email: mbishop@senate.michigan.gov