Bi-Partisan Effort to Dump the "Primary" and Save Michigan's Right to Vote

by: philgoblue

Thu Dec 13, 2007 at 10:51:43 AM EST

It seems that there is movement in trying to form a bi-partisan effort to dump the 15 January "primary."  According to the Livingston Daily Press and Argus State Representative Chris Ward (R-Genoa Township) is working to find a way to ally with Democrats to cancel the 15 January "primary."  Seems Representative Ward belives that the "potential for voter confusion, low turnout, disenfranchisement and bad publicity for the state" warrents cancelation.

Ward, a former township clerk, told the local paper:

"I have a strong concern that this is going to be a big black eye for Michigan. It looks like this is going to be an election with a lot of complaints ... it could give Michigan a black eye in looking like a Florida-type situation.

Friday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Fri Nov 09, 2007 at 07:00:00 AM EST

Another busy day with lots of news to sort through, so let's get right to it...

• AP: House committee votes to kill, replace service tax. As Laura reported last night, it looks like the replacement is a surcharge through the MBT. The Senate is back on Tuesday... we'll see what happens then.
• DetNews: Stem cell debate hits House panel. "I disagree with those who say embryonic stem cell research is not pro-life," said Jackson, 18, of Livonia. "This research represents the true pro-life position because it could save human lives and eliminate human suffering."
• BFM: Dems back on the ballot? Wizardkitten has the latest on the whole primary fiasco. You can read Tim Martin's AP story here.
• AP: State Senate votes to make lawmakers work longer for health care at 55. "Future lawmakers would have to work 14 years to get the same level of coverage at 55 that current lawmakers now get."
• The Conversation: Governor Granholm visits West Michigan. Sounds like a number of businesses in West Michigan are making efforts to support renewable energy.

• BFM: An unlikely pairing that's a winning combination for Michigan's workers and environment. It's time for Michigan to hop on this bandwagon: "The states that moved earliest most aggressively to establish renewable electricity standards have seen thousands of new jobs created already"
• AA Biz Review Op-Ed: Incubators aid evolution of community, business. "The start-up costs for equipment, research and management, are astounding. By supporting businesses in this sector, Ann Arbor SPARK is seeking to retain talented knowledge workers and diversify our local economy."
• AA Biz Review: MichBio Expo conference put focus on future. Nathan Bomey has a nice summary of last month's MichBio Expo in Lansing. It sounds like some exciting ideas came out of the conference... check it out.
• Oakland Biz Review: Oakland company's goal: debt-free Michiganders. More financial literacy programs like this could've helped prevent a lot of the foreclosures we're seeing nowadays.
• Oakland Biz Review: Conference to explore alternative energy opportunities. "The conference, the first in a statewide series planned by Detroit-based NextEnergy, will focus on the technologies of wind turbines, solar photovoltaic systems and advanced batteries, and energy storage systems for hybrid vehicles."

• DailyKos: DCCC to focus cash on challengers. The DCCC is flush with cash, and looking to dole the money out to challengers. I have a couple suggestions: Schauer, Peters.
• Michigan Messenger: Recall of Livingston County Republicans appears unlikely. It looks like Ward and Garcia might be off the hook.
• Michigan Messenger: Another recall attempt stymied. More bad news for the Pig Man out of Ogemaw County yesterday. The petitions to recall Rep. Joel Sheltrown failed their clarity hearing.

Say 'Thanks' to this Republican, he's earned it.

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 05:49:19 AM EDT

People are used to having the left fight the right and vice versa, and sometimes when those two sides get along, people become confused and forget what you're supposed to do when they aren't fighting.

This is one of those rare times where I would ask you to consider stepping away from the norm. I'm guessing that after you read this, you'll understand why.

We're in the middle of a constitutional crisis. We have to come together and make a compromise.

I'm going to pay a very heavy political price for doing this. But I feel some solace in knowing I'm doing the right thing.

Citing constituent opinion "3 to 1 against tax increase", Ward temporarily stepped aside from his leadership position within the House Republican Caucus because he joined ranks with Speaker Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp.) and Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit) in voting for this bill.

When asked what reasons within his own district spurred his decision, Ward cited public education.

My public schools are feeling a terrible crunch. Cost of public education is skyrocketing, as are retirement, health care costs, etc. Good public schools mean a lot to me.

I abhor taxes, but this is a fair way to do it with the least impact on state services. This is the first of many, many difficult votes necessary for this chamber to move on from this crisis. I find some solace in knowing I'm doing the right thing.

I commend Rep. Ward, and I would ask that each and everyone of you, regardless of whether or not you live in his district, would do the same. Positive reinforcement has a longer lasting impact than does the negative. While we always know that doing the right thing isn't always popular, we are much more cognizant of it when we actually witness it.

Thank Rep. Ward by email or by phone 517.373.1784.

An End in Sight?

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Sep 21, 2007 at 05:06:42 AM EDT

Republican Rep. Chris Ward of Brighton, so far the lone member of his caucus to vote with a majority of Democrats said that his fellow colleagues Judy Emmons of Sheridan and Dick Ball of Bennington Twp. would soon follow his lead.

It looks as if the Democrats will be wrapping up this day and night long vote quickly.

Friday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Fri Apr 06, 2007 at 08:10:55 AM EDT

• Conservative Media: Ward tries again with alleged campaign finance reform that targets Democrats
  Chris Ward is trying to resurrect a couple campaign finance reform laws that died last fall. The Comm Guru has the scoop.
• LSJ: Skubick: Here's what's ahead at Capitol
  There's nothing really new here, but this sentence caught my eye: "Senate GOP leader Mike Bishop has not ruled out a tax hike, but he's in no hurry to make a final deal. It's called a negotiating stance." Mike Bishop hasn't ruled out a tax hike? Huh? He's already signed a pledge with his BFF Grover Norquist to "vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes." Or was that just a "negotiating stance" too?
• Mr. Rogers: Rogers effectiveness and influence plunges
  According to Congress.org, Rogers fell from his spot as the 37th most powerful member of Congress to 274th. Ouch!
• No on Joe: Knollenberg Loses Power
  Hawaii Joe fell from 12th to 220th. Double ouch! You can see the full list here.
• Conservative Media: Senator again pits Detroit against the rest of the state as reason for opposing gas tax increase
  Nice commentary about the gas tax from the Comm Guru.
• MyDD: DNC Shuts Out Fox
  Good news: the DNC won't be giving Fox News its formal stamp of approval for one of the democratic presidential debates. Expect Fox to respond with a blistering attack on the DNC, like any fair-and-balanced network would do.
• State News: Icers to play for national title
  Go right through for M-S-U!

Ward tries again with alleged campaign finance reform that targets Democrats

by: kjbas58

Thu Apr 05, 2007 at 14:47:27 PM EDT

That's the position Chris Ward, R-Brighton, was in during the last Legislative session, but now that he's in the minority in the House he recently reintroduced three bills that died in the last session.

The Livingston County Daily Press & Argus reported Ward reintroduced proposals on campaign finance reform, moving school elections to November, and requiring an indication of U.S. citizenship on driver's licenses.

I reported last month on his discriminatory driver license bill, House Bill 4505.

The P & A said "Ward's bill, HB 4415, also limits the amount individuals can contribute to political action committees, a move he said would cut down on the influence of rich donors like Jon Stryker, a liberal philanthropist who spent millions on ads in last year's election."

Last summer, in fact two days before the House adjourned for the summer in June, Ward introduced the same bill, HB 6128. The bill was, basically, a show bill for the upcoming election in five months - if he actually did any campaigning, and the bill barely passed by five votes. It then went to the Senate where bills go to die, and that's exactly what happed. The Senate was controlled by Republicans then, and it, unfortunately, still is.

When the bill was introduced in June, it was clear it was aimed at just the Democrats. Rich Robinson, director of nonprofit watchdog Michigan Campaign Finance Network, said in June of 2006 that "one aspect of the proposals that made him hesitate was the way he said they favor the Republican Party. The GOP relies on wealthy individuals, he explained, and even though some limits are put on contributions from such people, they could still give unlimited amounts to any number of PACs."

I have not seen an analysis of the current proposed bill, but they look exactly the same.

But the most damming and entertaining indictment of the bill was the opinion column last summer by well-known and respected journalists Jack Lessenberry.