My Dinner with Stabenow, Dillon, Bernero, and more!

by: Butch Snider

Fri Mar 05, 2010 at 23:47:00 PM EST

What if you threw a campaign and no one came?

by: LiberalLucy

Sun Feb 28, 2010 at 17:52:13 PM EST

As we heard on Friday, House Speaker Andy Dillon told the world that he would be announcing his official run for governor today on Sunday with a state-wide tour with several stops around the state, including Saginaw. 

Just a couple hours ago, MLive ran with a story that 'technical difficulties' prevented Mr. Dillon from holding his appearance in Saginaw. What technology?? Unless he had a laser show planned, technology never has a place in a campaign stop.

Not only that, but rumors from folks on the ground in the area are pretty conclusive that the only thing lacking was the actual supporters to provide the camera-ready backdrop for the media despite multiple attempts to shore up support by senior staff. 

Even more interesting is who did meet with Dillon on an earlier date.

According to sources, Dillon met with an 'unknown entity' in Midland on Feb. 15th, the same day he was trying to meet with local Democratic party officials in Saginaw. 

Given Dillon's conservative politics of the last 5 years, the odds are pretty good that he was having a close door meeting with the extreme-right minds of the Mackinac Center.

While it's pure speculation at this point, it's not too much of a stretch, particularly when you consider the politics of both parties, as well the lack of berating by the Center of Dillon as of late. Say what you will, but given Mackinac's love of beating up Democrats, they've been awfully quiet when it comes to the Speaker. 

At the end of the day, the Mackinac Center maybe the best Dillon can get. After a long reign of vehemently anti-labor, anti-environmental, anti-stem cell, anti-everything progressive, Dillon is the Democratic proverbial wolf in sheep's clothing at best.

Perhaps the only 'technical difficulities' Dillon's campaign had in Saginaw was getting the Right folks out. 

New Poll: Little Support for Dillon Plan

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Dec 17, 2009 at 09:29:42 AM EST

You probably remember the bomb that Speaker Andy Dillon dropped earlier this year with talk of consolidating the benefits for over 400,000 public employees including emergency personnel, public school employees, and current and retired state employees, in the form of House Bill 5345.

The East Lansing-based polling firm EPIC-MRA ran a poll regardless, and released the staggering results earlier this week. Only 22% of those surveyed would support such a measure if enacted. 

This is in addition to an additional poll that MRG came out with in September showing virtually the same thing - opposition was strong at 57 percent to 37 percent, and within that, 72 percent of GOP voters opposed the bill. (Which is further interesting, particularly if rampant rumors of a possible Dillon gubernatorial run as an independent.)

According to Roger Martin, speaking for the group Citizens for Accountability in Reform, hearings in the state House on HB 5345 have stalled and key witnesses have been not been allowed to testify.

“House Bill 5345 is viewed as bad and risky public policy by Michigan voters, and legislators who support it will find it to be toxic in 2010 and beyond,” said Roger Martin, spokesman for Citizens for Accountability in Reform, a growing coalition representing taxpayers, police, firefighters, teachers, insurance companies and others who are concerned House Bill 5345 doesn’t provide the reform it promises at a price taxpayers can afford.

Martin noted that a House committee holding hearings on the bill has announced that today’s scheduled hearing will be the last for possibly months, even though 10 more bills were introduced late last week to implement the $4 billion to $5 billion state government health plan.

“With an election year just around the corner, given Michigan voters’ overwhelming opposition to this legislation, it’s no wonder the committee doesn’t want to hold more hearings,” Martin said. “During the hearings over the past two months, so many witnesses have either voiced opposition or raised serious concerns, opposition to the legislation among voters has skyrocketed.”

My Op-Ed and More on the Dillon Plan

by: John Freeman

Mon Jul 27, 2009 at 14:31:43 PM EDT

Cross-posted at JohnFreeman.org

This morning, my op-ed on Andy Dillon’s health care proposal appeared in the LSJ. I’ve pasted it below. But I would like to add a few things.

There’s a reason that you see some Republicans, like Mike Cox and Mike Bishop, supporting Dillon’s plan. The plan is a retread of a proposal by Michigan Senate Republicans in 2005. The Free Press points out that Senate Democrats were vocally opposed to it. They were right to do so. The plan was bad for Michigan then, and it’s bad for Michigan now.

MichLib's Eric B. is point-on when he says this plan is “building a future based on making things worse for people.” A future constructed by winning a race to the bottom is no future at all. This is true not only of benefits for teachers, but for the economy in general. There are some who say that in order to compete for business, we’ve got to slash benefits, cut back on environmental protections, reduce wages, and scale back regulations. That’s an outdated way of thinking.

The number one thing businesses look for is a high quality-of-life -- that means world-class schools with great teachers, a 21st century infrastructure, pristine natural resources, and affordable high-quality healthcare. If we really want to transform Michigan, making sure we have a high quality of life is the way to do it. The Dillon plan will do nothing to make it happen.

Here’s my editorial from the LSJ:
 

Dillon's Health Plan: Devastating for Michigan's Public Service Employees

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Jul 16, 2009 at 08:01:00 AM EDT

Truer words were never spoken (via the Freep):

House Speaker Andy Dillon dropped a policy bomb Wednesday on Lansing to cut the cost of public employee health care and help the state address a whopping $1.7-billion deficit.

'Bomb' about sums it up. Dillon's plan may sound good, but once you get past the sparkle and glamor of the term 'statewide health plan' it's apparent that this just another case of robbing Peter to pay Paul, or is it robbing Peter to help Andy get elected? *cough, cough*

Regardless, Dillon announced his plan yesterday with a full court press, pulling out the stops in the usual fanfare that we've all come to expect. The fact that some of the state's largest unions were barred from the press conference and had to wait to find out from the media themselves after the conference, is if nothing else, disconcerting.

Under Dillon's plan, public service employees, everyone from teachers to firefighters to police officers, to legislators and even the Governor, and their retirees, all told more than 400,000, would be swept into one massive health plan. He claims that it would save the state $900 million.

Well that sounds all fine and dandy, except when you consider that a move like this would essentially neuter any of these groups, particularly the unions, from being able to effectively engage in collective bargaining, a backbone that has ensured fair pay and labor practices, all things that these deserving folks might normally be blocked from. 

Also worth mentioning are the very strange bedfellows of the plan. Starting with the Michigan Association of School Boards (MASB) who's clashed with the teachers unions more than once, and ending with the very guy who tried to recall Dillon not that long ago - Leon Drolet.

Dillon advocates legislative pay/benefits cuts, but will we actually get it?

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Jan 15, 2009 at 14:15:34 PM EST

It's easy to want to beat up on Speaker Andy Dillon on the blogs. Personally I like the man, quite a bit actually. But the bane of many politicians and politicos is that you can like the person and but not their policies. Hence, this has often been the case of Liberal Lucy and Speaker Dillon. 

Fortunately for both he and I, yesterday's remarks at the opening of the 95th Legislative Session, proves that was not at all the case. 

Eric mentioned one of the points of Dillon's speech - the major debate over state property taxes, but for me, a couple of the other points mentioned really caught my attention. 

For one, the cutting of legislative pay and benefits. From Chris Christoff at the Freep:

In remarks after he was elected to a second term as speaker, Dillon also said a streamlined state government must do more to help people facing job losses, home foreclosures and mediocre schools.

"If we are going to ask others to sacrifice, we must lead by example," Dillon said in remarks to the 95th House, where 46 of 110 members are new.

As with anything, there's a catch, but it leads up to an interesting debate...

Battle of the Bloggers on 'Off the Record'

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Apr 25, 2008 at 15:25:57 PM EDT

The fur flies in the third Blogger's Edition of WKAR's Off the Record, with Senior Capitol Correspondent, Tim 'The Skoob' Skubick.

While the main topic discussed is the McCain v. Clinton/Obama race, the recalls of Speaker Andy Dillon and the 2010 gubernatorial race are also talked about. Things get quite heated between our own Emptywheel (Marcy Wheeler), Nick DeLeuuw of RightMichigan.com and Emily Zanotti of AmericanPrincessBlog.com and myself. 

You can watch online, download the pod cast, or check their website and figure out when it will be airing on TV in part of the state.  

Live from the Capitol

by: LiberalLucy

Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 17:58:31 PM EST

Greetings from the State Capitol located in beautiful downtown Lansing!

7:35pm - Be sure to check out the diaries with the transcripts of the address on the MichLib main page.  

7:03pm - The Governor and First Gentleman have entered the House. Lots and lots of clapping, pomp and circumstance, and due credit for the Governor. All of which she deserves, clearly! 

6:22pm - The official procession has begun, with Lt. Governor John Cherry leading the House and Senate are filing in and are joined by their guests, along with the State Supreme Court and various state officials including the Secretary of State and the Attorney General. 

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 

I'm here with hundreds and hundreds others as we eagerly await the Governor's annual State of the State. For those of you opting to watch via the Intertube vs. TV, you can watch along here at MGTV.

As for now, the legislators are starting to file in, and the official procession will begin exactly at 6:30, with the speech to commence at 7pm. Stay tuned!

State of the State Live-Blog from the Capitol

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Jan 25, 2008 at 15:02:36 PM EST

It's that time of year again. Time for all of Lansing to gather together on the floor of the State House of Representatives and hear what Governor Jennifer Granholm has to say about the state's accomplishments in 2007 and where we're headed in 2008.

Many of you joined us last year for our State of the State open thread, and it's our hope that everyone will come back next Tuesday. as apparently I'm glutton for punishment because I'll be joining the fray again as an official credentialed member of the press and live-blogging from the Capitol. 

The Governor's laid out some hints at what she'll be talking about, and given the craziness that was 2007, expectations are high that anything could go.

What do you think she'll be discussing? What do you want her to address?

On the flip side -

Senate Majority Obstructionist Mike Bishop (R-Lifetime supply of hair gel) won't pass up an opportunity to face the cameras after her speech and I'm sure the yappy House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche (R-Still Irrelevant) has already started preening for his airtime.

Who will the Senate Republicans sacrifice for their official response? Last year Sen. Tom "Milk Toast" George wore the deer-in-headlights look very well, but I doubt that we'll see him again. Personally I'm hoping for Sen. Michelle McManus (R-We're not in Kansas anymore Toto) because if nothing else, it'd make for some entertaining TV, but they are unlikely to put a woman up there to follow Granholm.

You decide - take the poll below and if your candidate for the Republican Response isn't listed, add yours!

House Speaker Andy Dillon or Andy Didn't?

by: SoberOakland

Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 10:03:44 AM EDT

Unfortunately, so far this year Andy Dillon has looked more like Andy Didn't.

(Detroit News photo)

Back on February 6, 2007, Andy Dillon said he would help Governor Granholm to tackle Michigan's challenges head on and move quickly:

"Democrats in the House and the Governor are committed to tackling Michigan's challenges head on," Dillon said. "Tonight, the Governor shared some bold ideas for how we can act today for a stronger tomorrow. The House is ready act quickly to move Michigan in a positive new direction."

Andy Didn't.

[more after jump]

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.  

Will all of our "friends" vote to invest in Michigan's future or will they chicken out?

by: Lamar-T

Wed May 23, 2007 at 12:11:39 PM EDT

A few friends and I were talking and they said that there were a few Democrats in the House who probably won't vote to increase revenues because they're afraid of big bad repuglicans labeling them as a tax hiker.  How can this be true?  When Speaker Dillon brings a revenue enhancement before the House of Representatives will they actually vote to invest in Michigan or will they chicken out and run away from our future?

Free Press Needs Front Page Retraction on House Dems Article

by: Gus

Wed Apr 11, 2007 at 11:55:44 AM EDT

Well it seems time for the Detroit Free Press to print another front page retraction of their shoddy reporting. 

Right-wing media goon Dawson Bell has done a hit job on Speaker Andy Dillon and the House Dems. Bell repeatedly reports as fact that the House Dems have a $38 million ipod proposal. But in truth, they never did.

As reported by Wizard Kitten yesterday, Rick Albin states "In reality, there was never a plan to buy all students iPods."

In MIRS today, House Education Committee Chair Tim Melton strongly critized Detroit News Conservative Editor Finley for  "Ludicrous, completely off the mark and irresponsible journalism." Melton also says "It's absurd to even think that we proposed an iPod for every school child.. It was blown out of proportion?" I am guessing his criticism can be applied to the root of the hitjob as well, Dawson Bell.

It even appears that Rep. Gillard was trying to make this point in the Free Press hitjob when he says the media has "focused too narrowly on the iPod." But Dawson does not even let him have a full sentence before continuing to slam giving ipods to everyone.

I am irate that Dawson Bell is getting away with this bullshit. The Free Press needs a retraction now. Or do they only give retractions to billionaire republicans?

Tonight: Meet Up with House Leadership

by: LiberalLucy

Wed Feb 07, 2007 at 14:10:07 PM EST