Meet The "Let Rapists Choose Their Baby's Mother" Gang! MI-07, MI-08, MI-09

by: Brainwrap

Sun Oct 03, 2010 at 12:27:42 PM EDT

4. MIKE ROGERS WANTS RAPE VICTIMS FORCED TO CARRY RAPISTS' OFFSPRING: The whole nation is abuzz about Alan Grayson's opponent, "Taliban Dan" Webster. Well, guess what? Republican Mike Rogers is also so extreme on abortion that he wants women who are the victims of rape to be forced to give birth to their rapist's offspring. I can't imagine the injustice of police detaining & supervising rape victims for 9 months until their rapists' spawn are born. Yet that is the necessary consequence of Mike Rogers' position.

LGBT Groups Announce Endorsements

by: JPowers155

Tue Jul 27, 2010 at 19:30:16 PM EDT

The three largest LGBT groups have announced their endorsements in advance of Michigan's August 3, 2010 primary.  These groups include Equality Michigan Pride PAC, the Michigan Democratic Party's LGBTA Caucus and the Lansing Association for Human Rights PAC.  

Guess who got the gubenatorial endorsement?

That would be Virg Bernero, which I'm sure will result in Brady etal telling us that this means the end of the world for the Bernero campaign.  Bernero is endorsed by EM-PAC & MDP LGBTA Caucus and got an Extremely Positive rating by LAHR PAC.

(Sure would be nice if both of the Democratic candidates were endorsed or highly rated. *sigh*)

For the full list of endorsements, I've uploaded the list for your viewing pleasure. It is provided courtesy of Between the Lines and will be printed in the July 29, 2010 edition.

What I find really interesting is the lack of endorsements (or really completion of questionnaires from candidates I thought would surely get one or who had one in the past like say Dan Scripps.  Any insights?

(Disclosure Statement:  From 2007 - 2009, I worked for Michigan Equality.  I have not been involved with the organization in over a year except as a volunteer.  I do, however, continue to be an outspoken ally and Chief Big Gay Party Thrower in the Lansing area.)

On Taming The Financial Beast, Or, Sausage Gets Made, You Get To Watch

by: fake consultant

Tue Jun 22, 2010 at 09:17:03 AM EDT

In this case, however, it's lobbyists that are spilling all over the landscape as the House and Senate attempt to merge their two visions of financial reform.

They're trying desperately to influence the outcome of the conference in which House and Senate negotiators have been engaged; this to craft the exact language of the reconciled legislation.

There's an additional element of drama hovering over the events as eight House members, including one of the most vocal of the Republican negotiators, face ethics questions related to this very bill.

The best part: if you're enough of a political geek, you can actually watch the events unfold, unedited and unfiltered, from the comfort of your very own computer.

So far, it's been amazing political theater, and if you follow along I'll tell you how you can get in on the fun, too.

Lame Duck ends with Big Losses and Small Victories

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Dec 19, 2008 at 12:35:11 PM EST

The State Legislature's Lame Duck session was beginning to sound like that annoying children's song "This is the Song that Never Ends", you know the one that never ends, just keeps going on and on and that parents and caregivers alike have all been tortured by at some point in their life?

It pretty accurately exemplifies how many legislative staffers, lobbyists, legislators and a blogger or two (wink, wink) felt after a 25+ hour session that just ended this morning just after 11am. According to one inside source, the scene this morning at the Capitol was filled with 'sleep-deprived lobbyists were running amok', and based on what I saw last night, I have no trouble imagining that. 

I was there from 8pm to midnight, and while it was great to see folks from my days entrenched on the House floor during last year's Budget Shutdown, four hours was plenty for me, and I can only imagine how miserable it was for everyone else stuck there the entire time. 

The night was filled with constant conference committees on individual bills, meetings between key lawmakers, and Governor Granholm was there meeting with both sides behind closed doors. 

Here's the most current tally I've been able to come across of major issues passed. If you know of something I've missed, please free to add it in the comments. The list starts below the fold...

Thanks from the 9th

by: Mike in MI

Thu Oct 16, 2008 at 22:47:18 PM EDT

More great news for the Peters campaign! - promoted by Eric B.)

Cross-posted from DailyKos

For the past several weeks I wrote diaries [on Daily Kos] imploring Kossacks to help us in the Michigan 9th to raise some funds for Gary Peters' campaign against GOP incumbent, Joe Knollenberg, through the fundraising contest held by People for the American Way's Voters' Alliance Progressive Champions campaign. To say that these diaries seemingly fell on blind eyes is an understatement. I mean, do you guys have any idea how lonely it feels to be the only one to comment in one's own diary? Nonetheless, I received the following email today, and it was quite gratifying:

MI-13: Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Does Not Deserve To Lose

by: RandySF

Mon Aug 04, 2008 at 23:00:16 PM EDT

In my last job before I moved from Michigan to California, I was a grant writer and capital budget analyst for a major transit agency in the Detroit area, and it was a difficult period for us. The bottom fell out of the national and state economy and funding was sometimes difficult to come by. Demand for transportation, on the other hand, did not decrease and we constantly felt the pinch of these two pressures.

Mission Not Accomplished - Caring for Our Veterans

by: Gary Peters

Fri May 02, 2008 at 11:11:08 AM EDT

Friends,

First, I’d like to begin by thanking all of you for your support. Because of contributions from people like you, our campaign has just been ranked in CQ’s list of the top ten best funded challengers in the country. The voters in Michigan’s 9th Congressional district are tired of the failed leadership they’ve gotten from my opponent, Congressman Joe Knollenberg, for the past sixteen years, and they’re eager for a real change in Washington.

As a former Lt. Commander in the Navy, I wanted to take a moment to write to you this week as we pass the fifth anniversary of one of the most shameful moments in recent American history. On May 1st, 2003, President George W. Bush landed on the USS Abraham Lincoln, in front of the now-infamous “Mission Accomplished” banner and said these words: “My fellow Americans, major combat operations in Iraq have ended. In the battle of Iraq, the United States and our allies have prevailed.”

More after the break. 

Oakland Press: Dems well positioned to retain House

by: Eric B.

Mon Feb 18, 2008 at 15:35:22 PM EST

I ran across this article yesterday, and can't seem to build enough thoughts around it for a coherent post.

But the 44 term-limited seats up for grabs are actually fewer than in other election cycles, says Bill Ballenger of Inside Michigan Politics.

Because there are 28 term-limited Republicans and 16 term-limited Democrats, and because the Democrats control the House, the odds of retaining control are with the Democrats.

And Law opting out of re-election and Farmington Hills Police Chief William Dwyer deciding against a run for Vagnozzi's seat help tip the balance toward the Democrats.

"Out of the Republicans, there are a lot more in swing or marginal districts than the Democrats," Ballenger said. "The Democrats have a better chance to pick up seats than the Republicans do to get control of the chamber back. All they have to do is hold on to what they've got."

At the local level, Democrats have been picking up county commission seats for the past couple of election cycles, an indication the county itself is trending more toward Democrats.

Speaking of things worth pointing out, Susan J. Demas gives us this pretty good read.  It's about Tim Walberg, and the loose talk in GOP circles to try to run against him in the primary.

The same debate is bobbing up in the 7th Congressional District. In the most overlooked story last week, some Michigan GOP poobahs are fishing for a candidate to knock off freshman U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in a primary.

Overlooked is an understatement.  It is shocking, nearly beyond description, that Republican Party insiders are openly talking about trying to primary out an incumbent.

By the way, who'd a thunk that the Scourge of the Blogosphere would herself launch a blog.  Strange times, indeed. 

Neo-cons out!

by: Loftlore

Thu Feb 07, 2008 at 11:31:13 AM EST

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!

Wednesday Night Live at the House

by: JPowers155

Wed Nov 28, 2007 at 20:40:00 PM EST

9:55 p.m. From an AP story covering the back and forth over the repeal of the service tax and the passing of the MBT surcharge,

Republicans say the tax increase should be temporary and end in 2011, though they made an offer Wednesday to end the tax in 2012 instead. But Democrats, including Gov. Jennifer Granholm, want it to be permanent because there was an agreement to make the tax on services permanent, and they say they don't want to plunge the state back into another budget crisis down the road.

The Senate Republicans really have a thing with the year 2011. You can call it playing hot potato, musical chairs, tag! your it!, whatever. But it's clear they want to make sure that the current batch of legislators won't have to deal directly with the consequences of the decisions they make today, whether it's cutting legislators' pay and benefits to plugging budget holes. They want to leave those until after the next round of Senate elections in 2010. How convenient. (~rich)

8:56 p.m. The House's work is done for the night. H-6 has been retransmitted (sent) to the Senate. The MBT/Dead Service Tax ball is back in Senator Bishop's court. (~rich)

-- 

The legislators are working late tonight. Let's take a quick look to see what they are up to:

8:47 p.m.  Looks like it's announcements from here on out.  Lots of committee cancellations.  Poor legislators, working so hard tonight they can't get up for a 10 a.m. meeting tomorrow.   The board said that there is no more voting tonight.

8:41 p.m.  Ok, so the House just passed H-6 which is the substitute for SB 5408.  (57 - 44)  More heckling in the background from the Republichildren who seem perturbed by the vote.

8:39 p.m.  H6 is up for a vote.  Guess who's yelling and acting like an idiot?  That would be the Republican'ts in the cheap seats.   

8:30 p.m. SB 799 passed 58-44.  Ding Dong, the CCC is gone. The Civilian Conservation Corps has been abolished by transferring the balance of the fund to the General Fund.

Senate Republicans stalling on Budget while state employees suffer

by: LiberalLucy

Fri Oct 26, 2007 at 13:56:03 PM EDT

House Democrats say they're ready to start moving budget bills now.

But Senate Republicans say votes won't occur until next week. That's because they want final agreement on sticking points before they pass other parts of the budget.

At what point do even the most right-wing of Michigan citizens throw up their hands and say enough is enough!?

And while Mikey primps for his next round of interviews with the press, state employees are continuing to feel the pain. This from the AP's Tim Martin -

As Michigan lawmakers work toward an agreement on a new spending plan, some state departments already are planning temporary layoffs and other cutbacks to make ends meet.

LiveBlogging - Michigan Government Shutdown

by: JPowers155

Sat Sep 29, 2007 at 15:59:18 PM EDT

5:30 a.m. Fearing the mighty Pingree, the House is now gone at ease until 8 a.m. Senate still in recess. Hail Michigania.

5:28 a.m. Governor-Generalissimo Hazen Pingree seizes control of the liveblog feed. 

4:48 a.m. Senate is back, SB 796 is given immediate effect, sent on to the Governor. Now back in recess. 

4:27 a.m. Senate back again, third time's the charm? Recessing briefly (probably some more arm-twisting before the vote). OK here we go.. 21-17 the conf committee report is adopted, but not given immediate effect. SB 419 is concurred in but also not given immediate effect. SB 420 concurred in, didn't try for a vote for immediate effect. SB 421 is concurred in, same. Recessed for now. 

4:06 a.m. Senate is back, trying again on 418. Everybody is looking tired, stumbling over words. It still doesn't pass, 18 yeses, 17 nos, 3 non-voting. Back to recess. (It's kinda interesting to see the senate stumbling now, after watching days of the house not managing to pass the income tax bill).

3:55 a.m. Now the House is standing at ease at the call of the chair.

3:37 a.m. Senate in brief recess, maybe to unsnarl itself. 

3:19 a.m. Now the Senate is back. SB 418 (info here) has the state employees piece removed, conf committee report adapted. This is a part of the public employee health pools package. But then reconsidered, and not adapted. ??? HB 5257 (fees for corps) passes easily. HB 5258 easily passes.

3 a.m. House roll call done. There are still guests in the gallery? Must be truly dedicated. Now voting on HB 4185, explanation here. Passes unanimously. SB 796 also passes with no dissent. SB 1 (explanation here) passes. None of these are tax bills. SB 419 (explanation here) is concurred in. SB 549 (explanation here) passes, this is a part of the public employee health pools package. Now considering HB 4800 (explanation here) , this is about pension double-dipping for govt employees. Changes concurred in. Now working on SB 632 (this is a series of bills on gov't efficiency), it passes easily. Now working on SB 395 (explanation here), also easily passes. And SB 396 (explanation here), also passed easily. They're moving through these bills like there's a government shutdown hanging over their heads or something. Now SB 397 (info here) passes. And SB 398 (info here) is being considered, and passes. Guess these folks want to go home tonight. That's all of that series. 

2 a.m. Twas the night before absolutely-positively-I-mean-it-this-time D-Day and all through the House, not a creature was stirring.. Ok, actually it looks like a few people are stirring. But no news. Something must be going to happen though, or the Senate and House would have cleared out already. Right? Bueller..?

1:39 a.m. All quiet on the western front. 

12:25 a.m.  Looks like the House is waiting for HB5194 to come to the floor.  Time for board (bored?) games!  How about Clue?  Or maybe Life?

12:12 a.m. Meow! Over in the Senate, Alan Sanborn is offended by fellow Republican Roger Kahn's prayer - he wanted to offer a "no vote" statement to it. Guess I shoulda paid closer attention, it even seems to have flummoxed Senator Thomas. Now recess at the call of the chair.

12:10 a.m.  In the House, it's Roll Call time.  The Board is mostly green with about a dozen legislators MIA.  Wonder where Agema is... oh wait, he's hunting wabbits.  Sheepy wabbits in Wussia. 

You Tell Us: What's going to take?

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Sep 27, 2007 at 11:38:20 AM EDT

Call it what you'd like - D-Day, Doomsday, Day of Reckoning, T-minus 1, you name it, but the question is - what is it going to take for our state leadership to get over this budget mess?  The Government has been wrangling with this issue for a long time. We keep hearing 'Shutdown' and it could start happening any minute. 

The Michigan Liberal Community is very unfortunately not representative of the majority of Michigan's citizens, because by your very presence here, you indicate that you are politically active. Most of the state is not, representative by both their lack of voting and knowledge about civics and government in general. 

So you tell us - 

1. What do you think it's going to take for the 10+ million citizens to stop the apathy and start the activism? 
2. What will it take for the government to avoid a shutdown? 
3. What's going to happen to you if the state government has to shut down? 

Use this blog and this forum as an additional means of making your voice heard. Be sure to keep emailing, calling and otherwise contacting your elected officials as this entire process continues.

Michigan Government Shutdown News

by: LiberalLucy

Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 16:32:53 PM EDT

Gov. Jennifer Granholm said she may have to start a partial state government shutdown by Friday.

If no deal is reached by Thursday solving the state's budget deficit, she said the state will have to start taking steps that would affect Detroit casinos, liquor sales, state parks, state welcome centers and a variety of services such as processing motor vehicle titles.

State programs that protect citizens' health and safety, such as state police patrols, will continue, she said.

"In the event the Legislature forces us into a partial government shutdown, it is our intention to continue the most vital services until a budget resolution is reached," Granholm said in a statement Wednesday. 

It was the governor's first public statement on what services may be shut down and which will be kept open if a shutdown occurs. She said that, if no agreement is reached by Thursday, a shutdown will have to be initiated on Friday.

Pig penned for illegal parking

by: LiberalLucy

Tue Sep 25, 2007 at 17:33:39 PM EDT

As some targeted House Democrats have already said once, "I'm not afraid of that pig!" Seems as if they aren't the only ones.

As Wilbur Mr. Perks becomes more and more exposed for the out-of-state hack he is, I have a feeling you'll see more and more pulled pork sandwiches around the Capitol, by Democrats and Republicans alike.

For whatever it's worth, I'm sure that if the Department of Agriculture were to inspect this pig, I'm sure you'd find a serious case of Hoof and Mouth Disease, or is that Foot-in-Mouth Disease?

Sooo-ey!

No Budget, No Pay?

by: LiberalLucy

Mon Sep 24, 2007 at 11:26:18 AM EDT

From the mailbag -

NO BUDGET, NO PAY FOR LANSING POLITICIANS

Dear Member,

Please send a strong signal to our state legislators that they can no longer delay action in resolving Michigan's unprecedented budget crisis, and take action by signing an online petition at: www.nopaypoliticians.com.

The petition calls on legislators' $79,650-a-year salary and benefits to be DOCKED if they do not pass a budget that invests in Michigan's citizens and our future by Oct 1. That means passing a budget that provides funding for police and fire protection, schools, health care, roads, protection for our precious Great Lakes and many other services.

In the real world, you only get paid when you do your job. The rules should be the same for our elected officials in Lansing. Send a message to your legislators and let them know citizens expect them to do their jobs - or lose their pay.

Sign the petition: www.nopaypoliticians.com

I ask all citizens to visit the website and sign the "No Budget, No Pay for Politicians" petition today," said Linda Teeter, Executive Director of Michigan Citizen Action.  "We need to send a message to the Legislature that they need to act as responsibly as the hard-working men and women of this state - and do the job that we elected them to do.  It is time for the Legislature to get their job done, or their pay should be docked."

And the House is Back...

by: JPowers155

Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 21:22:18 PM EDT

I'll be taking over House coverage for ML's Outreach Director, LiberalLucy.  (LL has severe kidney stones and is awaiting surgery. )

12:00 a.m.  The House is at ease until Monday @ 3:00 p.m.

11:58 p.m.  HB-5104 with Amendment A1.  Business tax accounting mumbo-jumbo.  Passed 108 - 0. 

11:45 p.m.  SB-511.  The Senate Gut & Slash State Government Bill.   Voted DOWN.  66 No.  44 Aye.  Will not advance to 3rd reading. 

11:42 p.m.  Record Roll Call Vote on advancing SB-237 to the 3rd reading.  School Aid.  Voted Down. 

11:37 p.m.  HB-5194 S-2 VOTED DOWN in 108 NO - 0 AYE.   

11:34 p.m.  HB 5194 just got sent back from the Senate with S-2.  Hang onto your hats.  This is where it's going to get hairy. 

11:04 p.m.  Dem Caucus.  And I quote "Caucus. NOW". 

10:53 p.m.  Zip.  But I hear that Leon and his PigBoys are roaming.  A bottle of BBQ sauce and a fork usually keeps them at bay. 

10:35 p.m.  Nada. 

10:18 p.m.  And still nothing.  House TV makes the House look like a bunch of ants running around.  Scurry!  

9:59 p.m.  SB-210.  More vehicle fees.  Zzzzzzzzzzz.  Passed 56-48 

9:54 p.m. SB-676 Transfer of restricted funds from Soo Locks to GF. Passed 85 - 19 

9:47 p.m.  SB-657 DNR Fund Transfer.   Passed 76 - 25 (I think.)

9:39 p.m.  SB-656 Distribution of Sales Tax Revenue from the Comprehensive Transportation Fund to the General Fund.  Passed 56 - 50. 

9:33 p.m.  SB-655 Campaign Finance Reform.   Passed 68 - 38.

9:18 p.m.  Voting on SB-211. Permits distribution of revenues from title and registration fees.  (Passed @ 9:23 p.m.  76 - 31)

9:09 p.m.  And nothing. 

9:07 p.m.  The House is back.

Recalls all Talk, New Piece Reveals

by: LiberalLucy

Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 19:29:37 PM EDT

Today they debuted a week-long featured called ' Budget Held Hostage' and I for one cannot wait for the next piece to come out.

Part One deals with a profile of the man with the Pig, Leon Drolet himself. It's definitely an interesting read. Adding to the mix is a most revealing article about the guy behind the recall petition of Democratic Rep. Mary Valentine of Muskegon. No surprise that there's very little action behind all that big talk. By the way, did I mention he's one of the crazies behind the infamous 'Catch an Illegal Immigrant Day'? Oh yeah, so much makes sense now, doesn't it?

Head over to read it, and then come on back here. While you're at it, turn on House TV to watch it for yourself.

Live from the Capitol

by: LiberalLucy

Sun Sep 23, 2007 at 18:59:29 PM EDT

Right now the House is going to be whipping through seven bills that merely extend the fees for various state services that would typically run out at the end of fiscal year on Oct. 1st.

These bills only extend the fees, they do not raise, lower, or anything else significant.

Stay tuned...