State of the State Live-Blog: The Puppet Master

by: LiberalLucy

Tue Jan 29, 2008 at 16:53:30 PM EST

Despite the fact that the Governor's State of the State address is still more than two hours away, a dark gloom was cast over the Capitol as Republican extremist Leon Drolet was seen slinking into House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche's office shortly after 4:30 this afternoon. I think this says it all...

StoptheRecall.org Website Up and Running

by: philgoblue

Mon Nov 19, 2007 at 10:02:06 AM EST

Michigan Recall Concerns

by: spontoni

Tue Oct 02, 2007 at 15:44:09 PM EDT

The following legislators were on the original list of people who Drolet pulled recall petitions on.

HOUSE

• District Type: Strong Republican
• HB5194 Vote:  NO
• HB5198 Vote:  NO
• Term:  2ND
  

• District Type: Lean Republican
• HB5194 Vote:  YES
• HB5198 Vote:  NO
• Term:  1ST

• District Type: Strong Democratic
  
• HB5194 Vote:  YES
  
• HB5198 Vote:  YES
  
• Term: 2nd
  

• District Type: Lean Republican
  
• HB5194 Vote:  YES
  
• HB5198 Vote:  NO
  
• Term: 2nd

Polidori, Gino (D), 15th District

• District Type: Lean Democratic
• HB5194 Vote:  YES
• HB5198 Vote:  YES
• Term:  2nd

Valentine, Mary (D), 91st District

• District Type: Swing
• HB5194 Vote:  YES
• HB5198 Vote:  YES
• Term:  1st 

SENATE

Anderson, Glenn (D), 6th District 

• District Type: Swing 
• 2010 Status: INCUMBENT 
• HB5194 Vote:  NO
• HB5198 Vote:  NO

• District Type: Strong Republican 
• 2010 Status: OPEN
• HB5194 Vote:  NO
• HS5198 Vote: YES

Olshove, Dennis (D), 9th District

• District Type: Lean Democratic 
• 2010 Status:  OPEN
• HB5194 Vote:  NO
• HB5198 Vote:  YES
  

• District Type: Swing 
• 2010 Status:  INCUMBENT
• HB5194 Vote: YES
• HB5198 Vote:  NO

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN?

Drolet's tactics had some effect on two of the targeted Representatives.  Richard Ball voted NO on both tax increases and so did Senator Glenn Anderson.  Both these will fall off Drolet's list of recalls.  It is most likely that if a recall occures, Corriveau, Gaffney, Valentine, Olshove, Van Woerkam and Garcia will be attacked most heavily.  With petitions being pulled in for the Speaker of the House's district, it would not be surprising if the Michigan Taxpayer's Alliance went after Senate Majority Leader Mark Schauer who voted for both bills. 

Dear Leon

by: TJarrell

Wed Sep 26, 2007 at 00:25:42 AM EDT

I understand that you have a different political belief than most of us here. That doesn't bother me. We need a balance of ideas for our government to work and make the world go around. What worries me is the kind of person you are. Why would you take the time to log onto a liberal blog and personally attack the governor? Why do you ever even leave your attack-filled comments here? The only purpose of them is for you to try to make the liberals angry. Do you do this out of immaturity or hate?

Don't come here attacking people, liberal or otherwise. If you must come here at least leave us some statistics about why the Republicans have it right and why the Democrats have it wrong. Leave a thoughtful post about how we spend too much and show us where you think we can make cuts.

The only thing your pig symbolizes is your juvenile comments and immature behavior.

I do not have problems with Republicans. Many of my friends are conservative. However, people like you and Jack Hoogendyk I just don't get. You seem so full of anger and hate with anyone with a different idea than you. It sounds miserable. Do you only find happiness in someone else's pain?

Take a walk in a park and enjoy life a little bit!

PS It is OK to be born in Vancouver and move to Michigan. Really, it is!

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.

What you can't see from HouseTV

by: LiberalLucy

Thu Sep 20, 2007 at 22:54:05 PM EDT

Here's a brief list while I wait for both parties to return from Caucus.

• Sen. Mickey Switalski (D-Roseville) and Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell) have both been present on the floor tonight talking with various members of each party's caucus.
• The Gallery is chock-full of lobbyists some wringing their hands, others typing a million miles a minute on their Blackberries.
• Leon Drolet is sucking off power and wireless Internet from the state with his laptop in gallery. Very few people have been seen with him, but Rep. John Garfield (R-2 Drinking While Driving) of Rochester Hills has been quite cozy with him. If Drolet ever bothers to follow the law and file his donations, you'll see quite a sizable chunk of change from the Terrible Toupee himself.
• The Lt. Governor, Budget Director and former Senate Democratic Leader Bob Emerson, and representatives from the Governor's office are all present.

Friday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Fri Sep 07, 2007 at 07:28:16 AM EDT

The ball is in Mike Bishop's court. Everyone else seems to understand that this state can't survive without new revenue...

• BFM: Legislature To Michigan: You Fix The Budget. Christine has the latest info on the budget stalemate.
• Journal Papers: Legislator not intimidated by recall threat. Here's what Rep. Corriveau (D-Northville) had to say about Drolet: "I?m going to do my job and I think its ridiculous that I?m being told what to do from some guy in Macomb County."
• Journal Papers Editorial: Setting the wheels in motion?right off track. On Drolet, the bully: "[Recall elections] can be an important part of the political landscape, but generally they?re just bad news?particularly when they?re used as a threat by a bunch of bullies, and that?s what happening here."
• Toledo Blade: Memo to Lansing. "The solution is simple, though it won't be either popular or painless. Michigan needs to raise taxes. The state's flat-rate income tax, set at 4.4 percent in 1994, has been gradually reduced to 3.9 percent. Restoring the half a percent would be minimally painful, and solve the state's long-standing deficit problem."
• Charles Ballard: State's economic struggles have little to do with taxes; budget can't be balanced without revenue increases. "The states with the lowest taxes are Alabama and South Dakota. If low taxes were the only thing that matters, then the entire U.S. economy would be located in these two states. In fact, plenty of economic activity happens outside Alabama and South Dakota, and this suggests that low taxes aren't the only thing."
• DFP: Legislators duck again on needed tax, budget fix. "The Rochester Republican and his caucus often argue that Democrats, who have the majority in the House, have not passed a tax increase. Yet Republicans have been just as unable to pass blood-on-the-floor cuts needed to balance the budget without more taxes. Booting the question to voters is an abdication of the duties lawmakers are elected to perform."
• Pam Byrnes: State has to invest in higher education. "Michigan can keep cutting taxes, cut spending on higher education and become a low-income state. Or we can restore tax rates to the same levels they were in the late 1990s, when our state was prosperous, invest in higher education, and become a high-income state. The answer seems clear to me."
• Blue Chips: CMU students sound off on GOP lawmakers' budget inaction. CMU students respond to John VanDeventer's call for videos from college students affected by Mike Bishop's tuition hike. Kudos to our own ScottyURB for helping to organize this. Go watch all four videos. Thanks for the hike, Mike!

• Observer & Eccentric: Bill would end Sunday alcohol sale ban. "State Sen. Gilda Jacobs, D-Huntington Woods, has introduced legislation that would allow the sale of alcohol on Sundays before noon, a practice currently prohibited in Michigan. A companion bill would provide an exemption to the provision that currently prohibits issuance a liquor license to a business within 500 feet of a church or school in downtown or business areas."
• Lessenberry: Term Limits. "I think the Founding Fathers did a good job setting up our form of government. They provided for a form of term limits. The only term limits that should be acceptable in a democracy. They are called elections."

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Wed Sep 05, 2007 at 07:38:41 AM EDT

Happy Hump Day! Lots of links this morning... enjoy!

• AP: Michigan governor signs law setting Jan. 15 presidential primary. The Governor did the right thing. Heck, even the folks in New Hampshire have come to the realization that our primary system is broken.
• AP: Senate approves changes aimed at saving school health costs. "Republicans hoped the measure, one of their key cost-saving proposals, would break the stalemate over higher taxes and prompt a response from Democrats who control the House. The GOP wants any tax increase proposal to originate in the House. The state faces a potential government shutdown if a deal is not reached." The countdown to chaos continues.
• K-Zoo Gazette: State work program gets good response. No Worker Left Behind is a hit. That's right... the same program Senate Republicans tried to cut funding for just two weeks ago.
• Muskegon Chronicle: Threats are a sorry substitute for governance. "Here in Michigan, our state faces a tsunami of fiscal hurt should the funding pool on which our state government operates be drained any further. Our universities, schools, cities, public safety and health care services would all be at risk if legislators who live in the real world and serve real people don't ignore the belligerent bluster of ideologues like Drolet and the government-haters."
• Ann Arbor News: Schools start off year with less money. "District cuts include limiting bus service, privatizing services, cutting teaching positions and increasing or instituting pay-to-play fees for athletics." Sorry kids, but this is what happens when Republicans refuse to raise the revenue that is necessary to fund education.
• D-News: School's back: Readin' and writin' and belt-tightenin'. A similar article from the News. Here's what UM economist Paul Courant has to say: "The ability to fund education is crucial to the state's future to the extent that the economic problems hinder our ability to produce a work force that can compete in the global economy." Got that? Poorly funded schools = slower economic recovery. It's a simple equation.
• Ann Arbor News: Paying tuition a battle EMU students to pay 8% more this semester. "It's difficult to put anything back into the economy when you graduate, because you're so focused on paying off your loans." Thanks for the hike, Mike!

• Among the Trees: Sequestration a load of hoo-hah? Does sequestering carbon underground amount to simply sweeping the problem under the carpet? Eric's not the only one who thinks so.
• Bay City Times: Environmental Film Festival highlights problems on Great Lakes while seeking ideas to solve them. This sounds like a really cool idea: "The films should focus on the Great Lakes region and address what people can do to help the environment. It can be a documentary, a cartoon, even a music video, as long as it gets the message across. Films, in DVD format, are due Dec. 15 and will be judged by a panel of local community leaders."
• DEQ: Michigan Air Quality. There's an Ozone alert for Grand Rapids and Ludington today. The DEQ says to "Make clean air choices. Defer using gas-powered engines. Walk, bike, carpool or use mass transit if possible. Link errands into one trip. Conserve energy."
• Great Lakes Guy: Ohio Gov. Strickland Unveils "Advanced" Energy Strategy. "Ohio Governor Ted Strickland earlier this week unveiled an 8-point strategic initiative to diversify his state's energy portfolio with renewable power, generate tens of thousands of jobs, and modernize Ohio's economy for the 21st century." Gee, wouldn't it be nice if we could get this done here in Michigan? Sen. Barcia's RPS legislation is still languishing in the Michigan Senate.

Drolet's intimidation attempt is bringing the political parties together

by: kjbas58

Tue Aug 28, 2007 at 09:50:45 AM EDT

Drolet is a former Republican state Representative, current Macomb County Commissioner and executive director of something called the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance (MTA). He has been in the news for months trying to intimidate lawmakers from voting to keep the state government going and avoid even spending further cuts with the upcoming budget facing a $1.8 million projected deficit.

According to the AP and others news sources, Drolet began filing paperwork to recall state lawmakers who may vote for tax increases, including Speaker of the House Andy Dillon, D-Redford; Marc Corriveau, D-Northville; Mary Valentine, D-Muskegon; Gino Polidori, D-Dearborn; Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms and Richard Ball, R-Laingsburg. The Senate members are Glenn Anderson, D-Westland; Dennis Olshove, D-Warren; Gerald Van Woerkom, R-Norton Shores and Valde Garcia, R-Howell.

Drolet said anti-tax organizers on Monday filed or intended to file with local clerks nine statements of organization setting up potential recall efforts, with another one against Garcia to come later this week. The moves will take care of paperwork so recall language can be proposed quickly if lawmakers vote to raise taxes, Drolet said.

Garcia, a conservative Republican from my hometown, said he's researching the legality of how the paperwork for his potential recall was filed. "It's an attempt to intimidate state legislators into not voting for a tax increase," he said.

I agree, and I'm also very curious to see how he will try and pull this off. In my 12 years as a reporter I have seen a few attempted recalls of local elected officials, including a successful one - the only one I have ever seen - against the township supervisor in Hartland Township. Most never get past the petition stage if they get their recall language approved by the local election commission. It should be very difficult to launch a recall, and it should only be used if they are abusing their office or have committed a crime, not for a decision you don't like. But I have never, ever seen a preemptive recall, or a recall for something that has not yet happened.

I'm also in the dark on how this intimidation campaign by Drolet and the MTA is not against Michigan campaign finance law.

The MTA claims it's "a true alliance in that its members are dedicated to stopping the state from increasing taxes from any segment of Michigan citizens. The MTA is a federally registered 501(c)4 organization dedicated to taxpayer education and advocacy for reduced state spending and a reduced overall tax burden."

It seems to me meddling in state elections and overturning the will of the voters goes well beyond the scope of "taxpayer education and advocacy." They are also taking monetary donations on their web site, and they are not listed as a Political Action Committee (PAC) or a ballot committee, and they are clearly playing both roles. I'm sure one of Drolet's flunkies will set me straight, but it does not pass the smell test. It's just one more attempt, just like the deceptive named Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, for outsiders to come in and meddle in Michigan politics and elections.

The only good to come out of this is Drolet is truly bringing both sides of the political spectrum together to condemn him for what he really is, a bully and a wacko. I hope he does attempt his recalls. I don't see eye-to-eye on much with Garcia, but he's a nice guy. If he does the right thing and votes to invest in Michigan's future I look forward to helping him fight off this ridiculous recall.

Fellow Republican and Macomb County resident Rep. Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township, even thinks Drolet is a wacko. But veteran journalist Jack Lessenberry had the best take on both the budget situation and on Drolet.

"Do we want to build a future for Michigan?
If so, we need to support our legislature by raising taxes in the most sane and sensible way possible. There is no other choice."

"Our lawmakers indirectly taxed poor young people who are trying to improve themselves. That's partly because they fear a guy named Leon Drolet, who travels around with a pink fiberglass pig and threatens to recall any lawmaker who votes to raise taxes. Drolet, by the way is a taxpayer-funded government employee."

Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Wed Aug 01, 2007 at 07:11:31 AM EDT

Okay, I'll play along with the new format.

On the Budget Battlefront

• BFM: The wrath of Rick Albin. If it's anything like the Wrath of Khan, I'd suggest staying away. Of course, that's the problem: "But this month they'll have more time than normal to work in their local communities because the Democratic-controlled House and the Republican-controlled Senate are only scheduled to meet five times in the next five weeks -- one day a week through the end of August."
• MDP: Brewer Calls on Drolet to Sign Petition to Surrender Free Lifetime Health Care. "Mr. Perks certainly seems to have a sweet spot in his belly for Leon Drolet," Brewer said. "This is a man whose has made a living off our taxpayers for years. I challenge Drolet to change is ways and give back to the taxpayers who have been supporting him for years."
• BFM: Wrong Michigan Feeds Distortion To MIRS. Christine calls BS on Right Michigan's most recent smear campaign against the governor.
• K-Zoo Gazette: WMU trustees approve 2007-08 budget. "After visiting Lansing recently, [President John] Dunn said he believes legislators 'understand there is an ethical responsibility there and we continue to think of that as a team effort, us working with them, them working with us.'" A group of students respectfully disagree.

Current & Pending Legislation

• LSJ Editorial: No reason: Loosen absentee rules in Michigan so someone will vote. "[Lansing City Clerk Chris] Swope says if HB 4080 became law, he would expect the number of people voting absentee to double." Interestingly enough, Rep. Chris Ward has done a complete flip-flop on this issue. The Comm Guru has details.
• WXYZ: Smoking Ban. "Michigan should join 32 other states in making its citizens healthier and its restaurants more family friendly. The rights of smokers must not supersede the health of those who do not smoke. According to the American Cancer and Lung Associations, second hand smoke causes roughly 35-thousand deaths every year."
• Far Left Field: RATS!! The left fielder has a similar reaction to recent legislation introduced by senate republicans: "State Senator Nancy Cassis (R-Scab) has introduced both "Right to work" (for less) legislation and a bill that would eliminate the earned income tax credit that Michigan's poorest families receive; families with two or more children who earn less than $36,348 a year would be eligible for a credit up to $4,536. Workers with no children and who earn less than $12,120 could get a credit of up to $412."
• State Action Blog: North Carolina: first Southeastern state to require renewable energy production? First they beat us to the punch on same-day voter registration... now renewable energy? Come on, Michigan! Let's get with it!

On the Environment

• Lessenberry: To Dig or Not to Dig. Jack poses a few questions about the DEQ's recent decision to move forward with the Kennecott mine: "What does the state of Michigan get out of it? Yes, I know a few blokes will get jobs for a few years. Naturally, we don’t even know if local people will be hired or not. But what do we the people get?"
• [con]serving Michigan: A 4-3 Michigan Supreme Court Decision Takes Away Citizen's Rights on the Environment. It sounds like the environmental community is ready to take on the Supreme Court head-on next year: "Environmental organizations are hammering out plans to change the make-up of the court by replacing it with judges who will use the Michigan Constitution to establish truth and fairness for all people. This will take an all out effort to get people to the polls in 2008 who will vote to elect a panel of judges committed to serving the people of Michigan rather than the corporate interests in the State."

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...

Today in Subtle Racism; or, Through the Looking Glass

by: joan

Tue Jun 12, 2007 at 16:36:09 PM EDT

The former chair of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative, Leon Drolet, was appointed to chair the Michigan Advisory Committee to the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights - a move that has left civil rights groups across the state stunned and furious.

The advisory committee chair post is arguably the most influential position on civil rights in the state. The committee, under that person's leadership, investigates complaints of civil rights infractions and reports findings to the national level.

Drolet, along with Jennifer Gratz and Ward Connerly, led the successful drive to repeal race and sex-based affirmative action in Michigan through Proposal 2006-02.

What to do in the event of a recall war

by: Hazen Pingree

Thu May 24, 2007 at 17:13:42 PM EDT

Bishop did not say what tax plan he might accept as part of the solution. Asked whether he would prefer a sales tax on services or an income tax increase, Bishop said he didn't find either palatable.

"They both activate the gag reflex," he said.

-Associated Press, 5/23/07