Friday Coffee Talk

by: BZP

Fri May 09, 2008 at 07:14:58 AM EDT

Happy Friday! Enjoy your cup-o-links...

• Conservative Media: Smoking ban passes Senate. The Comm Guru has more info on yesterday's big news out of the Senate.
• Skubick: Banning Cells and Text Messaging. Skubick explains why he thinks a ban on cell phone use while driving won't happen anytime soon (remember, it took ten years to get to this point with the smoking ban).
• House Dems: House Dems Blast Senate for Stalling on Ethics Reforms. "As state lawmakers, we should be held to the highest ethical standards," said Majority Floor Leader Steve Tobocman (D-Detroit). "The people of Michigan refuse to tolerate a culture of corruption. An overwhelming majority of the House respects our residents and responded over a year ago by strengthening our ethics policies. Its now time for the Senate to take action."

• BFM: United Solar Ovonic Announces Another Expansion. "Alternative energy is creating jobs, and Uni-Solar is living proof."

• Michigan Messenger: Bonior Endorses Obama. Todd Spencer on yesterday's news from the former Edwards campaign manager and Michigan congressman.
• Walberg Watch: Roll Call, Cook: MI-07 Is A Toss-Up. Fitzy has a follow-up on the story Eric wrote about yesterday.
• DetNews: House approves $15B foreclosure aid. Speaking of CD07 and CD09, yesterday Walberg voted against a House bill to send states $15 billion to buy and fix up foreclosed properties; Knollenberg voted yes. The bill passed 239-188.

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.

Gov. Pingree backs down

by: Hazen Pingree

Mon Jul 02, 2007 at 07:59:10 AM EDT

"I think it was very clear that the Senate was not willing to follow up on a vote like that this week, or maybe even next week, for a variety of reasons. I think regardless of what those reasons were it was incumbent on the Speaker to make sure we're protecting our members who are in competitive seats. I think he wisely said that he has to wait to pull the trigger when the time is right.

So, I follow the Speaker's logic on this. I believe that when this (a tax hike) comes out of the House, there has to be an almost immediate vote for it in the Senate. That wasn't going to happen this week and I think Speaker Dillon was right. As someone in our caucus said 'I don't want Leon DROLET's pink pig following me around in the 4th of July parade unless we're actually ready to get this out of both houses.'

This is a budget that doesn't absolutely have to be done until October, why vote for a tax increase at this time without knowing what the Senate will do with it? So for this particular moment I think the Speaker made a wise decision."

• Michigan desperately needs new revenues. Everyone not associated with Grover Norquist knows this. Voting for new revenues is the simply the right thing to do. 
• Schools and universities now have to plan not knowing whether their state funding will actually be there. Double-digit tuition hikes are already on the table. 
• Stalling gives Mike Bishop political cover and undercuts the governor's ability to bargain.
• Not sold? Okay, let's try self interest: further delays only make the pig man stronger. For instance, read this from last week's Gongwer:

  With him vehemently opposing a tax hike, the Legislature might have done former Rep. Leon Drolet a favor by not voting on one before recessing but in the same vein, putting themselves at a disadvantage.  If a tax vote had been taken, Mr. Drolet, now head of the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance, said his resources would likely have to be targeted at just two or three lawmakers because recall efforts will be expensive and donors so far have forked over $60,000. (emphasis added)