In case you forgot, there are only nine days for House Speaker Johnson to come up with a plan to fund the government that will be approved by a Democratic controlled senate and signed by President Biden. If not, the government will go into shut down mode, heading into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. How will that affect Black Friday?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our illustrious state legislature early this morning passed financial disclosure laws to meet the requirements of the Proposal 1 ballot amendment that was passed by nearly 67% of the voters last November. The legislation they passed has as much teeth as a newborn baby.
It was not surprising, the new legislators wanted a much stronger bill, but the old guard, who benefitted from the lack of transparency, prevailed. This legislation is an affront to the 67% of Michigan citizens who voted to approve Proposal 1. I wish Governor Whitmer would have the fortitude to veto the legislation and send it back to be strengthened and reflect the will of the people. See my Onion of the Day.
Here are some of the comments I have read today about the legislation. They are my Quotes of the Day.
Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, said the bills were a “mockery” of what voters in Michigan wanted. “We want better government. We want transparency. I think that’s what people want.”
“It took a ballot initiative supported by 65% of voters to get this town to do the bare minimum,” But Rep. Bill G. Schuette, R-Midland
“This is a different world than it was a year ago, we have different term limits, we have people who really have to walk the walk here,” freshman Rep. Carrie Rheingans, an Ann Arbor Democrat who voted no on the Legislation.
“I do not consent to bare minimum,” Rep. Betsy Coffia, a Traverse City Democrat who lives in a highly competitive district, withheld her vote on the legislation Thursday, saying she wanted changes to the transparency policy that “close loopholes in the frankly bare minimum Senate bills.”
“I think those amendments would have really strengthened the bills and it’s unfortunate that they were not included in the final legislation. I think there were amendments out there that would have moved a good number of members to a yes.”
Rep. Erin Byrnes, D-Dearborn, had proposed an amendment Thursday that would have subjected gifts and travel over $1,000 from non-lobbyists to disclosure, closing the loophole many lawmakers pointed to on the House floor Thursday. The amendment was defeated.
“Anyone can still be like Lee today under our lax transparency and ethics laws…There are bad habits in this town that need to be broken as Proposal 1 intended.” Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles, criticized the legislation’s lack of changes to what travel and gifts need to be reported, noting it only maintains current state law that’s been exploited by past lawmakers. He pointed to his interactions with former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, who has been under investigation related in part to his use of a nonprofit fund with secret donors to finance extensive travel expenses.
“Michigan makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, with regard to transparency. We can’t force legislators to be more ethical under state law, nor will we really want to force it, but we can put structures in place to increase the likelihood that ethical behavior is upheld and maintained for true transparency.” said Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles
“Just as NASCAR drivers proudly display their sponsors, legislators should embrace full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest,” Transparency should be our badge of honor.” Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, said in a statement. “
Both current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and former Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, now a Republican senator from Holly, have said the plan leaves open too many loopholes. Benson told lawmakers during the committee process the bills lack stiff penalties and enforcement options necessary to ensure compliance, saying “there’s a lot more we need to do in order to truly make real the will of the voters.”
Feel free to share my blog. To receive it in an email, please see the subscribe button below the Video of the Day.
Quote of the Day: See above.
Orchid of the Day: Not in the mood after what the state legislature did regarding transparency.
Onion of the Day: Michigan state legislature.Clearly, they are not working for us.
Question of the Day: What is the likelihood of Governor Whitmer vetoing the proposed transparency legislation?
Image/Video of the Day: Sunset tonight from my living room
In case you forgot, there are only nine days for House Speaker Johnson to come up with a plan to fund the government that will be approved by a Democratic controlled senate and signed by President Biden. If not, the government will go into shut down mode, heading into the Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday season. How will that affect Black Friday?
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Our illustrious state legislature early this morning passed financial disclosure laws to meet the requirements of the Proposal 1 ballot amendment that was passed by nearly 67% of the voters last November. The legislation they passed has as much teeth as a newborn baby.
It was not surprising, the new legislators wanted a much stronger bill, but the old guard, who benefitted from the lack of transparency, prevailed. This legislation is an affront to the 67% of Michigan citizens who voted to approve Proposal 1. I wish Governor Whitmer would have the fortitude to veto the legislation and send it back to be strengthened and reflect the will of the people. See my Onion of the Day.
Here are some of the comments I have read today about the legislation. They are my Quotes of the Day.
Rep. Dylan Wegela, D-Garden City, said the bills were a “mockery” of what voters in Michigan wanted. “We want better government. We want transparency. I think that’s what people want.”
“It took a ballot initiative supported by 65% of voters to get this town to do the bare minimum,” But Rep. Bill G. Schuette, R-Midland
“This is a different world than it was a year ago, we have different term limits, we have people who really have to walk the walk here,” freshman Rep. Carrie Rheingans, an Ann Arbor Democrat who voted no on the Legislation.
“I do not consent to bare minimum,” Rep. Betsy Coffia, a Traverse City Democrat who lives in a highly competitive district, withheld her vote on the legislation Thursday, saying she wanted changes to the transparency policy that “close loopholes in the frankly bare minimum Senate bills.”
“I think those amendments would have really strengthened the bills and it’s unfortunate that they were not included in the final legislation. I think there were amendments out there that would have moved a good number of members to a yes.”
Rep. Erin Byrnes, D-Dearborn, had proposed an amendment Thursday that would have subjected gifts and travel over $1,000 from non-lobbyists to disclosure, closing the loophole many lawmakers pointed to on the House floor Thursday. The amendment was defeated.
“Anyone can still be like Lee today under our lax transparency and ethics laws…There are bad habits in this town that need to be broken as Proposal 1 intended.” Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles, criticized the legislation’s lack of changes to what travel and gifts need to be reported, noting it only maintains current state law that’s been exploited by past lawmakers. He pointed to his interactions with former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering, who has been under investigation related in part to his use of a nonprofit fund with secret donors to finance extensive travel expenses.
“Michigan makes headlines for all the wrong reasons, with regard to transparency. We can’t force legislators to be more ethical under state law, nor will we really want to force it, but we can put structures in place to increase the likelihood that ethical behavior is upheld and maintained for true transparency.” said Rep. Brad Paquette, R-Niles
“Just as NASCAR drivers proudly display their sponsors, legislators should embrace full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest,” Transparency should be our badge of honor.” Rep. Jaime Greene, R-Richmond, said in a statement. “
Both current Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and former Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, now a Republican senator from Holly, have said the plan leaves open too many loopholes. Benson told lawmakers during the committee process the bills lack stiff penalties and enforcement options necessary to ensure compliance, saying “there’s a lot more we need to do in order to truly make real the will of the voters.”
Feel free to share my blog. To receive it in an email, please see the subscribe button below the Video of the Day.
Quote of the Day: See above.
Orchid of the Day: Not in the mood after what the state legislature did regarding transparency.
Onion of the Day: Michigan state legislature.Clearly, they are not working for us.
Question of the Day: What is the likelihood of Governor Whitmer vetoing the proposed transparency legislation?
Image/Video of the Day: Sunset tonight from my living room
