Mauger Takes Over Michigan Campaign Finance Network

Craig Mauger

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Craig Mauger is leaving MIRS to head the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

According to Interlochen Public Radio:

"A group that monitors the flow of money in Michigan politics has a new leader. Rich Robinson, former head of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, has announced that Lansing reporter Craig Mauger is succeeding him.

Mauger has been a reporter with the Michigan Information and Research Service since 2012.
Rich Robinson led the Michigan Campaign Finance Network for 15 years.

Robinson spoke with IPR News Radio's David Cassleman about the current state of campaign finance regulation in Michigan.

"We're in a process, much like the federal process, of deregulating campaign finance to a pretty significant degree," says Robinson."

Another notable change? MLive political reporter  Jonathan Oosting has been scooped up by The Detroit News.

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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NEW LOW? Senate Dems Fundraise Off Flint Tragedy

Senate Dem Leader Jim Ananich

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Michigan Senate Dems have decided fundraising off the Flint tragedy is a good idea...

According to Chad Livengood of the Detroit News:

"Without mentioning Flint by name, Michigan Senate Democrats are clearly trying to raise campaign cash tonight from this crisis consuming the beleaguered city of Flint and Republican Governor Rick Snyder's administration."

Here is the email, via Livengood:

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Chatfield Introduces Resolution Opposing Syrian Refugees In Michigan

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

State Rep. Lee Chatfield has introduced a resolution calling upon Michigan's legislature to formally oppose refugees from Syria, as well as other high-risk areas, until certain steps have been taken to make sure Michiganders are safe.

"...(W)e will not approve or proceed with resettlement of Syrian and other unvettable refugees from failed states via the United States Refugee Resettlement Program and reject the expenditure of related state funds to assist the United States Refugee Resettlement Program in Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we petition Governor Rick Snyder to not resume authorization for the resettlement of Syrian and other unvettable refugees from failed states in Michigan..." until a series of benchmarks are met, Chatfield's resolution says.

Here is the full resolution:

House Resolution No. 198.

            "A resolution to declare opposition to the relocation of Syrian and other unvettable refugees from failed states via the United States Refugee Resettlement Program into Michigan and the rejection of state funds to assist in the program.

           
Whereas, The federal government has indicated that thousands of refugees from the Middle East will be relocated to the United States in the next few years through the federal Refugee Resettlement Program. It is anticipated that each state will receive these refugees through designated relocation agencies approved by the federal government; and

Whereas, The United States Constitution nowhere gives the Executive Branch the power to settle aliens in a state contrary to the express wishes of that state. Absent such an expressed power, according to the Tenth Amendment, such a power cannot exist; and

Whereas, The refugee resettlement process will present serious financial and security problems for Michigan. Refugees and their families present unfunded burdens to schools, law enforcement, housing, and health care; and

Whereas, Michael Steinbach, Assistant Director for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), informed the U. S. House Homeland Security Committee in February, 2015, that Syrian refugees pose a great risk to Americans and raised the possibility that refugees could have connections to foreign terrorist groups. The Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) has vowed to infiltrate refugees all over the world so as to enter countries under the guise of persecuted refugees. At a congressional hearing held October 22, 2015, FBI Director James Comey issued another warning about the FBI's inability to screen Syrian refugees entering the United States; and

Whereas, Under these circumstances there is a compelling governmental interest in protecting the security and economy of our state and nation. Article I, Section 1 of the Michigan Constitution declares that our state government is for the benefit, security and protection of Michigan’s citizens and those interests should be primary; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the House of Representatives, that we hereby express our concern over the United States Refugee Resettlement Program and any possible state expenditures for the program in Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we will not approve or proceed with resettlement of Syrian and other unvettable refugees from failed states via the United States Refugee Resettlement Program and reject the expenditure of related state funds to assist the United States Refugee Resettlement Program in Michigan; and be it further

Resolved, That we petition Governor Rick Snyder to not resume authorization for the resettlement of Syrian and other unvettable refugees from failed states in Michigan until:

·        The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) shows evidence and certifies that the proposed refugee resettlement will not have any negative impact on the current provision of services to Michigan residents and will not cause an increase in the MDHSS budget.

·        The State Board of Education is able to show evidence and certify to the Governor that the refugee resettlement will not have an adverse impact on local school districts and that local school districts will not need additional resources.

·        The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) certifies to the Michigan State Police that each refugee entering Michigan has been subject to a thorough background check similar to the federal form E86 used to screen applicants for employment with DHS and that none of the refugees pose any national security threat.

; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Courser/Gamrat 20/20 Rescheduled As Establishment Hacks Fail To Stop WMP From Appearing

Gamrat, left, Courser, right (Detroit News)

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

The 20/20 episode focusing on the Courser/Gamrat scandal, originally scheduled for 1/15, has been rescheduled for next Friday, 1/22. The program will air on ABC stations across Michigan and the nation.

Establishment hacks in Lansing evidently tried to prevent WMP from being interviewed for the story, but failed miserably-and I know who you are! :p :)

Also expected in the hour are State Rep. Kurt Heise, Rep. Ed McBroom, aides Ben Graham and Keith Allard, Detroit News reporter Chad Livengood, and of course, Courser and Gamrat.

Stay tuned,,,

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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INSANITY: Flint Bills Residents For Poisoned Water As Attorney General Schuette Announces Investigation

"Julius Austin of the Change Agent Consortium holds up a bottle of Flint water as Michigan State Police hold a barrier to keep protestors out of the Romney Building, where Gov. Rick Snyder's office resides on Thursday, Jan. 14, 2016 in Lansing. More than 150 people tried to flood into the lobby in protest against Snyder, asking for his resignation and arrest in relation to Flint's water crisis." Jake May/Flint Journal

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

No, it's not "The Onion," the City of Flint actually has the AUDACITY to bill residents for the poisoned water that has caused chaos in Flint and made international news as questions continue to pile up.

Seriously...What the hell?!

According to MLive:

The city's holiday break from water shutoff notices is over as officials say they will again start sending warnings to those behind on their bills.

Finance Director Jody Lundquist told the city's Receivership Transition Advisory Board, which oversees the city's finances, Wednesday, Jan. 13, that the city stopped sending water shutoff notices to city residents over the holiday season, but will begin issuing them again.

The break from notices was meant to give a reprieve from shutoffs to customers over the holiday season and lessen the burden on city staff.

However, some residents have expressed outrage over the fact they are being billed for water they cannot drink without filtration due to elevated lead levels found in water in some Flint homes.

The city's water crisis has drawn protests and international news coverage. Lundquist said the "public media event" has presented additional financial challenges for the city's water fund."

This comes as news of an investigation from Attorney General Bill Schuette has been announced.

According to Michigan Radio:

"Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette is launching an investigation into Flint’s water crisis.

Flint’s drinking water was contaminated with lead after the city’s tap water was switched to the Flint River in 2014.

The Attorney General says his investigation will see if any state laws were violated.

Governor Snyder has acknowledged that mistakes were made that allowed corrosive Flint River water to damage the city’s pipes which in turn leeched lead into the water.

Schuette promises his investigation will proceed “without fear or favor.”"

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Mic

higan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Jason Allen Makes It Official In MI-1 Against "Nation's Most Liberal Republican Congressional Candidate"

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

WMP reported weeks ago that former State Senator Jason Allen would be jumping in to the race to replace Dr. Dan Benishek in Michigan's First Congressional District, and a couple days ago, Allen did just that.

Allen faces State Senator Tom Casperson.

Casperson, who has been called "the most liberal Republican Congressional candidate in the country," faces a heated primary battle after a series of controversial votes. Casperson has been named the most liberal State Senator in Michigan multiple times by the American Conservative Union...

According to the AP:

“Jason Allen, a former Republican state legislator, entered the race Thursday for the U.S. House seat being vacated by retiring Rep. Dan Benishek, who narrowly defeated Allen for the Republican nomination six years ago in Michigan’s northernmost district.

“I want to be a conservative voice for Upper Michigan,” Allen told The Associated Press ahead of his announcement Thursday morning at his family-owned clothing store in Traverse City. “It’s time we had a government that lived within its means, a tax system which was simple, flat and fair, and a regulatory system which fostered job growth instead of discouraging economic development…”

Allen, who planned a series of announcements around the district, said he had signed an Americans for Tax Reform pledge not to raise taxes. He told the AP he had never voted for a tax increase, while Casperson has drawn criticism from some conservatives for supporting fuel tax and vehicle registration fee hikes under a plan to improve Michigan’s deteriorating roads and bridges.

“Washington and Lansing are spending too much and taxing too much,” Allen said.”


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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson

Building That Stores Flint Water Docs ROBBED, Snyder Sends In The National Guard

By Brandon Hall

(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Gov. Snyder's office has announced he will sign an Executive Order authorizing the National Guard to assist with the Flint water crisis.

According to Jonathan Oosting at the Detroit News:

"Gov. Rick Snyder plans to use the National Guard in helping with the Flint water crisis, a spokesman confirmed late Tuesday.

Press Secretary Dave Murray said the governor is drafting an executive order for the activation, the latest step in an effort to provide relief to Flint residents exposed to contaminated drinking water.

National Guard members are expected to arrive in Flint as soon as Wednesday, with additional members arriving by Friday. Their presence will allow American Red Cross volunteers who had been staffing water resource sites to join door-to-door efforts to distribute water filters, bottled water and testing kits, Murray said.

The decision comes after about 45 Michigan State Police troopers and other state workers began Tuesday distributing water and filters to residents without them because of the lead poisoning crisis that has put Flint in the national spotlight and even drawn comments from the White House."

This comes after news of a robbery shortly after Christmas at the building in Flint housing documents pertaining to the water controversy... Officials don't know what documents were stolen or if any are even missing.

According to the Flint Journal:

"Officials say a recent city hall break-in occurred in an office containing documents related to the city's water system.

Flint police previously reported a break-in at City Hall, 1101 S. Saginaw St. over the holiday break, but information released Monday, Jan. 11, confirmed the break-in happened at a vacant executive office in the mayor's suite that contained documents related to the city's water system.

"The office that was broken into is where some water files are kept," Flint Mayor Karen Weaver said. "However, at this point it's hard to tell if any files were taken. The only thing we know for sure was stolen is a TV."

Flint Police Chief James Tolbert said investigators were working to discover if any documents connected to the city's water system were taken.

The break-in was discovered Dec. 28 by an employee when they returned from work following the holiday break. No other offices were disturbed."

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Brandon Hall is a lifelong political nerd from Grand Haven, and is the Managing Editor of West Michigan Politics.

>>>Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com

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Photo By Darlene Dowling Thompson