You're Fired: Leonard Boots Sheppard From Committee Chairmanship For Lying About Income Tax Vote

State Rep. Jason Sheppard

By Brandon Hall
(Email Him At WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

Speaker of the House Tom Leonard booted State Rep. Jason Sheppard from his role as Chair of the House Financial Services Committee after Leonard says Sheppard lied to him regarding how he would vote on the income tax cut bill that has caused significant controversy.

Sheppard was also removed from the committee altogether....

According to Gongwer:

"Mr. Sheppard (R-Temperance) was one of 12 Republicans who voted against the bill. But Mr. Leonard told reporters after session that his was the only vote to surprise him.

"The representative from Monroe County looked me in the eye and told me he was going to vote yes and voted no," Mr. Leonard said, alluding to Mr. Sheppard. Earlier in the night, Mr. Sheppard would not comment about widespread rumors that he was threatened with retaliation if he did not support the bill.

At around 3 a.m., Mr. Leonard announced Mr. Sheppard would no longer chair or serve on the House Financial Services Committee and Rep. Diana Farrington (R-Utica) would replace him as chair. Rep. Joe Graves (R-Linden) was added to the committee.

"The people of Michigan need someone they can trust working on their behalf," Mr. Leonard said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the House of Representatives has taken two roll call votes, and one representative has already lied about his position. That is unacceptable, and it cannot be allowed to continue."

It was an absolutely extraordinary statement about a speaker regarding one of his caucus's own members."

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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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