(D)erp! House Dems Actually "Forgot" To Send Horrendous Bills Passed In Lame Duck To Governor Whitmer For Her Approval 🤷‍♂️

 

By Brandon Hall 

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

You can't make this up: failed former House Speaker Joe Tate and House Democrats forgot to send 9 of their horrendous bills from Lame Duck over to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for approval before the new Republican State House took over!

Like, you have ONE job, folks---what the hell?

The situation is unprecedented---and headed for court---as Speaker Hall seeks legal advice.

Apparently, Whitmer wanted nothing to do with the bills anyway, which makes me wonder just who "accidentally" forgot to send them to her...

According to Craig Mauger of The Detroit News:

"Nine bills, prioritized by Michigan Democrats that the state Legislature approved in the final days of 2024, haven't physically reached Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's desk, setting up a potential high-stakes legal fight with Republicans now in control of the House.

It wasn't clear Thursday why the bills, including one that would increase what public employers pay toward their workers' health care, weren't sent to the Democratic governor before Republicans took power in the House on Jan. 1. If they don't reach Whitmer's desk, they can't be signed into law.

Legislative records indicate the House ordered the measures be presented to Whitmer on Dec. 23. But it hadn't happened as of Thursday, a day after new House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, and his House clerk, Scott Starr, were officially elected to lead the chamber.

In addition to the legislation that would require public employers to pay a larger share of employee health care, other bills still not presented to the governor would put corrections officers in the state police pension system and exclude disability, public assistance and worker's compensation from debt garnishments. The employee health insurance change and pensions for corrections officers had been major legislative priorities for labor unions allied with Democrats.

All nine bills originated in the House and had gained the approval of the House. But they didn't pass the Senate until a marathon 29-hour-long session that began on the morning of Dec. 19 and ended on the afternoon of Dec. 20. Because the bills started in the House, it was up to the House to formally present them to Whitmer.

But the House abruptly adjourned Dec. 19 without a quorum — due to a boycott of 54 Republicans and one Democrat — and was unable to adopt a sine die resolution, which usually marks a legal end of the session and sets the clock ticking on when bills become effective.

House clerks have since been working through the remaining bills meant to be presented to the governor but have not yet gotten to the last nine, which also happen to be some of the more controversial legislation to get through both chambers. Whitmer was known to be "at best lukewarm" on some of the remaining bills, according to one source with knowledge of the negotiations on the legislation."

Stay tuned!

____________________________________________

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

🚨BREAKING: Bars And Restaurants Adding New "Whitmer Tax" To Your Bill As Republicans Try To Save Michigan's Tipping System From Democrat Destruction🚨

 

By Brandon Hall 

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Michigan's tipped wage system is on the verge of total annihilation next month, and now, bars and restaurants are getting ready for the change by adding large fees onto the bills of customers---a "Whitmer Tax," if you will.

The issues stems from a 2018 ballot measure drastically expanding the minimum wage that was supported by Whitmer and the Democrats, as well as a subsequent ruling from the Michigan Supreme Court, saying the legislature's attempt to reform the measure while concurrently adopting it was unconstitutional. 

Speaker Matt Hall and House Republicans have made #SaveMITips a top priority, with State Rep. Bill G. Schuette appointed to lead a special committee devoted just to this issue.

State Rep. Bill G. Schuette 

The changes could cost thousands of employees their jobs, hundreds of small businesses to close, and hurts families all across Michigan just looking for a fun night out. 

Soon, only corporate fast food chains and elitist hotspots will be just about the only ones left standing as nearly everyone else struggles to afford the new law.

Below, a Metro Detroit area bar and restaurant who opposes the changes has instituted a new ~22% fee in order to help offset the costs, giving patrons a glimpse into the future...

____________________________________________

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

🚨BREAKING: Speaker Hall Gives House Oversight Committee Full Subpoena Power To Investigate Whitmer, Nessel, And Benson🚨

 

By Brandon Hall 

(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The new Speaker Of The House Matt Hall will give the House Oversight Committee historic authority to issue subpoenas as it investigates Governor Gretchen Whitmer,  Secretary Of State Jocelyn Benson, and Attorney General Dana Nessel, sources tell West Michigan Politics.

Usually, subpoenas at House Oversight have to be dealt with individually, on a case by case basis---not anymore. The Oversight Committee now has the ability to subpoena whoever they need to in order to get answers.

This move shows Speaker Hall is for real about holding Whitmer, Benson, and Nessel accountable for what they have done to our over state the last 6 years.

One of the biggest issues the Oversight Committee will investigate is "how the Government abused its authority and failed in public transparency during COVID."

Investigation of the Chinese Gotion scandal is also on the agenda, among many other important subjects...

Speaker Hall is also planning a MAJOR expansion of the House Oversight Committee in order to make sure the investigations cover all the bases.

According to Kyle Olson at The Midwesterner:

"Incoming House Speaker Matt Hall is planning an expansive oversight committee that will carefully scrutinize Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and other aspects of state government, a Republican source familiar with Hall’s thinking tells The Midwesterner.

According to the source, Hall plans six Oversight subcommittees, including:

-Weaponization of State Government

-Child Welfare System

-Corporate Subsidies and State Investments

-Public Health and Food Security

-Homeland Security and Foreign Influence

-State and Local Public Assistance Programs

Hall’s creation of subcommittees is unprecedented and reflects an anticipated vigorous investigation into Whitmer’s policies and decisions in particular. But it’s expected the subcommittees will also be reviewing Attorney General Dana Nessel’s actions, as well as those of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson."

____________________________________________

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