By Brandon Hall
By Brandon Hall
By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
State Rep. Parker Fairbairn’s emergency legislation to provide $100 million in much needed state relief for Northern Michigan and UP after the devastating and historic ice storm in March was passed 107 to 1 in the State House on Wednesday.
The destruction was described in some areas as equivalent to an EF5 tornado, or a Category 5 hurricane...
The bill now heads to the State Senate, where it is expected to be passed, then signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. State Rep. Steve Carra was the only "no" vote.
The plan could also help with obtaining federal disaster relief funding.![]() |
Ronna Romney, center, chats with Shane Hernandez and Tudor Dixon in 2022 |
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
Ottawa County Commission Vice Chair Josh Brugger
By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
Josh Brugger, the Vice Chair of the Ottawa County Commission (and a Republican from Grand Haven), recently compared President Trump to Hitler.
"Brandon, You fail to understand the context of the post, and of history for that matter," Brugger said. "If I had actually said that President Trump was like Hitler or Mussolini or Stalin, you’d be absolutely right to call me out. That’s not what I said. I’m a Republican who has voted for President Trump. Being conservative or liberal has zilch to do with this. And, if you bothered to read the post that my post was made in response to, bothered to read the entire post, or bothered to read a history book, you would understand the significance of a 100 years of the United States standing against dictators, against fascism, against aggression of the nature we are now witnessing… 100 years of my fellow Americans standing courageously even to death, for democracy, for freedom, for self determination, for the sovereignty of nations; while standing alongside European nations who believe the same… presidents like Dwight Eisenhower (commander in chief of the allied forces in Europe, the first commander of NATO forces and one of the most popular presidents in the history of our nation) and especially Ronald Reagan whose strength, tenacity, devotion to democracy and free market capitalism, famously demanded that Gorbachev take down the Berlin Wall… and it was taken down, if you could grasp even a sliver of an understanding of history, then you would see clearly which side of the great divide our current president sits on. Further, for Brandon, the word “compare” has no place in this conversation. President Trump is no Wilhelm, Hitler, or Stalin. He is the President of the greatest democracy in history. Yet right now, on this matter, he has chosen to sit on their side of the table; against liberty, against democracy, against the free world. It is a tectonic shift; one that lady liberty and every past president of the United States who fought for freedom, for us and for our brothers and sisters throughout the world, regardless of party affiliation, would call out. We ought all to be doing the same. As for the card game that our president is playing with the lives of millions, the greatest trump card in any political hand, is the one that reads “Democracy”.
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The City Of Grand Haven's Human Relations Commission discusses making Grand Haven a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants Thursday night |
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)
The City of Grand Haven took the first steps towards becoming a "sanctuary city" for illegal immigrants on Thursday night.
The issue was on the agenda at the Human Relations Commission meeting, and the HRC will soon make a recommendation to City Council on whether or not the city should become a safe haven for illegals.
That would mean that all of the AMAZING Grand Haven Department Of Public Safety officers wouldn't be able to cooperate with ICE in the best interest of public safety, among other radical changes.
Sanctuary status for GH would also put State and federal funding for the City of Grand Haven at risk with President Trump and Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall's recent orders.
Less than half a dozen people (including myself) were in attendance for Thursday's meeting, and no traditional media was present.
The best ways to help fight back against Grand Haven becoming a "sanctuary city" for illegals?
1. Follow the "Keep Grand Haven Safe" Facebook page for breaking updates.
2. Send an Email RIGHT NOW to all the Grand Haven City Council Members:
Mike Fritz MFritz@GrandHaven.org
Karen Lowe KLowe@GrandHaven.org
Mayor Bob Monetza BMonetza@GrandHaven.org
Kevin McLaughlin KMclaughlin@GrandHaven.org
3. Email BHallGH@Gmail.com if you want to help by volunteering your time, or making a small donation...
4. Attend the next City Council meeting on Monday, March 3rd at 7:30 PM at Grand Haven City Hall, and make sure your voice is heard!
The 1st Republican Congressional District has been engulfed in extreme turmoil, and a whole lot of unnecessary drama these last 24 months.
By Brandon Hall
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!
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By Brandon Hall
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.
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...
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By Brandon Hall
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."
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