Developing: Governor Whitmer Threatened State Employees: Don't Talk With Legislators During September Budget Negotiations!

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Governor Whitmer issued clear orders to department leaders in state government throughout meetings a few weeks ago: state employees are forbidden to talk with legislators during the final, heated month of budget negotiations.

However, some state employees ignored the directive, feeling it was more important to do what they thought was right instead of playing partisan politics with state programs.

Now, many of these employees fear for their jobs after Governor Whitmer shockingly and unexpectedly eliminated whistleblower protections for state employees who talk to legislators earlier this week. 

That rule stood for decades through multiple Governors from both parties before Whitmer removed it.

Rep. Steve Johnson

State Rep. Steve Johnson blasted Whitmer's decision Thursday afternoon in a statement to West Michigan Politics.

"State employees should always be free to expose wrongdoing in the executive branch," Johnson said. "It's important we find out more about this."

Exactly! It's pretty straight forward...

Here is what Whitmer removed from every budget:

"The department shall not take disciplinary action against an employee for communicating with a member of the legislature or his or her staff."

Sadly, the media has been completely silent on this issue because of so much other drama in Whitmer's budget... Stay tuned!

Read more:

Breaking: Governor Whitmer Ends Whistleblower Protection For State Employees

Whitmer Begged Lansing Lobbyists: Get Republicans To Support My Gas Tax Hike! (Or Have Funding For Your Projects Vetoed)

State Senator Tom Barrett DESTROYS Governor Whitmer For Removing State Employee Whistleblower Protections

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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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Breaking: Governor Whitmer Ends Whistleblower Protection For State Employees

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

By Brandon Hall

(Email Him At WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

Governor Whitmer has eliminated a longstanding rule protecting whistleblowers who work for the State of Michigan.

State employees are no longer protected if they expose questionable activities to state legislators.

Here is what Whitmer removed:

""The department shall not take disciplinary action against an employee for communicating with a member of the legislature or his or her staff."

A Whitmer administration source says that language is somehow "unenforceable," which simply doesn't add up.

The stunning move comes as Democrats across the country have suddenly and fervently started defending the sanctity and importance of whistleblowers.

Real whistleblowers like Julian Assange, Edward Snowden, and Bradley (Chelsea) Manning sure wish they were consistent...

Read more:

Developing: Governor Whitmer Threatened State Employees: Don't Talk With Legislators During September Budget Negotiations!

Whitmer Begged Lansing Lobbyists: Get Republicans To Support My Gas Tax Hike! (Or Have Funding For Your Projects Vetoed)

State Senator Tom Barrett DESTROYS Governor Whitmer For Removing State Employee Whistleblower Protections

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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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Bill Huizenga's Shady Campaign Finances May Have Finally Caught Up With Him In House Ethics Investigation

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMiPolitics@Gmail.com)

News broke this week that Rep. Bill Huizenga faces a House Ethics Committee investigation was not a surprise to anyone who has followed the situation over the years. 

According to reports filed with the United States House of Representatives Ethics Committee, Huizenga failed to provide adequate information on more than one occasion.

In May of 2014, Huizenga wrote a letter to the Ethics Committee apologizing for his failure to comply with 2012 campaign finance requirements.

In July of 2012, Huizenga was forced to give the Ethics Committee further information after failing to do so as required.

Also of note, Huizenga transferred all of his assets and investments to his wife and young children after 2012. Perhaps there is a tax reason? Surely it didn't happen without cause...

WMP previously reported that Huizenga's "Huizenga House Fund," from his time as a State Representative,  had numerous problems, including over a dozen un-filed campaign finance reports from 2004-2009. 

Subsequently, I filed a complaint with the Secretary of State's office.

Breaking: Rep. Huizenga's Super Shady State House Finance Issues Remain Unresolved 10 Years Later

 >>>Read the complaint to the Secretary of State HERE

On February 11, 2015, Huizenga or a representative met with the Secretary of State's office and filed the information required in the 14 outstanding reports.

On March 6, 2015, the Secretary of State requested Huizenga, because of his role as treasurer of the fund, provide an official affidavit saying his lack of disclosure of $14,000 worth of contributions was really an honest "oversight."

WMP: Developing: Rep. Huizenga Responds To Campaign Finance Controversies After Meeting With Secretary of State Officials

Huizenga eventually handled the issue after my complaint.

Rep. Huizenga Vacations At Disney With Bankers He Regulates As They Benefit From His #CRomnibus Vote

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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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Here's What You Need To Know For Mackinac 2019

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

>>>View the official schedule, including Vice President Pence and Sarah Sanders at The Grand HERE


Friday


10:30pm-midnight

Michigan Trump Republicans host Joel Langlois, candidate for Congress in MI-3. People are welcome to come have a beer with Joel at Mary's Bistro!

On the front porch of Mary's will be caramel and jalapeno cheddar popcorn with State Rep. Matt "Mad Dog" Maddock.

From 9:30 until 11:30, a benefit for Randall Thompson is taking place at Horn's. $25 entrance fee goes towards supporting his recovery after being hit by a car this summer.

Senator John Bizon takes over Mike Kowall's pizza party at Island House to end the evening...


Saturday


John James, Jack Bergman, and Lauren Rakolta breakfast, 8-9:30 AM, Jockey Club


10pm-midnight

Michigan Trump Republicans Wine @ Windmere Porch
BYOB, some wine will be provided

Many events you may have heard of are invite only. Email if you want yours added to this list!

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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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Shots Fired In MI-11: Haley Stevens Tries To Join The Squad, Attacks Whittney Williams

Haley Stevens, with Ilhan Omar and AOC

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

Last week, Rep. Haley Stevens joined all four members of the “Squad” for a photo op on the steps of the Capitol.  Stevens then retweeted Representative Ilhan Omar’s tweet and photo from the event. 

Republican challenger Whittney Williams and her campaign blasted Stevens for the stunt, wondering if she was auditioning to join "the squad.".

"Stevens’ latest public displays of unity with members of the Squad fit a growing pattern of support for their radical political agenda," a Williams campaign press release said. "For example, Stevens has voted in agreement with Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) nearly 100% of the time since they were elected. Taken collectively, it appears that Stevens is doing her best to audition to become the latest member of the Squad. "

Williams says voters in the 11th deserve answers.

“When Haley Stevens poses for a ‘unity’ photo op with members of the Squad, Michigan voters deserve an explanation as to exactly what unifies them, especially as it relates to their socialist positions and radical statements," Williams said.  "I am excited to offer voters in the 11^th district a stark contrast to their current Representative.  For starters, I have a lot less in common with AOC and the rest of the squad, and certainly won’t be voting in agreement with them nearly 100% of the time, if at all.”

Williams received significant attention when she announced her campaign last month.

Tim Lineberger and Scott Hagerstrom, vets of President Trump's historic 2016 Michigan campaign, are leading the campaign.

Stevens recently alluded to those ties in a fundraising email targeting Williams and Hagerstrom...

 

>>>Watch the latest ad from Whittney Williams: 

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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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Breaking: Buzz Brewing Over Pete Hoekstra As President Trump's New Director Of National Intelligence

Hoekstra (Peter Dejong / AP)

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

Two of West Michigan's own are being prominently mentioned for top positions in President Trump's administration, Ambassador Pete Hoekstra for Director of National Intelligence, and Ambassador Richard Grenell as National Security Adviser. 

Hoekstra, from Holland, is currently the President's top diplomat in the Netherlands, while Grenell, from Jenison, is in Germany.

President Trump mentioned Hoekstra while talking with reporters about the DNI position a little over a month ago.

According to the Detroit News:

"President Donald Trump on Friday indicated that he's considering former Michigan congressman Pete Hoekstra among his possible picks to be the next director of national intelligence to succeed Dan Coats. Asked by a reporter about a replacement for Coats, Trump mentioned Hoekstra, former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee...

"I'm working together with Sen. Burr and the whole intelligence committee. I want to get someone that everybody can really come together with. I like Pete Hoekstra a lot. He's great. He's doing a fantastic job in the Netherlands right now." 

According to John Solomon, writing today in The Hill, Grenell should take over for the recently departed John Bolton, and Hoekstra should replace Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats.

"Trump has two candidates — both confirmed by the Senate to other jobs on his watch — who can rival Barr’s and Pompeo’s contributions by stepping into the vacant, critical roles of national security adviser (NSA) and director of national intelligence (DNI).

The first is Richard Grenell, the U.S. ambassador to Germany, who has shown remarkable competence in downsizing the once-giant European Union lioness Angela Merkel on the world stage and achieving numerous strategic wins for America from Berlin.

Almost immediately upon his arrival in Berlin, Grenell punched like a heavyweight when he finally got the reluctant Germans to extradite a 95-year-old Nazi labor camp guard who had sought safe haven in New York City for decades.

Multiple U.S. administrations had vowed to get the job done. Trump and Grenell were the ones who succeeded.

Grenell also:

• galled the Europeans to up the ante on their anemic NATO spending — a key strategic goal for Trump;
• persuaded the Germans to open new liquid natural gas facilities for U.S. exports;

• relentlessly pressured the Germans to resist a new Russian gas pipeline known as Nord Stream 2; and

• successfully forced the Germans to block an Iranian airline from servicing the country.

Like Grenell, another ambassador in Europe, former Congressman Peter Hoekstra, who is America’s top diplomat to the Netherlands, could help fill an essential void as the DNI.

Coats never really clicked with Trump and slow-walked important transparency opportunities that would have exposed problems with the Russia probe, including the declassification of important congressional interviews.

Hoekstra was respected by both parties as the former chairman of the House Intelligence Committee, understands the intelligence community well and enjoys the president’s confidence. And he brings a commonsense Midwesterner’s approach to getting things done without the need for personal glory.

>>>Read The Full Piece HERE 

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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Michigan Trump Republicans Host Joel Langlois Monday At Brann's

Joel Langlois (Cory Morse/Mlive)

By Brandon Hall
(Email him at WestMIPolitics@Gmail.com)

The Michigan Trump Republicans are hosting a meet and greet with Congressional candidate Joel Langlois on Monday, September 9 at the Leonard St. Brann's in Grand Rapids.

The event begins at 6, light apps will be served for free.

Langlois, who owns the DeltaPlex, The Intersection, and properties across Kent County,  is running for the seat current held by Justin Amash, who left the Republican Party earlier this year after calling for President Trump's impeachment.

Langlois was an early supporter of President Trump, hosting him at the Deltaplex in December of 2015.

Other candidates include former Sand Lake Village President Tom Norton, State Representatives Lynn  Afendoulis and Jim Lower, as well as Pete Meijer. 

Meijer was recently the subject of controversy after initially allowing a drag show performance featuring individuals with down syndrome at one of his properties.
According to a press release:

"Joel will be joined by top Trump leaders in Michigan, including 2016 Trump State Director Scott Hagerstrom and leaders of the Michigan Trump Republicans to speak on the importance of defeating Justin Amash and replacing him with a strong supporter of our president.

Light appetizers will be provided. We hope you'll be able to attend and support Joel as we work to Make Congress Great Again!" 

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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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