Cross-posted to MichiganLiberal.com.
In This Week's Edition
- Michigan Lucky Numbers
- Motown Politics
- Great Lakes States Defend Their Water
- Looking Ahead to 2006...and 2008
- Legislature Update
- Around the State
- Sound Bites of the Week
Michigan Lucky Numbers
- State prison budget: $1.8 billion.
- Murders in Detroit last year: 385.
- Auto industry jobs in Michigan: 252,000.
- Hours the average Detroit-area driver spends in traffic jams: 53 per year.
- Visitors drawn to Detroit for the All-Star Game: 35,000.
- Average incentive on a new car: $2,915.
- Latest Kirtland's warbler census: 1,415 singing males.
Motown Politics
New Poll Numbers. According to the latest EPIC-MRA opinion poll, former deputy mayor ,Freman Hendrix has widened his lead over Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Hendrix had 34 percent, Kilpatrick 23 percent, City Councilwoman Sharon McPhail 16 percent, and Senator Hansen Clarke seven percent. The poll also gave Hendrix a 53-39 lead over Kilpatrick should they meet in the November general election. But it's too early to count the mayor out. His job approval rating has risen from 27 percent to 35 percent, and the hypothetical head-to-head race between him and Hendrix has tightened up.
Detroit News Endorses Hendrix. On Sunday, the Detroit News
gave its endorsement to Hendrix. Arguing that "character matters," the News said that Hendrix had "the strength of character to lift from this city the fog of suspicion and distrust." It also said that Hendrix had discipline needed to bring Detroit back from the brink of financial ruin.
Strange Bedfellows. Dislike of Mayor Kilpatrick has led two bitter rivals to find common ground. The Detroit News and the Teamsters, who squared off in a bitter labor dispute 10 years ago, have both come out in favor of Hendrix.
Who's Backing Sharon McPhail?. Robert Ankeny of Crain's Detroit Business names some prominent backers of Sharon McPhail. They include City Council President Maryann Mahaffey and council members JoAnn Watson and Barbara-Rose Collins. He also reports that Kilpatrick supporters are circulating flyers accusing Freman Hendrix of defaulting on a loan and not paying taxes. The flyer refers to a golf dome in which Hendrix says he was a passive investor.
Another Council Member in Legal Trouble?. A federal grand jury is investigating whether Council Member Alonzo Bates paid staff members and contractors who did little or no work and whether staffers performed political work on city time. The Bates investigation is part of a wider probe of misuse of city funds.
In Brief. Even though Detroit's crime rate is at its lowest level in more than 40 years, public safety remains a major concern of the city's voters....The Metro Times reported that a construction contract awarded to a friend of Mayor Kilpatrick more than tripled in price.
Great Lakes States Defend Their Water
Forget red versus blue. The next great political divide might be between those states with water, like Michigan, and those without it. After years of fumbling, the Great Lakes states are taking steps to protect their water, a resource called "the oil of the 21st century." The Council of Great Lakes Governors has proposed banning diversions outside of the Great Lakes basin. Currently, diversions can be approved with the consent of all the governors and the premier of Ontario.
But the states face a legal obstacle: the courts might rule that it's up to Congress to regulate Great Lakes water. That, in turn, could lead to a battle on Capitol Hill between Sunbelt states, which are gaining seats in the House, and Great Lakes states, which are losing seats.
On another water-related issue, the Oakland Press criticized the governor's proposed Water Legacy Act, arguing that it would be overkill and would create another bureaucracy. The governor's proposal is the result of the Nestle Company's attempt to pump and bottle water from a west Michigan spring.
Looking Ahead to 2006...and 2008
Jane Abraham Won't Run for Senate. Jane Abraham, the wife of former senator and energy secretary Spencer Abraham, said she won't seek Debbie Stabenow's Senate seat. Abraham cited family obligations--she and her husband have three children--and business interests in the Washington area, where she now lives. Her decision not to run strengthens the Reverend Keith Butler's front-runner status in the GOP primary.
Archer to Head Governor's Re-Election Drive. Former Detroit mayor and Michigan Supreme Court justice Dennis Archer will head Governor Granholm's re-election campaign. Archer, who endorsed Jim Blanchard over Granholm in the 2002 Democratic primary, is expected to help the governor in two ways: fund-raising and boosting turnout among African American voters.
Granholm v. DeVos, Round 1. According to the Detroit News's George Weeks, Governor Granholm and her expected rival, Dick DeVos, have engaged in some early sparring. The issue is whether the Amway, co-founded by DeVos's father, outsourced jobs to China--a charge DeVos denies. Weeks also said that Inside Michigan Politics makes DeVos a 1-5 favorite to win the GOP nomination, but also makes Granholm a 2-3 favorite to win re-election.
GOP Mulls Closed Primary. With memories of John McCain's upset win over George W. Bush in the 2000 Michigan primary still fresh in their minds, some Michigan Republicans are considering a closed GOP presidential primary in 2008. In 2000, Republicans favored Bush by a wide margin, but enough Democrats and independents voted for McCain to make the difference.
Democratic Split Over Abortion?. The state Democratic convention is more than a year away, but there might be a floor fight over the nominee for Attorney General. Scott Bowen, a political newcomer from the Grand Rapids area, and said to be the governor's personal choice for the job, has the endorsement of the Kent County chapter of Right to Life--a stance that doesn't sit well with many party members. Representative Alexander Lipsey, who is pro-choice, says he's "90 percent certain" to challenge Bowen at the convention.
In Brief. The Republican Party is running 60-second radio spots blaming Governor Granholm for the state's high unemployment rate....The Democratic Party criticized Dick DeVos for his decision to skip the Port Huron to Mackinac yacht race and compete instead in an event in the Pacific...GOP Senate candidate Keith Butler expressed his support for school vouchers and the death penalty, along with his opposition to benefits for domestic partners....Senator Stabenow urged Congress to spend an additional $5 billion on communications equipment for first responders.
Legislature Update
House GOP Delays Vote on Economic Stimulus Legislation. House Republicans put off a floor vote on legislation aimed at jump-starting the state's economy. The GOP delayed action on their legislative package, which would cut some taxes and invest state funds in new industries, in hopes of reaching a compromise with House Democrats. Meanwhile, the House Commerce Committee approved two bills that would sell off most the state's tobacco settlement revenue for $3 billion and use the money to boost investment in life sciences and other new industries.
Governor Blasts Legislative Critic. Governor Granholm called on Representative Rick Baxter (R-Hanover) to resign for co-writing what she called a "treasonous" op-ed column in The Wall Street Journal. The column dismissed the governor's Single Business Tax reform proposal as a "tax shift" and called instead for cuts.
The Journal fired back at Granholm, reminding readers of another American who had been accused of treason for opposing taxes: none other than Patrick Henry. It also accused her of being ignorant of American history, and blaming it on the fact that she was born in Canada.
In Brief. Senator Buzz Thomas (D-Detroit) introduced a bill that would create a Detroit-area regional transit authority....Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema (R-Wyoming) endorsed the House GOP's plan to use tobacco settlement money to stimulate the economy....Representative David Law (R-West Bloomfield), a backer of tougher drunk driving laws, was himself arrested for drunk driving in Berkley....Although the Michigan Supreme Court has sharply cut back the government's power to condemn property, Senator Tony Stamas (R-Midland) wants to amend the state constitution to protect property rights.
Around the State
Common Ground on Contraception?. According to Detroit Newscolumnist Laura Berman, pro-life and pro-choice lobbyists met in Lansing. The lunch meeting didn't lead to any agreement, but at least the two sides are talking. The topic? Access to birth control. Last week, Governor Granholm backed legislation that would require health insurers to cover oral contraceptives. The governor also announced that she's seeking a federal waiver that would allow Medicaid to pay for birth control for women who are above the poverty line. Both the News and the Free Press have endorsed the governor's initiative.
GOP Lawmaker Uses Owner's Box for All-Star Fundraiser. During this week's All-Star Game festivities, Representative Richard Pombo (R-CA) used Mike Ilitch's owner's box for a $5,000-a-ticket fundraiser. Pombo chairs the House Resources Committee, whose jurisdiction includes land claims involving Indian tribes. Ilitch's wife, Marian, and a son, Christopher, are partners in a venture that wants to establish a tribal casino on Long Island. For the casino to become a reality, Congress must grant the Shinnecock Indians tribal status and take steps to resolve their claim against the government.
In Brief. Mitch Irwin, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, will take over as the new head of the Department of Agriculture....Two oil companies have agreed to pay $2 million to clean up abandoned well sites....In a Detroit News op-ed, Attorney General Cox defended his proposal to eliminate preliminary hearings in most felony cases....Michigan and 17 other states moved one step closer toward voluntary collection of sales tax from online sellers....A Philadelphia-based consulting firm has recommended that Michigan create a statewide health plan for public school employees....An Oakland County circuit judge heard arguments on whether the state can charge for labor when complying with Freedom of Information Act requests....Michigan ranks 11th in the number of prisoners per capita. Nine southern states and Delaware rank ahead of it....A first? With the appointment of Monica Martinez , the Public Service Commission has a 2-1 female majority.
Sound Bites of the Week
"I have not heard a person bring it up in Michigan. It's just not an issue out here."--GOP consultant John Truscott, referring to the scandal involving Karl Rove.
"My wife and I use natural family planning, and it works perfectly."--Ed Rivet, Right to Life of Michigan lobbyist, and the father of six.
"It's important to be aggressive warriors in the courtroom, to be Christianity's answer to the ACLU."--Dick Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center.