LSJ Blogs: Capitol Journal by Scott Davis

Republicans: We joined in class discussion. Give us a gold star!

By most accounts, Congressional Republicans stepped up to the plate Thursday for a national healthcare summit with Democrats.

They came armed with facts, serious and somber-faced, ready to debate one of the most serious and complex issues facing the nation – healthcare reform. After nearly seven hours of discussion, no agreement was reached between the two parties, but both sides made salient points.

What’s astonishing is that the Republicans' apparent attempt to deal with the issue in a serious and somber fashion – following a year of fierce partisan warfare on health care – far exceeded expectations. Apparently, Republicans have lowered expectations of themselves to such an extent that talking about an issue in an intelligent manner is now cause for celebration.

Little Jimmy paid attention in class today. Hurray!

And no one drove that point home more than the Republicans themselves.

Hilariously, Senate Republicans issued a press release following the event, touting praised heaped on them by the mainstream media. Here’s a few samples of what they actually put in their press release, headlined in part: “Respectful and serious.”

“The Republicans who Showed up Generally Looked Reasonable and Sincere,” – from Politico.

 “Intellectually, The Republicans Had The Best Day They’ve Had In Years. The Best Day They Have Had In Years,” quoted from David Gergen, a CNN analyst and former adviser to both Democratic and Republican presidents.

It appears Senate Republicans are patting themselves on the back for coming off as reasonable and sincere. And they’re looking for praise.

As reasonably and sincerely as I can, I praise you!

Angry Virg just got angrier

The world’s angriest mayor is now a little angrier.

With his campaign for governor now in full gear, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero has ratcheted the outrage up a few notches, taking a few swings at Toyota Motor Corp.

Bernero, who has built a national profile as a fierce advocate for domestic automakers, lashed out at Toyota for its “deception” in its recent round of recalls, saying it proves the company’s longtime claims of quality manufacturing is a “myth

"I find it unconscionable and perhaps even criminal that the company would brag about how much money they saved by imperiling the lives of people who put their trust in Toyota products," Bernero said. "And with all due respect to Governor Granholm, who said today that she strongly supports Toyota, I am not so willing to forgive and forget when American lives and American jobs are on the line."

So is Bernero really angry? Actually, all of this seems a tailor-made, no lose issue for him as he seeks statewide office in an automotive state. He should be doing cartwheels.

Tough times: Lobbyist spending on the decline

There’s one silver lining to a recession that continues to pound Michigan: Lobbyist influence is on the decline statewide.

In this country, there is an adage that with fewer dollars in government spending, the higher the number of lobbyists that will be employed to grab these bucks anyway possible.

But the Detroit News is reporting the lobbyists shelled out $31.8 million in 2009, compared to $34.2 million in 2008, despite a lingering state budget crisis, according to the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.

It appears that money is so tight in Michigan that some businesses and public interest groups can no longer afford to put as many lobbyists on their payroll to secure themselves a place at the feeding trough.

And if you’ve been dismayed at the rising influence of lobbyists in Lansing – and Washington – over the past two decades, this is a good thing.

Rest assured, when the state economy recovers, those dollars for lobbyists will begin flowing again too.

Saving Michigan: One potato chip at a time

You’ve got to hand it to those Michigan House Republicans. Even when they spend money on junk food to bash their fellow Democrats, they support their home state

On Thursday, Republicans distributed press releases to media that lambasted Democrats, which control the House, for ignoring the state’s budget crisis this week and scheduling only one item for Thursday’s agenda – a resolution supporting Michigan potatoes.

Attached to the press releases: 1 ounce bags of “Better Made” potato chips.

The potato chips were a flashy way to help Republicans make the case that the Democrats’ plan to address the state’s budget and high employment were all “potatoes” and no “meat.” Republicans have complained that the Democrats have refused to give Republican reform proposals a fair hearing on the House floor.

But the best part of all? Those were not just any potato chips. They were made by Better Made Snack Foods in Detroit. Way to go, Republicans.

Ahhh, partisan sound bites. You can't have just one. With political bickering likely reaching fever levels this year – and more pricey stunts in store – we just may have that solution to get the state’s economy humming again.

And then there were two....

Democrats are continuing to drop like flies.

Now with former state Treasurer Robert Bowman pulling out of the race for governor – after less than in a week in the field – there remain only two announced Democratic candidates, State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith and Virg Bernero.

Bowman is the third major announced or potential candidate to pull out of the running in recent weeks. Last week, Detroit businessman and attorney Denise Ilitch announced she wouldn’t run, and last month, Lt. Gov. John Cherry dropped out of the running.

All of this reveals quite a bit of nervousness in the Democratic ranks regarding their prospects in November. Pollsters say Democrats have an uphill battle against Republicans, mostly because of the blame being leveled at Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm over the state’s economic woes.

Even so, two more potential Democratic contenders are waiting in the wings. House Speaker Andy Dillon and former Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee are eying a run.

'Hand' it to Palin: She lifts Michigan spirits

Amid all the grim talk during Thursday’s unveiling of Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s budget proposal, a few rays of levity broke through.

Speaking before a joint session of the House and Senate appropriations committees, Emerson remarked that he sometimes had trouble reading from teleprompters and said he had scribbled down a few notes to help him through the inevitable questions from committee members.

On one hand, he joked, he had scribbled a talking point. On the other hand, he said, was scribbled “Are you serious?”

That evoked quite a bit of laughter – some hearty laughs from Democrats, some uneasy laughs from Republicans. Former Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin drew much attention this week when she lambasted President Barack Obama during a Tea Party convention for reading from a teleprompter, even as she was reading crib notes scribbled on her hand.

That’s one way to lift Michigan spirits.

Sources: Granholm will propose new services tax

Gov. Jennifer Granholm apparently is going to uphold her pledge to protect education funding by extending the sales to services and lowering it to 5.5 percent.

Several sources told Gongwer News the governor would propose the tax change when she proposes her budget today to the House and Senate Appropriations committees for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1. The state now is facing a projected shortfall of $1.6 billion for that budget year.

As part of the plan, revenue from the new tax would be eventually used to eliminate the Michigan Business Tax surcharge.

Sources indicate the new tax would generate $550 million in new revenue. A similar plan passed in 2007, however, proved controversial. It was quickly repealed after a public outcry.

Granholm also is reportedly considering proposing a tax on physician’s services. It’s unclear whether this would be wrapped into the sales tax proposal, or would be an entirely separate measure. Efforts to pass a physician’s tax last year failed.

Doctors: Please turn your head and cough

A second stab at a physician’s tax may be part of Granholm’s budget plan to be unveiled Thursday, sources say.

Gongwer News reported that Granholm may once again propose the tax as a way to help generate between $160 million and $500 million, helping to close a projected $1.6 billion shortfall for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1.

Last year, the Democratic-controlled state House passed a 3 percent tax on physicians to fund revenue sharing and Medicaid; the tax was designed in part to trigger matching federal dollars. Nearly a month later, the Republican-led Senate killed the tax, and Senate Republican leaders have pledged to do the same for any more proposed taxes that come down the pike.

Most likely, other taxes increases, combined with deep spending cuts, will be part of Granholm’s budget proposal Thursday.

Bernero: It's decision time

Sources close to Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero say he is closing in on a decision to throw his hat in the ring to become Michigan’s next governor.

Given that the State Journal recently obtained a recruitment letter seeking interns for Bernero’s “campaign” for governor, it’s a safe bet the Democrat will be a contender. Sources have indicated he may announce his bid outside of Lansing, possibly in the Grand Rapids area, to help spread his name recognition as he launches his bid.

According to Gongwer News, Jamaine Dickens, Bernero's spokesperson, said Bernero would announce his decision "in the very near term." He added the response so far to Bernero’s potential bid has “all been good. There's no reason to be discouraged."

Bernero accelerated his efforts to run for the job last month after Lt. Gov. John Cherry Jr. dropped out of the race. Other potential Democratic candidates for the job include House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township, business executive Denise Ilitch, Genesee County Treasurer Dan Kildee and former state Treasurer Robert Bowman. State Rep. Alma Wheeler, D-Salem Township, is a declared candidate for the nomination.

Paved roads: Cave men didn't need them. Why do we?

Michigan officials are increasingly warning of a funding shortage for maintaining the state’s streets and roads.

In fact, a pair of state representatives recently proposed hiking the state’s gas tax to raise $480 million a year so that the state would not lose out on hundreds of millions of dollars in matching federal road funds. Last week, the Michigan Department of Transportation delayed 240 road and bridge projects in its five-year plan.

 

Here’s one solution: Let the paved roads return to the gravel from whence they came.

The County Road Association of Michigan said Tuesday that 35 miles were returned to gravel in 2009. Officials said 38 counties have combined to pulverize about 100 miles of pavement and lay down gravel in the past few years.

Officials say counties lack money to reconstruct or repave deteriorating roads.

All of this seems a troubling trend. Want a future vision of Michigan’s roads? Rent a “Mad Max” movie and pop it into your DVD player. Or maybe “One Million Years B.C.” with Raquel Welch. (There’s something to be said for the good ‘ole days.)