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181 Days without action as House Dems continue blockadeBy Nick, Section News
 What with the House announcing officially yesterday that they're too busy soaking in the rays to take even one vote in support of their preferred solution's to Michigan's chronic budget problems I figured an update and a little compare and contrast was in order. It has now been: 181 DAYS without movement, legislation or a vote since Andy Dillon said:
"We did this in anticipation of the looming budget crisis and the need for us to roll up our sleeves and get to work immediately."
Journal of the House, Jan. 10, 2007, pgs. 22-23 Read on...
46 DAYS since the Democrat controlled House followed the Senate GOP lead on cuts, reforms and accounting changes that balanced the FY2007 budget without raising taxes. An imperfect budget fix but one that closed the books, didn't steal a dime from taxpayers and avoided the governor's proposed cuts to education and Medicaid that would have caused schools to close early and "people to die" (the governor's words).
40 DAYS since the Democrat controlled House closed shop entirely to head up to Mackinac island for fudge, carriage rides and time on the porch of the Grand Hotel, wrapping up a period of time when they worked two of eleven days. Looking back to the week immediately preceding this particular hiatus we find the Memorial Day weekend. When you lay it all out in order the Democrat controlled House did the following: Four day Memorial Day weekend (Friday, May 25 through Monday, May 28) Two day work week (Tuesday and Wednesday, May 29 and 30) Five day weekend on Mackinac Island (Thursday, May 31 through Monday, June 4) 27 DAYS since the Senate GOP and House Dems agreed on a replacement for the hated Single Business Tax, clearing the legislative agenda to tackle the $1.5 billion FY2008 budget "deficit." So it's been nearly a month since the legislature cleared the table and set about working on the current mess. The Senate continues to insist on significant reforms and have started taking votes. The Dems in the Senate have voted NO unanimously on each bill to this point, continuing to insist on a massive tax hike. But the Senate GOP isn't deterred. Lansing insider publication Gongwer reported last night that the they're working this week (yes, working) and focusing specifically on their package of reform legislation so if and when the House Dems ever come back to the office there'll be something to discuss. Though it's still likely to be a one-sided conversation. After all, 56 days ago the Senate had to pass a balanced budget on their own because the House wouldn't engage in the debate or hold a single vote. They had to be dragged along kicking and screaming at that point. Think we'll see a repeat? The House Dems simply refuse to act. They claim to support revenue enhancements but won't cast a vote. They won't vote on a tax hike. They won't vote on reforms. They won't vote period. They continue to stall, to throw up barriers, to take tax-payer funded vacations and to earn nice fat retirement benefits (thanks to Rep. Robert Dean, a freshman lawmaker not afraid to look out for himself). As the radical left kicks and screams that nothing is getting done it's long past time for the House to put up or shut up. Take a vote. Any vote. Please. You've stalled for 181 days, that's long enough.
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