Tag: Jase Bolger

Jase Bolger attempting to keep ALL the options on the table for the road funding component of Michigan's budget speaks of reaching out across the aisle. From SFGATE on Saturday:

"They're saying, 'We want everything we want and then we'll give you no assurance that we'll help you with solving the road problems,'" said House Speaker Jase Bolger. "We're saying, 'Please, give us a list of what you want but participate in providing the solution at the same time.' ... We've continued to reach our hand out and that hand has not been returned."

Stop feeding the beast that would bite them off.  If they refuse to deal with such common sense solutions as removing the prevailing wage provisions (saving hundreds of millions annually) then they offer no value to the conversation.

Moving forward, ignore the buffoon in the other chamber:

"Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, a Monroe Republican, said the prevailing wage legislation won't go anywhere "unless I were to die."  "

And this isn't the only example of people that we need to be paying attention to.

Snyder wants the exchanges, apparently based on some funding that comes along with it.  But the funding is only temporary,and the rules for an exchange set up as "local" will not be allowed to carry the rules that local (state) citizens might want.  The default nature of a federal set of rules is in fact the reality NO MATTER who sets up the exchange.  The expense of ongoing operations of course will fall on the backs of  Michigan citizens.

Tomorrow at 830AM there will be hearings.  You may not be able to make it, but you can have your testimony entered into the record.

You can e-mail the Committee Clerk: Malika Abdul-Basir
E-Mail: mabdul@house.mi.gov and ask that your e-mail be entered into public testimony.  

House Standing Committee Meeting
Health Policy, Rep. Gail Haines, Chair
DATE: 11/29/2012
TIME: 8:30 AM
PLACE: Room 519 House Office Building, Lansing, MI
AGENDA: SB 693 (Sen. Marleau) Insurance; health; MiHealth marketplace; establish.

Any Republicans Reps who vote for this have a problem on their hands. Since the re-election of Barack Obama, conservatives, and other Republican activists have had to redouble efforts in stopping the implementation of Obamacare. And as observed during a conference call tonight they will likely prevail. A brief discussion of hitting newly re-elected speaker Jase Bolger with a recall faded quickly, though it will not likely be forgotten by some.  Bolger, who won by a narrow margin (roughly 800 votes) is being closely watched on the exchange issue and one other key issue close to the heart of traditionalists and conservatives; ALAC. (HB 4769)  The controversy surrounding the Roy Schmidt party switch also haunting him adds fuel.

If Bolger is seen on the wrong side of these issues by conservatives, and particularly the exchange, could be as damaging to the political careers of any reps who vote FOR the exchanges as a recall of Bolger might be.  One only needs to look at a simple mailing sent out during the primary season to understand how any perceived supporter of Obamacare will be permanently labeled. (below)

"The Republican governor said in a statement that he didn't agree with everything in the law, which he says doesn't focus enough on promoting wellness and restraining health care costs. But he wants to work quickly to set up Michigan's online marketplace so the state "can make decisions regarding what will be covered as opposed to Washington, D.C., making those decisions for us."

AG Schuette on the other hand has indicated it is unacceptable, and even called for a wait and see until AT LEAST November:

"Today's decision raises the stakes - does the reach of federal government have any limits at all?  If the federal government can force you to purchase a product or pay a hefty fine, there is virtually no limit to what it can compel you to do.

"I will carefully review all aspects of this ruling.  Today's opinion only strengthens my resolve to work with other national leaders to repeal ObamaCare and fight for and defend the Constitution."

And from his press statement following the ruling, he said:

"I think it would be wiser for our policy leaders in this state to wait until November, that's the final decision break point on this healthcare debate."

In the mean time we have work to do.

As Mitch McConnel pointed out quite accurately:

"The Kentucky Republican said Monday it's hard to unravel something of the magnitude of the 2,700-page health care law, WHAS-TV (http://bit.ly/LSUtqX ) reports.

"If you thought it was a good idea for the federal government to go in this direction, I'd say the odds are still on your side," McConnell said. "Because it's a lot harder to undo something than it is to stop it in the first place."

Speaker Jase Bolger needs your help.  He needs your support to hold off on allowing any movement on the exchange until we are absolutely sure this monstrosity has been jammed down our throats forever. Call him: (517) 373-1787 or email him: JamesBolger@house.mi.gov and tell him we have his back.

Then Call Bill Schuette's office and thank him for being strong in the face of incredible political pressure by the governor's office.  Phone: (517) 373-1110, and email: miag@michigan.gov

Strength must be rewarded.

"I think it would be wiser for our policy leaders in this state to wait until November, that's the final decision break point on this healthcare debate."

And a side note on the question of WHOM is to be running the exchange?  Name three or four of the current governor's best friends, and you will be pretty close. If they are not currently, then they are soon-to-be, as it will involve vast amounts of money.

Michiganians can expect individual tax relief this year as part of an agreement on the state budget hammered out late Wednesday that also includes more money for education, roads and film tax credits.

The state will use $90 million in one-time money to reduce personal income taxes by one-tenth of a percent through either a reduction in the rate, a personal exemption or a combination of both, according to Gov. Rick Snyder's office. He and Republican legislative leaders have still to work out the details.

....

Another $180 million will be added to the schools budget, including $106 million to pre-fund the school employees retirement system with the remainder going to K-12 classrooms.

Snyder emerged from a late Wednesday afternoon budget huddle with House Speaker Jase Bolger and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville saying, "It's making soup; it's good stuff."

Read about the rest of this crap here.

"It's been an amazing conference," said Michigan Republican Party Chairman Bobby Schostak. "The enthusiasm from our grassroots and from our elected officials is outstanding, and our attendees experienced it first-hand."

"This conference will pay huge dividends for our state and our country," Schostak said. "We will work with our leaders and our grassroots to continue to reinvent Michigan."

This year's conference incorporated numerous events, including addresses and appearances by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney, Texas Governor Rick Perry, Congressmen Thad McCotter, and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus.

Besides Snyder, Michigan's Republican leadership on the island included Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley, Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, Attorney General Bill Schuette, House Speaker Jase Bolger, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, and Congressmen Dave Camp, Candice Miller, Dan Benishek, Fred Upton, Tim Walberg, Bill Huizenga, and Justin Amash.

Many elected officials participated in panel discussions focused on making Michigan a job-growth engine.

"Republican activists had an outstanding conversation and we will continue the discussion throughout the upcoming year.  Our relentless positive action continues to drive success for all Michigan families."
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