Psssst. Did you see the new band of merry reformers called “Reform Michigan Government Now” who popped up in recent weeks?
Supposedly drafted somewhere in Hastings, this effort appears to have at least the smudges of fingerprints from the Michigan Democratic Party, as veteran Lansing political commentator Peter Luke explains.
Despite the authoritative name of this petition drive, we’re scratching our heads as we look for the “reform.” As Luke explains, the ballot measure would:
None of these moves would save more than a wee drop in the bucket that is the state budget. And none of them address the almost universally ignored yet detailed structural reform ideas put forth last year by the governor’s bipartisan panel of financial advisors. So where’s the real reform?
And, given the hardly coincidental wording that targets only Republican judges for ouster, is this effort really any more admirable than Republicans’ recent — and thankfully failed — effort to recall House Speaker Andy Dillon over a tax vote? How does this tit-for-tat move Michigan forward?
Finally, do you want what goes on in the Capitol determined by only nine toss-up seats in the House and another four in the Senate? Would those kinds of battleground elections produce sound, future-oriented debate in election season or party-driven nuclear warfare in your mailbox?
The Center for Michigan has received numerous inquiries about whether we’re involved in Reform Michigan Government Now. Uh-uh. Annette Guilfoyle, our new west Michigan outreach coordinator, puts it more politely than I do: “The potential ballot proposal called Reform Michigan Government Now has a lengthy list of proposals, but should not be confused with Michigan’s Defining Moment. While both advocate change in the way Michigan does business – the MDM agenda is citizen determined and citizen driven. Another important difference is that the MDM Agenda promotes bipartisan cooperation and enjoys bipartisan support. While we wish the organizers luck in their efforts, we do not wish to have our efforts confused.”
Another reform group is also busily trying to distance itself from Reform Government Now. Poor Henry Woloson, the Oakland County Leader of advocates for a part-time legislature plan called “Reform Michigan Government,” is a bit baffled, as he explained in an email to supporters this week:
“A group calling itself Reform Michigan Government “Now” (my emphasis) is currently circulating a petition with paid petition collectors. The Bureau of Elections in the Michigan Secretary of State’s Office will confirm that they received paperwork from me to set up our group on 1/23/2008. The Bureau of Elections received the paperwork to set up the other group approximately one month later on 2/22/2008. We had already received a substantial amount of positive press statewide and our name was on file when the other group submitted their paperwork. Why did they adopt 75 percent of our name? Normally I would not care. But Reform Michigan Government “Now” (the other group) has attracted negative publicity which puts us in a bad light. Some of our volunteers are upset because they feel we are pursuing a different course of action. Since I had previously been contacted by several people assuming we were this other group, I have to assume it was the intent of the other group to capitalize on our efforts and name. I have called the Bureau of Elections where a complaint will be filed against the other group. Finally, as an attorney, I am looking into whatever legal action is appropriate given the damages that this other group causing.”
Maybe we all need to take an extra day off for Fourth of July?
One Comment
“And, given the hardly coincidental wording that targets only Republican judges”. Silly me, I thought judges had to be nonpartisan.