Absent lawmakers, Dixon’s crime plan, Trump returns: The week in Michigan politics

It’s 8 o’clock. Are you aware the place your state lawmakers are?

Most likely not in Lansing.

That play on an old TV PSA apart, lots of the individuals you elected to make legal guidelines for you haven’t been right here for some time, and don’t count on all of them again any time quickly.

Legislators final held session in June, then left for summer season break. Some payments have been launched because the normal Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday calendar picked again up after Labor Day, however it’s nonetheless crickets within the state Capitol.

Why? Effectively, they’re out campaigning. It’s solely seven weeks until Election Day.

“These of us will not be tremendous engaged on coverage proper now,” Adrian Hemond, CEO of consulting agency Grassroots Midwest, told MLive legislative reporters Jordyn Hermani and Alyssa Burr this week.

“They’re full on in an election mode, like all of them must run for his or her jobs proper now.”

Republicans management each chambers, in order that they set the agenda. Neither Home Speaker Jason Wentworth nor Senate Majority Chief Mike Shirkey responded for my colleagues’ story. However sources informed them lawmakers will meet just a handful of times in September, then take off the entire month of October.

Democrats have been calling on Republicans for weeks to return again to the Capitol. Points they need to talk about embrace tax cuts, well being care, water infrastructure and abortion.

Learn extra: Taxes, water, abortion: Dems clamor for legislative action as GOP stays mum on priorities

“We have now at the least $7 billion, at the least, {dollars} sitting on the steadiness sheet, and there are a whole lot of issues we need to see Michigan put money into,” stated Senate Minority Chief Jim Ananich, D-Flint, noting a surplus in state funds partly as a consequence of federal COVID-19 cash.

The longer these {dollars} are left in Washington, stated Home Minority Chief Donna Lasinski, D-Scio Township, the longer “we’re leaving Michigan residents’ wants unmet.”

2. Tudor Dixon pitches $1 billion law enforcement funding increase

Talking of campaigning, Republican governor candidate Tudor Dixon crisscrossed the state this week to put out a big-money plan to assist legislation enforcement and cut back violent crime.

She unveiled the proposals Tuesday standing exterior the Grand Rapids Police Division, the place MLive governor reporter Simon Schuster obtained the small print.

Dixon’s marketing campaign says the $1 billion plan over 4 years would “recruit and retain” greater than 12,500 officers between native and state police, firefighters, paramedics and corrections officers.

Right here’s the breakdown:

• $700 million for perks like stipends throughout coaching and free looking licenses.
• $250 million for tools, coaching and psychological well being help.
• $50 million for forensics lab expansions and discovering fugitives.

Violent crime is certainly rising, according to Michigan State Police’s annual report final yr (web page 14). Since 2018 (the yr Whitmer was elected) violent crime is up 8%, though property crime is down 18%.

Dixon might be highlighting 4 extra pillars of her marketing campaign within the coming weeks, her chief strategist informed Simon. In the meantime, a spokesperson for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer informed him the Democrat’s file is considered one of working throughout the aisle to assist police “maintain Michiganders protected.”

Simon was additionally in Grand Rapids the day earlier than because the governor stood with “Republicans for Whitmer,” largely former officeholders who introduced their help. It jogs my memory of the lists of Republicans who backed Joe Biden as a substitute of Donald Trump in 2020.

Learn extra: ‘Republicans For Whitmer’ group unveiled in bid for crossover support

To Dixon’s credit score, although, she was endorsed this week by 22 Michigan county sheriffs, and one was a Democrat: Saginaw County’s William Federspiel.

3. Trump returning to Michigan for October rally with state candidates

Probably Dixon’s most necessary endorsement got here from former President Donald Trump, who continues to exert his affect on the midterms.

Trump held a rally in Macomb County within the spring, and we realized Thursday he’ll be again two weeks from now to drum up help for Dixon and the Republican candidates for lawyer normal and secretary of state: Matthew DePerno and Kristina Karamo.

In an announcement that referred to as the trio “Michigan’s Trump ticket,” the ex-President’s group stated he’ll rally at Macomb County Group Faculty on Saturday, Oct. 1.

Fascinated about going? Right here’s the full schedule.

Additionally relating to Trump’s affect in Michigan, right here’s a trivia query: Who obtained his political motion committee’s largest donation right here? The reply is definitely not a “who,” however a “what.”

Whereas wanting by means of marketing campaign finance data, I noticed Save America PAC donated a whopping $150,000 to a voter ID initiative, Safe MI Vote, in June. The proposal turned in signatures too late for the November poll, however state legislation permits the GOP-led legislature to make it legislation with out worrying a few Whitmer veto.

There’s greater than a pair transferring elements right here, however when you’re curious to why Trump’s PAC would give that a lot cash – 30 occasions the very best donation to any Michigan candidate – my story has some solutions.

4. Slur for Native American women removed from over 30 Michigan landmarks

Whereas vacationing round Michigan this summer season, you might have visited a lake however by no means knew its title was an ethnic slur.

I’ll direct you to Alyssa’s story from Wednesday when you don’t know the phrase, however it’s the identical phrase as the positioning of the 1960 Winter Olympics.

This derogatory s-word for Native American ladies is now formally gone from greater than 650 locations nationwide, together with 32 in Michigan. The renamed websites listed below are largely lakes and streams.

“I really feel a deep obligation to make use of my platform to make sure that our public lands and waters are accessible and welcoming,” U.S. Inside Secretary Deb Haaland stated in an announcement. “That begins with eradicating racist and derogatory names which have graced federal places for much too lengthy.”

Alyssa has extra background on the phrase’s historical past and the title adjustments in her story, plus a full list and map.

5. Departing chief justice hopes for ‘younger and more diverse’ Michigan Supreme Court

Lower than per week after writing opinions to get two main abortion and voting rights proposals onto the November poll, Michigan Supreme Court docket Chief Justice Bridget McCormack says she’s retiring by the tip of 2022.

Why would she go away simply two years into an 8-year time period? She informed Simon this week she hasn’t misplaced enthusiasm; It’s simply time to go the torch.

Of the 115 justices in Michigan’s historical past, solely 13 have been ladies.

“I believe there’s a little bit little bit of an obligation for these of us who’re in positions like this for lengthy sufficient to step apart and let youthful individuals take the helm,” McCormack stated. “If my era — I’m now 56 — steps apart and lets a youthful and extra numerous group of leaders get to the desk and lead, I actually suppose that’s at all times going to be higher for establishments.”

McCormack is leaving to be a pacesetter on the American Arbitration Affiliation. The individual she’s changing made nearly $1 million in 2020, in response to publicly accessible tax kinds, much more than the $165,000 that McCormack and her fellow justices make.

There’s rather more to find out about McCormack from Simon’s interview, however your enjoyable truth for the week is that Mary McCormack, who it’s possible you’ll know from “The West Wing” or “In Plain Sight,” is her sister.

Right here’s a marketing campaign advert she did for Chief Justice McCormack in 2012:

Take pleasure in the remainder of your weekend! MLive meteorologist Mark Torregrossa suggests making it a seaside day. 👀 🏖️

Extra from our group this week:

Michigan man at U.S. Capitol attack gets 5-year prison sentence

Will anti-LGBTQ rhetoric by some in Michigan GOP raise cash, incite base?

Abortion, the economy may play pivotal role in who controls Michigan’s House

Michigan lands $105M federal grant to remove Detroit’s I-375

Attendance rates drop 4% in Michigan schools compared to pre-pandemic numbers

GOP lawmaker’s candidacy called into question after voter registration snafu

Michigan House looks to bring state in line with federal insurance guidelines