With regard to Snyders' NAFTA Bridge, some of the Republicans don't suffer cranial rectal immersion.
Still, Snyder and the pro-bridge forces had not buckled and there was talk Tuesday of Richardville offering a substitute bill or moving bills to another committee.
Several Capitol watchers observed that Snyder pushed through new pension taxes in May when prospects for those changes also looked dim.
Republicans cite a number of reasons for opposing the project. They say:
Traffic volumes don't support a new bridge.
Promises it won't cost taxpayers a dime are too good to be true.
Snyder oversold a deal he struck under which $550 million fronted by Canada would purportedly be converted into $2.2 billion in federal road money for Michigan.
Government shouldn't do what private business is willing to do on its own.
At caucus, "there were people that were vocally opposed," and "there were people who were vocally supportive," said Amber McCann, Richardville's spokeswoman.
Many Republican senators remain undecided and "there's more than one way for this bill to come to the floor."
McCann confirmed Richardville asked the governor's office to back off while he worked the seven-member committee, which has five Republicans, and his caucus for votes.
"If we haven't given up, we're certainly not pessimistic," she said.
Looks like it's time to focus on those in Randy's Committee.
GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS:
Teri Ambs, Clerk: (517) 373-3543
Time: Tuesday, 1:00 pm
Room: 402/403, Capitol
Sen. Randy Richardville, Majority Leader (Chair)
Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Room S-106
(517) 373-3543
Fax: (517) 373-0927
Toll-free: (866) 556-7917
E-mail: senrichardville@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Dave Hildenbrand, Assistant Majority Leader (Vice Chair)
Billie S. Farnum Bldg.
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Room 920
(517) 373-1801
Fax: (517) 373-5801
E-mail: sendhildenbrand@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Arlen Meekhof, Majority Floor Leader
Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Room S-8
(517) 373-6920
Fax: (517) 373-2751
E-mail: senameekhof@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, Minority Leader (Minority Vice Chair)
Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Room S-105
(517) 373-1734
Fax: (517) 373-5397
E-mail: sengwhitmer@senate.michigan.gov
Sen. Tupac Hunter, Minority Floor Leader
Capitol Bldg.
P.O. Box 30036
Lansing, MI 48909-7536
Room S-9
(517) 373-0994
Fax: (517) 373-5981
Toll-free: (866) 262-7305
E-mail: senthunter@senate.michigan.gov
Note: according to the Michigan Legislative Handbook & Directory there are only 5 Senators (3 Republican, 2 Democratic) listed on Richardville's Committee.
