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Rep. Gaffney's 30 silver piecesBy leondrolet, Section News
If you missed Friday afternoon's news that Governor Granholm had appointed former Republican state Representative Ed Gaffney to a cushy $82,000 job on the Liquor Control Commission, it's because you were supposed to miss it.
You see, politicians hide unpopular news by announcing it on Friday afternoons. The major print media is mostly done writing their Sunday editions, talk show hosts don't return until Monday, and the public's attention has turned to weekend activities. So, Granholm hopes nobody notices her appointment of recently term-limited Rep. Ed Gaffney. Why? Not because Ed Gaffney isn't a nice guy (he's well liked by Lansing's political class) but because Ed Gaffney was one of only two Republicans in the state House to vote for Granholm's unpopular income tax hike just over a year ago. She owes him - and now she appears to have delivered.
Media and political observers remember how furiously Granholm lobbied Republican House members to support the tax hike. The Governor wanted the income tax increase to be "bipartisan" and House Speaker Andy Dillon wanted to allow politically vulnerable Democrat House members to vote against it. Every `yes' vote from a Republican meant one more Democrat was free to vote `no'.
I watched from the House balcony during Granholm's lobbying efforts. One by one, Granholm called Republican lawmakers into the privacy of her Capitol office. `Privacy' in Lansing is a relative thing, because leaks are more prevalent than on the Lion's defensive line. The Capitol media and lobbying community spread every rumor about what Granholm was offering each lawmaker in exchange for their `yes' vote on her tax hike. Rep. Gaffney, a term-limited Republican who wouldn't face reelection and with a reputation as a moderate deal-maker, was one of Granholm's prime targets. A judgeship was what Granholm supposedly offered Gaffney, who is also an attorney. No one except Granholm and Gaffney know exactly what went on in the Governor's office. After meeting with Granholm, Republican Ed Gaffney voted to raise your state income tax by 12%, a vote that cost citizens at least $750 million last year. Now, Ed Gaffney will enjoy his new salary for years to come as a member of the state Liquor Control Commission. Very little press covered her appointment (Detroit Free Press story here: http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2009901170335). Of course, the Senate must first confirm Gaffney's appointment; but they certainly will. After all, Ed Gaffney is a nice guy, well liked by Lansing's political class...
Leon Drolet
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Rep. Gaffney's 30 silver pieces | 5 comments (5 topical, 0 hidden)
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