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    Who are the NERD fund donors Mr Snyder?

    Raise the curtain.

    New Recall Law Will Likely Be Challenged


    By JGillman, Section News
    Posted on Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 02:41:12 PM EST
    Tags: HB6060, Michigan, Recalls, Board of Canvassers, Elections, Politics, Constitution (all tags)

    Rick Snyder has missed the point once again.

    Fear of those time wasting recalls, and by golly the possibility that scorn of the public might translate into some form of holding-feet-to-fire action, has encouraged action by certain legislators.  In fact that fear has energized the bunny governor, who has hopped right into the wrong side of the argument.

    In his statement regarding passage of HB6060 and HB6063, the governor frames the role of recalls incorrectly. He says;

    "The option to recall an elected official is an important feature of our state's democratic process, but Michigan's current recall system has some components that all sides have agreed are flawed. These changes will help ensure recalls are done in a fair and consistent manner and help prevent political gamesmanship from both sides of the aisle."

    How compelling that we be saved from "political gamesmanship".  How wonderful it is, to make it a more pleasant employment atmosphere for the sensitive egos of politicos who cannot live up to their promises, implied or openly stated.

    Oh my, such pressures to live by.

    More below.

    Something had to change!

    HB6060 Added these words:

    State factually and clearly each reason for the recall.

    Each reason for the recall shall be based upon the officer's conduct during his or her current term of office. The reason for the recall may be typewritten. If any reason for the recall is  based on the officer's conduct in connection with specific legislation, the reason for the recall shall not misrepresent the content of the specific legislation.

    ..

    If any reason for the recall is not factual or of sufficient clarity, the entire  recall petition shall be rejected.

    The very premise of recalls in Michigan is spelled out very clear in the state's constitution.
    § 8 Recalls.
    Sec. 8. Laws shall be enacted to provide for the recall of all elective officers except judges of courts of record upon petition of electors equal in number to 25 percent of the number of persons voting in the last preceding election for the office of governor in the electoral district of the officer sought to be recalled. The sufficiency of any statement of reasons or grounds procedurally required shall be a political rather than a judicial question.
    Recalls are of a political nature. Period.

    The word 'factual' is used more than once in HB6060, yet remains a subjective target, unless fully investigated with hearings, witness testimony, and evidentiary procedure, and judged to be truthful.  Sans that investigation and process, is that the political ability to stuff a decision down a petitioner's face becomes that of the board of canvassers.  Their composition is mandated by our constitution to have no majority political party control. However, the legislated mechanics of selection are easy enough to understand:

    ..  Currently, the Board is composed of four members who are appointed by the Governor with the advice and consent of the Senate.

    How convenient.

    "You can't recall us, because we say you can't".

    HB6060 is clearly legislation waiting to be challenged, thus earning it our prized icon.

    < Right To Work Christmas | Postcards From Lansing >


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    Display: Sort:
    Ineptocracy cabal (none / 0) (#1)
    by Corinthian Scales on Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 02:56:13 PM EST


    Probably the first of many, I'm afraid. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by KG One on Fri Dec 21, 2012 at 04:31:34 PM EST
    Taking a page out of the democrat handbook, suspending the rules and going full bore for 18-some hours straight to cram through 160 bills with little oversight was incredibly stupid IMHO.

    Haugh has always been a sneaky little you-know-what. If I had to venture a guess, I'd say that this was a bone tossed to the dems to get them to play ball (or just shut up) about another bill.

    I haven't had a chance to do a more thorough read through of the batch from last Thursday/Friday.

    I'd hate to find out what else made it through last week.

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