So now we have a chief executive who has some political capital to spend (as a result of being fortunate enough to be the one in office when a four-year, all-grassroots effort actually paid off), and who doesn't need to negotiate for a supermajority vote, apparently a little too eager to jump into the taxpayers' pocket instead of actually cutting the waste out of a ~$51 billion budget.  A reasonable question to ask might be, why is the silence from the leadership of the Michigan Republican Party, who by principle are required to oppose the governor's policies, so deafening?

The only high-profile republican opposition to the governor right now isn't coming from within the hallowed halls of the Secchia-Weiser headquarters building, but rather from the challenger to the incumbent chairman.  I've been seeing links to Todd Courser's "Pain at the Pump" press release in my news feeds this week, and I've been wondering why the incumbent doesn't have the stones to do this.

The Todd Courser press release, in its entirety:

Lapeer, Michigan - Michigan Republican Party Chairman Candidate Todd Courser has come out against the gas tax increase proposed by Republican Governor Rick Snyder.  The Governor has proposed increasing the tax on regular and diesel fuel to 33 cents per gallon, an increase of 19 cents and 15 cents per gallon respectively.  In addition to increasing the cost at the pump, Governor Snyder's proposal calls for a 60% increase in registration fees, which averages out to an increase of $120 per year per vehicle.

"As Republicans we have a platform that calls for lower taxes and limited government and the Governor's proposal contradicts these principles." said Courser.  "We need to offer a contrast to the failed policies of Granholm and the Democrat Party.  We should look at reducing spending and becoming more efficient rather than increasing the tax burden on already hurting families," said Courser.

According to Mark Griffin of the Michigan Petroleum Association, the proposed plan would give Michigan "the worst gasoline tax in the country and the highest gas prices in the country."

Courser responded, "As Chairman I will be an advocate for bold conservative leadership and principles.  We should not accept policies that go against our core beliefs and the gas tax proposal is one of those issues," continued Courser.  "Two options to consider are streamlining government agencies and equalizing labor costs with the private sector.  We also need to stop picking winners and losers by subsidizing one industry or business over another.  There are many alternatives to raising the gas tax and we should make every effort to be a fiscally responsible government, rather than over-burdening our constituents," said Courser.

And there you go.