Tag: Mike Shirkey

In 2012, an even MORE ridiculous 25x25 requirement was promoted (and failed) as a constitutional amendment, in a state which has a monstrous electricity appetite as a leader in manufacturing.  Now as the legislature approaches the crossroads of [Oh gosh we can't meet the 10%!] and [What the hell happened to electricity prices?] in Michigan, another 35% 'mandate' pusher shows up with a 'conservative' emphasis and the useful idiots who have already signed on.

As soon as Michigan State Representative Mike Shirkey announced a solid-as-steel return to electricity competition in our state, the rust of cronyism began eating away at the plan. Snyder stepped up the call for increased renewable energy in the midst of the current mandate meltdown, and a new shadow group was formed with friendly 'conservative' faces to front it. (see useful idiot mention above)

Sometimes however, its worth looking to other experts who have a different take on such things.

Are the mandates even legal?

Thanks to the TB912, and Dining Room productions for another useful and informative video.

As the drum beat for real electric competition picks up, its interesting to see utilities offering reductions in rates.  How convenient and thick with irony is it that as Mike Shirkey starts beating said drum, DTE proclaims accross the board rate cuts! From Crains:

"Last month, DTE announced it would lower electric rates starting this month for business and most industrial customers between 5.5 percent to 7.4 percent and drop residential rates by an average of 6.5 percent. The cuts are expected to save about $80 a year for homeowners and varying amounts for businesses based on usage.

It was DTE's first rate reduction since 2007, when the company lowered base rates by $80 million. "

Yes timing IS everything when attempting to pass legislation that limits consumer choice.  Perhaps its good to look benevolent so that people say "what a nice organization this is," and let up pressure on competition legislation.  It worked in 2007, and monopoly legislation passed. And now that the peasants with pitchforks and torches are approaching,

"Since 2008, requests (and approvals) for rate increases have been nearly four times the historic average. Meanwhile our retail electric energy costs have gone up more than 30 percent, while wholesale costs for electric energy in the Midwest region have gone down almost 50 percent.

Let them eat it.

We knew the costs that "green energy" programming in Michigan would incur on the taxpayers left in the state.  The utilities knew this as well, and wasted no efforts in having such draconian reversals of free markets passed with the likes of HB 5524 (2007):

"Passed 78 to 29 in the House on September 18, 2008, to adopt a compromise version of the bill reported by a House-Senate conference committee. This would mostly end the state's electric competition law that allows customers to choose an alternative provider; allow the utilities to impose surcharges on customers so they can recoup the "costs" incurred from Michigan's experiment with competitive electricity markets; and phase out over five years the current cross-subsidization of residential customers by commercial and industrial ones. The bill would guaranty DTE and Consumers Power at least 90 percent of the utility business in the areas they serve, even if other providers offer lower prices. The bill is tie-bared to Senate Bill 213, which imposes "renewable" energy mandates on utilities. "

SB 213 was a doozy, with each chamber ratcheting up the mandate for renewable energy produced each time it was reconciled:

"Introduced by Sen. Patricia Birkholz (R) on February 20, 2007, to mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 4 percent of their power from "renewable" sources, growing to at least 8 percent by 2013. .. to mandate that electric utilities acquire at least 7 percent of their power from "renewable" and "clean" sources (including "carbon capture" coal plants) by 2015 .. to mandate that Michigan electric utilities acquire 10 percent of their power from "renewable" sources by the end of 2015. .."

And as long as the power monopoly remained, it was no problem for the major utilities in Michigan.  They get 90% of the market GUARANTEED by legislation, and the ratepayer gets the shaft through piss poor legislation and cronyism.

One legislator is bringing some attention back to this.

Each of these representatives put their mark on the dotted line for eventual higher federal taxes, Obamacare, and expanding reliance on a bigger government. They are Republicans, who have sought and won the trust of those who believe in a LIMITED government, and support a platform that says Republicans will do so. Many wouldn't even be in office if it were not for the grass roots conservative revolution in 2010; a group that is hardly out of the picture.

JamesBolger@house.mi.gov; mikeCallton@house.mi.gov; HughCrawford@house.mi.gov; CindyDenby@house.mi.gov; AnthonyForlini@house.mi.gov; FrankFoster@house.mi.gov; BenGlardon@house.mi.gov; JosephHaveman@house.mi.gov; BradJacobsen@house.mi.gov; KlintKesto@house.mi.gov; EileenKowall@house.mi.gov; AndreaLaFontaine@house.mi.gov; MattLori@house.mi.gov; LisaLyons@house.mi.gov; GregMacMaster@house.mi.gov; michaelmccready@house.mi.gov; MargaretOBrien@house.mi.gov; DavePagel@house.mi.gov; EarlPoleski@house.mi.gov; AlPscholka@house.mi.gov; AmandaPrice@house.mi.gov; BillRogers@house.mi.gov; MikeShirkey@house.mi.gov; WayneSchmidt@house.mi.gov; JimStamas@house.mi.gov; JohnWalsh@house.mi.gov; KenYonker@house.mi.gov; DaleWZorn@house.mi.gov;

We know of a couple who have said they will change their votes.  They are not responding to threats of activists, but realize after making their choices, that they have been lied to along the way by the governor, the Lt governor and lobbyist after lobbyist looking for that next windfall on the taxpayer dime.  Help the rest of them get the information they need.

The last chance is tomorrow or this week.  

In an article regarding representative Mike Shirkey's support of Right To Work measures and specifically the plan endorsed by the Freedom To work coalition, it was noted that State Senator Randy Richardville does not support RTW, and that he has a supporter on the other side who agrees a little too eagerly.

Gretchen Whitmer says:

"Opposing Right to Work legislation is one thing Senator Richardville and I have always agreed upon," Whitmer said. "I'm calling on him to stand with me in denouncing these anti-worker efforts and give Michigan's working families the peace of mind that this terrible policy is dead on arrival."

Both sides will be participating in a larger than (earlier) expected forum. From a recent press release:

A local town hall meeting next week on the Detroit-Windsor bridge proposals will move to a larger venue to accommodate a higher than expected turnout, state Reps. Earl Poleski and Mike Shirkey announced a couple days ago.

The event, still scheduled for Tuesday, June 28 at 7 p.m., will now take place at Jackson High School's auditorium, 544 Wildwood Ave., Jackson.  It was also announced that Michigan Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, of Gov. Rick Snyder's administration, and Mickey Blashfield, of the Ambassador Bridge Company, will attend to give both sides of the issue.

"People continue to ask me about the potential for a new international bridge, whether I'm at my local office hours, the grocery store or at church," said Poleski, R-Jackson.  "We're delighted that Lt. Gov. Calley and Matthew Moroun have agreed to take time out of their busy schedules.  Outside of a formal legislative committee meeting, this will be the first time we have officials from both sides of the issue together in one room to publicly address the issue."

WKHM-Radio Program Director Marc Daly will host the meeting, and residents will be allowed to submit questions.

"The town hall is a testament to open government and our continued efforts to ensure transparency in the democratic process," said Shirkey, R-Clarklake.  "We encourage all citizens who have an interest in the issue to attend."