Tag: Opsommer

The Republican state representative from Troy discusses the possibility of abolishing the Michigan civil service commission. The commission, he argues, has "ignored the constitution, the Legislature, the will of the people and common sense."  From the Detroit News commentary:

"Let me explain. The Civil Service Commission recently included "other eligible individuals and their dependents" as recipients of state health care benefits. This is ridiculous. These could include any roommate, distant cousin, or live-in boyfriend or girlfriend. The only requirement for this $4,000 to $17,000 yearly health care benefit package is that they must live with a state employee for a year. What a deal and at the expense of the taxpayer."

Indeed.

And it seems to follow the point on legitimacy of 'marriage' being used as a term for the unions of same sex couples.  Its about the money.  And in this case they step even further out onto the fringe.  That fringe, as in 'fringe benefits' for all who seemingly associate with state government workers.  Whether or not we can afford it, or if it even makes sense.

Former state Sen. Walter North of St. Ignace offered his endorsement on Tuesday after MacMaster discussed challenges facing the state with North, who also was executive chairman of the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
 

"I am extremely honored that Senator Walt North has endorsed my campaign." MacMaster said after the meeting. "I would be truly honored to continue his legacy in the Legislature and Northern Michigan."

The other endorsement from state Rep Paul Opsommer:

"In these tough economic times we need tough-minded representatives who can make the hard choices that will put Michigan back to work, and Greg is that person,"
And,   "Greg brings to the table the values and integrity Lansing so badly needs."

Approved today, Senate Bill 93, sponsored by Senator Alan Sanborn prevents mandatory ergonomics standards in the work place that would severly harm the viability of Michigan job providers.  SB 93 prohibits the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration from establishing mandatory ergonomic rules and standards.  

The legislation was needed because, well, the Granholm-Cherry administration is a big fan of following in California's footsteps on this issue.  The Sunshine State is the only one in the union with these sorts of onerous "standards" and the cost to job makers is expected to reach $500 million or more.

"Michigan's economy remains the worst in the nation, and if we're serious about recovery, we need to enact this bill," said Sanborn, R-Richmond Township. "Despite the lack of evidence that these rules are necessary, the administration has spent more than six years crafting mandatory standards. It's just plain bad policy, but to foist this on us during a recession borders on negligence."

"Just the specter of joining California in implementing mandatory ergonomics rules could affect job-provider decisions to locate, expand--or even to survive--here in Michigan,"

And before the bleeding hearts start belly-aching about carpal tunnel syndrome... Michigan's repetitive stress injury rate decreased by nearly 40 percent since 1998 without mandated ergonomic standards--better than the nationwide drop of 32 percent during that time.

We're not talking about a choice between healthier work places or more dangerous work places.  We're talking about work places (period) or no work places (period).

Props to the Senate for doing the right thing.  Again.  And the clock is now officially ticking on the state House.

And speaking of the House... the Republican caucus apparently isn't as interested in wasting the taxpayers' time as Andy Dillon is.  Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer, Paul Opsommer, Kim Meltzer and Tom McMillin joined Attorney General Mike Cox today in calling on the Granholm-Cherry administration to provide a healthy dose of desperately needed transparency to their wild spending.

Read on...