Tag: michigan supreme court (page 3)

The fake Tea Party has filed an application for leave to appeal with the Michigan Supreme Court, asking that court to overturn the Michigan Court of Appeals, a panel of which voted unanimously that the FTP should not be on the November ballot. With the much publicized departure of E. Weaver and the elevation of Alton Davis, this will be the first rule-of-law test for the newly constituted Supreme Court.

And now..  Betty Weaver has given a solid middle finger to the Republican party which supported her past ascension to the Michigan Supreme court. Weaver, who had filed as an Independent has apparently decided to forgo the cost of the race, and give a payback to the Republican party of Michigan that said it wouldn't nominate her as a result of her frequently siding with the more liberal justices too often..  She is quitting the bench.

Liz Boyd, spokeswoman for Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm, said Weaver, 69, would formally tender her resignation later in the morning and appear with the governor at a news event at noon.

The governor will appoint a replacement, and that action doesn't require the approval of the state Legislature, Boyd said.

And she is giving the valuable title of "incumbent" to whomever Jennifer Granholm puts in her place.  It is a gift to the Ds, a snub to the Rs, and a position that requires no confirmation from the legislature apparently.

Party delegates to the August 28 State Republican Convention will face the formidable tasks of selecting candidates for Secretary of State, Attorney General, and governing boards of Michigan State University, Wayne State University, and one other whose name escapes me (I think it's in the People's Republic of Ann Arbor).

At least as important as these tasks is the responsibility to select two nominees for the Michigan Supreme Court. Justice Robert Young is running for reelection, and he deserves our unanimous, unwavering support. Justice Young is an extraordinary legal talent with a first rate mind, unshakable integrity, and incredible vision.

The other nomination is between Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Mary Beth Kelly and Court of Appeals Judge Jane Markey. Both are well-qualified. So, how does one distinguish them?

"None are more haughty than a man of moderate capacity raised to power." - French proverb

Dear Friends,

Our economic distress isn't distracting Michigan's political elites from tending to their core mission - demanding honor and privilege for themselves...at taxpayer expense. Examples:

1. Last Thursday, the Michigan Supreme Court voted against closing several expensive `satellite offices' that were supposed to be temporarily needed until the now-completed Supreme Court Building opened in Lansing.  One satellite office in Traverse City is used exclusively by Justice Betty Weaver, who does not wish to surrender her vacation/office with beautiful view of Grand Traverse Bay. According to an article in subscription only MIRS News, conservative Justice Robert Young led the charge to close the excess offices. From MIRS News:

"There is no justification for the taxpayers of this state in this dire of an economy to be supporting two fully furnished offices for the justices," Young argued.

Young pointed out that the Weaver office is housed in a privately owned building and comes with a $65,000-per -year rental price tag for a suite of offices overlooking Traverse City Bay.

"I'd prefer to have the perk of having a second office close to my home," argued Young at one point while trying to argue that times have changed and necessitate the savings.

"It's not a perk, it's a part of the job," sniped Weaver.

Justice "Beachfront Betty" Weaver prevailed with support from newly-elected Justice Diane Hathaway and will keep her expensive view.

2. State Representative Fred Durhal, Jr. (D - Detroit) has introduced legislation requiring taxpayers to pay for a state police escort at funerals of deceased state legislators. Under House Bill 4229 (http://www.michiganvotes.org/2009-HB-4229), state politicians would be given death benefits usually provided to military veterans who risked their lives for this country. This vital legislation ensures that taxpayers recognize the nobility of state lawmakers upon their deaths.