December - 2018

PECKING AT PELOSI

It’s looking like a sure thing that Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) will once again be elected Speaker of the House in early January, but it has cost Pelosi concessions from several incoming freshman congressmen. There are 66 new (and counting, with a few races still being counted) members in the 234-member caucus, which includes 35 women and 22 individuals of color – the most diverse group ever elected, and they represent a broad ideological spread, and want Pelosi and her leadersh

PECKING AT PELOSI

MADAME (CO)PRESIDENT

Incoming Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, Auburn Hills, western Oakland County and western Wayne County), who will be representing the 11th Congressional District now that Rep. David Trott is retiring, was elected co-president of the incoming freshman congressional class, along with Rep. Colin Allred (D-Texas). Stevens said there are no official responsibilities that come with the role – but don’t think it’s just a Miss Hospitality honor. “

MADAME (CO)PRESIDENT

WINNER TAKES HALF

To the victor goes the spoils – unless you’re a minority party member of the Michigan Senate, where you’ll receive about 60 percent of what Republicans who won elections in November will receive for staff budgets. While individual senators’ salaries follow the equal pay standard (with exception of those in party leadership positions), the amount of staff benefit packages and staff salary budgets are weighted heavily in favor of the Republican majority. For 2019, staff budgets

WINNER TAKES HALF

TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING

Gather round Republicans of Oakland County and admit that your party is in need of some changes following the GOP’s overall shellacking by Democrats in the 2018 general election. Leading the charge on that overhaul will be Andrew “Rocky” Raczkowski, who was elected on Monday, December 10, as the new chair of the Oakland County Republican Party. “There’s a lot that needs to change on how Republicans campaign,” Raczkowski said. “There needs to be a serious look at what you are

TIMES THEY ARE A-CHANGING

I DIDN’T SAY NOTHIN’

Oakland County Democrat and state House Rep. Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) isn’t denying rumors swirling around Lansing that governor-elect Gretchen Whitmer is considering him for a key position with the incoming administration – but he isn’t exactly spilling the beans, either. “It would be premature to discuss it,” said Greimel, who is term limited and lost his run for Congress in the August primary. Noting the incoming administration values strict confidentiality, Greimel

I DIDN’T SAY NOTHIN’

SHIFTING CHAIRS

Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Brandon Dillon delivered in November, bringing Michigan’s congressional delegation to a 7-7 split, flipping two Republican seats, narrowing the margins in the state Senate and House, and delivering a clean sweep at the top of the ticket – for Governor, Senator, Attorney General and Secretary of State. On December 12, Dillon announced he was retiring from the post – or more accurately, that he won’t run for re-election at the state party con

SHIFTING CHAIRS

TSL

This month, all of the lame duck Republicans in the state House and Senate make the list, including from Oakland County Sen. Mike Kowall (White Lake), Sen. Jim Marleau (Bloomfield Township), Sen. Marty Knollenberg (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills), Rep. Mike McCready (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Bloomfield Township), Rep. Klint Kesto (Commerce Township, West Bloomfield), Rep. Mike Webber (Rochester, Rochester Hills)...for their self-centered and egregious behavior in voting to

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