February - 2019

FAT LADY HASN’T SUNG

A Republican effort to thwart environmental changes at the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) into the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy by overturning an executive order issued in February by Governor Gretchen Whitmer is expected to play out by the end of March. But, despite having enough votes to overturn the order, which would reorganize the state’s environmental department and add extra focus on water quality and energy, Whitmer may have an

FAT LADY HASN’T SUNG

READY TO RUN

Whether or not Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson keeps his streak going in 2020 and runs for an unprecedented eighth (!) four-year term, Oakland County Board of Commissioners Chairman Dave Woodward (D-Berkley, Royal Oak) will be throwing his hat in the ring to run. “I am very interested in being the next county executive,” he said, setting up a potential primary throw down with fellow Democrat Andy Meisner, currently the county treasurer. Woodward, a former state r

READY TO RUN

AH THE IRONY

Before L. Brooks Patterson was Brooks, the legend, he was Oakland County prosecutor. His predecessor as Oakland County Executive was the first county executive, Daniel T. Murphy, a position he held from 1974 until 1986. Both men were Republicans, but as one Oakland County leader described the two, “Brooks is a conservative, while Murphy, now deceased, was a Milliken Republican.” Legend has it the two men hated each other, and Brooks allegedly “pushed” his foe out of office to

TIME OUT

Fellow Bloomfield Hills city commissioners are not happy with the rogue behavior of fellow city commissioner Stuart Sherr after he was caught red-handed stealing election signs of a Bloomfield Hills school board candidate, was arrested and charged with a misdemeanor. “He’s embarrassed the city,” one commissioner said, noting that “he has not handled this well.” While the city and commission cannot remove Sherr from the city commission as he is an elected official, they can ce

TIME OUT

WAIT…THERE’S MORE

Just days after saying he was taking time off to spend with family, former state Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake) accepted a contract position with Oakland County as the Economic and Legislative Liaison. “Brooks offered me the position,” Kowall said. “He called me up a couple of times and asked, ‘When are you going to come work for me.” Kowall, who served in both the House and Senate before leaving due to term limits, served on the House Economic Development Committee and a

WAIT…THERE’S MORE

MUM'S THE WORD

L. Brooks Patterson Wondering what Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson will have to say during his 2019 State of the County address on the evening of Thursday, February 7? Not even his closest associates have any idea what bon mots will drop from Brooks' mouth, as only Bill Mullen, Oakland County media and communications officer, and Kelly Slevak, Brooks' longtime administrative assistant, have any idea what will be in the speech. One official noted he'd never seen

MUM'S THE WORD

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

Reps. Elissa Slotkin (D-Rochester, Rochester Hills) and Haley Stevens (D-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills) have only been in office a month, but they're already showing their more seasoned colleagues what leadership looks like. The two were among 30 Democrats who sent Speaker Nancy Pelosi a letter on Wednesday, January 23, during the government shutdown, suggesting she guarantee President Donald Trump a vote on his border wall funding request if he opened the government. The lett

LEADING BY EXAMPLE

MONEY TALKS

Dave Trott Campaign spending in Michigan hit a new record during the 2018 election cycle, with about $80 million being spent in 14 races for the U.S. House of Representatives. Of that $80 million, about $19 million was spent trying to win former Congressman Dave Trott's 11th district seat (Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills, Rochester Hills, western Oakland, parts of western Wayne County). About $28.3 million was spent for the 8th Congressional district seat, making it the fifth mo

MONEY TALKS

WHAT NOW?

Lawmakers from Oakland County are looking for new opportunities after leaving office. Former 11th district Congressman Dave Trott (R-Birmingham, Bloomfield Hills), who opted not to run for reelection last year, said he had enough of Washington, and is done with law. “I did plenty of that for 30 years,” said Trott. He said he plans to serve as chair of his title insurance company while working on real estate and financial services investments. Said Trott: “I will continue to s

WHAT NOW?

TRY, TRY AGAIN

Michael Webber Although judged DOA in multiple past legislative sessions, Michigan House Rep. Michael Webber (R-Rochester, Rochester Hills) has introduced a proposal to limit the legislature to part-time status. Under a joint resolution introduced in January, lawmakers would be limited to meeting in session just 90 days a year. The proposal, which Webber had previously introduced in 2017, has gotten a cold reception from fellow lawmakers. Former Lt. Governor Brian Calley also

TRY, TRY AGAIN

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