Two Midwesterner reports indicate that Michigan's new legislature just might offer some examples of good representation.
It's not enough to talk about freedom, or even to love it. Certainly, glad-handing the public is inadequate.
Thorough understanding of legislative powers is a must, as well as the courage and wisdom to know when and how to use them.
New Speaker Matt Hall tells The Midwesterner: Retaking House first step in rebuilding Michigan
Unveils long-term strategy to restore public confidence in Michigan government
The Michigan House gathered for its first session on Wednesday, unanimously electing Rep. Matt Hall, R-Kalamazoo, as Speaker of the House as it commenced its 103rd Legislature and celebrated a return of a Republican majority.
In a private meeting Wednesday afternoon with The Midwesterner and three other Michigan-based new media representatives, Hall said retaking the House is the first step in rebuilding Michigan.
“We can craft solutions that are ready to go,” he said.
Speaker Hall said House Republicans are optimistic in getting to work for all constituents in championing increased government transparency through six Oversight subcommittees that will counterbalance the reckless expenditures Democrats passed during the Democrats trifecta control of the Michigan Senate, House, and the governor’s office.
“We’re going to hand those [ideas] to the next governor and say, ‘Here’s a bunch of things that we recommend that you do with your administration,'” he said. “So even if it doesn’t happen now,” he added, they’ll continue pursuing their policy changes well into the next administration.
“Remember when Trump won the first time and Republicans had control of the House and the Senate, and then these guys had no plan?” Hall asked. “It was so frustrating to me and to the Republican base,” Hall said. “I want to be developing that blueprint now so that when do win the governor and the Senate that we have a plan.”
“We’ll certainly work with that next governor with what their plan is, but I think they’ll be really appreciative that there was somebody working on this the last two years to to bring to the table to help solve all the problems,” he said. “I guess that’s my expectation. I think these oversight committees will gather a lot of information and then they will issue reports and recommendations for new legislation, maybe reorganization of departments and changes in our appropriations process.”
Hall reinforced his previous statements that the Oversight Committees will have unprecedented subpoena power to request state documents and interview state officials, which he claims is a move to restoring public trust in state government.
Also on Wednesday, Rep. Rachelle Smit, R-Shelbyville, was unanimously elected Speaker Pro Tempore.
The Midwesterner reports that planned oversight specifically targets health policy concerns. Health policy is included in every bullet point, though some like corporate subsidies encompass additional areas as well.
Some also contain overlap. For instance, illegal immigrants impact both foreign influence and state welfare assistance.
Bold font added within the article by me.
Exclusive: Matt Hall plans expansive investigations of Gretchen Whitmer, state government
Incoming Speaker will have six Oversight subcommittees scrutinizing governor, Nessel, Benson
Incoming House Speaker Matt Hall is planning an expansive oversight committee that will carefully scrutinize Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration and other aspects of state government, a Republican source familiar with Hall’s thinking tells The Midwesterner.
According to the source, Hall plans six Oversight subcommittees, including:
- Weaponization of State Government
- Child Welfare System
- Corporate Subsidies and State Investments
- Public Health and Food Security
- Homeland Security and Foreign Influence
- State and Local Public Assistance Programs
Hall’s creation of subcommittees is unprecedented and reflects an anticipated vigorous investigation into Whitmer’s policies and decisions in particular. But it’s expected the subcommittees will also be reviewing Attorney General Dana Nessel’s actions, as well as those of Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson.
The source tells The Midwesterner Hall is intending to change the culture of Lansing to ensure that taxpayer dollars are being used solely for the public benefit.
The Democrat legislature and Whitmer awarded subsidies to two politically connected companies, Fay Beydoun’s Global Link International and Complete Health Campus in Clare. After public outrage, Democrats introduced a bill to “claw back” the combined $45 million. It went nowhere. The Corporate Subsidies and State Investments subcommittee has the potential to find other abuses of taxpayer dollars.
Neither the Oversight Committee chairman nor subcommittee leaders were revealed, but Hall’s anticipated plan gives the Oversight Committee its most significant oversight authority in Michigan legislative history. The Oversight Committee has subpoena power for documents and can subpoena individuals with a House vote.
The sources told The Midwesterner that Hall’s goal is to restore public trust in state government and scrutinize expenditures of money taken from Michigan taxpayers.
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