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Nesbitt: Federal report opens way for Keystone pipeline
Lawmaker urges president to allow project to proceed
State Rep. Aric Nesbitt (Feb. 3) called on President Obama to allow the Keystone XL pipeline project to proceed after U.S. State Department report concluded it would not substantially worsen carbon pollution.
Nesbitt, R-Lawton, who chairs the state House Energy and Technology Committee, said the pipeline to link Canadian oil fields to American refineries is needed to help work toward America’s energy independence and put thousands of Americans back to work.
“Time and again, we have seen reviews of this project produce the same findings and results,” Nesbitt said. “We do not need another bureaucratic study or additional months of review to tell us the impact of this project. It has been clearly laid out for us. It is time for the president to support this investment toward infrastructure and job creation.”
The application for pipeline construction has been pending with the State Department since 2008. The most recent study joins a number of others that say building the pipeline will not substantially impact the environment.
“Five years of foot-dragging and unnecessary delays is enough,” said Nesbitt. “This pipeline is a common sense solution to help move us toward a sustainable energy policy that focuses on reliable and affordable energy for years to come.”
Nesbitt said the pipeline project also has the support of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the Associated Petroleum Industries of Michigan, the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, the Michigan Manufacturers Association, the Michigan Building & Construction Trades Council, the Michigan Laborers District Council and the Detroit Regional Chamber.
McCann Reports Strong End-of-Year Fundraising Results
More than $125,000 raised in 2013, more than $116,000 cash on hand
KALAMAZOO – State Representative Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) reported on Friday that as of 12/31/13 going into the 2014 election year his state senate campaign had $116,702 cash on hand. Rep. McCann also reported having raised $125,491 for his state Senate campaign in 2013.
“I am pleased with our progress in raising financial support from people and organizations who believe in my candidacy. Almost 500 generous friends and neighbors, from established community leaders to enthusiastic grassroots supporters, have invested to further our message and shared values of strong schools, good jobs, and excellent constituent service for Michigan,” said McCann.
Rep. McCann is seeking the open 20th State Senate District, currently held by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, who is running this year in the 26th State Senate District following redistricting in 2011. The district encompasses all of and only Kalamazoo County.
Michigan Senate Democrats Angered at Large Contributions to Republican Party
LANSING – As news broke (Jan. 31) that the Michigan Senate Republicans had filed a campaign finance statement showing that 81% of their contributions, $360,000, came from the DeVos family, Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer blasted the Republicans for selling out the Government to the wealthiest of donors while ignoring the voices of Michigan’s working families
“It’s absolutely offensive that the Senate Republicans have such complete disrespect for Michigan families that they would change our election laws to specifically allow one wealthy right-wing family to have such an absurd amount of financial control over their own caucus,” said Whitmer. “The Republicans might as well hang ‘for sale’ signs from their desks on the Senate floor because it’s clear that they’re doing the bidding of their largest, and nearly only, campaign backers. It’s an absolute disgrace.”
The Senate Republican Campaign Committee’s filing submitted today had a total of only 51 contributions, with an average contribution amount of $8,737.13. The filing also showed that Senate Republicans didn’t have a single contribution of less than $250. Whitmer said their numbers make it clear they are no longer even attempting to reach out to average voters.
Whitmer Renews Call for Treasury Investigation Following Dillon’s Paid Vacation
News report reveals former Treasurer Andy Dillon is on Caribbean cruise during his last week of taxpayer-funded “work”
LANSING – Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D – East Lansing) (Jan. 30) today reiterated the need for an investigation into and independent review of the hiring and compensation practices of the Michigan Department of Treasury following news that former Treasurer Andy Dillon is on a Caribbean cruise during his final week of work on the state’s dime.
“Andy Dillon’s continued salary in lieu of any substantive work has already raised questions about Governor Snyder and the Department of Treasury’s practices, but why on earth is he on a paid vacation when he shouldn’t even be on the payroll?” said Senator Whitmer. “The Governor needs to stop trying to cover this up and come clean about the sweetheart deals and cronyism that is rampant in the Department of Treasury. These people are supposed to be charged with improving the state’s finances, not their own, and Michigan taxpayers deserve a thorough review of what is really going on with their money.”
Dillon’s is just the latest Department of Treasury salary to make headlines in recent weeks, as Department of Treasury investment officials have dominated the list of top-paid state employees, accounting for eight of the top 10 highest-paid state employees. Several executives’ salaries have recently experienced exponential increases, one topping $300,000. One of the Treasury executives receiving a significant raise is Richard DiBartolomeo, who was a campaign aide for Governor Snyder and then treasurer of the embattled NERD Fund before securing a $180,000 position at the Department of Treasury.
