LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Republicans in the Michigan House want to make sure Lansing returns to the accountability and transparency people deserve from their elected officials and institutions.
They announced a new website and tip line on Tuesday they say allows Michiganders to submit suggestions for upcoming investigations into “weaponization of state government.”
Lawmakers vow to look at every submission.
The House Oversight Committee on Weaponization of State Government said committee members plan to look at every submission and listen to “every whistle blown.” Rep. Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia), who chairs the committee, said her priority will be investigating alleged misconduct and malfeasance committed by the state.
“I want to hear the stories of each and every Michigan resident who’s been victimized by government overreach and get them the justice they deserve,” Rep. Rigas said. “We’re going to look at everything from deadly COVID mishandlings to government corruption [because] our constituents deserve to know what their tax dollars have been funding, both good and bad.”
The committee has subpoena power.
A Michigan House vote granted the Oversight Committee blanket subpoena power. That means its subpoena ability applies to all instances of alleged misconduct, and is not evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Speaker of the House Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said the committee will be working actively to evaluate those submissions and hold government officials and institutions accountable.
Chairman Jay DeBoyer (R-Clay Township) agreed with Speaker Hall’s goal, and said the committee wants to partner with the people of Michigan to implement the accountability and transparency. “Legislative oversight is an important feature of government by the people and for the people,” DeBoyer said. “Whether you are an informed citizen with an idea for an oversight investigation or a government employee involved in misconduct and want to share the details of an incident, we welcome any and all suggestions on how to use this committee’s authority.”
Democrats are not happy.
Newly elected Michigan Democratic Party head Curtis Hertel Jr., gave a press conference on Tuesday afternoon and read from a sheet of talking points. He said Speaker Hall’s committee is a waste of money and will spend its time on “political attacks.” In addition, Hertel said Hall has filled the committee with “right-wing zealots and extremists.”
Hertel said, “Michigan Democrats are all in favor of holding bad actors accountable. We are all in favor of oversight.” He continued, “Our concern is that this is neither of those things. “We will continue to provide our own oversight over this committee.”
“Soviet-style show trials.”
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Rep. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) also spoke from the podium at the press conference and didn’t waste any time delivering hyperbole. “This committee is set up to be a series of Soviet-style show trials,” Rep. Skaggs said, saying he was a “Russian historian in a different life.”
He also called the broad subpoena power as a means to bring work in Lansing to a halt. Rep. Carrie Rheingans (D-Ann Arbor) said the committee is trying to “distract people with political theater” and could not leave the podium without mentioning President Donald Trump. She sarcastically called Hall “a prince” and said he is working for “his king Donald Trump.”
Tip line information.
For information on the website and submitting tips, click here.
