(Photo: MichiganNow.org)
Last week, the Michigan Supreme Court heard arguments for and against a proposed ballot question that, if approved, would overturn the state’s emergency manager law. Chris McCarus reports for Michigan Now:
The Court is considering whether to approve a referendum on the Emergency Manager law. In March, a group called Stand Up for Democracy gathered 226,000 signatures. They want voters to repeal the law in November.
Highland Park Pastor David Bullock has rallied protestors around the state in the last couple years. He stood at the front door of the Michigan Hall of Justice with about 120 people in front of him Wednesday. State Police troopers stood guard to prevent them from going inside to watch the Supreme Court. Protestors saw this as further proof of losing their constitutional rights.
[Bullock] “We are not dogs. We are not cats. We are not animals. We are not turning back. Open up the door. Open up the door. Let us in. Tax payer dollars built this building. Open up the door. Let us in. We deserve to be a part of this hearing.”
On April 9, a political action committee called Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility challenged the certification of the petition to get the EFM repeal proposal on the ballot. It argued that the font size used on petition forms was too small. Not too small to read; just smaller than the 14-point font size required by law. The Board of State Canvassers heard the PAC’s arguments but deadlocked with two Republicans against the petition and two Democrats in favor. The board could not certify the petition.
But in May, the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the Board of Canvassers to put the measure on the ballot. The appellate judges said the font size was incorrect but also that the petition was in “substantial compliance” with the law.
Public Act 4 signed by Governor Snyder in 2011 gives the governor authority to appoint “emergency financial managers” to oversee struggling school districts and local governments. The City of Benton Harbor is among several communities in the state with a state-appointed manager who can cancel union contracts and strip elected city councils of their authority.
Larry Roehrig is vice-president of AFSCME, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The union that represents many local government employees helped fund the ballot drive challenging the EFM law. Roehrig took the megaphone to address the protestors Wednesday.
[Roehring] “When you take away the right to rule yourselves you invite a dictator. Dictators don’t fit in America.
Jeff Timmer served on the State Board of Canvassers until a month ago. He was appointed by Governor Snyder and was one of the two votes against the Stand Up For Democracy petitions. His name is on founding documents of Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility, the group opposing them. The group petitioned the Republican-dominated Supreme Court to reconsider the Court of Appeals decision. Timmer was director of the Michigan Republican Party from 2005 to 2009. He’s one of the owners the Sterling Group in Lansing, which does lobbying, public relations - and ballot proposals. Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility shares the same mailing address as the Sterling Group: 112 East Allegan Street in Lansing. I took the elevator to the seventh floor there, where I found Jeff Timmer.
[McCarus] “From what I’ve seen, Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility has an address here as well as on 1700 East Beltline in Grand Rapids. That’s connected to a company no longer in business. And so that’s what it says on the registering of Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility. It’s here at your address and there. So what’s the connection between you and them?”
[Timmer] “Bob La Brandt was an officer through Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility and Bob works here.”
[McCarus] “So Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility though is connected to the Sterling Corporation right?”
[Timmer]“Through Bob La Brandt, yes.”
[McCarus] “Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility... how many citizens are involved here.”
[Timmer] “I couldn’t answer that. I have no idea.”
[McCarus] “Could I then speak with Bob?”
[Timmer] “No. He’s not here right now.”
[McCarus] “From what we can tell Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility is a political action committee that is financed by the Sterling Corporation of which you are....”
[Timmer] “It’s not financed by the Sterling Corporation.”
[McCarus] “How is it financed?”
[Timmer] “It’s financed through contributions.”
[McCarus] “So how much money does it have at its disposal?
[Timmer] “I have no idea. You’d have to ask someone who is affiliated with Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility.”
[McCarus] “So Bob La Brandt who works in your office here runs that organization...”
[Timmer] “No. I said he was an officer with the group. He is no longer.”
Back at my computer, I found that Bob La Brandt is an attorney with the Sterling Corporation. He spent 34 years “heading the political and legal programs” for the Michigan Chamber of Commerce.
[McCarus] “So then who runs Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility?”
[Timmer] “That information is on file with the Secretary of State’s office. If you know how to use Google you can find that out.”
Back at my computer, the Secretary of State’s website shows that Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility got $35,000 in cash from itself. Then it says The Sterling Corporation donated $10,000 in in-kind contributions, goods and services instead of cash.
The Secretary of State also names Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility’s treasurer. He’s former republican state representative John T. Llewellyn of Fremont. His mailing address is 112 East Allegan in Lansing, the same as the Sterling Corporation. But the phone listed is 485-3600. That’s at 507 S. Grand Ave.
[Phone] “Michigan Banker’s Association. How can I direct your call?”
Llewellyn is due back at the office the next day. He’s a lobbyist and vice-president for the Banker’s Association.
Jeff Timmer’s bio on the Sterling Corporation website says “Jeff is recognized as a leading redistricting expert and has been an advisor to Speakers of the Michigan House”.