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26 Feb, 5 tweets, 3 min read
New: You've heard about the "hoax," the contemplated fistfight with the governor, the "bat-shit crazy" remark.

They're from a man asked to lead lawmakers and the GOP, emblematic of comments made for years.

They show us the real Mike Shirkey, sources say
freep.com/story/news/pol…
When I asked @SenRuthJohnson, R-Holly and the ex-MI SOS, if Shirkey still has the confidence of the Senate GOP caucus, she hesitated.

"I’ve gotten some texts and calls that, you know, people are concerned and suggested that maybe he be replaced." freep.com/story/news/pol…
There's a Shirkey that sings gospel, runs home from Lansing for family time, crafts intricate parodies to compliment D/R colleagues.

But a source says the man calling aspects of the Jan. 6 insurrection "staged" is the real Shirkey.

"He's lost his way" freep.com/story/news/pol…
.@kdittmar says Shirkey's repeated inappropriate comments about Whitmer are about undermining her, but broadly about gender and power.

"If you understood the power dynamics of this institution, you would understand that that is what you were doing." freep.com/story/news/pol…
I asked the Senate Biz Office if any of Shirkey's comments warrant an HR-type inquiry.

They referred me to Shirkey's office, since he's majority leader.

That's a problem, ex-state Rep. @BarbByrum argues.

"There needs to be an independent ombudsman."
freep.com/story/news/pol…

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More from @Dave_Boucher1

Dave Boucher Profile picture
25 Feb
Now: Senate committee discussing the appointment of Elizabeth Hertel as director of the Department of Health and Human Services. She was appointed after Robert Gordon resigned the role in January freep.com/story/news/hea…
Sen. @SenAricNesbitt asks Hertel to offer 3 specific things she would've done differently to fight pandemic.

- I would have worked to partner more closely with one or two hospitals on the TCF site; would've made process easier.
- Beta-tested messaging for lab and state system
Last point from Hertel: Would've started planning earlier to send employees home. "We weren't sure how tenacious and aggressive this virus was. We ended up having to make that decision very, very quickly."
Read 25 tweets
Dave Boucher Profile picture
25 Feb
Full Senate begins process of taking up two COVID-19 funding relief bills. Bills offer some, but not all, of the billions already provided by federal government. Plan still differs from House, governor's proposals freep.com/story/news/pol…
The Senate Advice and Consent Committee is supposed to meet right now to discuss the appointment of Elizabeth Hertel as new director of the state health department.

But, given lengthy caucus meetings this morning, the full Senate is still in session.
Alright, here we go. Senate taking up their version of the COVID-19 school funding bill. Offers some, not all of the billions available from Congress.

Dems/Whitmer opposes. House GOP agrees w/withholding some funds, but disagrees with Senate GOP on how much
Read 37 tweets
Dave Boucher Profile picture
24 Feb
Sen. Tom Barrett, R-Charlotte, attempting to amend a Senate bill so that the state could not distribute vaccines based on race, gender, socioeconomic status or a litany of other factors.

Right now, state uses a "social vulnerability index" to help determine distribution
Sen. Runestad, R-White Lake, arguing a 20-year-old in perfect health who has "minority status and you don't speak English that well" has a higher priority in the index than someone over 65.

Right now, a 20-year-old likely isn't eligible to get a vaccine in Michigan
.@CurtisHertelJr notes the index is used to determine how vaccines are distributed, not to decide to whom vaccines are administered.
Read 12 tweets
Dave Boucher Profile picture
24 Feb
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is giving another update on the state's fight against COVID-19. Watch live here: freep.com/story/news/loc…
Whitmer notes US surpassing 500,000 deaths due to COVID-19.

"It's enough to fill the Big House in Ann Arbor five times over."
Whitmer: "If we took one minute of silence to recognize each life, it would last" more than 10 days.

Says it is important to remember the cost of the pandemic and to stay vigilant against its spread.
Read 16 tweets
Dave Boucher Profile picture
11 Feb
"Happy budget day!" Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, R-Midland, says as House and Senate lawmakers prepare to hear from Gov. Whitmer's administration on their budget proposals.

You can watch live here: misenate.viebit.com/player_live.ph…
Stamas: "Despite the differences we have...I look forward to working with the governor and our legislative colleagues" on a plan that helps our state and its people.
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Thomas Albert, R-Lowell, speaking now. Echoes Stamas, recognizing economic uncertainty and potential learning loss due to the pandemic.

But says moving forward, "strong oversight" is a priority.
Read 14 tweets
Dave Boucher Profile picture
10 Feb
This morning Senate Majority Leader Shirkey attended a fundraiser in Lansing. He declined to answer questions about his recently revealed comments (that aspects of the Jan. 6 insurrection were “staged” and a “hoax”) when he left the event freep.com/story/news/loc…
Here’s some (admittedly not very compelling) video of him walking away
This was a fundraiser for Shirkey’s PAC, Compete Michigan PAC. I saw people regularly coming in and out, with a couple dozen mingling inside. Here’s a list of some of the largest sponsors (including some of the biggest businesses and associations in Michigan). Image
Read 11 tweets

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