michigan state house speaker jase bolger

Judge grants further investigation into election-rigging scandal

Rick Pluta — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 18:40:40 +0000

A one-judge grand jury has granted itself more time to investigate a party-switch and election-rigging scandal that includes state House Speaker Jase Bolger.

The investigation was supposed to wrap up this week. Almost everything about the grand jury’s inquiry is secret.

In fact, the order extending the investigation was signed and filed 20 days before it was made public by the Ingham County Circuit Court.

Judge Rosemary Aquilina is looking into whether any laws were broken as House Speaker Jase Bolger and state Representative Roy Schmidt plotted Schmidt’s jump to the Republican Party last year and also to avoid any serious opposition when he ran for re-election.

A Kent County investigation found the episode was unethical, but not illegal. This inquiry was requested by state Democratic Party leaders.

The extension allows the grand jury to continue to call witnesses and subpoena records through August 22nd.

Democrats pick up seats but "squander money" in fight for State House

Jake Neher — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 21:55:48 +0000

Despite losing a handful of seats in Tuesday’s election, Republicans have hung on to a small majority in the state House.

Democrats look to have picked up five seats, narrowing GOP control to eight.

Inside Michigan Politics Editor Bill Ballenger said Democrats had a chance to take control of the House.

“But apparently they squandered three-quarters of a million dollars trying to beat the speaker in a 57% Republican district out of some, I guess, personal vendetta about the Roy Schmidt party switch,” Ballenger said.

In this morning's Michigan news headlines. . .

Emily Fox — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 11:50:12 +0000

Snyder likely to veto handgun bill

"Governor Snyder has indicated he will likely veto a bill that would change the state's gun sales law. The bill would eliminate a state background check requirement for sales made over the Internet or at gun shows. Those account for close to half of all gun sales," Sarah Hulett reports.

House speaker Bolger criticized for his company's tax history

"State House Speaker Jase Bolger is facing harsh criticism about his business record from a liberal advocacy group. Progress Michigan released documents alleging Bolger’s company, Summit Credit Service, failed to pay more than $100,000 in taxes and fees between 1997 and 2000. The papers include liens from the Michigan Treasury Department, the state Unemployment Agency, and the IRS," Jake Neher reports.

Striking Detroit workers suspended and face firing

Thirty-four striking Detroit employees of the water and sewage department who went on strike this week have been suspended and face firing. It's illegal in Michigan for municipal workers to strike. Sarah Cwiek reports that, "City officials plan to largely privatize the water department over five years, and cut up to 80-percent of its staff."

Democratic and Republican party leaders trade jabs over controversial party switch

Steve Carmody — Wed, 06 Jun 2012 20:51:15 +0000

State Democratic and Republican party leaders continue to fight over the recent party switch by a Michigan state representative.

State Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer delivered a letter today to State House Speaker Jase Bolger’s Kalamazoo office demanding he reveal more about his role in the party switch of state representative Roy Schmidt.