Each week, Jennifer White talks to Ken Sikkema, former Senate Majority Leader and Senior Policy Fellow at Public Sector Consultants, and Susan Demas, publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. Today they discussed the disciplinary hearings for state Reps. Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat.
Sikkema and Demas say the hearings highlight a new level of hyperpartisanship in state politics.
Sikkema says the last time a sitting lawmaker was expelled – State Sen. David Jaye – the focus was on whether he was fit for office. Demas says we're now in a time when Republicans are focused on quickly quieting the scandal while Democrats are focused on how the scandal can be used to their benefit. These disparate agendas leave questions about the handling of the hearings and whether the public has all the answers they need.
Both Sikkema and Demas agree the whole situation marks a new low for Michigan politics.
Listen to the conversation here:
