• And in other matters, Oakland County welcomes Wisconsin’s Scott Walker Tuesday evening, hosting a fundraising event for him. Governor Scott Walker is facing a recall, with much of his claim to fame rooted in his campaign to crush collective bargaining rights for public sector workers. Walker also recently repealed Wisconsin’s Equal Pay Enforcement Act. His Michigan visit comes after his fundraising event in St. Louis last week, as he pursues out-of-state dollars for his recall battle.  Rumor has it that Governor Rick Snyder will appear with Walker at the Troy event – guess Snyder isn’t so shy about that whole right to work thing after all. Expect to see protestors from a variety of groups and places at the San Marino Club in Troy Tuesday evening as they weigh in with their reaction to what they see as an assault on working class families by both guvs.

Governor Rick Snyder meeting county commissioners last August in Rich Township.

• Last but not least, at last week’s Lapeer County Farm Bureau’s County Leaders Lunch, State Rep. Kevin Daley (R-Lum) at one point interjected that he had lately received an email to the effect that buried in the pages of the Affordable Health Care Act was verbiage to require implanting RFID chips in citizens. He hadn’t been able to confirm that yet. Reality check, please. There is verbiage in the bill relative to collecting data about medical devices used in patients, for the purpose of analyzing the effectiveness of said medical devices – a far cry from the scary microchipping scenario.

Jim Davis, Lapeer County Farm Bureau, at Thursday's County Leaders Lunch

Just back from the Lapeer County Farm Bureau’s annual County Leaders Lunch at Gallery 194 in Lapeer. Each year the local Farm Bureau invites county leaders to get together to present information and policy views, and to have an opportunity for communication. This year’s guest speaker was State Representative Kevin Daley (R-Lum).

Jim Davis chairs the County Issues Committee for the LCFB, and he was master of ceremonies.

“Agriculture in Michigan is now a $91 billion business,” said Davis.

State Rep. Kevin Daley addresses Lapeer County leaders

State Rep. Daley, who chairs the Agriculture Committee and was recognized by the Michigan Farm Bureau with a Silver Plow award in February, gave an overview of activities and accomplishments in Lansing. He started off by pointing out that under the current administration, the state went from having a $1.8 billion deficit to a $400 million surplus. While Daley acknowledged that the steps taken didn’t agree with everyone, he said, “I think they were reforms that had to happen…. We did what we needed to do in order to move on.”

Removal of the Michigan Business Tax and the early balanced budget were among legislative accomplishments he noted. “We’ve gone after fraud and abuse,” Daley said, calling out college kids getting Bridge cards as one example.

As for the controversial Emergency Manager law, Daley said, “I’d vote for it again tomorrow…. It’s worked in Benton Harbor.”

Referencing health care caps that were put in place, Daley was asked whether it’s true that the Michigan State Police are exempt. “That’s what I was told yesterday,” said Daley, although it was clear it was not confirmed information.

Daley hailed the autism legislation passed last week. He acknowledged that some might have issues with it. “It is another mandate to insurance companies.” He said it adds $15 million to the budget, but will return $30 to $70 billion over the long run. Lapeer County Community Mental Health director Dr. Sprague confirmed the startling prevalence of autism.

Some of the county leaders and LCFB members listening to State Rep. Daley. From left, Mike Fleming, Gary Howell, Phil Kaatz, Linda Jarvis, Rick Ziehm, Dave Eady, Gary Roy, Stephanie Simmons, Joe Suma

Daley said racehorse legislation will be introduced shortly. “The racehorse industry is about to die in this state.” New legislation will be proposed that would allow other forms of pari mutuel wagering at existing facilities. “We don’t consider that to be an expansion of gambling,” said Daley.

Daley discussed the controversy over the bridge at Detroit, but noted nothing is going in the legislature right now. “Agriculture thinks it’s important to have a second span,” said Daley. That’s to facilitate getting product out of the state and to the deep sea ports. He said that if Michigan doesn’t address it, New York may get the commerce. “I think the bridge is important.”

Farm Bureau member and district director Richard Ziehm asked Daley about transportation issues relative to getting products out of the farms. Daley said they’d be looking at it, and later noted that legislators will be traveling around the state in the near future as they learn more about infrastructure issues like railroads, bridges and roads.

Commissioner Linda Jarvis raised the issue of Soil and Sedimentation. Daley acknowledged, “They’re starting to put the pressure on farmers to get permits.” The problem is going to be enforcement where land is being cleared within 500 feet of state’s waters, like a river, lake or ditch. As local farmers begin to feel the heat, Daley said, “There’s going to be some royal heck raised.”

Lenny Schneider explains the unconstitutional dilemma of the Soil & Sed permitting as Theresa Spencer (l) and Dana Miller (r) listen.

It’s an issue with which the county commissioners are already thoroughly versed. “The Public Act…. appears to be unconstitutional,” commissioner Lenny Schneider told Daley. He noted, “Agriculture, as we know, has been the most important industry in the county.” He described that now the state is bullying the county into enforcing the agriculture component, but that it’s ultimately unconstitutional. “It’s probably eventually going to come down to a court challenge.”

The Headlee Amendment to the state constitution, which dates to 1978, prevents against state mandates without providing funding. Nevertheless, Part 91 of Public Act 451 of 1994 assigns responsibilities to counties while providing “zero dollars.” In addition, under Part 91, if the state determines the county is not living up to those responsibilities, it can contract the work out, then bill the county for it and tack on a 10 percent administrative fee.

LCFB's Young Farmer Chair, Jo Goodwin

After Daley’s remarks, Davis introduced Jo Goodwin, LCFB Young Farmer Chair. She said LCFB has different activities to encourage the younger generation “to become involved with Farm Bureau and to be a voice.” Her committee focuses on 18 to 35-year old farmers. “We want to have a voice that says what young farmers need.”

Davis also touched on some policies, like using Made in the USA products, and programs, including recycling, which I will cover in follow-up items.

Those at the luncheon from LCFB included Jim Davis, Christina Russell, Gloria Ginell, Richard Ziehm, Gary Howell, Mike Fleming and Jo Goodwin. Thumb Regional Representative Beth Rupprecht also attended.

Among the county leaders were county commissioners Cheryl Clark, Dave Eady, Linda Jarvis, Gary Roy and Lenny Schneider. Sheriff Ron Kalanquin, Treasurer Dana Miller, Clerk Theresa Spencer, Dr. Robert Sprague from Community Mental Health, Road Commissioner Joe Suma, Health Director Stephanie Simmons, MSUE Educator Phil Kaatz, and Almont-area farmer-and-more Wez Ligon.

Without taking the separate step of implementing immediate effect, bills would not take effect until 90 days after the legislative session. Without the required two-thirds vote supporting immediate effect, that would make immediate effect illegal under the state constitution.

A bill under normal circumstances does not take effect immediately presumably to provide time for those affected by the new law to make accommodations for it, to adjust or prepare for its implementation or for its challenge. It is, after all, about the people – right?

Immediate effect, however, is a tool written into the constitution that allows for swift implementation when the times call for it. Apparently, rather than apply immediate effect to specific situations, however, the House has made a habit of employing immediate effect as a matter of course.

“I saw it going on the last few years. It’s been going on for decades,” said Lapeer County’s own House Representative Kevin Daley (R-Lum) on Monday.

“This is not anything new. It drove us crazy last term,” said Daley.

Daley pointed out, however, that it was important for some of those laws his party has ushered in to have immediate effect. He cited the financial emergency manager law as one of them. I am not convinced the Democrats would agree with him.

“We’d have Benton Harbor in bankruptcy right now,” said Daley, were it not for the immediate effect of the financial emergency manager law.

Okay. I see where he’s coming from. And yet, and yet, there’s an actual repeal campaign already launched against that law. That law has been decried by many as undermining our very democracy. Doesn’t that fall into the category of something the public maybe should have had time to prepare and react to?

Daley also pointed out that since both sides of the House have employed immediate effect for eons there would be plenty of laws that would now be found to be illegal. He cited the Michigan Business Tax. “That tax would have probably been illegal all those years if you take that argument,” Daley said.

If laws were implemented illegally, let’s take steps to correct the situation now rather than put a smiley face on it, and carry on as usual. The fact that the practice has apparently been carried on for years, and by both sides of the House, doesn’t make it right.

Daley fundamentally concurs. “No, I don’t like it,” he admitted. “I didn’t like it in the minority, and I don’t like it in the majority.”

And now the unhappy House Democrats are forcing the issue into the open.

Republicans weren’t too happy about that temporary injunction, though, and appealed the decision. During the weekend, I read through the appeal. In part, it rests on the notion that the courts are out of bounds when it comes to House rules.

The idea that the courts have no business stepping in when the legislature arrogantly plays fast and loose with the law as it applies to them is just scary. So there’s no recourse if our lawmakers decide to ignore the law?

And appealing the injunction in the first place, rather than just admitting the practice is errant and the constitution really ought to be adhered to, is simply disingenuous.

And today, it appears that the temporary injunction has been stayed by the appeals court. So it actually is back to business as usual.

The suit will be heard in the appeals court.

Road commission manager Rick Pearson recently reported on his visit to the capitol where he attended a County Road Association of Michigan conference. Meetings had long been set up for road commission officials to meet with legislators.

He noted of the meeting to which five state representatives had been invited, “We had three show up.” The after lunch meeting to broach transportation issues with state senators was even worse.

“We waited and we waited,” said Pearson. “None of them were able to attend.” One senator sent a staff member who had to be familiarized with the topics. “That just irritates me…. Nobody was there.”

“It was really a waste,” said Pearson of the room filled with people from CRAM ready for dialog with legislators. He described it as “a total disregard for this constituency…. I took the time to go over there to get basically stood up.” Pearson noted the meeting had been a year in the making.

Commissioner Joe Suma said, “Over the years, there’s never been very much response out of the Senate.”

“I think it’s reflective of the state and federal government as a whole,” observed road commission chair Doug Hodge.

Suma, who also attended the Lansing conference, summed up the outlook. “It looks like … they might talk about stuff, but they don’t want to do anything.” Issues range from reworking Public Act 51, to the proposed Commercial Corridor Fund, to the possibility of tapping into Natural Resources funds. Registration fee hikes and a wholesale gas tax are in the mix as well as outlined by Governor Snyder.

“There’s just all kinds of stuff being thrown around there,” agreed Pearson. “They’re just starting to get the ball rolling.”

Pearson said the Michigan Transportation Fund currently divvies up 39 percent to MDOT, 39 percent to counties, and the rest to cities and villages. He said that under the proposed model, MDOT would get 55 percent of the funding. Cities and villages less than 50,000 would likely get short shrift on the model. “There is some backlash.”

Later in the discussion, assistant highway engineer Ryan Doyle also expressed his frustration with unresponsive state legislators. He sent emails on transportation issues to the chairs of the transportation committees and to State Representative Kevin Daley and State Senator Phil Pavlov, who represent our district. Doyle reported that he heard back quickly from transportation chairs Opsommer and Casperson, but got no response from Daley or Pavlov.

“I guess if you have transportation issues, don’t bother contacting our own people,” concluded Doyle.

There's tadpoles in there.

Holy cow Toledo there’s about a gazillion tadpoles roosting down at the pond. Some of those little dudes are beefy, too, churning up the water when you step in close. Was this a heaven-sent day or what, with the blue sky and the warm on your skin. Wow! Just spectacular.

Anyway…. Hmmm, with our local Right To Work town hall fresh in my mind, I learn that Governor Snyder put pen to paper yesterday to circumvent things in order to ensure that graduate research assistants at my alma mater do not have the right to unionize. The state legislature inserted themselves into that process, and Snyder signed it into law yesterday. So much for staying out of the fray, guv.

And, of course, the legislature also took it upon themselves to ensure that school districts do not make automatic deductions for union dues, even though the House Fiscal Agency’s own research revealed the move did nothing to affect the bottom line.

Interesting priorities we have in this legislature and administration. One might deduce that the state has exhausted its supply of pressing issues.

The state House just today approved a group of bills requiring physicians or qualified assistants to do coercion-to-abort screening. It would also require the Department of Community Health to produce information, screening tools and protocols for the purpose. While I am sympathetic to those who have indeed suffered coercion, this legislation is really just the intrusion of a whole lot of unqualified men with an agenda into the room with a physician and their female patient.

In registering protest against the bills, some representatives included a statement that said in part, “This legislative package, referenced as the Coercive Abortion Prevention Act, does nothing to improve women’s health or prevent unintended pregnancies, but instead seeks to limit and interrupt the right of women to keep a medical decision between herself and her doctor….. Women should not be coerced into or out of having an abortion…. The bottom line is that the Legislature should stay out of private health care decisions and these bills do nothing to protect pregnant women.”

The bills were passed by the House, including State Rep. Kevin Daley’s aye vote, and now go to the Judiciary Committee.

Sorry, guys,  it’s obvious you’ve been busy, but where’s the legislation that’s going to speak to something that’s really on our minds – mmm, like jobs?

Outside the Right To Work Town Hall meeting

“Quite a lively bunch,” was Lapeer County Road Commissioner Joe Suma’s polite description of the crowd that turned out for State Rep. Kevin Daley’s (R-Lum) town hall meeting on the topic of Right To Work in Lapeer Monday night. Daley brought State Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake) from the 65th district to speak as a Right To Work proponent. Kevin Shaffer, from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 17 was invited to speak against it. Daley asserted he had yet to form his own opinion on the topic.

“The purpose is to highlight both sides of Right To Work,” said Daley. “This is meant to get the truth out on both sides of the issue.” Daley said the event was paid for 50 percent by the IBEW and 50% by the Association of Building Contractors, “two organizations on opposite sides.”

State Reps. Mike Shirkey and Kevin Daley prior to Monday's Town Hall meeting on Right To Work.

About 350 people came to hear what the speakers had to say, but they were a reactive, vocal bunch themselves. Shirkey bore the derision and scorn expressed by a group that appeared largely opposed to Right To Work legislation. There was plenty of union insignia in the room, and many were wearing Protect Our Jobs stickers supporting the movement to bring a constitutional amendment protecting collective bargaining rights.

“I think everyone should have the right to work.,” Shaffer launched his opening comments. “ I think we all should be employed… But Right To Work legislation is not good for the State of Michigan and it’s not good for the United States. It also is not good for Lapeer County.” Shaffer explained, “The ability to get services without having to pay for them – that’s what Right To Work is about.”

Kevin Shaffer, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 17

“The difference between a RTW state and a non-RTW state is the fact that when you’re a union member you pay union dues,” said Shaffer.

Kevin Shaffer

Of existing RTW states, Shaffer said, “It has not been a success for them.” He ticked off a number of issues where he said RTW has negative impact, from compromising the safety of workers to lower wages to less health care coverage and higher infant mortality rates, fewer pensions, and less money going toward workforce education. Shaffer brought particular emphasis to safety and education. He said that his union was founded on safety.

“One out of every two linemen was killed on the job within three years of becoming a lineman,” said Shaffer. “That’s why labor unions were started.”

He also said that labor unions educate their members to create highly skilled workers, adapting to changing demands. “I started out as a grunt,” said Shaffer. “It’s an education… that’s what labor unions do.” He noted in particular how electric vehicle and renewables technology have come to the state, and the union provides additional training to meet the needs.

“That’s how we plan to keep the middle class and expand the middle class,” said Shaffer.

Shaffer gave the example of attorneys who must be a member of the bar association to practice, or the Chamber of Commerce from which members receive benefit only by paying for their membership. And yet, Shaffer pointed out, the attack is on labor unions not attorneys.

State Representative Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake)

State Rep. Shirkey launched his comments by agreeing that unions have had a critical role in the country. “But I believe times are slightly different,” Shirkey said. He emphasized the importance of removing obstacles for job opportunity.

Shirkey said that RTW is an important factor for site selection companies he randomly sampled.

“It’s not a panacea,” said Shirkey. “It is a factor when people are deciding about long term investment in the state of Michigan.” He touched on Boeing’s decision to go to South Carolina instead of Willow Run “because of one factor.”

Union contracts State Rep. Shirkey referenced.

Shirkey described the former AC Spark Plug plant in Flint where he at one time worked. “Today that factory is a gravel parking lot.” He said it wasn’t because of high wages but things like government intervention and management acceptance in letting labor rules get out of control. He placed a hand on a stack of papers saying it was the current 2,700 page UAW contract with Ford. He compared it to the diminutive 1964 UAW contract with GM.

Mike Shirkey

“I think it’s time to remove obstacles to investment in Michigan,” said Shirkey.

He told the crowd on several occasions, “I will defend your right to join a union as much as I will defend your right not to join a union.”

Shirkey also more than once spelled out his definition of RTW. “It’s when unions are as free to make their case as workers are to make their choice. It’s freedom of choice.”

“I don’t care what color collar you wear. I only care about one thing: doing everything possible to eliminate objections and obstacles to job opportunity and growth,” said Shirkey.

Shirkey noted that union membership in Michigan is currently 17 percent. He tried to make the case that RTW actually fosters union growth. “The only states that have had union growth have been RTW states,” said Shirkey. Some in the crowd suggested that’s because of resultant low wages and decreased benefits under RTW laws.

“If the data is so compelling that it’s valuable to belong to a union, then why would anyone not pay?” taunted Shirkey. “People who oppose RTW are ultimately fearful of three things: accountability, transparency, and judgment of their own members.” Clearly, the crowd wasn’t buying that.

Following their opening remarks, Daley read questions which audience members had submitted, to which Shirkey and Shaffer responded. What at first appeared to be the lone heckler, increasingly grew to become a vocal crowd, with frequent derisive outbursts directed at Shirkey’s comments. The assembly was not entirely homegrown, sprinkled with representation from surrounding counties.

Eventually Daley commented on the group’s negative outspokenness. “Be respectful to Mike Shirkey,” said Daley. “Mike Shirkey did not have to come to Lapeer County tonight to take this abuse.”

Following the meeting, Daley said that he remained noncommittal on the topic. He said that he didn’t think the matter would be legislated this year anyway, but that it would be much more likely to come to the ballot. He opposed the proposed constitutional amendment protecting collective bargaining rights saying it would take rights away from non-union people. He said that without specific legislation to address, he would not take a position.

Lapeer County Democratic Party Chairman Gary Medland, however, suggested that Daley had already taken a position. “You voted for HB5808!” he told Daley emphatically. In March, 2010, Daley cast an aye vote on the amendment that would have tie-barred HB 5808 to SB 945, which would have allowed the creation of local RTW zones. The amendment failed. (Then-House Rep. Phil Pavlov, now Senator, similarly cast an aye vote on the amendment.)

Asked what he had learned from the evening, Daley responded, “That it’s a very divisive issue obviously.”

I appreciate Daley’s hosting of this forum. It was great to hear the information and exchange of views, and to see people making their views known on the volatile topic.

Sadly, the name of the Right to Work initiative is, by design I assume, confusing, because Right To Work is not actually about creating jobs. Its focus is collective bargaining.

Basically, Right to Work prohibits unions from requiring every employee who benefits from a negotiated contract to pay for its costs, i.e. persons cannot be forced to join a union or pay dues to enjoy the benefits of union activity. Sounds simple enough, right?

Opponents point to Right To Work simply as a collective bargaining crusher, because it aims to undermine the fiscal underpinnings of unions.

Proponents of Right to Work lay it out as a job creation strategy, which ultimately is based on the notion that employers will be more attracted to locate in a Right To Work state. Ultimately, if you follow the logic, that would be because they can more easily suppress wages and benefits to a weakened collective bargaining base.

The majority of the 23 existing Right to Work states are in the southern and western portions of the United States, those economic beehives. This type of legislation was promoted around the country last year. Indiana passed such legislation in February, but it has quickly been followed with a legal challenge. The legislation for most of the existing Right to Work states dates back decades; Oklahoma passed Right to Work legislation in 2001. It’s hard to believe that in Michigan, where unions have been so fundamental for decades, Right to Work is coming to the table. Just like in Indiana.

It’s interesting, but not surprising, to me that our state legislature is once again working on something that is not focused innovatively on job creation.

Anyway, yes, the topic has come to the fore. And in that spirit, our own State Rep. Kevin Daley (R-Lum) will host a town hall meeting next Monday, March 12, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. He’s bringing two special guests for the event, State Rep. from Michigan’s 65th District Mike Shirkey and Kevin Shaffer, business manager and financial secretary for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 17.

I like that Daley’s bringing both points of view to the forum. Should be an interesting discussion. It happens at the Lapeer Center Building, 425 Center St. in Lapeer.

While we have actual pressing issues in our state, I am troubled that Rep. Daley and other members of the state legislature spent time on this disingenuous matter and cast yea votes on the resolution. The Respect for Rights of Conscience Act would allow insurers and employers to deny their employees health benefits and services required by federal law based on their personal moral or religious objections.

This tripe is not about religious freedoms.

This is about restricting access to health care. This is about preventing individuals from making their own health care decisions about their own bodies. No employer should stand between any woman or any man making their own health care decisions, and according to their own moral and religious beliefs. The religious and moral beliefs of an employer should not trump an individual’s beliefs. This is about equal access to health care.

The state House GOP support for this resolution also underscores a pro-business-at-all-costs perspective, seeking to give corporations the power to deny health care to their employees.

This is just not that difficult to get your head around. If, for example, the employer asserts a religious belief that does not support medical intervention, this legislation would allow the employer to deny health care to employees. See how not okay that is?

It is my impression that Rep. Daley is a reasonable and thoughtful guy, so giving him the benefit of the doubt on this, I would suggest that this is yet another example of rushing legislation through in a burst of party enthusiasm without enough scrutiny or feedback from constituents.  ;)

It is my guess that there’s plenty of female constituents who have a grasp of the implications of this resolution’s intent and object to it. In fact, Representative Issa’s almost entirely male panel convened to discuss the administration’s ruling on contraception, a women’s health issue, was an absolute disgrace, but sadly made it absolutely clear what the ultimate agenda is. If anyone was still wondering.

Yes, Rep. Daley, I am disappointed.

Our own district’s Senator Phil Pavlov, who chairs the Education Committee, voted yes on this mangled piece of legislation, along with 25 other Republican colleagues. 11 Democrats voted no on the legislation, and ardently decried it for actually promoting bullying.

Matt Epling, for whom the bill was named, was a 14-year old who committed suicide in the wake of anti-gay bullying. Matt’s dad is a proponent of anti-bullying legislation, but expressed his dismay over the version of Matt’s Safe School Law the senators approved.

“It was not in the best interest of our kids,” he said in a You-Tube video. Referring to the Republican legislators who pushed the amended bill through, he said, “None of them stood up for our kids when they needed it most. They stood up for their party.”

“In no way should we legislate a right to assault other people,” Epling said. “They have tarnished the memory of the person it was named after…. That’s why I’m ashamed of this law. It has tarnished the memory of the person it was named after.” His son.

He asked for a letter of apology from the legislators, and urged people to press their House representation on removing the exemption language and crafting stronger anti-cyber bullying language.

Now the matter goes to the House. I bumped into State Rep. Kevin Daley last night and asked him where he stood on it, but he said he was not aware of the legislation yet. That’s not surprising at all – since legislators are pushing so much legislation through at record pace, how can they possibly be on top of all that’s going on? At the same time, however, it’s surprising because it’s a very visible issue, and the passage of the bill itself garnered the dubious notice of media well beyond Michigan’s borders – really just for the sheer embarrassment factor. Michigan is one of only three states that has not managed to pass an anti-bullying law, and now it’s actually moving a bill along that provides an out for bullies. (And yes, it’s pretty sad that this kind of legislation has become important, a disturbing statement on our culture.)

House reps, game on.

As for Senator Pavlov, I have no doubt he has simply thrown more fuel on the fire for the fledgling recall movement for which petition language has been approved and which organizers say is destined for the ballot.

Ubiquitous

This guy is everywhere. Yup, it’s our ‘new’ state representative, Kevin Daley. He shows up at events far and wide around Lapeer county, in addition to his gig in Lansing three days a week. He just laughs when asked about keeping up that kind of pace – he says it’s no big deal after living the life of a dairy farmer. He doesn’t even drink coffee.

Caught up with him last week and quizzed him a little about how things are going. He’s always refreshingly direct and informed, and seems to have a good grasp of the issues and their complexities. Sits on four committees. He’s frustrated by some of the nonsensical stuff that’s just business as usual in Lansing, but he’s hopeful. He’s part of the freshman caucus, even plans to have them all out to his place for a pig roast in September – nothing like a little team-building.

Oh, and by the way, on the county commission’s recent resolution asking the state to abolish the DEQ, he’s down with that. Ask him about revenue sharing, laughter again – what’s to share? He gets a serious look on his face as he shows you the latest figures on sales tax revenue. He is not cool with new tax credits for business – no way, no how. He scoffs at the resistance to a part-time legislature. He sees the futility of spending time on non-essential legislating when Michigan is in the dire straits that it is.

This is a practical kind of guy, seems to be doing what he can where he can, and building collaborative relationships. Appears focused and energetic.

Putting his money where his mouth is, Daley and wife, Debbie, announced this week that they would donate 10 percent of his lawmaker salary to local charities – that’s $8,000. This, after the legislature decided to delay cutting its own pay until 2011. LAView has the whole story on that.

Daley attended the new economy workshop I posted about recently. (Of course! The guy is everywhere.) He said he was very willing to get behind the effort to develop a regional vision and would be willing to help publicize further endeavors through his office.

He seems to be listening to all these people he’s talking to around the county. So, keep your fingers crossed. We’ll see.