First recall attempt to get off the ground is also first to crash

The group attempting to recall Rep. Robert Dean, D-Grand Rapids, admitted failure and is throwing in the towel.

According to a report in the Grand Rapids Press, a spokesperson from Taxpayers to Recall Robert Dean said the group was unable to collect the 8,714 signatures needed to force a recall election.

The recall attempt was led primarily by the Michigan Taxpayer Alliance, led by Republican Macomb County Commissioner Leon Drolet, and it launched recall attempts against primarily Democratic lawmakers who voted to increase the state income tax and implement a sales tax on certain services that helped balance the budget and do away with a $1.8 billion budget deficit. The Dean recall was the first recall attempt to get off the ground after the recall language was approved last November.

Time ran out on the Dean attempt, and it is also quickly running out for the remaining recalls. Under Michigan Election Law, once recall language is approved the language is good for 180 days, but the actual petition drive for signatures must be within 90 days. In other words, there must be 90 days between the first and last signature. Also, a recall petition cannot be filed against an elected official during the last six months of the officer's term of office. The term for state Representative expires on Dec. 31, and the election is less than seven months away

Language has already been approved in the recalls against Rep. Marty Griffin, D-Jackson; House Speaker Andy Dillon, D-Redford Township; Rep. Marc Corriveau, D-Northville; Rep. Ed Gaffney, R-Grosse Pointe Farms; Rep. Steve Bieda, D-Warren; and Rep. Aldo Vagnozzi, D-Farmington Hills.

Recalls pending against lawmakers who had recall language rejected include Rep. Mike Simpson, D-Liberty Township, Rep. Marie Donigan, D-Royal Oak, Sen. Jerry Van Woerkom, R-Norton Shores; Rep. Joel Sheltrown, D-West Branch, and Rep. Mary Valentine, D-Muskegon.