Matty Moroun spreads cash to GOP allies

Republican billionaire benefactor and Ambassador Bridge owner Matty Moroun was busy distributing campaign cash to those willing to stand up for the billionaires and against 10,000 Michigan job and oppose the much-needed planned Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) bridge over the Detroit River between Canada and Windsor.

In an effort to keep his monopoly on the 81-year old Ambassador Bridge, Moroun has spent lots of money on mostly Republican politicians that has earned him the loyalty like that of State Sen. Alan Cropsey, R-DeWitt. In a Detroit Free Press article called “Matty Moroun spends big on politicians: Dishes donations amid bridge fight,” it reports “Moroun and his family have doled out more than $110,000 in political contributions to Michigan candidates and committees since the beginning of the year.”

The article shows Morouns spent his money on most -- but not all -- of the gubernatorial candidates from both parties, as well as a lobbyist-run committee in Lansing that in turn contributes to Republican campaigns and causes. That’s one reason why not a single Michigan House Republicans voted yes on legislation clearing the way to build the DRIC bridge and authorize Michigan to enter into a public-private partnership with Canada and a private sector developer/financier to build the DRIC bridge, and why Senate Republicans are trying to kill it in committee.

According the Free Press, “the Morouns gave to all of the Republican gubernatorial candidates except former Gateway computers head Rick Snyder, who supports DRIC as long as Michigan taxpayers aren't on the hook. U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra -- who has since said he favors a public-private partnership to build a new span -- received four $3,400 contributions worth a total of $13,600 on May 5. Attorney General Mike Cox, who has more concerns about DRIC, received the same on June 25.”

But Mike Bouchard appears to be the new Cropsey, and he got the lion’s share of the Moroun cash.

“On top of the $10,200 he received on the last day of 2009, the Bouchard Victory Fund received $13,000 in May. And Capitol Affairs PAC, which is run by former Bouchard staffer and lobbyist Robert Kennedy, has received $35,000 from the Morouns since the middle of May. The PAC has contributed to several funds committed to electing Republicans, as well as giving about $34,000 to Bouchard's gubernatorial run and another $34,000 to a committee called Friends of Mike Bouchard -- which according to the filing is a fund for his re-election in 2012 as Oakland County sheriff.”

Most troubling, at least to me, was that the Morouns also gave “two $3,400 contributions to Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, who is running for the Democratic nomination for governor. His rival, House Speaker Andy Dillon, didn't receive a donation. Dillon supports DRIC; Bernero opposes it.”

“Also of note, two of Lansing's most vocal opponents to DRIC received contributions:” Republican State Reps. David Agema of Grandville received $1,000, and Paul Opsommer of DeWitt got $1,500.

Senate Republicans say state does not need second span across the Detroit River to Canada

Despite widespread and bipartisan support for building the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC) bridge over the Detroit river between Canada and Windsor, it appears Senate Republicans will be the stumbling block.

The Senate Transportation Committee took testimony on House Bill 4961 Wednesday that would authorize Michigan to enter into a public-private partnership with Canada and a private sector developer/financier to build the DRIC bridge, but before any testimony was taken, the Committee chair, Sen. Jud Gilbert, R-Algonac, made it seem he was just going through the motions, and he does not think the state needs a second crossing. He should tell that to Ambassador Bridge owner and Republican benefactor Matty Moroun who is already building a second span next to the Ambassador Bridge despite not having a single permit.

“There is a lot of talk, especially in the newspapers, that this needs to get done quickly,” Gilbert said. “I am all for doing things quickly, but I am not going to risk a $5 million debt.”

Sen. Ray Basham, D-Taylor, the Minority Vive-Chair of the Committee and a strong supporter of DRIC – along with former Governors Jim Blanchard and Republican John Engler, Republican Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson, the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Republican-controlled Ohio Senate – took exception to Gilbert’s claim that traffic does not support a second span.

“I am not an expert, but I have not heard one expert in this state say the traffic study done is wrong,” Basham said. “I hate to think we plan the future economy for my grandchildren on what’s happening today.”

Not a single Republican in the House voted for HB 4961, and one reason, besides going to bat for Moroun, is the claim that it takes away legislative oversight. Rep. Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, is one of the biggest critics of DRIC, as well one of the most conservative members in the House. He testified to that claim of a lack of oversight, but Basham debunked that claim.

“It sound like conspiracy theory; we always have control,” Basham said. “The Legislature can do lots of things; they can even repeal bills.”

Rep. Lee Gonzales, D-Flint), sponsored HB 4961, and he said a public-private partnership was the best way to attract money for needed infrastructure improvements, and at the same time the legislation was structured to protect the state from incurring debt.

“It’s simple: if private investors don’t think there is a need for another bridge, they won’t invest,” he said.

The committee did not take a vote on the bill, and more testimony is expected.

Michigan LCV launches two more accountability blogs

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters (LCV) launched two more accountability blogs to keep track of the environmental voting records of key members of the Michigan Legislature.

The two new blogs will keep track of two of the most conservative members of the Legislature, state Representatives Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, and Rick Jones, R-Grand Ledge.

“We’re doing what most environmental groups cannot do, which is call attention to environmental voting records,” said Executive Director Lisa Wozniak. “While both Representatives have taken strong stands on some key natural resources and public health issues, they have also cast a number of key anti-environmental votes over the last two years.”

Michigan LCV has been tracking all of Lansing’s elected officials for more than 10 years, and in each legislative session Michigan LCV publishes the Michigan Environmental Scorecard as a way to monitor performance on key issues, like the Great Lakes, children’s health and clean renewable energy. Opsommer earned a dismal 43 percent on the Michigan LCV score on the 2007-08 Michigan Environmental Scorecard.

Jones made statewide news last summer when he spread falsehoods about the just completed Michigan State Police headquarters in downtown Lansing in an effort to make it a campaign issue to attack Democrats with. He also has a dismal 43 percent score on the scorecard.

“Our message to both gentleman is simple: a mixed record such as theirs does not indicate – in any real way – a commitment to either support of a clean energy economy that will grow new jobs in Michigan or protection of our Great Lakes from a variety of threats,” said Michigan LCV Deputy Director Kerry Duggan . “In short, those whom we elect to office need to know that their votes speak louder than their words and consistency matters.”

The Michigan League of Conservation Voters is a non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to passing strong environmental laws, electing environmental champions and holding lawmakers accountable for their actions.