Senate Republicans Play Politics With Michigan Citizens' Lives

Justice Caucus demands a better State Senate. Renews its call for a resignation from Mike Bishop and vote of "No Confidence" from the MI State Senate.

DETROIT, MICH. --  According to a MIRS report dated Oct. 7, 2009, the Michigan State Senate tabled a vote on the bill which would repeal the immunity for pharmaceutical manufacturers in retaliation against the Justice Caucus' recent call for Michigan State Senate leader Mike Bishop and State House speaker Andy Dillon to step down from their leadership positions. As advocates for social and economic justice and integrity, the Justice Caucus demands better leadership in the state's legislature due to their failure to address the fundamental issue of structural budget reform. This failure has led to the second budget crisis in two years.

Justice Caucus members believe that the citizens of Michigan deserve better results from their legislative leaders than another crisis resulting in yet another short-term government shutdown and critical cash flow problems for the state's public school system.
Instead of taking constructive criticism and improving their performance, Senate Republicans chose to retaliate, putting politics ahead of the lives of the people of Michigan on the matter of drug company immunity, thereby changing the subject from the budget crisis now crippling our state.

The Justice Caucus encourages Michigan citizens to call State Senate Republicans and insist on better work ethics and performance, and to demand they focus on both the budget and long-term budget reform.

Further, the Justice Caucus asks MIRS to correct its inaccurate reporting. Justice Caucus members represent a broad spectrum of Michigan citizens. We are teachers, doctors, nurses, union workers, auto workers, small business owners, community leaders, students and senior citizens -- all of whom are committed to furthering progressive values. 

Michigan deserves better. The Justice Caucus maintains it is well past time for Democratic State House Speaker, Andy Dillon, and Republican State Senate Leader, Mike Bishop, along with Michigan's legislature, to live up to their oaths and protect Michigan's citizens through better governance.