January 19, 1996

Legislative & Political Week in Review

• Legislative activity slowed to a crawl in Lansing this week as attention focused on Gov. John Engler’s sixth State of the State address on Wednesday. "The rust belt is history," Engler declared, asserting that "now, Michigan is driving America’s renaissance." Pointedly partisan, the text slammed President Bill Clinton in one of only two references to Democrats in the 25-page address. Pundits who had predicted that the speech would aim to advance Engler’s standing as a national figure were not disappointed: The Detroit News counted "six references to Washington, D.C., and none to Detroit," while columnist George Weeks sniffed that Engler’s message "reads like a resume for a spot on the GOP ticket. Maybe he’ll take a copy when he goes Friday to San Diego to meet with Republican National Convention planners."
• As expected, Engler called for more prisons—four new facilities, including a so-called "punk prison" for youthful offenders.
• Also expected, the governor called for less government, through Executive Orders to consolidate state departments. He confirmed his intention to effect the much-anticipated merger of the departments of Labor and Commerce into a new Department of Consumer and Industry Services. A more controversial merger would combine the departments of Mental Health and Public Health, give it Medicaid administration (a function currently within the Department of Social Services), and retitle the new entity the Department of Community Health.
• Although detractors complain that the governor devoted more time to extolling past achievements than to outlining new initiatives, in fact, his address proposes the following innovations:
  • No-form, no-file state income tax, eliminating paperwork for residents who don’t itemize
  • A Project Zero pilot program in five counties, with a goal of moving every able-bodied adult currently on welfare into full employment and financial independence
  • A Clean Corporate Citizen designation guaranteeing environmentally responsible industries "hassle-free" state permits
• Plans to privatize liquor distribution were uncorked this week in Lansing, almost a year to the day from when they were promised in Governor Engler’s 1995 State of the State address. Almost 400 permanent and temporary state jobs will be ended under the plan, which closes state-owned warehouses and outsources most of the liquor distribution among the state’s 63 stores.
• Consistent with earlier rumors, the state Department of Transportation director, Patrick Nowak, has announced his resignation, effective February 16. Nowak, a Republican, is considering a run for the 9th U.S. House District seat held by Dale Kildee (D-Flint).
• In Lansing and Detroit this week, Speaker of the U.S. House and enthusiastic Engler fan Newt Gingrich launched the verbal fusillades for which he is so noted. Calling Michigan the epicenter of the "Republican revolution" against a "do-nothing President," Speaker Gingrich entertained at a fund-raising breakfast for Congressman Dick Chrysler (R-Brighton) and at a $1,000 per plate dinner at the Henry Ford Estate.
• Meanwhile, in Ann Arbor, hundreds of Clinton supporters and readers stood in rainy line for a handshake and an autograph from the First Lady, who was in Michigan as part of her book tour.