Tag: Cronyism (page 3)

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Ron Boji, of Orchard Lake, to the state Transportation Commission.

The six-member commission is the policy-making body for all state transportation programs.

"Ron has enjoyed a distinguished career and I look forward to his contributions to this important commission," Snyder said.

Hey, it's a Nerdy job but, somebody's got to do it...

He pads the expenses with his own services.

The ivory tower reports Foreclosure Don David Trott has heavily invested in his own campaign to become a US congressman.

"An Oakland County lawyer has raised nearly $650,000 in a month on the campaign trail -- including more than $200,000 from himself -- far outdistancing the Republican congressman he hopes to unseat."

However, Trott isn't really leaving himself as exposed as those whom he has made his living off of for so many years.  Risk is for losers, right?  Get a few Daddy war-BUCKS from Cronyist liberal Illitch family, some Devos dollars, and bill yourself heavily so that an amended filing pays you for your time.  The story continues:

".. Trott contributed more than $105,000 in in-kind services -- including research, consulting and legal fees -- as well as putting $102,600 of his own money into the campaign, according to FEC records.

It seems that the "more than $105,000" number can be considered a debt of the campaign with a little modification of the paperwork.  Add that to his personal $102,600 cash infusion, and he could make a little ka-ching for his troubles as long as there are others filling the coffers.

The National Review has an interesting piece that raises some questions about our own accountability trail with regard to purchasing large systems, and awarding contracts.  Apparently Michigan is being used to circumvent Illinois' tougher bid process and timeline for the purpose of Medicaid processing. According to Illinois officials:

" "Illinois has an intergovernmental agreement with the state of Michigan and CNSI is one of Michigan's vendors," Jakubek wrote in an e-mail. "Communication with MI and the entire project team is ethical and necessary to work on this project."

Read the entire story.  

The 'whistle-blowing' sources will be protected, as the reporters are legit.

This picture courtesy of Joan Fabiano of Grassroots in Michigan

"You've heard of the bridge to nowhere?  Welcome to the jail for no one."

Told ya.  You're getting warmer, Ross.  However, that jail for no one will be gobbled up by Dan Gilbert for pennies on the dollar.

As promised, Governor Snyder will have to face the reality that the conservative base might well leave him to fend for himself as he repeatedly (and without remorse) promotes expansion of the ACA in Michigan.  Joan Fabiano and Jen Kuznicki in an article and open letter to the Governor explain that Republicans should, and will not be casting their vote for him in the coming election.

"It is with careful consideration that we decide on a course of action that is, in our view, politically problematic, but nonetheless a forthright answer to a governor who will not listen to his base: Conservatives should not help this Governor get reelected."

Many are concerned that The 2014 Democrat candidate for governor is likely to take advantage of this, and they are correct.  Thus another reason to fight for, and support the legislators who stand up for limited government intrusion into our lives; something clearly pointed out as part of the problem with the ACA by Fabiano and Kuznicki:

'Unsustainable consequences of the passing of the "Affordable" Care Act will leave millions without a job, and millions with cut hours and wages.  Those consequences lead us to believe that expansion will overwhelm the system, rip off doctors, temporarily prop up hospitals, all leading to requests for more taxpayer funding on both the State and Federal levels.

Medicaid expansion is not solely a fiscal issue, it gets to the heart of the role of government in our lives.  Take into consideration the life of a restaurant worker who has been working full time.  Due to Obamacare, he will be facing a cut in hours because of the fees placed upon his employer by the cynical law.  He will lose his health insurance as a result, and he will be eligible for Medicaid if the state expands it.  You have, at the hands of government, changed that man's life from being a hard-working climber to one that has been knocked back by a government he is in charge of.  He has lost half of his income so that the government can manage his life.'

Yes, that Inkster property.  So, naturally Gov. Snyder, brings Ron Boji into the Lansing fold in the Big Money State slush fund.  Note: "acting as the fiduciary agent for the 21st Century Jobs Fund."  RM readers can't say they weren't aware.  Associations matter.  

Then, in Wayne County, there is also John Rakolta, who sits on the Board of the quasi-governmental "Development" entity capable of influencing bids on Ficano projects that John's company Walbridge Aldinger, just happens to be constructing the Jail to Nowhere, is also now pocketing the millions in "cost overruns".  Mighty convenient coincidence for Dan Gilbert, to make suggestion of taking that boondoggle jail property off the county's hands, assumedly, for pennies on the dollar, isn't it?