The featured attraction of the evening was a panel discussion with Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop and House Speaker Andy Dillon being moderated by Tim Skubick.  This sort of event is pretty standard fare and typically doesn't offer much in the way of controversy but Skubick certainly has a way of catching politicians off guard.  The entire program was going fine and the legislative leaders were appropriately on message when the following exchange took place... (I'm sure we'll read about it in MIRS or the LSJ sooner rather than later but remember, you read it here first!)...

Skubick: `Will you take a vote on the legislation to raise the gas tax before the November election?'

Bishop: "No."

Dillon: "No."

Skubick: `Will there be a vote to raise the gas tax after the November election and once all of your members are safe from voter scrutiny during the lame-duck portion of the session?"

Bishop: "No."

Dillon: "It is probable."

I'm told that an audible gasp went up out of the audience (there were about two hundred industry professionals and interested parties in attendance).  Skubick followed up and Dillon reiterated that "it's probable."  I guess the look on his face went pretty sour pretty fast after he realized what he'd just confirmed in public.

There's a reason Dillon is considered the Speaker of the tax-hike-caucus.  They already passed the largest tax hike in the history of the State of Michigan and even though they're telling us that they're through with the rate hikes we knew they were lying.  It's all politics with these guys.  They want to convince you that last year's vote was "really tough" and that they won't do it again but from the mouth of their own legislative leader, they've got one planned for immediately after the election once they're safely out of the reach of the voters!

He didn't say it was possible.  He said it was probable!

Hold on to your wallets, boys and girls.  The House Democrats are planning on goreing us again.