Christmas came early, and hopefully so do your holiday gifts. But with the supply chain issues in the Biden-Whitmer economy, you might be lucky to get your packages before the New Year!

Thankfully, you can always count on Frontlines to arrive on time. Here’s the latest on the National Popular Vote, the Redistricting Commission at the Supreme Court, Dana Nessel’s $48 million mistake, and more.

NESSEL’S $48 MILLION MISTAKE

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel wants the court’s permission to violate the law in order to keep the Flint case alive after her rookie mistake.

At the beginning of their politically motivated prosecution, Nessel and her team were advised to use a taint team to review millions of documents and exclude any privileged material from the prosecution. Nessel ignored that advice – and now the prosecution is paying the price for her negligence.

Nessel’s team now claims it would take 100 attorneys three years and a whopping $48 million to retroactively review documents and follow the law – so they want the judge to give them a pass on using those illegally obtained documents to build their case.

Dana Nessel’s incompetence could cost taxpayers millions more than they’ve already spent and delay the case for years.

NATIONAL POPULAR VOTE FAILS

Christmas came early for Michigan. As it turns out, Republicans don’t support the National Popular Vote, and the group behind efforts to put it on the ballot have pulled the plug… for now.

That’s good news. Michigan voters should get to decide which presidential candidate gets Michigan’s electoral votes – not liberal voters in New York City and Los Angeles.

The National Popular Vote compact would disenfranchise voters in states across the nation. Unfortunately, supporters plan to try again in 2024. If they do, we’ll be ready.

REDISTRICTING COMMISSION GETS TAKEN TO COURT

Earlier this week the hyper-partisan redistricting commission had their first of many future dates in court. Commissioners found themselves in the legal crosshairs after the Michigan Press Association and a collection of statewide news outlets sued them over their blatant disregard for the state’s constitution and transparency requirements.

Michigan’s constitution couldn’t be more clear – the commission is a public body, it’s required to do its work in public, and the public gets access to the work it does on their behalf.

The Supreme Court hearing was a critical step towards transparency, but the next step must be towards accountability. By hiding public documents and holding secret meetings, the so-called Independent redistricting commission has destroyed the integrity of the entire map-drawing process.

WHITMER CHOOSES UNIONS OVER STUDENTS

Michigan students suffered learning loss and mental health problems after Gov. Whitmer closed our schools – TWICE.

Instead of helping these struggling students, Whitmer vetoed reading scholarships. Whitmer vetoed Michigan Opportunity Accounts that would have given parents direct access to money for educational needs of their children.

It’s no surprise that the MEA endorsed her this week: At every turn, Governor Whitmer has chosen her teachers union allies over the Michigan students who have suffered because of her decisions.

A NEW YEAR, NEW POSSIBILITIES AND PITFALLS

When lawmakers return to the Capitol in 2022, they’ll face a host of important possibilities and a variety of dangerous pitfalls. What they do between now and November will make a big difference for years to come.

2021 saw Governor Gretchen Whitmer bizarrely veto reading scholarships, and the opportunity accounts for at-risk learners. 2022 will give lawmakers the chance to stand up for students despite her. Petitions are now in the field to create student opportunity accounts without the Governor’s signature. If parents collect enough of them, the House and Senate will have the chance to approve that extra $500 million in student funding again.

They can expand FOIA to cover the Governor’s office. They can repeal and eliminate onerous licensure requirements that keep talented men and women off the job. They can pay down debts and cover unfunded liabilities instead of creating massive new spending programs.

We’ve experienced painful lessons during the pandemic. Let’s prove we learned from them.

HEADLINES YOU’LL WANT TO SEE

Bridge Michigan: Michigan Supreme Court Hears Redistricting Lawsuit over Secret Memos

Crain’s Detroit Business: Why is Whitmer backing away from Biden’s COVID vaccine mandate? New Detroit Chamber poll offers hints

Foundation for Economic Education: Inflation Will Cost the Average Household an Astounding Amount in 2021, Ivy League Analysis Finds

Detroit News: Opinion: Possibilities and Pitfalls await Lansing in the New Year

For Freedom,
Tori Sachs
Executive Director
Michigan Freedom Fund