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Thursday, May 15, 2008 --- 71 days ago http://blogpublic.lib.msu.edu/index.php?blog=5&title=politics-101-why-the-smokin
| When voters hear the words "bipartisan cooperation," they envision lawmakers reaching across party lines to make things happen.
But in Michigan's divided state Legislature, the object of bipartisan cooperation is often to make sure that nothing happens, and that neither party gets the blame when a popular initiative goes down in flames.
If you want to see the bipartisan butt-covering process in action, just keep your eye on the indoor-smoking ban that House Democrats and Senate Republicans are supposedly determined to impose on Michigan restaurants.
Smoking opponents were cheered last week when state Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, unexpectedly allowed a bill that would ban indoor smoking in all public establishments to come to a floor vote.
The bill passed by a 25-12 vote, and with the Democratic House already on record in support of a similar measure, the ban seemed destined for the desk of Gov. Jennifer Granholm, who has promised to sign it.
The Senate's poison pill
But of course, it's not that simple.
State Rep. Bert Johnson, D-Detroit, who chairs the House Detroit caucus, joined with most of his Democratic colleagues in supporting the House's smoking ban, which -- unlike the Senate version -- exempted Detroit's casinos. Now Johnson is worried that Detroit's casinos will lay off workers if the Senate's broader bill prevails. He says he'll withdraw his support for a smoking ban unless the exempt ... |
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