LANSING - House Democrats today called for a criminal investigation of House Republican leaders for illegally blocking action on anti-trash legislation.
"The Republicans have now shown where their loyalty lies: With the trash companies, and not with the people of Michigan," said state Rep. Steve Adamini (D-Marquette), who is spearheading the legal action against the Republicans. "They are so terrified of the garbage lobby that they are willing to break Michigan's laws to protect special interests."
House Democrats said they will ask Michigan Attorney General Mike Cox to launch a criminal investigation against Speaker Pro Tempore Jerry Kooiman and Republican Floor Leader Chris Ward.
State Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith (D-Salem Township) said the investigation will try to determine whether Kooiman and Ward committed felony misconduct while in office for the way they blocked action on Democrats' legislation to fight Canadian and out-of-state garbage during a June 23 House session.
"Republicans have a long history of suppressing efforts to fight imported garbage, but this time, they have gone too far," Rep. Smith said. "This time, they have done more than just turn their backs on the people of Michigan. They have done more than just sit on their hands while Michigan is getting buried under mountains of trash. They have violated our Constitution, and that is unacceptable."
During the June 23 session, Democrats tried to link the anti-trash legislation to a Senate bill that the House was voting on. But Republicans rejected the move and refused to allow discussion, debate or a vote. Michigan's Constitution requires a record roll-call vote if one-fifth of the House asks for one. During the June 23 session, House Democrats presented a petition with at least 22 signatures seeking debate and a record roll-call vote on their five anti-trash bills. Earlier, on May 18, Republicans refused to give the bills - which include raising the dumping charge to $7.50 a ton - a simple hearing.