The last time this town had a Democratic majority in one chamber and a Republican majority in the other, the two leaders were infamous for their affinity for each other.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm spoke out loud in her book about what others in town considered to be a “bromance” between then-Speaker Andy Dillon and then-Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop.
That is certainly not the case this time around with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) and House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township).
The Republican leader, when pressed Wednesday during his press conference, conceded that he has not met face-to-face with Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks under any circumstances, three full months into his new role as the leader of the Michigan House.
During his weekly press conference Wednesday, Hall said he and Brinks have spoken on the phone, but have not broken bread together.
He blamed this situation on her suing him over the nine bills from the prior term that he isn’t delivering to the Governor’s office.
“That isn’t a very good thing,” he said.
To that, Sen. Jeremy Moss (D-Southfield) said in reply, “It goes both ways, doesn’t it? He’s unlawfully held up bills.”
Last week, Hall claimed he told Brinks if she wants a book closing supplemental, then the Senate would have to pass the House Republicans’ appropriations bills that would go into effect at the start of the next fiscal year.
“Who knows where she is, but they’re not in session. Last seen with Grimace,” said Hall, a reference to the McDonald’s character who was wandering the Capitol last week in celebration of a Ronald McDonald house anniversary.
Sources close to the situation note that timing could be playing a role in the two leaders not meeting. Hall negotiated the paid sick leave and minimum wage deal with Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing).
Other than those two pieces of legislation, which had strict time constraints on them, the two chambers have been content to lob their bills into the other’s chamber without any serious discussion on what it would take to get them to the Governor.
MIRS has learned that Hall has turned down at least one meeting with Brinks and that she’s been open to meeting with him. However, it’s tough to keep encouraging a meeting when the House leader is throwing verbal bombs her way in his hour-long press conference.
Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter
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