♪
WELCOME BACK.
OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS SENATOR
JEREMY MOSS WHO WANTS MORE
TRANSPARENCY IN STATE
GOVERNMENT.
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS IN THE
HOUSE COME TO A DEAL THE
GOVERNOR IS LOOKING AT AND
MS. WHITMER SAYS NO TO BEING
VICE PRESIDENT ON THE PANEL IS
KYLE MELINN, LAUREN GIBBONS AND
RICK PLUTA.
SIT IN WITH US AS WE GET THE
INSIDE OUT...OFF THE RECORD.
PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD IS
MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY A GRANT
FROM VAN GUARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS
WITH NEARLY THREE DECADES OF
EXPERIENCE PROVIDING STRATEGIC
COUNSEL TO LEADERS IN THE
PUBLIC, PHILANTHROPIC, AND
PRIVATE SECTORS.
VAN GUARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SPECIALIZES IN DIGITAL
COMMUNICATIONS, ISSUE
MANAGEMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
AND REPRESENTATION MANAGEMENT
SERVICES FOR COMMUNITIES,
ORGANIZATIONS AND LEADERS ACROSS
THE MIDWEST.
INFORMATION AT VANGUARD-PA.COM.
AND NOW THIS EDITION OF OFF THE
RECORD WITH TIM SKUBICK.
♪
THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WELCOME
TO OFF THE RECORD.
WELL, THIS IS AN INTERESTING
STORY.
WE SHOW UP ON THE HOUSE FLOOR
YESTERDAY AFTERNOON AND THE
SPEAKER AND THE DEMOCRATIC
LEADERS SAY WE GOT A DEAL IN THE
K-12 BUDGET TELL US.
>> THAT WAS PRETTY UNEXPECTED
AND VERY INTERESTING THE HOUSE
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS HAVE
APPARENTLY COME TOGETHER, WE ARE
GOING TO SEE MORE DETAILS A
LITTLE BIT LATER THIS MORNING.
>> WE ARE TAPING ON THURSDAY.
>> YES SO WE ARE GOING TO SEE
DETAILS AND WHAT THEY ENDED UP
COMING TO A CONCLUSION ON BUT
IT'S VERY INTERESTING BECAUSE NO
WHERE IN THIS TALK WAS GOVERNOR
WHITMER SO WE HAVE A BIPARTISAN
DEAL BUT APPARENTLY NOT ONE THE
GOVERNOR IS ON BOARD WITH.
>> I'M HERE HOPING THAT SOME OF
YOU GUYS CAN EXPLAIN IT TO ME
BECAUSE.
>> AS TO WHERE SHE WAS?
SHE SAID SHE WAS NOT PART OF THE
NEGOTIATIONS SO WHAT ARE THESE
GUYS SUPPOSED TO DO?
>> WE ARE ALL TRYING TO AND
AGAIN CORRECT ME IF I'M WRONG I
THINK WE ARE ALL TRYING TO
FIGURE OUT WHAT THE END GAME IS
HERE OR AND IF, IN FACT, THERE
IS ONE.
>> WELL I THINK THE HOUSE
DEMOCRATS ARE TRYING TO GET
WHATEVER THEY CAN OUT OF THE
BUDGET AND BECAUSE THEY DON'T
HAVE THE KIND OF LEVERAGE LET'S
SAY THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE
THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE A TOOL
THEY CAN USE TO HOLD UP THE
BUDGETS ON THE FLOOR.
IT'S KIND OF LIKE A FILIBUSTER
AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL BUT NOT BAD
MEDIA EFFECT AND NOT GET INTO
IT.
>> IT'S A VOTE THAT REQUIRES
SUPER MAJORITIES AND THAT IS
WHERE THE LEVERAGE COMES IN.
>> IN ORDER TO SEND A FINISHED
BUDGET TO THE GOVERNOR'S DESK
THAT TAKES EFFECT NOW THEY NEED
FOUR DEMOCRATS TO DECIDE WITH
THE REPUBLICANS TO DO THAT.
>> THE SENATE DEMOCRATS HAVE
LEVERAGE AND HAVE BEEN
NEGOTIATING GETTING THINGS IN
THE BUDGET ALONG THE WAY THE
HOUSE DEMOCRATS HAVE NOTHING AND
THEY CAN SHOVE A BUDGET BY THE
HOUSE DEMOCRATS AND THEY CAN'T
DO SQUAT ABOUT IT SO THEY DECIDE
TO ACTUALLY NEGOTIATE AND PUT
THEIR NEGOTIATIONS OUT IN THE
PUBLIC AND SAY LOOK WE GOT
SOMETHING ACCOMPLISHED AND THIS
IS WHAT WE GOT ACCOMPLISHED.
I THINK THE DIFFERENCE HERE IS
THEY HAVE NOT BEEN WORKING WITH
THE GOVERNOR ON THAT AND ARE
OPENING THEMSELVES UP TO GETTING
RUN OVER MAYBE LATER IN THE
PROCESS.
>> DON'T YOU THINK THEY AT LEAST
GAVE HER A HEADS UP THIS WAS
COMING?
>> YEAH, WELL YEAH THEY GAVE HER
A HEADS UP.
>> AND BASICALLY GO AHEAD AND DO
IT.
>> WELL.
>> YEAH.
>> WELL EVERY GOVERNOR IS
CONSEQUENTIAL BECAUSE ANY BILL
HAS TO GET A GOVERNOR'S
SIGNATURE, BUT THE QUESTION --
THE ISSUE THERE IS HOW
CONSEQUENTIAL A GOVERNOR WILL BE
BECAUSE THIS HAS BECOME A GAME
OF BUDGET CHICKEN AS WE GET
CLOSER AND CLOSER TO THE OCTOBER
1ST DEADLINE TO GET THIS DONE
BECAUSE THAT IS THE START OF THE
STATE'S FISCAL YEAR.
>> LET'S POINT OUT OKAY THEY PUT
30 MILLION IN FOR SPECIAL ED SHE
WAS AT 120 MILLION SO THAT IS A
PRETTY GOOD GAP AND DID CLOSE
THE SPENDING GAP BETWEEN THE
HAVE AND HAVE NOT AND THAT IS
GOOD AND STARTED 10,000 UNDER
DANNY DEGREE AND OTHERS SO THAT
IS A MOVEMENT AND WHY NOT SEND
HER THAT.
>> I THINK IT REALLY FLIPPED THE
SCRIPT ON WE WERE ALL TALKING
ABOUT A COUPLE OF WEEKS AGO THE
NEGOTIATIONS BETWEEN THE
GOVERNOR AND THE REPUBLICAN
LEADERS AND NOW THE HOUSE
DEMOCRATS HAVE REALLY INSERTED
THEMSELVES INTO THIS
CONVERSATION SAYING WE ARE A
PLAYER, YOU NEED US TO GET
DEMOCRATIC VALUES IN THIS BUDGET
AND SO YOU KNOW IT IS KIND OF A
POWER MOVE AT THIS POINT TO SAY,
HEY, YOU KNOW IF YOU'RE NOT
GOING TO COME TO THE NEGOTIATING
TABLE WE ARE.
>> AND THERE IS ANOTHER ISSUE
HERE TOO TIM I DON'T KNOW IF THE
HOUSE DEMOCRATS REALLY ARE
SEEING THIS BUDGET THROUGH THE
LENS OF THE GOVERNOR AND WHAT
SHE IS LOOKING AT.
FROM WHAT I WAS ABLE TO GATHER
YESTERDAY ON THE HOUSE FLOOR
THEY SUSPECT WHAT THE GOVERNOR
IS DOING IS HIDING IN THE WEEDS
AND WAKING FOR THE REPUBLICANS
TO GIVE HER A BUDGET SO SHE CAN
GO LINE ITEM THE HECK OUT OF IT
AND KILL A BUNCH OF REPUBLICAN
THINGS AND DRIVE THEM BACK TO
THE NEGOTIATING TABLE.
AND THE HOUSE DEMOCRATS DON'T
KNOW IF THAT IS GOING TO
ACTUALLY MOVE THE NEEDLE AND IF
THEY ARE ACTUALLY GOING TO GET
ANYTHING OUT OF THAT PROCESS,
THEY ARE SKEPTICAL AND THINK
GRANHOLM TRIED THAT BACK IN 09
AND IT DID NOT WORK OUT WELL,
THE REPUBLICANS JUST LOOKED AT
THEIR LINE ITEMS AND WERE LIKE
WHATEVER AND THEN JUST MOVED ON.
SO THEY ARE SAYING HEY LOOK IF
WE CAN GET SOMETHING OUT OF IT
NOW WE ARE GOING TO GO AHEAD AND
DO THAT BECAUSE WE'RE NOT SURE
WE WILL GET OUT OF THE STRATEGY
SHE IS GOING FOR.
>> SOMETIMES THE BEST DEAL IS
THE LEAST WORST DEAL.
>> SHOULD WE BE WRITING THAT
DOWN?
[ LAUGHTER ]
ARE YOU GOING FOR QUOTE OF THE
DAY.
>> WE PAUSED SO WE COULD LET
THAT SOAK IN.
>> IT WAS PROFOUND.
>> IT'S JUST THAT, YOU KNOW,
EVERY LEADER IN THIS AND EVERY
CAUCUS IN THE HOUSE AND SENATE
HAS TO SAY WHERE THEY HAVE
LEVERAGE AND UNDERSTAND WHERE
THEY DON'T AND THE BIG QUESTION
MARK HANGING OVER ALL OF THAT IS
WHAT WILL GRETCHEN WHITMER DO
WHAT WILL GRETCHEN WHITMER
ACCEPT.
>> DON'T YOU THINK LEE CHATFIELD
THE SPEAKER LOVED IT HAVING THE
DEMOCRATIC LEADER STANDING NEXT
TO HIM JUST 35 FEET AWAY FROM
THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE MAYBE A
LITTLE MORE AND NOT SAYING HERE
YOU GO GOVERNOR.
>> SHE HAD A QUOTE SAYING SHE
WANTED A BUDGET BEFORE THE
WEEKEND AND I WAS LIKE WHOA.
>> THIS HAS TURNED INTO A VERY
INTERESTING BUDGET NEGOTIATION
NOBODY IS PREDICTING A SHUT DOWN
AND I DON'T THINK WE WILL HAVE
ONE, DO WE STILL ALL AGREE ON
THAT ONE?
>> I DON'T THINK WE WILL GET A
SHUT DOWN WITH THE UAW STRIKE
GOING ON THERE IS ALREADY PEOPLE
OUT OF WORK, FOR GOVERNOR
WHITMER TO SAY 38,000 STATE
EMPLOYEES MANY OF WHOM ARE UNION
EMPLOYEES.
>> SOME U AW MEMBERS.
>> EXACTLY.
>> YOU GUYS DON'T HAVE TO SHOW
UP FOR WORK I DON'T THINK SHE
WILL DO THAT ESPECIALLY OVER A
TAX INCREASE.
>> I DON'T THINK ANYONE WOULD
LOOK GOOD COMING OUT AT THIS
JUNCTURE AND RECOGNIZE IT'S NOT
SOMETHING THAT MAKES A LOT OF
POLITICAL SENSE AT THIS POINT
ESPECIALLY AS YOU SAID WITH THE
UAW STRIKE THERE IS A LOT OF
PEOPLE OUT OF WORK, IT'S JUST
NOT A GOOD LOOK.
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT LOOKING AT
THE GOVERNOR AND HER POSSIBILITY
OF BEING INTERESTED IN VICE
PRESIDENT, TAKE A LOOK.
GIVE ME A ONE WORD REACTION TO
GRETCHEN WHITMER CANDIDATE FOR
VICE PRESIDENT IT'S HAPPENING TO
GRETCHEN GOVERNOR WHITMER LIKE
ALL THE OTHER GOVERNORS BEFORE
HER INCLUDING SOPHIE WILLIAMS
GEORGE ROMNEY BILL MILLIKEN
BLANCHARD ENGLER AND JENNIFER
GRANHOLM AND SNYDER ALL OF THE
MICHIGAN GOVERNORS WERE
MENTIONED FOR POSSIBLE POSITIONS
IN A PRESIDENTIAL ADMINISTRATION
AND FOLLOWING HER APPEARANCE AT
THE DETROIT DEMOCRATIC
PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE RECENTLY
GOVERNOR WHITMER'S NAME ENTERED
THE CONVERSATION FOR WHAT ELSE?
VICE PRESIDENT.
WHICH BRINGS US BACK TO THAT
ORIGINAL QUESTION GIVE ME A ONE
WORD REACTION TO GRETCHEN
WHITMER CANDIDATE FOR VICE
PRESIDENT.
>> NO.
>> GIVE ME ANOTHER WORD.
>> YOU KNOW WHAT, ALL THE
SPECULATION IS SUCH A
DISTRACTION FROM ALL THE STUFF
I'M REALLY TRYING TO GET DONE
AND SO I'M NOT GOING TO ENGAGE
IN IT.
>> HOW FIRM IS THAT NO IF
DRAFTED WILL YOU NOT RUN, FIF
ELECTED WILL YOU NOT SERVE
GOVERNOR DO YOU WANT TO TALK
ABOUT THIS?
>> LET'S TALK ABOUT THE BUDGET
TIM.
>> THE GOVERNOR SAID NO BUT IN
THE HYPER ACTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA
WORLD WE LIVE IN THERE ARE THOSE
WHO WON'T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER,
IN FACT, THE REPUBLICANS ARE
ALREADY CRITICIZING HER FOR
TRYING TO POLISH HER NATIONAL
IMAGE AT THE EXPENSE OF THE
PROBLEMS BACK HOME.
SO ONE MORE DEFINITIVE QUESTION
TO HER AND AN ANSWER FROM HER.
SAY YOU DO NOT WANT TO BE VICE
PRESIDENT.
>> TIM I DO NOT WANT TO BE A
VICE PRESIDENT.
>> OKAY THAT PUTS THAT TO REST
DOESN'T IT?
>> I AM GRATEFUL TO BE THE 49TH
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF
MICHIGAN, I'M DETERMINED TO SEE
THROUGH ALL OF THE AGENDA ITEMS
THAT I'VE LISTED AND I'M GOING
TO FIGHT TO MAKE SURE THAT WE
FIX THE ROADS ONCE AND FOR ALL.
>> SO THE SPECULATION MAY
CONTINUE BUT THE GOVERNOR
MAKINGS IT CLEAR SHE IS NOT
INTERESTED IN VICE PRESIDENT.
SO KYLE WHY WERE YOU LAUGHING
DURING THAT PIECE?
>> I LOVED WATCHING HOW SHE
WANTED TO MANEUVER AROUND YOUR
ANSWERS NEVER REALLY SLAMMING
THE DOOR SHUT BUT TRYING TO MAKE
IT LOOK REALLY CLEAR THAT THAT'S
NOT WHAT SHE WANTS TO TALK ABOUT
NOW.
>> WAIT A MINUTE WHEN SHE SAYS I
DO NOT, WHAT MORE DO YOU WANT?
>> SHE HANDLED THE QUESTION,
QUESTIONS EXACTLY THE WAY THAT
SHE SHOULD HAVE AND PARTLY
BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW HOW YOU
SLAM THE DOOR SHUT ON
SPECULATION BY OTHER PEOPLE,
ONE.
AND, TWO, IF FOR SOME REASON SHE
IS TAPPED FOR THE POSITION THEN
SHE CAN SAY, LOOK, I WAS VERY
HAPPY BEING THE GOVERNOR OF
MICHIGAN BUT MY PARTY CALLED AND
I FELT AN OBLIGATION TO SERVE.
>> I DIDN'T WANT THIS POSITION
BUT THIS POSITION NEEDS, THIS
COUNTRY NEEDS ME RIGHT NOW AND I
AM COMPELLED TO SERVE.
>> WELL YOU KNOW.
>> PUT SENSE INTO THIS.
>> I THINK IT'S A LITTLE EARLY
FOR SOMEONE TO COME FORWARD AND
SAY I WANT TO BE VICE PRESIDENT
SO I THINK THE NO ANSWER IS
PRETTY EXPECTED AT THIS POINT
AND YOU KNOW AS YOU MENTIONED IN
YOUR PIECE, EVERY MICHIGAN
GOVERNOR AT SOME POINT HAS KIND
OF BEEN THROWN INTO THE
SPECULATION.
IT'S YOU KNOW A PART OF BEING A
DEMOCRATIC OR REPUBLICAN
GOVERNOR DEPENDING WHO IS
LOOKING FOR A CANDIDATE.
>> SWING STATE WITH AN EMBLEM
ECONOMY AND A SUBSTANTIAL NUMBER
OF ELECTORAL VOTES THE
SPECULATION IS MAGNETIC.
>> IF YOU HAVE A FEMALE AND MALE
ON THE TOP OF THE TICKET AND JOE
BIDEN CALLS HER UP AND NEEDS THE
MIDWEST CONNECTION SHE IS
YOUNGER AND REPRESENTS THE STATE
AND DOESN'T HAVE A HUGE RECORD
AS GOVERNOR BUT GOOD ENOUGH AS
FAR AS THE VAPING GOES.
YOU KNOW IT'S A STATE ON THE
REBOUND, I THINK IT MAKES A LOT
OF SENSE, I CAN UNDERSTAND WHY
HER NAME IS BEING MENTIONED.
>> ON THE VAPING SHE SHOWED SHE
HAS SKILLS AND CAN ANNOUNCE SHE
IS GOING TO ANNOUNCE EMERGENCY
RULES BEFORE SHE ANNOUNCES THE
EMERGENCY RULES AND I'M SURE
THAT AFTER THIS THERE WILL BE
THE ANNOUNCEMENT THAT THEY HAVE
BEEN ANNOUNCED.
>> LET'S CONTRAST HER HANDING
THE VP THING TO MR. SNYDER DO
YOU REMEMBER WHAT HE DID HE
NEVER PUT IT TO REST AND TOLD ME
AFTERWARDS PRIVATELY I WANTED TO
CONTINUE THE SPECULATION BECAUSE
EVERY TIME THEY ASK ME I COULD
TELL THE MICHIGAN STORY.
SO HE DELIBERATELY LET THE RUMOR
AND THE SPECULATION GO FORWARD.
SHE IS TRYING TO -- I TAKE HER
AT HER WORD, IT IS A DISTRACTION
OKAY AND IT DOES FORCE YOU TO
TAKE YOUR EYE OFF THE BALL AND
SHE SAID LOOK I'M WILLING TO
WORK FOR THE TICKET, I HAVE NO
PROBLEM WITH THAT AT ALL, BUT
YOU KNOW SHE IS FROM MICHIGAN, I
THINK.
>> THERE IS A BUDGET CONTROVERSY
LINGERING OUT THERE AND
SOMETHING LIKE A GOVERNMENT SHUT
DOWN OR A PARTIAL GOVERNMENT
SHUT DOWN DOESN'T EXACTLY BURISH
YOUR CREDENTIALS FOR A NATIONAL
TICKET.
>> SHE HAS NOT SHUNNED THE
NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT AND BROKE THE
VAPING STUFF IN "THE WASHINGTON
POST."
>> MORE FUEL TO THIS FIRE THAT
SHE IS POSITIONING HERSELF FOR
SOMETHING.
>> RIGHT, RIGHT, SO IT'S NOT AS
THOUGH SHE IS IGNORING THE
NATIONAL PRESENCE, SHE HAS BEEN
FEATURED IN SOME NATIONAL
ARTICLES ABOUT THE MIDWEST TREND
AND IT'S SO I DON'T THINK THAT
SHE IS YOU KNOW SHUNNING THE
SPOTLIGHT NECESSARILY, BUT,
YEAH, I THINK SHE PROBABLY DOES
VIEW ANY SPECULATION FOR A
HIGHER TICKET AT THIS POINT TO
BE A DISTRACTION FROM THE BUDGET
FOR EXAMPLE.
>> YES ESPECIALLY IN THIS
CLIMATE.
>> ANYBODY WHO IS ANNOUNCING OR
POSITIONING OR SAYING THEY WANT
TO RUN FOR VICE PRESIDENT WILL
NOT BE VICE PRESIDENT.
THEY WILL NOT BE ALL RIGHT WE
CAN JUST SAY THAT SO SHE CAN SAY
IN SEPTEMBER LOOK I DON'T WANT
TO BE VICE PRESIDENT BUT IF
SOMEBODY CALLS IN APRIL AND SAYS
WE WANT TO INTERVIEW YOU FOR
VICE PRESIDENT BECAUSE WE THINK
WE NEED YOU TO PREVENT DONALD
TRUMP FROM GETTING A SECOND TERM
SHE WON'T SAY NO TO THAT.
>> ON THE ONE HAND THERE IS
LITTLE TO LOSE BY STOKING THAT
SPECULATION.
THERE IS ONE CRITICAL THING TO
LOSE WHICH IS IF SHE BECOMES A
SYMBOL WITHIN THE DEMOCRATIC
COALITION THAT ALSO MAKES HER A
BIGGER TARGET FOR THE REPUBLICAN
PARTY AT THE SAME TIME THAT SHE
IS TRYING TO GET A LOT OF STUFF
DONE IN A TRICKY PERIOD.
>> THEY ALREADY STARTED
SNIPERING AT HER AND DID THE
TODAY SHOW AND LEFT THE BUDGET
NEGOTIATIONS AND THE REPUBLICANS
PUT THE STORY OUT AND DOES PUT
HER IN A TENABLE POSITION LOOK
AT MR. SNYDER HAD IT RIGHT AND
SAYS PEOPLE HIRED ME TO BE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE IN HIS
FIRST YEAR HE DIDN'T DO ANY
NATIONAL TV SHOWS IF YOU RECALL,
DIDN'T DO "MEET THE PRESS,"
DIDN'T DO "FACE THE NATION" AND
DID NOT DO IT ON PURPOSE BECAUSE
HE SAID THEY HIRED ME TO RUN
MICHIGAN.
>> HE UNDERSTOOD THE PERILS OF
THAT.
>> THE REPUBLICANS ARE GOING TO
THE ISLAND WHY ARE THEY GOING
THERE?
>> BUY ANNUAL CONFERENCE AND
WHEN IT'S NOT AN ELECTION THEY
GO IN SEPTEMBER AND BRING UP
SOME SPEAKERS USUALLY A GOOD
OPPORTUNITY FOR FOLKS WHO ARE
LOOKING FOR RUNNING FOR OFFICE
IN THE NEXT YEAR TO MEET AND
GREET, TO FUND RAISE, GET THEIR
NAME OUT THERE.
>> MESSAGING.
>> THIS YEAR WE DON'T HAVE A LOT
OF THAT.
THE U.S. SENATE RACE ALREADY
LOOKS KIND OF SEWED UP AND JOHN
JAMES AND QUESTIONS ON
CONGRESSIONAL SIDE WHO IS
RUNNING FOR DIFFERENT OFFICES
AND MIKE PENCE COMING UP, THE
VOOIS PRESIDENT AND SARAH
HUCKABEE SANDERS WILL BE UP
THERE AS WELL THE MINORITY
LEADER FROM THE U.S. HOUSE
MCCARTHY WILL BE THERE AS WELL
SO THERE WILL BE SOME SPEAKERS
BUT IT DOESN'T HAVE THE SAME
KIND OF ENERGY AS LET'S SAY LAST
YEAR OR IN 2017 WHEN WE HAD THAT
COMPETITIVE GUBERNATORIAL
PRIMARY.
>> THEY ARE PRETTY HEAVY ON THE
KEY NOTES THIS YEAR WITH AS MIKE
PENCE AND SOME OF THOSE NATIONAL
NAMES COMING TO MICHIGAN WHICH
IS SIGNIFICANT BUT, YEAH, IN
TERMS OF SOME OF THOSE BIG RACES
WE KIND OF KNOW WHO IS GOING TO
BE RUNNING FOR A LOT OF THOSE AT
THIS POINT.
>> WELL, IT'S RAMPING UP FOR
TRYING TO KEEP MICHIGAN.
>> RIGHT.
>> IN THE CLUB COLUMN.
>> 2020 IS THE BIG FOCUS HERE.
>> GOING TO THE GRAND HOTEL
BEFORE IT CHANGES OVER TO A
HOLIDAY INN JUNIOR OR WHAT?
I MEAN WITH ALL DUE RESPECT.
THAT STORY HAS RAISED SOME
CONCERN ON THE ISLAND.
>> WELL IT HAS RAISED SOME
CONCERN AND I THINK YOU HAVE
DONE SOME REPORTING ON THIS TIM
GOOD REPORTING ABOUT CONCERNS
ABOUT THE PHILANTHROPY IT HAS
REIGNED ON THE ISLAND WITH
DIFFERENT PROJECTS AND SO FORTH
AND WILL THEY BE AS ENGAGED IN
THE COMMUNITY AS THE FAMILY HAS
BEEN ENGAGED WITH A BIG
CORPORATE ENTITY COMING OUT OF
COLORADO WILL THEY BE AS
CONNECTED THE HOPE IS THAT WILL
BE BUT WHEN YOU CHECK IN WITH A
HIGHER UP THE ANSWER IS NOT
ALWAYS YES.
>> THE MUSSER FAMILY AND
INDEPENDENT OWNERSHIP OF THE
GRAND HOTEL IS PART OF THE
LEGEND OF THE GRAND HOTEL.
/└> LET'S SEE DO WE PUT THE
CHOCOLATES ON THE PILLOW OR NOT,
THAT SORT OF STUFF.
>> I'M JUST WONDERING IF THE
WALL PAPER WILL CHANGE AT ALL IF
THERE IS ANY UPDATES THERE.
>> STAY TUNED LET'S CALL IN OUR
GUEST SENATOR JEREMY MOSS.
DEMOCRATIC STATE SENATOR JEREMY
MOSS IS IN HIS FIRST TERM IN THE
STATE SENATE.
PRIOR TO THAT HE SERVED IN THE
HOUSE FROM OAKLAND COUNTY...FROM
2014 TO 2018. HE HOLDS A
JOURNALISM DEGREE FROM MSU, IS A
MEMBER OF THE NAACP AND WORKED
WITH THE MAYOR OF SOUTHFIELD AND
TWO FORMER HOUSE MEMBERS BEFORE
GOING THERE HIMSELF.
>> IF YOU ASK I'M NOT INTERESTED
IN BEING VICE PRESIDENT.
>> OKAY I DON'T THINK WE HAD IT
ON THE LIST BUT IF YOU WOULD
LIKE US TO ASK KYLE HAS
SOMETHING DIFFERENT I THINK.
>> THANKS FOR BEING HERE SENATOR
WHEN YOU STARTED IN THE
LEGISLATURE YOU ESTABLISHED A
VERY GOOD RELATIONSHIP WITH THE
TIME ANOTHER FRESHMAN BY THE
NAME OF LEE CHATFIELD AND YOU
GUYS WERE BUDDY BUDDY.
>> DOING WELL FOR HIMSELF THESE
DAYS.
>> GREAT AND SPEAKER OF THE
HOUSE YOU ARE IN THE SENATE HAVE
YOU GUYS MAINTAINED THE
CONNECTION, DO YOU STILL FEEL
THERE IS A BIPARTISAN SPIRIT
WITH HIM IN THAT POSITION?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
THE DIFFERENCE NOW IS THAT I'M
SERVING IN ONE CHAMBER AND HE IS
IN THE OTHER BUT WE STILL TALK
TO ONE ANOTHER ESPECIALLY ABOUT
WHAT IS GOING ON IN THE
LEGISLATURE AND JUST GOES TO
SHOW YOU YOU CAN LOOK AT THE
BICKERING IN THE HEADLINES BUT
WE GET ALONG WITH ONE ANOTHER
AND ABLE TO WORK WITH ONE
ANOTHER AND GOES TO THE BIG
QUESTION I DON'T THINK WE WILL
HEAD TO A BUDGET AND GOVERNMENT
SHUT DOWN BECAUSE WE ARE TALKING
TO ONE ANOTHER.
THE GOVERNOR IS TALKING TO THE
LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AND YOU KNOW
PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF AND LEE
COMMUNICATE ALL THE TIME ABOUT
WHAT'S GOING ON IN LANSING AND
SO THERE IS A CAMARADERIE THERE.
>> WHAT WERE THE OPTICS
YESTERDAY OF THE DEMOCRATIC
LEADER SPEAKER DOING A DEAL AND
THE GOVERNMENT NEAR BEING ON THE
OUZ L -- OUTSIDE AND LOOKING IN?
>> LOOK AT THE LAST EIGHT YEARS.
>> THIS IS A NON-STORY.
>> THIS IS A NON-STORY.
>> WHY?
>> THE GOVERNOR IS INVOLVED IN
THE DISCUSSIONS AND HAS BEEN
CALLING LEADERS INTO HER OFFICE
AND I THINK IT'S ACTUALLY GOOD
SHE MIGHT HAVE EMPOWERED THEM TO
NEGOTIATE ON THEIR OWN AND COME
TO HER WHEN THEY HAVE BROKERED A
FINAL DEAL.
>> DID SHE TELL YOU TO SAY THAT?
>> SHE DID NOT TELL ME TO SAY
THAT.
>> TENSION BETWEEN LEGISLATIVE
DEMOCRATS AND THE GOVERNOR?
>> NOT A LOT OF TENSION.
>> NOT A LOT BUT THERE IS SOME.
>> WELL YOU KNOW I THINK
NATURALLY YOU KNOW WE ARE GOING
TO HAVE GROWING PAINS JUST
NATURALLY SPEAKING, BUT AT THE
END OF THE DAY I'M REALLY
EXCITED THAT WE HAVE A
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR AFTER EIGHT
YEARS UNDER REPUBLICAN CONTROL
AND MY FIRST FOUR YEARS UNDER
REPUBLICAN CONTROL AND WE HAVE
SOMEBODY WHO GOES TO BAT FOR OUR
VALUES EVERY SINGLE DAY AND TOW
TO TOW WITH THE REPUBLICAN
LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE AND
SENATE SO I'M HAPPY SHE IS AT
THE TABLE BECAUSE IT WILL BE
MORE OF THE SAME DEMOCRATS SHUT
OUT OF THE DISCUSSION AS WE HAVE
BEEN FOR THE LAST FOUR YEARS AND
I DON'T THINK YOU WOULD HAVE
SEEN A REPUBLICAN SPEAKER AND A
DEMOCRATIC LEADER COME TOGETHER
ON ANYTHING IF WE DIDN'T HAVE A
DEMOCRATIC GOVERNOR.
>> WHAT SHOULD PEOPLE CONCLUDE
FROM THE DEMOCRATIC AND
REPUBLICAN LEADERS IN THE HOUSE
GETTING READY TO SEND HER
BUDGETS AND BASICALLY DARING HER
TO LINE ITEM VETO OR ALTOGETHER
VETO BILLS.
>> I THINK THAT IS PART OF
GOVERNING AND PART OF THE
PROCESS.
>> IT'S A LITTLE UNIQUE.
>> IT IS A LITTLE UNIQUE WE ARE
IN DIVIDED GOVERNMENT SO FOR THE
LAST EIGHT YEARS YOU KNOW I LOVE
HOW RICK SNYDER SAID I HAD A
BUDGET ON TIME EVERY ONE OF
THESE LAST EIGHT YEARS THAT IS
REALLY EASY TO DO WHEN ONE PARTY
IS AT THE TABLE SO THE GOVERNOR
YIELDS HER POWER, THIS LINE ITEM
VETO POWER TO INSERT HERSELF
INTO THE BUDGET.
SHE CAN'T PUT THINGS IN THE
BUDGET BUT SHE CAN CERTAINLY
TAKE THINGS OUT OF THE BUDGET
THEN WE WILL DEAL WITH
SUPPLEMENTALS AFTERWARDS SO THIS
IS PART OF THE PROCESS SO I
DON'T SEE THIS AS SOME SORT OF
FRICTION BETWEEN THE GOVERNOR
AND THE LEGISLATURE AND
DEMOCRATS AND REPUBLICANS, THIS
IS PART OF GOVERNING AND IT'S
GOING TO LEAD US TO GETTING A
BUDGET DONE ON TIME I HOPE.
>> YOU SAID SOMETHING VERY
INTERESTING SO DO YOU KNOW
SOMETHING ABOUT THE GOVERNOR
PLANNING VETOES AND THEN SENDING
SUPPLEMENTALS TO THE LEGISLATURE
LATER, IS THAT THE STRATEGY?
>> I THINK THAT HAS BEEN IN
DISCUSSION.
I DON'T KNOW IF IT'S THE
STRATEGY.
I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S GOING TO
HAPPEN.
WE SIT HERE YOU KNOW JUST ABOUT
A DOZEN DAYS BEFORE THE BUDGET
DEADLINE AND I'VE HEARD ALL
SCENARIOS FLOATED OUT THERE.
AND SO WE WILL SEE WHERE WE END
UP IN A FINAL PRODUCT.
BUT THE GOVERNOR HAS HER POWER
AS GOVERNOR TO INSERT HERSELF IN
THIS BUDGET.
>> IF THEY PUT 500 MILLION INTO
THE BUDGET FOR ROADS WILL YOU
VOTE YES ON THAT?
>> I DON'T KNOW BECAUSE I DON'T
KNOW WHAT THE FINAL M-DOT BUDGET
IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE.
>> IT'S A VERY SIMPLE QUESTION.
>> IT'S NOT A SIMPLE QUESTION,
TIM.
>> YOU'RE A JOURNALIST YOU
UNDERSTAND SIMPLICITY.
>> AND YOU HAVE NOT ASKED A
SIMPLE QUESTION.
YOU HAVE 500 MILLION WHEN WE
SHOULD BE TALKING ABOUT 2.5
BILLION.
>> I UNDERSTAND THAT.
>> AND MY SOUTH FIELD FOLKS BACK
HOME WILL TELL YOU IT COSTS TO
PAVE ONE LANE OF ROAD FOR ONE
MILE.
>> SENATOR.
>> A MILLION DOLLARS.
>> I GOT THAT IF QUESTION IS IF
THERE IS 500 MILLION IN FOR THE
ROADS WILL YOU VOTE FOR IT?
>> IT'S INSUFFICIENT TIM.
>> YOU ARE VOTING NOW.
>> 500 MILLION IS INSUFFICIENT
AND SLOW OUR DECLINE SO IF
REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP IS TELLING
ME 500 MILLION SOLVES THE
PROBLEM FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL.
>> I DIDN'T SAY THAT.
>> THAT IS NOT AN ANSWER.
>> YOU ARE SAYING IT'S
COMPLICATED.
>> NO, I DIDN'T.
>> ACTUALLY YOU JUST DID.
>> WITH LONG-TERM ROAD FUNDING
APPARENTLY OFF THE TABLE UNTIL
THE BUDGETS ARE DONE WHAT IS THE
BEST CASE SCENARIO ON ROADS.
>> GO BACK TO THE NEGOTIATION
TABLE ON OCTOBER 1ST AND TALK
HOW WE DIDN'T PUT ROAD FUNDING
IN THE FINAL BUDGET BECAUSE
REPUBLICANS WERE NOT WILLING TO
NEGOTIATE ON ROAD FUNDING SO I
DON'T THINK THAT -- THE PERSON
WHO SITS IN THEIR LIVING ROOM
AND WATCHES THIS PROGRAM I DON'T
THINK THINKS YOU KNOW OH, I WISH
WE HAD OUR ROADS FIXED BY
SEPTEMBER 30 THEY HAVE BEEN
WISHING FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS
OUR ROADS HAVE BEEN BETTER AND
WE THE TACKLE WITH THIS WITHOUT
A SEPTEMBER 30 DEADLINE LOOM
OVER US.
>> YOU WOULD PREFER NOT TO SEE
ADDITIONAL ROAD FUNDING UNTIL
THE LARGER PLAN IS IN PLACE.
>> THAT IS WHAT WE HAVE BEEN
DOING THE LAST EIGHT YEARS AND
IT HASN'T WORKED.
LAST YEAR HOUSE AND SENATE
REPUBLICANS CROWED THEY PUT 175
MILLION INTO ROADS AND SO YOU
KNOW IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR
THE ROADS THAT ARE CRUMBLING IN
MY DISTRICT AND SO THAT'S THE
BIGGEST PROBLEM IS THAT I DON'T
WANT TO GET INTO THIS HALF BAKED
MEASURES THAT WE'VE BEEN SEEING
FOR THE LAST EIGHT YEARS THAT
HAVEN'T SOLVED THE PROBLEM.
WE NEED A DEDICATED, NEW REVENU
STREAM TO GO TOWARDS ROADS.
500 MILLION IN THE BUDGET AIN'T
GOING TO DO IT.
>> YOU MIGHT NOT.
>> GAS TAX INCREASE WILL DO IT
WHY HAVE YOU NOT INTRODUCED A
BILL TO INCREASE THE GAS TAX 45
CENTS YOUR GOVERNOR ASKED?
>> IT WAS BAKED IN THE
GOVERNOR'S BUDGET AND THOUGHT
THAT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST
PROPOSAL RIGHT NOW TO ACTUALLY
SOLVE THE PROBLEM BUT I'M ONE OF
THOSE PEOPLE THAT IN MAY OF 2015
WANTED THE BUMPER STICKER THAT
SAID DON'T BLAME ME I VOTED FOR
PROPOSAL ONE.
I'M ONE OF A VERY FEW PEOPLE WHO
WOULD SAY THAT.
>> 120%.
>> FOUR YEARS LATER I HAD COFFEE
IN SOUTHFIELD AND SAID I'M
WILLING TO TAKE UNPOPULAR
STANCES AND I KNOW MOST OF THE
PEOPLE IN ROOM VOTED AGAINST IT
BUT THAT WAS PROBABLY THE MOST
REALISTIC WAY TO GET ROAD
FUNDING AND ONE GUY IN THE BACK
GOES I VOTED FOR IT SO AT LEAST
I HAD HIM.
>> YOU MIGHT NOT LIKE IT BUT YOU
MIGHT NOT LIKE IT BUT WOULD YOU
VTE FOR A STOP GAP BUDGET IF
THAT IS THE ONLY OPTION FOR
KEEPING THINGS GOING COME
OCTOBER 1ST?
>> EXPAND ON THAT.
>> CONTINUATION BUDGET.
>> YEAH, I WOULD SAY -- I DON'T
THINK WE ARE GOING TO GET THERE,
I DON'T THINK WE WILL GET TO A
POINT WE WILL HAVE TO DO A
CONTINUATION BUDGET.
>> SO ONE PENNY SALES TAX HIKE
YOU WOULD LIKE THAT.
>> PUTTING IT UP TO THE VOTERS
TO DECIDE YES SO THE PROBLEM
WITH THAT PROP ONE CAMPAIGN
THERE WERE SO MANY THINGS THEY
WERE TALKING ABOUT AND LOOK TO
MY SOUTHFIELD CITY COUNCIL DAYS
WE HAD A ROAD FUNDING CRISIS AS
A COUNCIL COUNSEL MEMBER I PUT
99 INTO ROADS OVER 11 YEARS BIG
CHUNK OF MONEY BIG INVESTMENT
VOTERS SUPPORTED IT BECAUSE WE
TOLD THEM IT WAS GOING TO FIX
THE ROADS AND IN SOUTHFIELD WE
GOT MORE ROAD CONSTRUCTION THAN
ANY OTHER CITY IN OAKLAND COUNTY
SO IT'S ABOUT TRUST AND WHEN WE
SAY WE ARE GOING TO DEDICATE
YOUR TAXES TOWARDS ROAD FUNDING
IT GOES TOWARDS ROAD FUNDING SO
IF VOTERS REALLY BELIEVE THE GAS
TAX IS GOING TO GO TOWARDS ROADS
AND INCREASE THE SALES TAX TO
KIND OF BACKFILL THAT WHICH WAS
PROP ONE THEN THEY WILL SUPPORT
IT.
THEY DIDN'T BELIEVE IT FOUR
YEARS AGO.
>> SO YOU WOULD THEN INTRODUCE A
GAS TAX INCREASE IF THAT MEANT
THAT MAYBE IT STARTS DISCUSSIONS
ON MAYBE ONE OF THESE PROPOSAL
ONE TYPE THINGS WHERE YOU COULD
VOTE FOR THIS OR YOU CAN VOTE
FOR A ONE PENNY SALES TAX
INCREASE EITHER WAY IT WOULD GO
TO THE ROADS.
>> THAT IS SOMETHING I CAN PITCH
TO VOTERS IT'S SOMETHING THAT WE
HAVE TO MAKE A REVENUE
GENERATING SYSTEM THAT GOES
TOWARDS ROADS BECAUSE DOING
NOTHING IS LITERALLY MAKING OUR
ROADS CRUMBLE SO THE BIGGEST
PROBLEM IS THAT YOU KNOW THE
GOVERNOR SAYS 45 CENTS IS GOING
TO RAISE 2.5 BILLION.
IT'S NOT GOING TO BE LESS NEXT
YEAR, IT'S NOT GOING TO BE LESS
THE NEXT YEAR, I TALKED TO A
FISCAL ANALYST WHO HAS KIND OF
BEEN WATCHING SOME OF THIS STUFF
FROM AFFAIR AND IF GOVERNOR
SNYDER HAD TEN CENT INCREASE WE
WOULD NOT BE TALKING ABOUT 45
CENTS THIS YEAR SO IT'S NOT
GOING TO BE A PROBLEM THAT GOES
AWAY.
THE ROADS ARE NOT GOING TO FIX
THEMSELVES SO WE GOT TO FIGURE
OUT WHAT IS THAT REVENUE STREAM,
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE AND HOW
DO WE GET IT TO ROADS AND 500
MILLION ONCE AIN'T GOING TO DO
IT TIM.
>> I'M SORRY.
>> GO AHEAD I WAS GOING TO PIVOT
TO ANOTHER TOPIC.
>> I WAS JUST GOING TO ASK IF
THIS GOES TO THE BALLOT ROAD
FUNDING GOES TO THE BALLOT HOW
DOES HAVING STATEWIDE ELECTIONS,
FEDERAL OFFICES, PRESIDENTIAL
ELECTION ON THE BALLOT
COMPLICATE THAT SALES JOB THAT
YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT?
>> YOU KNOW, I THINK THAT PEOPLE
WILL BE COMING OUT AND VOTING
AND IN MY STANCE BACK IN THAT
2015 ROAD FUNDING PROPOSAL IS IF
WE SAID PROPOSAL ONE FIXES THE
ROADS IF THAT WAS THE SLOGAN
INSTEAD OF ALL THE OTHER THINGS
THAT WAS PUT OUT THERE WE WOULD
HAVE VOTED FOR IT AS A STATE.
>> SENATOR, I HAVE TO INTERRUPT
WILL YOU STAY FOR OVER TIME?
>> ABSOLUTELY.
>> I'LL GIVE YOU THE FIRST
QUESTION, IS THAT A DEAL.
>> YES.
>> THERE YOU GO STAY TUNED WKAR
WITH OVER TIME WITH SENATOR MOSS
AND LOOK AT THE CLOSED CREDITS.
PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD BY
A GRANT FROM VAN GUARD PUBLIC
AFFAIRS WITH NEARLY THREE
DECADES OF EXPERIENCE PROVIDING
STRATEGIC COUNSEL TO LEADERS
IN THE PUBLIC, FOR PRIVATE AND
GUARD PUBLIC AFFAIRS SPECIALIZES
IN DIGITAL COMMUNICATIONS, ISSUE
MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND
REPUTATIONS MANAGEMENT SERVICES
FOR COMMUNITIES, ORGANIZATIONS
AND LEADERS ACROSS THE MIDWEST,
INFORMATION AT VAN GUARD-PA.COM.
FOR MORE OFF THE RECORD VISIT
WKAR.ORG
AND MICHIGAN PUBLIC TELEVISION
STATIONS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO
PRODUCTION COSTS OF OFF THE
RECORD WITH TIM SKUBICK.
♪