For the second time in the past week, the State Senate refused to confirm appointees sent up for consent and approval by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Wednesday morning’s action included placing holds on Andrea Dickson to the Michigan Tech Board of Trustees and Jason Morgan at Northern Michigan University.
The vote was 20-14, along party lines. Democrats said the delaying tactics are going to harm the state when good nominees walk away from the process, rather than be used in political negotiations. Republicans have said the blocks will continue until the governor and her administration give up authority to determine when in-person instruction and extracurricular activities are allowed at school.
Our State Senator Ed McBroom spoke on the floor saying the legislature has no choice. This is the only avenue available to bring the governor to the table.
McBroom reiterated how much has been done without Republican input since last March.
In the State House, the Republican majority is threatening to withhold federal funds from schools until Whitmer returns to a local control model where major decisions are made by districts and their school boards.