May 28, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

MEMORIAL DAY. ". . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion, that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain, that this nation under God, shall have a new birth of freedom, and that government of the people by the people and for the people shall not perish from the earth." —Abraham Lincoln


Thank you to all our veterans past and present. We are the great nation we are because of you.

SNYDER, LEGISLATIVE LEADERS AGREE TO INCOME TAX CUT, MORE EDUCATION FUNDING: Michiganians can expect individual tax relief this year as part of an agreement on the state budget hammered out late Wednesday that also includes more money for education, roads and film tax credits. The state will use $90 million in one-time money to reduce personal income taxes by one-tenth of a percent through either a reduction in the rate, a personal exemption or a combination of both, according to Gov. Rick Snyder's office. He and Republican legislative leaders have still to work out the details. http://bit.ly/KNFmgQ

Dems’ bid for House majority is not simple math: Just 25 seats separate Democrats from the House majority. It seems like a reasonable enough goal, except for one catch: The magic number for Democrats is actually a lot higher than that. In reality, Democrats probably will have to win 35 to 40 Republican-held seats to wrest the speaker’s gavel from John Boehner. Not only that, the party would need to defy an electoral pattern that’s held for almost half a century. http://politi.co/KDOUe8

McCOTTER MAY NOT MAKE AUGUST BALLOT: Representative Thad McCotter's re-election bid may be in jeopardy over questions about the number of petition signatures he submitted to appear on the August ballot. The Livonia Republican and former presidential candidate said late Friday he's been informed by state officials that his campaign may not have enough signatures to appear on the August G.O.P. primary ballot. The Secretary of State's website said McCotter submitted 2,000 signatures, double the number necessary to qualify, by the May 15 deadline. But an agency spokeswoman late Friday said a preliminary review suggests McCotter "will not have the needed 1,000 or more valid signatures," said secretary of state communications director Gisgie Gendreau. http://bit.ly/LmchYY

Ford regains logo with investment status upgrade: Ford Motor Co. reclaimed its Blue Oval when it received its long-awaited second investment-grade rating Tuesday, the final step it needed to get back the assets it mortgaged six years ago. Moody's Corp. upgraded Ford's debt from junk status, one month after Fitch Ratings did the same. The automaker needed two investment-grade ratings to reclaim the logo, Glass House, plants and machinery it pledged in 2006 to secure the $23.5 billion loan that kept the automaker afloat during the recession. "The Ford Blue Oval is back where it belongs with the Ford family of 166,000 employees around the world," said Chairman Bill Ford Jr. http://bit.ly/Lpm7Fb

CBO WARNS OF 2013 RECESSION: What would happen if a deadlocked Congress did nothing?If the expiring Bush tax rates are allowed to lapse and the automatic spending cuts kick in next year, it could hurl the U.S. economy back into a recession, the Congressional Budget Office warned in a report released Tuesday. http://politi.co/Ll9ej9

Democrats limp to finish line in Wisconsin: What seemed a few months ago like an unstoppable crusade to oust Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker now has the look of a marathon runner pulling up limp in the last mile. Two weeks from Election Day, Democrats face the real prospect of defeat: The last three public polls of the race show the first-term Republican up between 4 and 9 points. Local Democrats are seething that the national party has been MIA from their recall effort. The state’s largest newspaper argued over the weekend that whatever Walker’s sins, he doesn’t deserve to be booted from office. http://politi.co/K6iDLA

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Rudy Giuliani, Kirk Gibson, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL). Tuesday. Bob Hope, Rep. Jeb Hensarling (R-TX). Thursday. Clint Eastwood. Friday. Andy Griffith, Tony Snow. Saturday. Martha Washington, C.S. Mott. Sunday. Ransom E. Olds.

PERSONAL ANNOUNCEMENT:As many of you know, I recently accepted a job in State Representative Phil Potvin's office in Lansing as a legislative assistant. At this time, I intend to commute to the capital daily (possibly staying with family or friends overnight every so often to save a bit of gas). I intend to continue my duties as chairman as much as I can and do not intend to abandon the Party during this critical part of the 2012 election cycle. I remain as committed as ever to earning a majority on the Bay County Board of Commissioners, helping Mitt Romney kick Barack Obama out of the White House, take back the U.S. Senate, and achieve Republican victories right down the ballot.

May 21, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

Roy Schmidt was first
elected as a Democrat to
the state House in 2008.

APPETIZER: @MIGOP welcomes Grand Rapids state Rep. Roy Schmidt to the GOP after he leaves Democrats: Roy Schmidt’s filing deadline switch to the Republican party has been immediately embraced by GOP colleagues who credited the now-former Democrat from Grand Rapids with aligning for the people he represents and not a party platform. http://bit.ly/LchVyX

ENTREE: FILING DEADLINE IN BAY COUNTY--Dewey to challenge Brunner; sheriff, drain commissioner candidates; six of seven county commission seats have a GOP candidate

Chad Dewey (right) is challenging
State Representative Charles M. Brunner.

Chad Dewey, a Republican from Monitor Township, has filed for candidacy to challenge State House incumbent Charles Brunner, D-Bay City, for the 96th District seat. Dewey, 39, of 5044 7 Mile Road, was born in Saginaw in 1973 and grew up in Freeland, according to his web site. He started a family and ran a small business in the 1990s. http://bit.ly/JhhsLo

DESSERT: Michigan unemployment rate improves to 8.3% in April, as workforce grows by 3,000: Michigan’s unemployment rate kept moving in the right direction in April, dropping two-tenths of a percentage point to 8.3%. Data released Wednesday afternoon by the Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget showed that the state’s workforce rose slightly by a net increase of 3,000 workers. Meanwhile, a monthly survey of employers showed that the number of jobs at major employers rose slightly in April by 5,000 to just under 4 million. April job additions were led by an increase of 6,000 jobs in professional and business services. http://on.freep.com/Jwqt3b

#MRP2012--STATE CONVENTION IN DETROIT: RNC Chairman optimistic about Romney's chances to win Michigan: Republican National Committee chairman @Reince Priebus told Michigan Republicans on Saturday that President Barack Obama campaigned to unite the country, but instead he's spread "hate and division." In a kickoff speech at the Michigan Republican Party State Convention, Priebus compared Obama's campaign to a television sitcom: "It's the Seinfeld campaign," Priebus said. "It's the campaign about nothing." Afterward, Priebus told reporters he was optimistic about Mitt Romney's chances of winning Michigan in November, though the state hasn't voted for a Republican for president since 1988. Noting Republican gains statewide after the 2010 election: "The last I checked the map in Michigan is bright red everywhere," Priebus said. http://bit.ly/JskJXi

Fifth District Delegates to #RNC2012: Prudy Adam, Denise Graves, and Michelle Voorheis. Bay County had a sweep of the alternate delegates positions: John Engel, Daniel Raymond and Randall Raymond. Congratulations to all!!

Rep. Dave Agema and former SoS @TerriLLand
were elected to represent Michigan on the RNC.

Republicans deny Anuzis, Hughes reelection to party leadership posts: Republicans on Saturday ousted two of their representatives to the national party. Saul Anuzis, the Michigan Republican National Committeeman and one-time candidate to lead the national party, and state Rep. Holly Hughes were voted out of their posts at the Michigan Republican State Convention. http://bit.ly/LonHh4

Snyder tells Republicans to keep Michigan's momentum going in 2012: Gov. @onetoughnerd kicked off Saturday’s Michigan Republican Party convention by asking attendees to help maintain what he considers positive momentum during the 2012 election. Snyder noted the state’s economy has begun to turn around. Michigan’s unemployment rate, which topped 14 percent during parts of 2009, dropped to 8.3 percent in April. The jobless rate was in double digits when Snyder took office in January 2011. "We cannot be complacent or content," Snyder told the convention during a short welcoming speech at Cobo Center in Detroit. http://bit.ly/KnK2Eh

@MittRomney, @GOP take in $40 million in April: Mitt Romney and the Republican Party raised a combined $40.1 million in April, a figure that nearly matches the Democratic haul last month and shows the GOP coalescing around its presumptive nominee. By comparison, President Obama and the Democratic National Committee raised $43.6 million in April. Both candidates share their fundraising with the national party and state committees. "Voters are tired of President Obama's broken promises," Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus said in a statement released by the Romney campaign. "Mitt Romney has the record and plan to turn our country around - that is why he is receiving such enthusiastic support from voters across the country." http://usat.ly/JM15Ug

Michigan considers 'interlocal agreement' with Canada on new bridge: Gov. Rick Snyder said Wednesday that he's considering fallback options in case the state legislature doesn't back a plan to build a new bridge from Detroit to Windsor, Ont., including seeking an "interlocal agreement" with Canada that wouldn't require legislative approval. The Republican governor says he still hopes the Republican-led House and Senate will back the bridge plan. But given his lack of success in getting legislation through the Senate, he's also pursuing other options. Snyder met with Canadian Transport Minister Denis Lebel and other top officials in Windsor last week to discuss plans for a new bridge. He has declined to speak much about the negotiations, but said Wednesday he remains hopeful a bridge agreement can be reached this year. http://bit.ly/JvLASY

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Mr. T. Wednesday. Mitch Albom, Drew Carey. Friday. Ralph Waldo Emerson, Frank Oz. Saturday. Queen Mary. Sunday. Henry Kissinger.

May 14, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

JOE SAYS THANKS: County Commissioner Joe Davis wants to thank everyone who came to his fundraiser at Webster House. He also is still accepting donations. Please send checks payable to "Joe Davis for County Commissioner" to 909 N. Wenona St., Bay City 48706.

Precinct Delegate Deadline Tuesday: The deadline to file paperwork to run for precinct delegate is Tuesday, May 15 at 4 p.m.

Obama launches campaign amid fears of a jobs crisis: When Senator Barack Obama came to Richmond four years ago, Rio Bridges dropped everything. Then 25, he queued for four hours in the freezing cold to claim one of 13,000 spots in the city's Coliseum. "It felt like you just couldn't miss it," Mr Bridges remembers. "We were making history". While another 6,000 shivered outside, Mr Obama entered the amphitheatre to an ear-splitting roar. As flashbulbs popped and teenagers screamed, he declared: "You and I – together – will change this country and change this world". To Mr Bridges, "there was electricity in the building – I'll never forget it". Yet this 29-year-old music producer will not be among the crowds when Mr Obama comes back to this American city of 200,000 people, some 110 miles south of the White House, to officially launch his re-election campaign this morning [SATURDAY]. "I'm kinda busy," he said. http://tgr.ph/INAZ2M

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. George Lucas. Tuesday. John Smoltz. Wednesday. William H. Seward, Sen. Dan Coats (R-IN), Jack Morris. Friday. Perry Como, Blessed Pope John Paul II. Saturday. Brandon Inge. Sunday. John Stuart Mill.

May 7, 2012: The Bay County Bulletin

The May 2012 MIGOP State Convention
will be held May 18-19 at Cobo Hall
in Detroit.

COUNTY CONVENTION RESULTS: The following will represent Bay County at the Michigan Republican State Convention next weekend as delegates in Detroit: Robbie, Bob and Mary Ann Rankey, F. Patrick Daily, Vaughn Begick, Aaron Baylis, Kellie Brennan, Gilbert Bartz, Kyle Winters, Christopher Rumberg, Kim and Chris Bennett, John Engel, Ashley Giddings, Daniel Raymond, Stacey Whyte, Paul Masson, Tim Sampson, Dave Boehringer, Bruce Neitzel, Randall Raymond, and Chris Grappin.

Rankey for National Convention: At the county convention, Robbie Rankey (@robrank14 for those on the Twitters) announced his candidacy for Republican National Convention delegate. Party Chairman Aaron J. Baylis has given Robbie his endorsement and hopes you will support his candidacy.

Hollande is the first Socialist to occupy
Élysée Palace since François Mitterand.

Socialist Hollande wins French presidency: French socialist Francois Hollande has won a clear victory in the country's presidential election. Mr Hollande - who got an estimated 52% of votes in Sunday's run-off - said the French had chosen "change". Admitting defeat, centre-right incumbent Nicolas Sarkozy wished "good luck" to Mr Hollande. http://bbc.in/Jpq0uN

Michigan drops plan to set age for health coverage: Gov. Rick Snyder and Republican legislative leaders are abandoning a plan to make public school employees wait until age 60 to collect retirement health insurance benefits. Setting a specific age for retired school employees to get health care coverage has been one of the most controversial aspects of a massive legislative overhaul of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System. http://bit.ly/IO8ORk

POLI-BITES: Secretary of State dons helmet, proper gear on hog: Secretary of State Ruth Johnson donned her leather jacket last week and rode her Harley-Davidson Sportster with a group of bikers near Grand Rapids to call attention to May as Motorcycle Safety Month in Michigan. Notable from the event: All the riders, including Johnson, wore helmets even though Gov. Rick Snyder signed a bill last month allowing bikers to feel the wind in their hair. Part of the message for Johnson was to "wear the proper gear," but her news release made no mention of helmets. http://on.freep.com/J7hcup

Rubio says Obama campaign magic is dead: The Obama campaign magic is dead. That’s the conclusion of Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.), speaking on "Fox News Sunday." "All the things that made him different and special four years ago are gone," Rubio told host Chris Wallace during an interview that focused heavily on President Barack Obama’s record on the economy. http://politi.co/IvCW1Y

51st state? Yoopers are talking up secession from Michigan again: Would it be called the State of Northern Michigan? How about the State of Superior? Michigan's Upper Peninsula is going to need a new name if it secedes to become the 51st state. And that's exactly what they're talking about up in Marquette County, where the issue was raised at the last Marquette County Board of Commissioners meeting and quickly spread via several U.P. media outlets. http://on.freep.com/IA7ej5

BIRTHWEEK: Monday. Former Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM). Tuesday. F.A. Hayek, Don Rickles. Wednesday. Former Attorney General John Ashcroft, Billy Joel, The Captain Steve Yzerman, Dana Perino, Prince Fielder. Thursday. Chris Berman, Rick Santorum, Bono, Sen. Dean Heller (R-NV). Friday.  Charlie Gehringer. Saturday. Yogi Berra, George Carlin, Sweet Lou Whitaker. Sunday. Stevie Wonder.