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Fossil-Fuel Friendly Group Scores Many Michigan Congressional Democrats 0%

Republicans straggle between Amash and Walberg at 100% and Upton at 61%

The fossil-fuel friendly American Energy Alliance has released its 2020 energy scorecard, rating current members of Congress on their support for the continued use and development of fossil fuels.

The rankings compare members on votes and bill sponsorships during their current terms, two years for House members and up to six years for senators, according to a Sept. 16 press release.

In the U.S. House, Michigan Republicans Justin Amash and Tim Walberg received 100% voting/sponsorship rankings from the alliance. The rest of the Republicans were: John Mitchell, 94%; John Moolenaar, 89%; Bill Huizenga, 88%; Jack Bergman, 83%; and Fred Upton, 61%.

The alliance’s positions on bills and votes found zero support for many Michigan Democrats in the House and Senate. That includes zero percent for House members Debbie Dingell, Dan Kildee, Brenda Lawrence, Andy Levin, Elissa Slotkin, Haley Stevens and Rashida Tlaib. Senator Debbie Stabenow  also received a zero on the group’s scored votes and sponsorships. Senator Gary Peters received 10%.

“Those who support affordable energy should be retained by voters and those who do not should be held accountable,” the alliance said in its press release.

Correction: Gary Peters' score was incorrectly stated. 

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.

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Michigan Coronavirus Deaths Down Dramatically

So far through Sept. 22, the state of Michigan has seen seven deaths per day linked to COVID-19, on average. In April, the average was 124.8 deaths per day, according to a state of Michigan website.

 

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.

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Power Play: State Levies Legally Dubious Virus Rule Fines On Business

The state of Michigan fined a glass company in Kalamazoo $2,100 because employees working outside were not wearing face masks or maintaining six feet of social distancing between each other.

According to the citation, the employees were working on a forklift platform situated on rough terrain.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has directed state agencies, including the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), to impose sanctions authorized by unrelated laws for violations of executive order rules authorized by the 1945 Emergency Powers of Governor Act. The practice lets the state collect more revenue from businesses than allowed by the emergencies law.

MIOSHA is one of the agencies within the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and performed the inspection that triggered the fines in Portage on June 16. The state issued the notice of violation on Aug. 25.

Michigan Capitol Confidential is the news source produced by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy. Michigan Capitol Confidential reports with a free-market news perspective.