Friends,

The legislature is in session this week, but not Speaker Andy Dillon. Why? According to subscription-only MIRS News, "House Speaker Andy DILLON (D-Redford Twp.) is taking a one-week vacation in Mexico with his family this week."

Yes, the same Andy Dillon who said in The Detroit News last week that the campaign to recall him from office “will distract him and other lawmakers from dealing with the housing crisis, energy restructuring and needed jobs” is relaxing while other lawmakers vote. I guess those issues are not as important to Dillon as the beaches and bars in Mexico are.

What legislation did the House vote on while Dillon dallied with daiquiris? How about a $280 million spending bill for (mostly) university and higher education projects.

The spending bill failed by one vote. Let me repeat that: the $280 million budget bill failed to pass the House of Representatives BY ONE VOTE! I am NOT making this up! Andy Dillon, who has been telling Michigan citizens that the best way to fix our economy is to educate our workforce, went on vacation instead of voting for higher education budgets.

Was anything in the budget bill important to Andy Dillon's constituents in Dearborn Heights, Livonia or Redford? I don't know, but $103 million was included for Wayne County educational institutions, including:

University of Michigan-Dearborn Science & Computer Center Renovations. Cost $36,000,000 with the State share being capped at $27,000,000.

Livonia's Schoolcraft College - Public Safety/Homeland Security Classroom Building. This project is estimated to cost $15,000,000 with the State share being 50% or, $7,500,000. This project entails construction of a new facility to consolidate all of the college's public safety/homeland security training in one location.

Dearborn's Henry Ford Community College - Science Building Renovations. This project is estimated to cost $15,000,000 with the State share being 50% or, $7,500,000.

Left: Andy Dillon's name in orange on the roll call vote board indicating he hadn't voted. Right: Andy Dillon's empty chair on the house floor during the vote.

Failure of this massive spending bill to pass the House proves one thing; Andy Dillon's absence in the legislature saved taxpayers $280 million! How much more can the state save if Dillon is recalled permanently? We may find out after the August 5th recall election.

Leon Drolet
Treasurer - Michigan Recalls
www.michiganrecalls.com