“Unfortunately, our negotiations have been a bit derailed in other things that are not roads”, House Speaker Kevin Cotter said.
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House Minority Leader Tim Greimel, D-Auburn Hills, said the special inquiry is needed to help lawmakers understand “exactly what occurred and to make sure that if the allegations are true that those responsible are held accountable”.
The resolution passed Wednesday calls for creating “a House select committee to examine the qualifications of Representative Cindy Gamrat of the Eightieth House District and Representative Todd Courser of the Eighty-second House District, State of Michigan, and determine their fitness to continue holding the high office to which they were elected”.
The results of that investigation will inform any potential committee proceedings, Cotter, R-Mt.
“We want to be very thoughtful about it. This is very serious, and I do not take it lightly at all.”
The House action concluded a long day in the lower chamber, which adjourned without finalizing a long-term road funding deal, as Cotter had hoped.
“People wanted me to speak about the censure and whether or not that’s going to be moving forward”, Courser said. It may also be used as a mechanism for additional investigations. “Others may say maybe the irreparable harm that has been caused to this body exists and will only improve if disciplinary measures are approved”.
But almost all House Democrats are likely to vote no, since they rightly fear that the general fund cuts would come in programs dear to their constituents, such as education and human services. He declined comment after session. Courser has admitted orchestrating a fictional email that said he was caught having sex with a male prostitute to divert attention in case the affair got out.
Part of the concern is that despite healthy economic growth, Michigan faces severe pressures on its general fund, largely due to business tax cuts since 2011 and an unexpected surge in the redemption of corporate tax credits, mostly issued by prior administrations, which are costing the state hundreds of millions of dollars a year more than earlier anticipated.
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In a news conference last week, Gamrat offered apologies to her family and constituents, and followed up this week with letters of apology to the leadership of the Democratic and Republican caucuses.
