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From the Chair
Nothing undermines trust in our democracy more than scandals, and it seems as if the number of scandals have been increasing.
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At the federal level, revelations about millions in gifts, luxury vacations and private jet service for Justice Clarence Thomas … along with high-paying jobs for his wife … have accelerated calls for a Supreme Court code of ethics. In Congress, Senator Bob Menendez and Representative George Santos continue to serve despite multiple serious federal indictments, many of the charges about illegally obtaining hundreds-of-thousands of dollars. And right now we have former President Trump on trial for financial fraud in the hundreds-of-millions of dollars.
In Michigan, one former Republican House Speaker has pleaded guilty to accepting bribes. Another former Republican Speaker and two former Senate Republican leaders are under investigation for their use of money from dark-money political funds.
It’s said that sunshine is the best disinfectant. Last year the voters of Michigan agreed. By your vote you said “enough is enough” and enacted a constitutional amendment demanding some critical sunshine: financial disclosures from elected officials. It’s something Democrats have long advocated. Now, with Democrats in the majority, it is happening. Bills long stymied when Republicans were in the majority are now moving through both chambers. We’re joined on the podcast by the Senate’s lead sponsor of financial disclosure legislation, Southfield Senator Jeremy Moss.
Senator Moss is the President Pro Tempore of the Michigan Senate, where he is also serving his second term. Always looking to build relationships across the aisle, Moss has successfully had legislation signed into law to reduce unfair employment barriers for people with past criminal records, help homeowners make home improvements by lowering property taxes, allow public-private partnerships to rebuild crumbling bridges, and to create more pathways for students who dropped out of high school so they can complete their degree.
Moss holds the distinction of having been the youngest-ever elected official on the Southfield City Council (2011) and has not let up on public service since. After City Council, he was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives, serving as the Democratic Caucus Whip, and then became the Assistant Democratic Leader in his first term in the Michigan Senate.
Moss earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University, where he participated in multiple student-led humanitarian aid missions nationally and across the globe. He lives in Southfield.
In the News This Week…
Michigan Policy
- Bipartisan Senate Passes Major Financial Disclosure Bills, Follows Through on Years-Long Effort, Voters’ Will – Senate Dems
- GOP, progressive Dems join to halt Michigan financial disclosure bills amid criticism of loopholes – mlive.com
- Michigan House approves changes to clean energy siting, renewable standards and more ⋆ Michigan Advance
- Michigan Senate approves 2040 deadline for carbon-neutral energy – Bridge Michigan
- Michigan House approves bills eliminating some abortion restrictions – Detroit Free Press
- Michigan lawmakers mull allowing new lawsuits in sexual abuse claims – Detroit News
- Michigan redistricting voting rights trial surfaces emotion – Detroit Free Press
- Shawn Fain meets the moment to make auto industry history, experts say – Detroit Free Press
Michigan Politics
- Election claims led to Oakland County struggle in finding GOP canvasser – Detroit News
- Democrats fear Biden’s Israel-Hamas war stance could cost him Michigan – AP News
- Why the growing list of Donald Trump’s verbal missteps matter – Maddow Blog
- Donald Trump sues to stay on Michigan ballot as opponents seek disqualification – Bridge Michigan
- DeVos Maxes Out Donation to Michigan GOP Senate Candidate Mike Rogers – Business Insider
National Policy
- Idaho mother and son charged with kidnapping over out-of-state abortion – Idaho – The Guardian
- New House Speaker Mike Johnson’s Positions Against Abortion and LGBTQ+ Rights Are Widely Unpopular – Data for Progress Polling
- Rep. Rashida Tlaib accuses Biden of supporting Palestinian ‘genocide’ – The Washington Post