♪ ♪ WELCOME BACK OUR GUEST THIS WEEK IS THE INCOMING HOUSE DEMOCRATIC LEADER DONNA LASINSKI AND OUR LEAD STORY IS THE FALL OUT IN MICHIGAN OF WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON ON THE OTR PANEL CATHY GREY, LAUREN GIBBONS AND KILE MELINN SIT IN WITH US AS WE GET THE INSIDE OUT OFF THE RECORD.

PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING, BUSINESS LEADERS FOR MICHIGAN HAS A STRATEGIC PLAN TO MAKE MICHIGAN A TOP TEN STATE IN THE NATION FOR JOBS, PERSONAL INCOME AND A HEALTHY ECONOMY LEARN MORE AT MICHIGAN ROAD TO TOP TEN.COM.

AND NOW THIS EDITION OF OFF THE RECORD WITH TIM SKUBICK.

♪ ♪ THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND WELCOME TO OFF THE RECORD WE ARE BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN AFTER A HOLIDAY BREAK AND SINCE THERE WAS NOTHING GOING ON THIS WEEK LET'S JUST FADE TO BLACK.

NOT EVEN CLOSE.

CATHY GREY LET'S START WITH YOU.

THE EVENTS IN WASHINGTON THE FALL OUT IN MICHIGAN POLITICALLY WHAT IS YOUR ASSESSMENT?

>> WELL THERE IS A LOT.

I MEAN REMEMBER BACK IN APRIL WE HAD SIMILAR PROTESTS IN MICHIGAN AND I TALKED WITH ONE SENATOR YESTERDAY WHO SAID IT LOOKED LIKE IT WAS A DRESS REHEARSAL FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON.

SO I THINK THAT ONE OF THE THINGS THAT WE ARE GOING TO BE LOOKING AT FAIRLY EARLY IN THE YEAR ARE SOME RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS TO THE CAPITOL.

SOME POSSIBLE BANS ON GUNS IN THE CAPITOL.

BUT SENATOR SHIRKEY CAME OUT OVER THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS AND SAID HE WOULD WELCOME BANNING OPEN CARRY OF GUNS IN MICHIGAN'S CAPITOL BUT DEMOCRATS ARE SAYING THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

>> LAUREN WHAT IS YOUR TAKE?

>> YEAH, I THINK THAT THIS IS GOING TO HAVE A LOT OF RAMIFICATIONS FOR MICHIGAN BECAUSE WE SAW THAT THERE WAS A PRETTY STRONG MICHIGAN CONTINGENT AT THESE EVENTS IN D.C. YOU KNOW, A LOT OF PEOPLE WENT FROM MICHIGAN TO WASHINGTON TO PARTICIPATE AND SEVERAL PEOPLE FROM MICHIGAN HAVE BEEN ARRESTED AT THIS POINT.

SO THOSE SENTIMENTS EXIST IN MICHIGAN.

AND IT'S NOT GOING AWAY ANY TIME SOON.

THOSE SENTIMENTS HAVE BEEN IN MICHIGAN FOR MANY MONTHS AS CATHY SAID.

AND THE REPUBLICAN PARTY IS GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE A GOOD HARD LOOK AT HOW THEY MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS, YOU KNOW, THE NATION AND WORLD WERE WATCHING ON WEDNESDAY AND YOU KNOW MANY WERE HORRIFIED AT SOME OF THE SCENES THAT WERE COMING OUT.

SO THIS IS A HUGE ISSUE THAT IS NOT GOING AWAY AND IN MICHIGAN, YOU KNOW, REPUBLICANS WILL HAVE TO DEAL WITH IT, THEY WILL HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO MOVE FORWARD FROM THIS WHEN A LARGE PORTION OF THEIR BASE IS AN ACCEPTING THEY LOST THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

>> YEAH IF I COULD KIND OF JUST EXPAND ON THAT.

I THINK THE THOUGHT GOING IN TO 2021 WAS THAT DONALD TRUMP WAS GOING TO BE A KING MAKER FOR PEOPLE WHO WERE GOING TO BE RUNNING FOR OFFICE.

POSSIBLY IN MICHIGAN FOR THE 2022 GUBERNATORIAL ELECTION HE COULD SIT WHERE HE IS GOING TO BE IN MAR-LARGO OR WHEREVER AND BE ABLE TO DOLL OUT CHECKS AND DECIDE WHO HE IS GOING TO SUPPORT FOR DIFFERENT PRIMARIES, HIS I'M AND HAS BEEN SO TAINTED NOW THAT HAS THROWN INTO SERIOUS QUESTION.

AND SO WHERE DOES THE REPUBLICAN PARTY GO THEN TO YOU KNOW BRIDGE THAT GAP THEN BETWEEN THESE PEOPLE WHO STILL BELIEVE THAT THE ELECTION WAS RIGGED AND ARE ACTUALLY SYMPATHETIC TO THOSE FOLKS WHO CHARGED AND STORMED THE CAPITOL AND THEN KIND OF THE, I DON'T KNOW, HOW YOU WOULD CALL IT I GUESS ESTABLISHMENT IS THE TERM THAT KEEPS GETTING THROWN AROUND REPUBLICANS WHO ARE APPALLED BY WHAT HAPPENED AND WANT TO MOVE FORWARD ON A MORE TRADITIONALLY CONSERVATIVE AGENDA I THINK THE SPLIT IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS JUST GOTTEN MUCH WIDER AND MAYBE VERY MUCH MORE DIFFICULT TO BRIDGE.

>> BUT LET'S PURSUE ONE OF THE ISSUES WE WITH ARE GOING TALK TO OUR GUEST IN A LITTLE BIT SHE BASICALLY CALLED ON THE NEW HOUSE SPEAKER MR. WENTWORTH TO DISCIPLINE THE 18 MICHIGAN LAWMAKERS WHO MS. LASINSKI CONTENTS HAD A ROLE IN CREATING THIS MESS DOWN IN WASHINGTON, CATHY WILL THAT GET LEGS?

AND IS THAT THE WAY TO START A BIPARTISAN LET'S SING CUM-BY-YA SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE?

>> IT'S NOT GOING TO GET ANY LEGS.

THE NEW SPEAKER HAS ALREADY SAID THAT THERE WON'T BE ANY ACTION TAKEN AGAINST REPRESENTATIVE MADDOCK WHO NOT ONLY WAS ONE OF THE ONES WHO SIGNED THE LETTER ASKING FOR THE ELECTION RESULTS TO BE REJECTED BUT HE WAS ALSO A VERY VISIBLE PRESENCE IN WASHINGTON.

HE AND HIS WIFE MISHON-MADDOCK AND SHE HELPED ORGANIZE THE BUS LOADS OF PEOPLE WHO WENT TO WASHINGTON.

AND YOU KNOW FOR HER TOO THERE ARE A LOT OF CALLS.

SHE IS A CANDIDATE FOR THE COCHAIR OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SHE IS A VERY, VERY STAUNCH SUPPORTER OF PRESIDENT TRUMP.

AGAIN, SHE WAS A VERY VISIBLE PRESENCE IN WASHINGTON.

AND SO THERE ARE CERTAINLY CALLS FOR HER TO WITHDRAW OR FOR RON WISER WHO LOOKS LIKE IS GOING TO BE THE NEXT CHAIRMAN OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TO TAKE HER OFF THE TICKET.

AND BUT AS FAR AS CENCURE OR ACTION TAKEN AGAINST THE REPRESENTATIVES WHO WERE FRONT AND CENTER IN TRYING TO OVERTURN THE ELECTION I DON'T THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH THAT FROM THE REPUBLICAN LEADERSHIP.

>> ONE PERSON THAT HAS CHECKED IN ON THIS IS GOVERNOR GRETCHEN WHITMER LET'S LOOK AT WHAT SHE HAD TO SAY ABOUT THE STUFF GOING ON DOWN THERE AS RELATES TO WHAT IS GOING ON UP HERE.

GOVERNOR GETTEN WHITMER WATCHED THE EVENTS UNFOLD IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL YESTERDAY AND TO PUT IT MILDLY SHE WAS NOT PLEASED.

I AM APPALLED AND FURIOUS AND THE ACTIONS OF PEOPLE TRYING TO STAGE A COUP AND WREAK VIOLENCE ON THE VERY FOUNDATION OF OUR DEMOCRACY IS APPALLING.

AND ABHORT.

>> SHE AND RICK SNYDER ISSUED A RARE JOINT STATEMENT DENOUNCING VIOLENCE CALLING FOR PEACE, CALM AND HEALING.

THE SOON TO BE NEW REPUBLICAN SPEAKER OF THE MICHIGAN HOUSE JASON WENTWORTH CALLED IT QUOTE A TRAGIC MOMENT IN OUR HISTORY.

THE SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MIKE SHIRKEY SAID THE VIOLENT ACTIONS ARE DISGRACE UNDER TAKEN BY CRIMINALS AND THE SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS LABELED IT QUOTE CRIMINAL AND IT IS DEPLORABLE.

CRITICS OF THE PRESIDENT COULD ARGUE THAT HE AND HIS FOLLOWERS CREATED THE ATMOSPHERE OVER WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY BY QUESTIONING THE VALIDITY OF ELECTION AND DEMOCRACY FORMER REPUBLICAN PETER LUCIDO A STAUNCH TRUMP SUPPORTER REBUKES WHO MAKE THE CHARGE.

>> FALSE ABSOLUTELY FALSE CLAIM.

>> UNDER THOUGH SUBSTANCE DID YOU OR PRO-TRUMP PEOPLE CONTRIBUTE TO WHAT HAPPENED YESTERDAY.

>> NO, NOT JUST NO BUT HELL NO I DID NOT TAKE PART IN OR A SUPPORTER OF THE VIOLENCE OR THE ACT OF VIOLENCE ON PERSONAL PROPERTY.

>> PRO-TRUMP SUPPORTER BRANDON HALL FROM WEST MICHIGAN SAID THIS WAS NOT A RICHT AND WAS NOT ABOUT DONALD TRUMP RATHER QUOTE IT WAS ABOUT DECADES OF GOVERNMENT TERRORISM AND TYRANNY THE POLITICAL FALL OUT FROM WHAT HAPPENED IN IF NATION'S CAPITOL CONTINUES.

LAUREN, DO YOU THINK REPUBLICANS ARE AT RISK HERE FOR BEING BLAMED FOR WHAT HAPPENED IN THE NATION'S CAPITOL?

>> I THINK THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE ALREADY MADE THAT CLAIM AND THEY ARE GOING TO HAVE TO FIGURE OUT MESSAGING IF THEY WANT TO DISTANCE THEMSELVES FROM THAT.

YOU KNOW, AS MUCH AS YOU KNOW A COUPLE OF PEOPLE WERE TRYING TO ALLEGE THAT YOU KNOW THERE WERE SOME ANTIFA INVOLVEMENT OR THAT KIND OF THING THESE PEOPLE WERE CARRYING TRUMP FLAGS THEY WERE WEARING TRUMP HATS, THEY WERE VERY OBVIOUSLY SUPPORTERS OF THE PRESIDENT.

AND THE PRESIDENT IS CURRENTLY THE LEADER OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

AND SO I THINK THAT REPUBLICANS MOVING FORWARD ARE REALLY GOING TO HAVE TO HAVE TO HAVE SOME INTERNAL CONVERSATIONS.

THERE ARE A LOT OF DIFFERENT FACTIONS IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY RIGHT NOW.

AS KILE MENTIONED YOU KNOW SOME ARE SYMPATHETIC TO WHAT HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY.

AND SOME ARE VERY INTERESTED IN MOVING ON AND TRYING TO MOVE PAST THIS SITUATION.

SO I THINK A LOT REMAINS TO BE SEEN.

WE WILL SEE WHAT HAPPENS IN THE COMING DAYS BEFORE THE INAUGURATION.

BUT THIS IS A WATERSHED MOMENT FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

THEY NEED TO YOU KNOW, DENOUNCING THE VIOLENCE IS ALL WELL AND GOOD, BUT THERE ARE A LOT OF REPUBLICAN SUPPORTERS THAT WERE EITHER SYMPATHETIC TO OR OUT THERE IN WASHINGTON.

SO IT'S GOING TO BE A LOT OF TOUGH CONVERSATIONS I THINK.

>> ALL RIGHT LET ME TURN THE PAGE KILE QUICKLY WE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THE GOVERNOR AND THE VACCINATION PROBLEM HERE IN MICHIGAN.

SHE WAS ON THE DEFENSE THIS WEEK BEING ACCUSED THAT MICHIGAN WASN'T DOING A GOOD JOB ON THE VACCINE AND WHAT WAS HER RESPONSE?

>> WELL, HER RESPONSE WAS THAT WE ARE ACTUALLY DOING A GREAT JOB AND THAT IT'S BECAUSE OF THE CENTER FOR DISEASE CONTROL'S SLOW REPORTING NUMBERS THAT WE APPEAR TO HAVE BEEN 44TH OR 45TH IN THE COUNTRY IN GETTING OUR FOLKS VACCINATED.

SHE SAID THAT THEY BELIEVE THAT WE ARE NOW IN THE TOP FIVE IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO THE PERCENT OF THE POPULATION WHO HAVE BEEN VACCINATED COMPARED TO OTHER STATES.

AND THEN THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAID THAT WE ARE MORE LIKE TENTH.

BUT REGARDLESS I THINK WHAT WE ARE SEEING HERE IS THAT THE ADMINISTRATION IS VERY, VERY INTENT IN MAKING SURE THAT AS MANY PEOPLE GET VACCINATED AS POSSIBLE.

THEY DO NOT WANT IT FRAMED THEY ARE THE SLOW KEG IN THE WHEEL.

THAT THAT'S THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT, SHE FIRED OFF A LETTER WITH A FEW OTHER GOVERNORS YESTERDAY TO SAY, HEY, THERE IS 50% MORE VACCINES THAT WE COULD BE RECEIVING THAT WE ARE NOT AND YOU'RE THE PROBLEM.

IT'S NOT US.

SO STEP IT UP.

I THINK THAT THERE IS A LOT OF INTEREST IN GETTING VACCINES RIGHT NOW AND WHITMER IS BOUND AND DETERMINED TO MAKE SURE THAT SHE IS PUTTING OUT THE MESSAGE THAT SHE IS NOT THE PROBLEM.

>> CATHY.

>> THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM BECAUSE SHE TALKED ON WHEN SHE TALKED ABOUT THE COVID RESPONSE THIS WEEK, SHE SAID THAT YOU KNOW CALL YOUR COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS TO START MAKING APPOINTMENTS.

THEY WERE EXPANDING WHO COULD GET VACCINATED THE COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS DON'T HAVE THE VACCINES YET AND THEY ARE MORE THAN READY TO START GIVING OUT VACCINES BUT WAYNE OAKLAND AND MACOMB COUNTY ARE URGING PEOPLE TO BE PATIENT BECAUSE THEY WOULD LOVE TO GIVE THE VACCINES BUT THEY ARE NOT GETTING THEM YET.

AND THE GOVERNOR IS SAYING YOU KNOW WE ARE NOT GETTING IT FROM THE FEDS.

AND THEN THE COUNTY IS SAYING WE ARE NOT GETTING THEM FROM THE STATE.

SO THERE IS STILL A REAL DISCONNECT AT THE MOMENT.

>> LAUREN, THE QUESTION WAS ASKED IN THE NEWS CONFERENCE THE MICHIGAN HAS 520,000 DOSES 152000 ARMS HAVE BEEN ATTACKED BY THE VACCINE.

SO WE HAD SOME STUFF SITTING AROUND, NOT BEING USED THE GOVERNOR SAYS IT MAY APPEAR LIKE A SIMPLE MATH PROBLEM BUT IT'S MORE COMPLEX.

EXPLAIN TO ME THAT.

>> I MEAN IT IS A COMPLEX SYSTEM TO TRY AND GET THESE VACCINES OUT TO PEOPLE ESPECIALLY WITH WHAT KILE AND CATHY HAVE MENTIONED IN TERMS OF DISTRIBUTION.

AND SOME DISCONNECT BETWEEN THIS.

I THINK THAT'S YOU KNOW THAT IS SOMETHING WE ARE SEEING IN OTHER STATES AS WELL IN TERMS OF YOU KNOW JUST TRYING TO GET THE ROLL OUT OFF THE GROUND BUT MICHIGAN COMPARED TO OTHER STATES HAS BEEN A LITTLE BIT SLOWER IN TERMS OF GETTING VACCINES INTO ARMS.

SO WE ARE GOING TO BE SEEING YOU KNOW AN EXPANSION OF WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO GET THE VACCINE BUT AT THE END OF THE DAY AS CATHY SAID THERE IS GOING TO NEED TO BE YOU KNOW MORE VACCINES AVAILABLE IN SOME OF MICHIGAN'S MOST POPULUS COUNTIES BEFORE WE GET THOSE NUMBERS UP.

>> ALL RIGHT LET'S GO TO OUR GUEST NOW WHO IS THE INCOMING HOUSE DEMOCRATIC NEWLY ELECTED LEADER OR WILL BE SOON DONNA LASINSKI AND REPRESENTATIVES GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR LEADERSHIP POST AND ARE YOU HAVING FUN YET?

>> OH, THANK YOU, TIM.

IT'S EXCITING TO BE ON YOUR SHOW FOR THE VERY FIRST TIME.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU.

I AM -- IT IS A HISTORICAL TIME I WILL SAY.

AND I GOT THE KEYS TO MY OFFICE ON MONDAY.

AND IT'S A WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE WITH YOU EARLY THIS MORNING.

>> THANK YOU, IT'S GREAT TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD LET'S HAVE KILE GIVE YOU THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU MADAM LEADER.

SO YESTERDAY YOU SENT OFF A LETTER TO THE INCOMING HOUSE SPEAKER JASON WENTWORTH ASKING HE DISCIPLINE 18 MEMBERS OF THE REPUBLICAN CONGRESS THEY DID NOT DISAVOW TO ENCOURAGE VIOLENCE AT THE U.S. CAPITOL ON WEDNESDAY, WAS THAT TOO HARSH COMING RIGHT OUT OF THE SHOOT?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION, KILE.

YOU KNOW AS WE REFLECT ON THE LAST 48 HOURS, WE HAVE SEEN AN UNPRECEDENTED LEVEL OF DISCORDANT UNDER MINING, OF OUR AMERICAN DEMOCRACY.

OUR CAPITOL HASN'T BEEN BREACHED SINCE 1814.

BY THE BRITISH WHEN IT WAS BURNED DOWN.

AND YOU KNOW AS I REFLECTED ON THAT ON THE SITUATION, AS I REFLECTED ON THE SEATING OF 101ST LEGISLATURE NEXT WEDNESDAY, IT IS OUR DUTY TO BE FOCUSED ON THE NEEDS OF THE PEOPLE WHEN WE ARE SERVING IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE.

AND WHEN I REFLECTED ON THE ACTIONS AND THE STATEMENTS OF 18 FELLOW LAWMAKERS WHO ARE SEEKING TO BE SEATED IN THE 101 LEGISLATURE IT BECAME CLEAR THAT WITH GRAVITY AND WITH SERIOUSNESS THAT IT WAS -- THOSE MEMBERS NEED TO DISAVOW THEIR ACTIONS PRIOR TO BEING SEATED ON THE FLOOR AND WITH THAT INTENT I SENT THE LETTER TO SPEAKER WENTWORTH.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THOSE 18 MEMBERS SENDING A LETTEDER TO VICE PRESIDENT PENCE TO ILLEGALLY OVERTURN THE ELECTION RESULTS IN OUR COUNTRY AND LOOK AT THE REPRESENTATIVES WHO SIGNED ON TO A LAWSUIT THAT PROPAGATED FALSE CONSPIRACY THEORIES TO ELIMINATE THE VOTES OF EVERY MICHIGANDER AND WHEN WE LOOK AT THE REPRESENTATIVE WHO STOOD AT THE MICROPHONE IN FRONT OF THE CROWD THAT MOVED ON TO CREATE AN INSURMOUNTABLE ACTION IN OUR CAPITOL THOSE MEMBERS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

IT'S NOT ENOUGH TO CONDEMN VIOLENCE.

IT IS NOT ENOUGH TO SAY OH, THAT?

THAT WENT TOO FAR.

THAT IS NOT ENOUGH.

WE MUST TAKE A LOOK AT THE ACTIONS THAT LED UP TO THOSE AND THE 18 REPRESENTATIVES, REPRESENTATIVE JULIE ALEXANDER AND JOE BALINO, REPRESENTATIVE KEN BORTON, REPRESENTATIVE STEVE KARA AND GARY IZEN AND BETH GRIFFIN AND REPRESENTATIVE MICHELE AND CALLY AND MATT MAD DOCK AND GREGORY MARKENEN AND LUKE MIRMAN AND JACK O'MALLEY AND REPRESENTATIVE BRAD PAUKET AND JOHN RILEY AND RENDON AND REPRESENTATIVE RODNEY WAKEMAN AND REPRESENTATIVE MARY WHITEFORD AND REPRESENTATIVE DOUGLAS WAZNIAK IF THEY CHOOSE TO NOT DISAVOW THEIR ACTIONS SHOULD NOT BE SEATED ON THE 101 FLOOR.

>> HE SAID THANKS BUT NO THANKS AND SO NOW WHAT DO YOU DO?

>> SPEAKER WENTWORTH HAS A DECISION TO MAKE AND HAS UNTIL JANUARY 13TH TO MAKE THAT DECISION.

AS WAS MENTIONED IN YOUR ROUNDTABLE THERE, THERE IS A LOT GOING ON RIGHT NOW AND REPUBLICANS ARE TAKING SOME TIME TO SERIOUSLY REFLECT.

WE ARE SEEING CABINET MEMBERS RESIGN.

WE ARE SEEING OTHERS TO TAKE A MOMENT TO REFLECT AND SAY THIS HAS GONE TOO FAR.

CONDEMNING VIOLENCE IS NOT ENOUGH.

FOR US TO SIT AS COLLEAGUES IN A BIPARTISAN MANNER AND SOLVE THE BIG PROBLEMS WE HAVE IN MICHIGAN WE HAVE A PANDEMIC WE NEED TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES AND WE NEED TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERY FAMILY IS ABLE TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE IN ORDER TO DO THAT EVERY LAWMAKER SITTING ON THE HOUSE FLOOR AND THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE MUST BE DOING THE PEOPLE'S WORK.

NOT WORKING TO PROPAGATE FALSE CONSPIRACY THEORIES AND WE NEED TO BE TOGETHER TO DO THE PEOPLE'S WORK.

>> LET'S ASSUME HE DOES NOTHING WILL THE HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS CONSIDER BOYCOTTING THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IN PROTEST OF THOSE PEOPLE YOU JUST NAMED OF SITTING ON THE FLOOR WILL YOU GO THAT FAR?

>> I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THE DECISION AND THE CONVERSATION WITH SPEAKER WENTWORTH AND HEARING WHAT FROM HIM WHAT HE IS LOOKING FORWARD TO DO.

AND THEN AS A HOUSE DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS WE WILL COME TOGETHER WE ARE A DIVERSE CAUCUS WHO IS VERY STRONG AND WE WILL MAKE OUR DECISIONS.

>> WOULD YOU CONSIDER BOYCOTTING THE SESSION?

>> WE WILL LOOK AT WHAT GOES FORWARD.

WHAT I KNOW, TIM, IS THAT IN THESE TIMES IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PREDICT FROM MOMENT TO MOMENT WHAT WILL HAPPEN.

WHAT THE SERIOUSNESS OF THE SITUATION IS AND WHAT ACTIONS ARE REQUIRED.

IN THIS MOMENT WHEN WE KNOW THAT THERE ARE 18 LAWMAKERS WHO NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS I HAVE MADE THAT REQUEST TO THE SPEAKER.

AND I WILL LOOK FORWARD TO HIS ACTION.

>> CATHY?

>> REPRESENTATIVE, HAVE YOU HEARD PERSONALLY FROM SPEAKER WENTWORTH ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN WASHINGTON?

>> SPEAKER WENT WORTH AND I HAVE AN OPEN CONVERSATION AND RELATIONSHIP AND WE HAVE NOT SPOKEN SINCE THIS LETTER WAS SENT.

>> AND.

>> LAUREN.

>> DO YOU THINK ANYTHING IS GOING TO HAPPEN WITH SECURITY AT THE CAPITOL GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED AND WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE HAPPEN GIVEN WHAT HAPPENED ON WEDNESDAY?

>> SO MYSELF AND MY CAUCUS HAVE BEEN VERY CLEAR ABOUT WHAT WE THINK SECURITY SHOULD LOOK LIKE AT THE CAPITOL.

YOU KNOW OUR CAPITOL WAS DESIGNED BY THE SAME ARCHITECT AS THE CAPITOL IN TEXAS IN AUSTIN TEXAS AND I WAS THERE A COUPLE YEARS AGO AND I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO GO IN AND TOUR THEIR BEAUTIFUL CAPITOL AND SEE THE SIMILARITIES AND DIFFERENCES AND ONE OF THE KEY DIFFERENCES IS WHEN I WAS ENTERING THE CAPITOL IN AUSTIN, TEXAS IS THAT I HAD TO GO THROUGH A METAL DETECTOR.

THERE ARE NO WEAPONS OF ANY KIND ALLOWED IN THE TEXAS CAPITOL.

AND WE HAVE HAD DOMESTIC THEORISTS INSIDE OUR CAPITOL WITH OPENLY CARRIED WEAPONS, WITH AS MANY WEAPONS AS THEY MAY HAVE HAD UNDERNEATH THEIR JACKETS AND COATS.

WE SIMPLY DON'T KNOW.

THAT IS AN UNTENABLE SITUATION.

IT'S NOT A SAFE WORKPLACE FOR ANYONE.

AND IT PROVIDES A LEVEL OF POLITICAL INTIMIDATION AND DOMESTIC TERRORISM THAT IS UNACCEPTABLE IN THE PEOPLE'S HOUSE AS LAWMAKERS ARE TRYING TO DO THE SERIOUS WORK OF KEEPING MICHIGANDERS PROTECTED AND THAT IS WHY WE HAVE TO BE SURE THAT EVERY LAWMAKER ON THAT FLOOR HAS BEEN HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR PROPAGATING THE FALSE CONSPIRACY THEORIES THAT INSIGHTED A LOT OF THESE EMOTIONS, A LOT OF THE RHETORIC AND THE ACTIONS OF THE CROWDS AND PROTESTERS AND DOMESTIC TERRORISTS THAT CAME TO OUR CAPITOL.

>> LAUREN.

>> REPETITIVE YOU HAVE BEEN A VOCAL SUPPORTER OF EXTENDING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS DURING COVID-19 AND MOVING INTO PERPETUITY.

ARE YOU CONFIDENT THAT THE HOUSE REPUBLICANS WILL GET ON BOARD WITH SOME OF WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE BEEN PUSHING FOR ON THIS ISSUE AND MORE GENERALLY SPEAKING WHAT IS YOUR READ ON, YOU KNOW, MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGRESS IN TERMS OF COVID-19 RESPONSE IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THIS SESSION?

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THE QUESTION, LAUREN.

I AM VERY CONFIDENT THAT ALL OF US IN THE HOUSE WANT TO ENSURE THAT MICHIGANDERS ARE SAFE AND HEALTHY, THAT THEY GO TO WORK HEALTHY AND COME HOME FROM WORK HEALTHY AND THAT ALL OF OUR FOLKS IN MICHIGAN HAVE THE ABILITY TO PUT FOOD ON THEIR TABLE.

AS YOU MENTIONED I'M THE LEAD SPONSOR ON THE BILL THAT EXTENDS UNEMPLOYMENT FROM 20 TO 26 WEEKS.

OVER THE LAST YEAR AND A HALF THAT HAS NOT RECEIVED A HEARING.

THE OTHER BILLS IN THAT PACKAGE LED BY REPRESENTATIVE TERRI STABO ALSO ENSURE THAT WE HAVEN'T MOVED THE BENCHMARK OF THE WEEKLY UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN 20 YEARS.

IT'S BEEN PEGGED.

THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT THAT REFLECTS WHAT IT TAKES TO PROVIDE A MINIMUM AMOUNT OF FOOD AND RENT AND HOUSING COVERAGE FOR THOSE TIMES WHERE FOLKS ARE IN BETWEEN EMPLOYMENT THROUGH NO FAULT OF THEIR OWN.

AGAIN THESE ARE BIG PROBLEMS WE NEED TO ADDRESS THE COVID-19 RESPONSE AND KEEPING PEOPLE SAFE AND HEALTHY, THE VACCINE ROLL OUT THAT IS WHY EVERY LAWMAKER ON THE HOUSE FLOOR MUST BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS SO WE CAN ENSURE THEY ARE READY AND WILLING TO DO THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS AND UP HOLD THE CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF MICHIGAN AND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

>> REPRESENTATIVE, IT LOOKS LIKE THERE MIGHT BE FOUR VOTES ON THE STATE CAPITOL COMMISSION, MAYBE.

TO BAN OPEN CARRY BUT ALLOW CONCEALED WEAPONS IN TO THE CAPITOL IF THEY GO THERE WOULD YOU SUPPORT THAT?

>> I WILL SUPPORT ANY MEASURE, ANY INCREMENTAL STEP TO MAKE SURE OUR CAPITOL IS OR FOR ALL OF OUR STHAF THAT WORK THERE AND FOR OUR REPRESENTATIVES BUT AGAIN THE KEY DIFFERENCE WE ARE AN OUT LIAR IN MICHIGAN AND ALLOWING WEAPONS IN OUR CAPITOL AND PERMITTING POLITICAL INTIMIDATION AND DOMESTIC TERRORISTS TO ENTHEER OUR CAPITOL ARMED WITH WEAPONS AND WHEN WE HAVE LAWMAKERS ON THE FLOOR WHO HAVE PUSHED FORTH FALSE CONSPIRACY THEORIES WHO CONTINUE TO PUBLICLY STEP OUT AND FOMENT THE VIOLENCE AND RHETORIC THAT LED TO AN INSURRECTION AT THE U.S. CAPITOL THE SAFETY OF OUR CHAMBER RESTS IN PROTECTING IT PHYSICALLY BUT ALSO ENSURING THAT THE LAWMAKERS ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE ARE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS THAT LED TO AN INSURRECTION AT THE CAPITOL AND HAD A DRESS REHEARSAL HERE IN MICHIGAN.

>> A BAN ON OPEN CARRY YOU WOULD SUPPORT THAT?

>> YES.

>> VERY GOOD.

KILE?

>> REPRESENTATIVE, WHAT RESPONSIBILITY DO YOU FEEL STATE GOVERNMENT HAS TO THOSE BUSINESSES THAT HAD TO SHUT DOWN DUE TO THE COVID-19 RESTRICTIONS?

>> KILE, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

AS A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER, MY HUSBAND IS AN ENTREPRENEUR AS WELL, I HAVE BEEN IN VERY CLOSE CONTACT WITH ALL OF OUR SMALL BUSINESSES DURING THIS TIME.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY CRITICAL WE FOCUS RIGHT NOW ON GIVING DIRECT SUPPORT TO SMALL BUSINESSES.

AND ENSURING THAT THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE IT THROUGH AS WE HAVE OUR VACCINE ROLL OUT, AS WE SEE THE OPPORTUNITY VERY CLOSE AT HAND FOR US TO BEGIN TO GET OUR KIDS BACK TO SCHOOL ON A REGULAR AND CONSISTENT BASIS AND TO BE ABLE TO OPEN OUR BUSINESSES THAT RELY ON HAVING THEIR CUSTOMERS IN THEIR PLACES OF BUSINESS UNMASKED.

REMEMBER THAT IS THE DIFFERENCE RIGHT NOW.

AND IS THAT IS UNBUSINESSES THAT RELY ON UNMASKED ACTIVITY AND THAT ARE CURRENTLY CONSTRAINED.

SO WE NEED TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE DIRECT SUPPORTS AND WE NEED TO DO THAT NOW.

I'M VERY CONFIDENT THAT IF WE HAVE ALL 110 LAWMAKERS ON THE HOUSE SIDE AND THE SENATE SIDE FOCUSED ON THIS WE CAN TAKE ACTION ON THAT.

BUT AGAIN WE HAVE TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN EACH OTHER THAT WE ARE THERE TO DO THE WORK OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT TO CONTINUE TO PROPAGATE FALSE CONSPIRACY THEORIES THAT IS WHY THOSE 18 LAWMAKERS NEED TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR ACTIONS AND THEIR RHETORIC THAT LED TO THIS INDELVE ANEE AT THE CAPITOL.

>> IN LIGHT OF THAT DO YOU TRUST THIS GENTLEMAN?

>> SPEAKER WENTWORTH IS A MAN OF INTELLING THE -- INTEGRITY AND I HAVE RESPECT FOR HIM AND RESPECT WHAT WE DID AND WORKED TOGETHER AND PRODUCTIVE WAY WE WORKED TOGETHER AS HE IS CHAIR AND DEMOCRAT ON A COMMITTEE TOGETHER AND I DO LOOK FORWARD TO OUR WORK TOGETHER.

>> AND YOU BELIEVE THAT HE WILL TREAT THE DEMOCRATS FAIRLY IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS?

>> WE ARE IN -- THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION, TIM.

WE KNOW THAT THE POLITICAL SYSTEM IS A WINNER TAKES ALL SYSTEM, IS A SYSTEM OF SPOILS.

AND I DO LOOK FORWARD AS WE ENTER INTO THESE FIRST COUPLE WEEKS AS WE MAKE THESE CRITICAL DECISIONS AROUND YOU KNOW MANY OF THE ASPECTS OF HOW THE 101 LEGISLATURE WILL OPERATE THAT ARE OPEN CONVERSATION AND RELATIONSHIP WILL LEAD TO A PRODUCTIVE LEGISLATURE HAVE YOU MET WITH THE GOVERNOR YET OR IS A MEETING PLANNED SOON?

>> OUR MEETING IS COMING SOON AND LOOK FOR MUCH TO MY FIRST QUADRANT MEETING.

>> WILL YOU TAKE MY TAPE RECORDER IN WITH YOU SO YOU CAN RECORD IT FOR ME?

>> YOU ARE NOT THE ONLY ONE WHO ASKS THAT, TIM, NO.

I'LL BE GOING IN ALONE.

THANK YOU.

>> REPRESENTATIVE BEST OF LUCK ON YOUR NEW ASSIGNMENT AND LOOK FORWARD TO WORKING WITH YOU AND THANK YOU TO THE COLLEAGUES AS WE MOVE INTO THE NEW YEAR IT WILL BE INTERESTING AND STAY TUNED FOR MORE OFF THE RECORD NEXT WEEK HERE.

PRODUCTION OF OFF THE RECORD IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE FOLLOWING, BUSINESS LEADERS FOR MICHIGAN HAS A STRATEGIC PLAN TO MAKE MICHIGAN A TOP TEN STATE IN THE NATION FOR JOBS, PERSONAL INCOME AND A HEALTHY ECONOMY LEARN MORE AT MICHIGAN ROAD TO TOP TEN.COM.

FOR MORE OFF THE RECORD VISIT WKAR.ORG MICHIGAN PUBLIC TELEVISION STATIONS HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO THE PRODUCTION COSTS OF OFF THE RECORD WITH TIM SKUBICK.

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