>> WELCOME BACK.

OUR OTR GUEST IS DETROIT SENATOR ADAM OLIER WHO WANT TO FULFILL THE TAX CREDIT.

COVID NUMBERS ARE OFF THE CHARTS.

ON THE RECORD, WE GET THE INSIDE OUT OFF THE RECORD.

BUSINESS LEADERS FROM MICHIGAN HAS A STRATEG IC PLAN TO MAKE MICHIGAN A TOP 10 STATE FOR JOBS, HEALTH, ECONOMY, LEARN MORE AT MICHIGAN'S ROAD TO TOP 10.

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

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

WELCOME BACK TO STUDIO C AND "OFF THE RECORD."

THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO JOIN US FOR SOME INSIGHT AS TO WHAT IS HAPPENING IN OUR TOWN AND TO PROVIDE THAT INSIGHT AT NO CHARGE TO YOU.

JACK REAND DAVID AND LAUREN, LET'S TALK ABOUT THE PANDEMIC, THE NUMBERS IN MICHIGAN ARE OFF THE CHARTS.

WE ARE NUMBER 1, AND DON'T WANT TO BE.

>> CURRENTLY NINE HOSPITALS ACROSS THE STATE OF MICHIGAN ARE MAXED OUT, NOT ENOUGH BEDS AND THERE ARE TWO IN OUR AREA FACING THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING THE MID-MICHIGAN MEDICAL CENTER IN GRASHER COUNTY AND THE FACILITY IN CHARLOTTE.

THE SURGING NUMBERS IN MICHIGAN ARE DRIVING THIS DATA.

7,000 CASES ON AVERAGE A DAY.

19% TEST POSITIVETY.

THAT'S THE HIGHEST SINGLE-DAY PERCENTAGE SINCE THE START OF THE PANDEMIC.

IN THOSE HOSPITAL BEDS, 3,000 ADULTS AND 41 CHILDREN AND 381 PERSONS ON VENTILATEOS.

THIS LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICIAL REFLECTS SOME CITIZENS ARE ACTING LIKE COVID IS ALL OVER.

>> I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE DROPPED THEIR GUARD.

I THINK A LOT OF PEOPLE JUST DECIDED THAT COVID WAS OVER.

>> THE NUMBER OF VACCINATED CITIZENS IS HIGHER THAN BEFORE, THAT HAS NOT TRACTSLATED INTO FEWER CASES.

HERE IS WHY.

>> YOU KNOW, WE STILL HAVE AREAS IN THE STATE WHERE WE HAVE LOW VACCINATION RATES AND, ALSO, KEEP IN MIND, THE MORE PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED AND THE MORE TRANSMISSION IN THE COMMUNITY, THE MORE YOU WILL SEE PEOPLE WHO ARE VACCINATED WHO ALSO HAVE COVID.

>> HEALTH OFFICIALS ARE NOW CONCERNED THAT THEY MAY HAVE TO GO BACK TO FIELD HOSPITALS IN TENTS OUTSIDE THE REGULAR HOSPITALS BECAUSE THERE AREN'T ENOUGH BEDS INSIDE.

MS. VALE OBSERVES THAT IS DANGEROUS BECAUSE THAT MEANS OTHER CITIZENS WITH OTHER AILMENTS OTHER THAN COVID AND THE FLU MAY BE PUSHED ASIDE.

>> SO IF WE TAKE OFF WITH COVID AND FLU AND RESPIRATORY VIRUS ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE THAT REQUIRES HOSPITALIZATION LIKE ACCIDENTS, STROKES AND THOSE SORTS OF THINGS, WE ARE PUSHING THE LIMITS OF OUR HEALTH SYSTEM CAPACITY.

THAT'S DANGEROUS.

>> THE BAD NEWS IS, HEALTH OFFICIALS EXPECT ANOTHER SIX WEEKS OF SURGING NUMBERS BEFORE THEY LEVEL OFF, IF AT ALL.

>> SO ZACH, THESE NUMBERS ARE PRETTY BAD.

>> YEAH, YOUR GRAPHIC, I THOUGHT, LAID IT OUT REALLY WELL, YOU KNOW.

WEDNESDAY OF THIS WEEK, WE HIT THE HIGHEST SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE FOR NEW LEE CONFIRMED CASES OF THE ENTIRE PANDEMIC.

JUST IN THE LAST WEEK, THAT SEVEN-DAY AVERAGE HAS DOUBLED.

I DON'T KNOW THAT WE HAVE SEEN THAT EXTREME OF AN INCREASE THAT QUICKLY DURING THE -- THIS ALMOST ENTIRE YEAR AND A HALF PERIOD THAT WE HAVE BEEN IN HERE.

DEATHS ARE SLOWING.

THAT WAS ONE THING IN YOUR PIECE WE NEED TO STRESS, WE ARE GETTING BACK UP TO ALMOST -- WE ARE APPROACHING 60 DEATHS A DAY AGAIN.

I MEAN IT'S -- I THINK SOME TIME AGO, PROBABLY DIFFERENT DURING THE LOCATION WAIVE, AND I SAID IT'S AWFUL OUT THERE.

IT IS AWFUL OUT THERE.

AND AGAIN, IT'S MOSTLY THE UNVACCINATED UPONLATION THAT IS DRIVING THIS, IF YOU LOOK AT THE DATA FROM THE LAST 30 DAYS, ROUGHLY 75 TO 80% OF NEW CASES, NEW HOSPITALIZATIONS, AND NEW DEATHED ARE AMONG THE UNVACCINATED AND AS LONG AS THERE IS A SEGMENT OF THE POPULATION OUT THERE THAT REFUSES TO EMBRACE A PROVEN VACCINE, THIS IS GOING TO GO ON AND ON AND ON.

>> DAVID, WHAT ARE YOUR TAKE ON THESE NUMBERS?

>> YEAH.

I THINK THAT AS WE ALL AGREE, THERE IS REALLY SOME ALARMING TRENDS HERE MY COLLEAGUES REPORT THERE ARE SIXTY MICHIGAN CHILDREN WHO ARE HOSPITALIZED RIGHT NOW, THAT THE 54% INCREASE SINCE THE START OF THE MONTH AND I KNOW THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF RHETORIC AMONG PEOPLE THINK THIS IS JUST THE FLU OR SOMETHING ELSE.

IT'S INACCURATE, AND IT DOESN'T AFFECT CHILDREN THE SAME WAY.

IT DOES AND WE ARE SEEING THAT.

I THINK THE KEY PART OF THE NATIONAL AND MICHIGAN STRATEGY IS BOOSTERS.

WE SAW THE GOVERNOR COME OUT LAST NIGHT AFTER SOME PRESSURE, I WOULD SAY AND INDICATE THAT ANYBODY WHO IS AN ADULT AND HAS -- IS SIX MONTHS OUT FROM GETTING THEIR SECOND DOSE OR THEIR FINAL DOSE OF VACCINE SHOULD GET A BOOSTER AND ZACH NOTED WHILE THE MAJORITY OF THE CASES, DEATHS AND HOSPITALIZATIONS ARE HAPPENING WITH PEOPLE WHO ARE UNVACCINATED, THE PERCENTAGE OF PEOPLE WHO WERE VACCINATED IN THIS GROUP IS GOING UP A LITTLE BIT.

SO THIS IS -- I MEAN, THE HEALTH DEPARTMENT FIRST TIME THIS WEEK, NOW IS THAT THERE IS WANING IMMUNITY SO BOOSTERS ARE A HUGE PARTS OF THIS THAT PEOPLE NEED TO CONSIDER.

WE ANTICIPATE THAT THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT WILL MAKE THEM WIDELY ACCESSIBLE TO EVERYONE BY THE END OF THE WEEK.

SO ELIGIBILITY IS AN ISSUE, ACCESSIBILITY ISN'T AN ISSUE.

THE CAPACITY TO GO GET A?

>>, EITHER IF YOU ARE UNVACCINATED OR NEED A BOOSTER APPEARS TO BE THE BIGGEST BOOSTER RIGHT NOW.

>> DAVID, YOU MAKE A GOOD POINT BECAUSE LAUREN, IF YOU LOOK HE TURNS IN, 80%, 75 PERCENT OF THE PEOPLE IN THE HOSPITALS ARE UNVACCINATED.

THAT LEAVES 2 KNIFE% THAT GOT THEIR SHOTS.

YOU HAVE TO FIGURE TO YOURSELF, MAYBE I OUGHT TO LOCK THE DOOR AND STAY INSIDE FOR ANOTHER SIX MONTHS.

>> RIGHT.

AND THAT'S A BIC POINT.

IT'S NOT JUST THE UNVACCINATED THAT ARE AFFECTED BY THIS.

THOSE WHO HAVE NOT GOTTEN THEIR BOOSTER, WHO HAVE HAD THE VACCINE FOR OVER SIX MONTHS, YOUR PIECE MENTIONED, I THINK, A HUGE POINT IN THIS IS THAT OCCUPANCY RATES AT HOSPITALS ARE INCREASING.

WE HAVE ALREADY HAD -- WE ALREADY HAD NINE HOSPITALS AT 100% CAPACITY.

OTHER HOSPITALS ARE POSTING A HUGE NUMBERS AS WELL.

AND THAT DOESN'T JUST AFFECT COVID-19 PATIENTS.

THAT ALSO AFFECTS ANYONE ELSE WHO NEEDS THE EMERGENCY ROOM.

THE WAIT TIMES ARE LONGER.

THERE IS MORE RISK ASSOCIATED.

AND SO IT'S, AS ZACH SAID, IT'S AWFUL OUT THERE.

IT REALLY DOES NOT LOOK TO BE IMPROVING ANY TIME SUNNI SPECIALLY CONSIDERING, YOU KNOW, VACCINE, THE TRENDS AMONG THAT GROUP THAT DOESN'T WANT TO GET THE VACCINE IN THE FIRST PLACE HASN'T REALLY CHANGED.

>> ZACH, THE REPUBLICAN PARTY TOOK NOTE OF THE FACT THAT THE GOVERNOR, AS THEY DESCRIBED HERE, WAS CRICKETS ON THESE NEW NUMBERS.

IS THAT A FAIR?

>> OR NOT?

>> NO.

IT'S NOT FAIR SHOT.

I MEAN HONESTLY, I HAVE BEEN COVERING STATE GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS FOR ABOUT 20 YEARS.

I CAN'T EVER REMEMBER A MORE DISINGENUOUS STATEMENT THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY AN ELECTED OFFICIAL OR POLITICAL PARTY IN THAT ENTIRE TIME IN WHICH THE BLAMED THE GOVERN FOR THE RECENT SERGE WHICH IGNORES UP UNTIL NOW THE STATE REPUBLICAN PARTY HAS SLAMMED EVERY SINGLE THING THAT SHE HAS DONE TO TRY I TO SLOW THE SPREAD OF THE VIRUS.

NOW, ONE COULD ARGUE AT LEAST THEY HAD BEEN CONSISTENT IN ARGUING NO RESTRICTIONS, YOU KNOW EVEN REQUIRING A VACCEEN OR SOMETHING LIKE THAT OR YOU DON'T.

AND YOU SAY PERSONAL LIBERTY TRUMPED EVERYTHING.

LET PEOPLE WORK, GATHER NOT WEAR A MASK AND SO FORTH.

SO I THOUGHT THAT?

>> CAME, YOU KNOW, BASICALLY OUT OF NOWHERE, OUT OF LEFT FIELD.

I SENT THEM A MESSAGE ASKING THEM TO EXPLAIN THE COMPLETE CONTRADICTION.

THEY TALKED ABOUT CRICK ET CETERA.

GUESS WHAT RESPONSE I GOT.

CRICK ET CETERA.

NOTHING.

>> LAUREN, LET'S TALK ABOUT DONALD TRUMP.

IT LOOKS LIKE HE IS TRYING TO RUN THE ELECTIONS COMING OUT AND ENDORSING FOLKS LEFT AND RIGHT.

>> YES.

HE HAS BEEN ON AN ENDORSEMENT STREAK HERE IN MICHIGAN.

MANY CANDIDATES IN LOCAL, STATE, RACES, FEDERAL RAISES, ACROSS THE BOARD ARE GETTING -- GETTING THE THUMBS UP FROM DO NOT TRUMP ENDORSING MADDOCK.

HE IS ON A ROLE WITH THESE ENDORSEMENTS, YOU KNOW, SOME OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE LESSER KNOWN BUT PERHAPS, YOU KNOW, VOCAL ABOUT THEIR TRUMP SUPPORT IN THE PAST, SO.

I THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO SEE AND IT WILL BE INTERESTING TO SEE WATCH HOW THESE ENDORSEMENTS, ESPECIALLY, YOU KNOW, KIND OF EARLY IN THE PROCESS WITH SO MUCH ON THE TABLE WITH REDISTRICTING STILL HOW THIS AFFECTS THE ELECTION AND HOW IS THE ELECTORATE RESPONSE?

IS THE TRUMP ENDORSEMENT IN 2022 DOESN'T HOLT THE SAME WEIGHT AS IT DID IN 2020 FOR EXAMPLE.

>> DAVID, THE PROBLEM THIS CREATES IS THAT HE IS PICKING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT INCUMBENTED, JIMLILY, A CANDIDATE TO RUN AGAINST HIM.

WE HAVE THE SENATOR DOWN IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY.

PICKED SOMEBODY OVER THERE.

DOES THIS POUR AT THE END TO A CIVIL WAR AS TO WHO WILL WIN THESE NOMINATIONS?

>> I THINK IT'S INDICATIVE OF A LONG-STANDING CIVIL WAR WITHIN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.

I DON'T THINK THERE IS ANY SECRET THERE HAS BEEN A CLASH BETWEEN SO-CALLED ESTABLISHMENT REPUBLICANS AND REPUBLICANS WHO HAVE ALIGNED THEMSELVES WITH TRUMP.

I QUESTION WHETHER OR NOT ANY ENDORSEMENT IN A STATE LEGISLATIVE RACE WILL MAKE THAT BIG OF A DIFFERENCE.

I THINK FOR EXAMPLE THE PEOPLE IN LIVINGSTON COUNTY, MIKE DETMEMBER, HE HASRUN BEFORE, THEY KNOW LANAP TIS.

SHE HAS RUN BEFORE.

PEOPLE OF LIVINGSTON CAN DECIDE -- SHE IS A REPUBLICAN, AS THE PRESIDENT SAID.

SHE IS RESPONSE ING ANTI CRITICAL RACE BILLS, ANTI-TRANSGENDER AM STUDENT ATHLETE BILLS.

I THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO NOTES IN ALMOST ALL OF THESE ENDORSEMENTS, THE FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP SAID SOME DERIVATION OF BEING MOST CORRUPT STILL OR ONE OF THE MOST CORRUPT CITIES AND AT THE SAME TIME, THE FORMER CHIEF OF POLICE FOR DETROIT IS SEEMINGLY TRYING TO GET THE FORMER PRESIDENT'S ENDORSEMENT.

SO, I DON'T KNOW HOW JAMES CRAIG AND THE CRAIG CAMPAIGN CAN SAY, YOU KNOW, CAN KIND OF MAKE THOSE TWO THINGS COME TOGETHER.

IS DETROIT THE MOST CORRUPT CITY IN THE WORLD FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS OR DO YOU NOT WANT FORMER PRESIDENT TRUMP'S SUPPORT OR HOW DOES THAT WORK?

TO ME, THAT'S ONE OF THE MOST INTERESTING DYNAMICS.

LESS THAT HE IS PICKING RANDOM CAN CAN DATAS.

>> I MEAN ANOTHER COMMON THREAD THERE WHICH IS, I BELIEVE, MOST OF THESE CANDIDATES ARE ON THE FALSE TRAIN OF THE 2020 ELECTION WAS DECIDED BY FRAUD I THOUGHT SOMETHING THE FORMER POLICE DEPARTMENT SAID IS TELLING.

HE SAID, WE NEED A NEW LEGISLATURE.

OBVIOUSLY THERE IS SOME DISCUSSION THAT DONALD TRUMP COULD RUN FOR PRESIDENT AGAIN IN 2024.

WHAT DID HE WANT THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE TO DO?

HE WANTED THEM TO THROW OUT THE POPULAR VOTE IN THE STATES, WHICH JOE BIDEN WON BY 154,000 VOTES AND, INSTEAD, SEND THE REPUBLICAN TRUMP SLATE OF ELECTORS TO CONGRESS.

SO, IT SEEMS TO ME HE IS TRYING TO INSTALL WHAT HE HOPES WILL BE PEOPLE WILLING TO DO THAT SHOULD HE RUN AGAIN IN '24 AND THE ELECTION NOT GO THE WAY HE WANTS OR AT LEAST GIVE HIM THE CHANCE TO MAKE THAT CASE.

IT IS -- I MEAN, IT IS QUITE STRIKING, AS DAVE SAID.

LANA TIS IS AMONG THE MOST ARCH CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS IN THE ENTIRE LEGISLATURE.

BUT WHAT'S THE ONE THING SHE DID THAT UPSET DONALD TRUMP?

SHE SIGNED THENATOR ED MCBROOM SENATE OVERSIGHT REPORT WHICH ADAM EVENTSLY SAID THERE WAS NO FRAUD US KNOW WIDESPREAD FRAUD NO, CREDIBLE CASES OF MORE THAN AN ODD CASE OF FRAUD IN THE ENTIRE STATE.

THAT HAS MADE HER A PAR IAH AMONG A CERTAIN SEGMENT OF THE TRUMP BASE AND SO THIS WILL BE A GREAT TEST TO SEE HOW DECISIVE THAT IS MIKE DETMEMBER COULDN'T WIN A CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY TWO YEARS AGO AGAINST A REALLY WEAK FIELD.

SO, YOU KNOW, WHAT I WILL THE POLICE DEPARTMENT PRESIDENT SAID THE A GREAT CANDIDATE, THAT'S YET TO BE SEEN.

>> THE INTERESTING THING AND NONE OF US ARE INSIDE THE HOUSE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

IF YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE NUMBERS, WE ARE GOING TO HAVE VERY PRESIDENTIVE FIGHT, A VERY COMPETITIVE FIGHT BETWEEN THE RS AND DS FOR CONTROL OF THE # INDEX# HOUSE.

BY GOING WITH E-MAIL WHO ARE NOT KNOWN CANDIDATES COULD SUCK AWAY SOME OF THOSE VOTES AND COULD DE FACTO HELP THE DEMOCRATS TAKE CONTROL OF THE MICHIGAN HOUSE.

I MEAN, IF YOU ARE THE REPUBLICAN SPEAKER, YOU HAVE TO SAY TO YOURSELF, MR. TRUMP, PLEASE BE QUIET.

SAFE REPUBLICAN SEATS.

ONE QUICK SAMPLE.

A VERY POTENTIALLY COMPETITIVE SENATE SEAT COVERING TROY, ROCHESTER HILLS AND SOME OTHER AREAS AND OAKLAND COUNTY.

MIKE WEBER, SORT OF A CENTRIST RIGHT REPUBLICAN ANNOUNCED THIS WEEK, ON BALANCE, HE IS A DREAM CANDIDATE FOR THE REPUBLICAN PARTY, BUT I WOULD NOT SEE HIM AS A TRUMP REPUBLICAN.

DOES SOMEONE EMERGE THAT MAYBE ONES THAT PRIME BECAUSE I THINK SURE THE SENATE MERIT LEADER TO COUPLING A 50/50 SEAT.

CAN HE GET THROUGH A PRIMARY?

THAT'S WHERE WE WANT TO SEE IF TRUMP GETS INVOLVED IN A SEAT LIKE THAT.

GO AHEAD, LAUREN >> I THINK IT'S INTERESTING TO KNOW AT ONE POINT THE FORMER PRESIDENT SAID, MICHIGAN NEED A NEW LEGISLATURE, WHICH COMING FROM A REPUBLICAN FORMER PRESIDENT, WHEN THE LEGISLATIVE HOUSE AND SENATE ARE BOTH DOMINATED BY REPUBLICANS RIGHT NOW, IT'S PRETTY NOTEWORTHY TO POINT OUT THAT HE IS SAYING, MICHIGAN NEEDS NEW LEGISLATURES.

I WANTED TO PUT THAT PARTICULAR STATEMENT OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT.

LET'S CALL IN OUR GUEST TODAY, STATE SENATOR FROM DETROIT, ADAM OLIER, SENATOR.

WELCOME BACK TO THE PROGRAM, SIR.

NICE TO HAVE YOU ON BOARD.

YOU REMEMBER VOCAL ABOUT WHAT THE REDISTRICTION COMMISSION WAS DOING TO THE AFRICAN-AMERICAN VOTE.

HAVE YOU SETTLED DOWN ON THAT?

ARE THEY APPEASING YOU OR NOT, SIR?

>> NO.

THERE IS STILL A LONG WAY TO GO.

I THINK THE PROBLEM IS, THEY GOT BAD ADVICE.

THE COMMISSION WAS OPERATING THE ENTIRE TIME YOU UNDER THE BELIEF THAT 48%, 45 PERCENT, WAS ACCEPTABLE TO CRAW THE MAJORITY'S INTEREST.

IN THE LAST COUPLE OF DAYS, DRAWING JUST THE HOUSE, THEY SAID THEY COULD DRAW UP TO 55 PERCENT, WHICH IS WHAT WE ALL KNEW WAS POSSIBLE, WHICH WE KNEW AT EVERY TIME SHOULD HAVE BEEN WHAT THEY WERE DOING.

AS A RESULT, THEY DIDN'T DRAW ANY MAJORITY BLACK DISTRICT IN THE SENATE OR IN THE CONGREGAS SPACE.

THERE IS SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS WITH MATH.

>> DAVID, YOU GOT A QUESTION FOR OUR SENATOR?

>> I DO, YES.

THANK YOU.

HI, SENATOR.

I SPOKE RECENTLY WITH THE MAYOR OF BENTON HARBOR.

HE TALKED TO ME ABOUT SOME OF THE ISSUES THAT HAVE BEEN HIGHLIGHTED BY EAGLE AND THE STATE.

AND HE TALKED ABOUT THE CONCEPT OF GETTING OUT PROBLEMS BEING EVIDENCE OF SYSTEMIC RACISM.

CAN YOU TALK ABOUT THE LEGISLATURE'S ROLE IN NOT OM FUND SOMEPLACE LIKE BENTON HARBOR THAT NEEDS 589 OF MONEY BUT CHANGING THE LEAD AND COPPER RULE TO AVOID A SITUATION LIKE HAS HAPPENED IN BENTON HARBOR.

>> I INTRODUCED THE $200 MILLION SUPPLEMENTAL SO WE COULD SEND TO COMMUNITIES LIKE BENTON HARBOR THE DOLLARS THEY NEED REPLACE ALL OF THESE LEAD COPPER TOPICS.

MY DAUGHTER, WE LIVE IN A HOUSE OVER 1ST 00 YEARS OLD AND THEY HAVE LEAD SERVICE LINES.

THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM.

>> WHEN YOU TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING A COMMUNITY LIKE BENTON HARBOR IS NEVER GOING TO BE ABLE TO ELECT SOMEONE THAT HAS THEIR CONCERNS.

REPRESENTATIVES COME FROM THE SURROUNDING AREAS THAT HAVE SIMILAR PROBLEMS.

IT'S SO IMPORT THAT BLACK COMMUNITIES HAVE BLACK ELECTED FOLKS AT THE STATE LEVEL WHO UNDERSTAND SIMILAR ISSUES BECAUSE WE ARE ALL THEY'VE GOT.

WE TALK ABOUT THE IMMIGRATION BILL.

IT'S THOSE SAME ISSUES OF PEOPLE MOVING OUT OF COMMUNITIES THAT HAD AGING INFRASTRUCTURE, NOT REINVESTING IN THEM.

BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE BEING STUCK IN THOSE COMMUNITIES.

>> DAVID, GOT A FOLLOW-UP?

>> YEAH.

I THINK, AGAIN, WE HAVE HEARD A LOT FROM THE STATE SAYING THAT THEY MET THEIR LEGAL ARE REQUIREMENTS AND YET, OBVIOUSLY, THE DRIPPING WATER IN BENTON HARBOR HAS EN BEEN SAFE FOR THREE YEARS.

BEST CASE, IT WON'T BE FOR ANOTHER 18 MONTHS.

IS THERE SOME SORT OF ACCOUNTABILITY THAT NEEDS TO HAPPEN FOR, YOU KNOW, THE WHITMER ADD ANYMORE MINSTRATION, THE LEGISLATE FOR NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR A LONG TIME.

THE PEOPLE OF BENTON HARBOR ARE UPSET AND STIM TRYING TO FIND A WAY TO ENSURE THAT THE WATER COMING OUT OF THEIR TACH IS SAFE.

>> YEAH.

I THINK THERE IS ALWAYS THIS GOAL TO BLAME SOMEONE FOR THE MISTAKES IN SYSTEMS.

ALL WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW IS FOCUS ON GETTING THIS THING FIXED.

AND THE PRESIDENT JUST SIGNED AN INFRASTRUCTURE BILL THAT WILL GIVE US SOME MONEY WE NEED TO DO IT.

ALL HANDS ON DECK NEED TO MAKE SURE THESE THINGS ARE SAFE.

WE CAN DO THIS IF WE ALL COME TOGETHER AND SPEND THE MONEY QUICKLY AND GET IT OUT AND FIX THE PROBLEM.

MOVING FORWARD, WE SHOULD BE MAKING SURE THAT NO KID IS EVER IN A SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE TO DRINK WATER FROM LEAD PIPES.

>> MR. GORCHOW?

>> SENATOR, I WANT TO TALK ABOUT THE AUTO INSURANCE LAW.

THAT'S BECOME INCREASINGLY THE SUBJECT OF STRONG CRITICISM FROM ADVOCATES FOR THOSE WHO HAVE SUFFERED CATASTROPHIC INJURIES.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT LAW DLOUFRD WHAT YOU FELT -- YOU WERE A STRONG PROP PONY EVENT OF WHAT PAST, THE VOTED FOR A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF IT.

DOWN THAT'S REALLY CHANGED THE DYNAMIC ON AUTO INSURANCE IN THE CITY OF DETROIT IN TERMS OF COSTS, OR IS IT STILL EVEN WITH THIS LAW, IS AUTO INSURANCE IN DETROIT STILL WAY, WAY, WAY MORE EXPENSIVE THAN IT IS IN THE REST OF THE STATE?

>> I MEAN AUTO INSURANCE IN DETROIT IS NO MORE EXPENSIVE THAN REST OF THE STATE, BUT I SEE PAY $6,000 ON MY AUTO INSURANCE.

IT HAS MADE A HUGE IMPACT IN MY LIFE, IN MY CONSTITUENTS' LIFE, PEOPLE WHO ARE BUYING NEW CARS ABLE TO GET AUTO INSURANCE.

MORE 100,000 PEOPLE HAVE GOTTEN AUTO INSURANCE SINCE THE AUTO INSURANCE TLEEFRM DID NOT HAVE AUTO INSURANCE PREVIOUSLY.

WE ARE HAVING NEW CARRIERS COME IN AND SAVINGS HAVE ALL BEEN MORNING DOUBLE WHAT WAS EXPECTED AND REQUIRED IN THE BILL.

I THINK THE AUTO INSURANCE REFORM IS WORKING.

IS THERE STILL ROOM FOR IMPROVEMENT?

ABSOLUTELY.

WE STILL HAVE A LONG WAY TO GO BEFORE AUTO INSURANCE IS IDEAL FOR SURE.

BUT OUR PEOPLE IN DETROIT ARE SAVING MONEY.

YES.

ARE PEOPLE IN DETROIT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN LITERALLY MY LIFE HAVE ACCESS TO AUTO INSURANCE THAT THEY CAN AFFORD?

YES IS IT NOW BEING LESS OF A HIND RANGES IN THEM BEING ABLE TO GET EMPLOYMENT AND TO DO THINGS BECAUSE THEY HAVE THEY HAVE STRIKE IN THE COMMUNITY?

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE TRUE.

ALL OF THOSE THINGS ARE HAPPENING.

>> FOLLOW-UP?

>> YEAH.

SO WHAT SHOULD BE DONE ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CATASTROPHIC CARE?

A NUMBER OF CLINICS ARE SAYING THEY ARE HAVING TO SHUT DOWN BECAUSE OF THE FEE SCHEDULE THAT CUT THEIR RATES BY 45 PERCENT.

BUT IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE THERE IS REALLY ANY APPETITE IN THE LEGISLATURE TO DO ANYTHING.

THESE GROUPS FEEL LIKE THE GOVERNOR, EVEN THOUGH SHE ASKED THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE A CHANGE SINCE PUTTING THE FULL WEIGHT OF HERE?

FWHIPD WHAT DO YOU FEEL LIKE THE FEEL SCHEDULE SHOULD STAY IN PLACE AS IS, OR IS THAT CHANGE FAILING?

>> I THINK THE FEE SCHEDULES IS WHERE YOU SEE A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF SAFINGS.

WE ALL KNEW THAT THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN AND A BUSINESS MODEL THAT WAS DESIGNED ON THEED IDEA THAT YOU CHARGE TWICE OR THREE TIMES OR, IN SOME SITUATIONS, FOUR ORMORE TIMES WHAT PEOPLE ARE CHARGING IF THEY HAD GOTTEN, YOU KNOW, HURT OR INJURED IN ANY OTHER WAY WAS NOT A SUSTAIN ABLE PROCESS.

THOSE SAVINGS GO BACK TO THE REGULAR PEOPLE AND PRIMARILY DETROIT.

THE IDEA WE ARE GOING TO REVERSE THOSE BECAUSE FOR SOME PROVIDERS ISN'T PALLETABLE FOR ME.

>> I WANT TO GO BACK TO REDISTRICTING.

IN TERMS OF THE CURRENT PROCESS IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THE COMMISSION IS PLANNING ON PICKING FROM WHAT THEY HAVE, THE NINE COLLABORATIVE MAPS AND PICKING THE BEST OF THOSE POTENTIALLY GOING INTO INDIVIDUAL MAPS IF THEY CAN'T COME TO AN AGREEMENT.

SO YOU STILL HAVE ISSUES WITH THESE MAPS.

WHAT ARE YOUR NEXT STEPS IS IT IS IT GOING TO COURT OR IS THERE A WAY AT THIS POINT THAT YOU PLAN ON PURCHASING THE PROCESS FLYER BUDGET.

>> YOU KNOW, CONTINUING TO ADVOCATE PEOPLE, TO GO AND GET PUBLIC COMMENT AT THEIR MEETINGS.

I THINK THEY ARE MEETING THIS WEEK.

ENCOURAGING FOLKS TO SAY, YOU KNOW, HOW THEY CAN FIX THESE.

HOW THEY CAN DO BETTER JOBS AND WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO DO A GOOD JOB AM ADDRESSING FAIRNESS AND THEN, YOU KNOW, WHERE THAT LEAVES US.

I AM HOPING THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO TO LEGAL CHALLENGE.

THEY HAVE SHOWN A WILLINGNESS AND ABILITY TO ADJUST TIME LINES AND SCHEDULES TO TRY TO DRAW BETTER MAPS.

I THINK DRAWING BETTER MAPS REQUIRES THEM TO TAKE THE MAJORITY/MINORITY ISSUE.

>> LAUREN >> ONCE THE COMMISSION, HAVE YOU THE COMMISSION FOLLOW UP TO THE CLOSE ASKED DOOR MEETING, THE DISCUSSION?

HAVE YOU HEARD ENOUGH FROM THE COMMISSION TO JUSTIFY THAT ARE DECISIONS ON THIS MATTER.

>> ABSOLUTELY NOT.

THERE IS NO QUESTION AND I KNOW YOU AND I HAVE WATCHED EVERY MOMENT OF THESE HEARINGS.

THERE IS NO QUESTION THAT THE INFORMATION THAT AT THE GOT IN THIS CLOSED DOOR MEETING INFORMED THEIR DECISIONS, WHETHER THEY SAY THEY A DECISION IN THAT MEETING OR NOT, EVERYTHING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN DONE WAS BASED UPON THIS IDEA THAT THEY HAD TO DRAW BLACK DISTRICTS OF LESS THAN 45 PERCENT AND THEN ONE DAY, YOU KNOW, THEY ARE EXPERTS.

WE NEED 55 PERCENT ON THE SPACE OF NEIGHBORHOODS IF THAT WOULD BE A BETTER INDICATOR OF THE COMMUNITY.

NO ONE LOOKS AT A SINGLE WAY THEYDREW THE CITY OF DETROIT AND SAID THAT WOULD BE A BETTER WAY TO DRAW THE COMMUNITY.

THE COMMISSIONERS WHEN RESPONDING TO THE PUBLIC COMMENTARY FROM DETROITERS AND PEOPLE ACROSS THE STATE, SAY WE CAN'T DRAW THEM LARGER THAN THIS PERCENTAGE BECAUSE THAT WOULD BE ILLEGAL.

THAT'S NOT ILLEGAL.

THEY SHOULD FIX IT.

THEY CAN FIX IT IF THEY WANT TO.

>> SENATOR, YOU WANT TO REDS CORRECT THE STATE FILM TAX CREDIT.

WHY AND HOW ARE YOU GOING TO PAY FOR IT IN.

>> WHY?

BECAUSE IT WAS REALLY EFFECTIVE.

JUST ALMOST EVERY STATE, INCLUDING THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO HAVE SOME CREDITS BECAUSE THEY ARE HUGE ADVERTISING SPACE.

HOW DO YOU PAY WITH IT?

WITH MOVIE CREDITS.

WHEN WE TALL TALK ABOUT SALES TAX ON, YOU KNOW A MOVIE THAT YOU BUY IN PERSON, YOU DON'T DO THAT WHEN YOU BUY IT ON AMAZON OR HULU OR ANY OF THESE DIGITAL SPACES.

I THINK THAT THE MOVIES AND SALE AND PURCHASE MUCH THOSE THINGS SHOULD FUND THE MOVIE CREDITS.

IT'S A DIGITAL GOODS TAX AND IT WOULD ENCOURAGE MORE FAUXES FOLKS TO BUY THE MOVIES AND PRODUCE THOSE THINGS HERE IN MICHIGAN.

I THINK IT'S IMPORTANT, GREAT ADVERTISING.

IT'S JUST A SUCCESSFUL PROGRAM WHEN YOU LOOK AT HOW GEORGIA HAS TAKEN JUST CHROTDS AND MADE IT INCREDIBLE.

THAT'S WHEN EVERYTHING IS FILMED.

THEY TOOK OUR PROGRAM.

AND SAID WE WILL TWEAK IT A LITTLE BIT AND IT WASS IT WAS WILDLY SUCCESSFUL.

THIS IS A GOOD WAY TO FUND IT AND BE MORE SUCCESSFUL.

>> YOU ARE GOING TO ASK AN REPUBLICAN LEDGE THESLATURE TO INCRETION TO KEEP THIS GOING.

>> I WILL HAVE THEM TO DO TAX PAR ODY.

IF YOU GO INTO BEST BUY, TARGET OR ANY OF THE OTHER STORES THAT SAY MICHIGAN PROPERTY SALES, THAT'S COMPANIES THAT PROVIDE DIDN'TAL GOODS WHO DON'T PAY MICHIGAN SALES TAXES, PROPERTY TAXES, DO THE SAME THING THAT EVERY OTHER BUSINESS THAT OPERATES IN THE STATE DO, PAY THEIR FAIR SHARE OF TAXES AND SEND THEM TO THE STATE SO WE CAN DO THE THINGS THAT ARE NECESSARY AS WE LIVE MORE IN THIS DIGITAL SPACE, A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE NOT HEADQUARTERED HERE THAT DO HAVE TO DO THIS.

I LOOK AT THIS AS THE SAME KIND OF TAX PAR ODY AS ONLINE RETAILERS, CONTINUE THAT SPACE GOODS THAT ARE ARE PROVIDED IN THE SAIT STATE OF MISS BEGIN.

>> HOW MUCH MONEY WOULD THAT RAISE, SIR.

>> IT COULD BE, YOU KNOW, A COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILLION DOLLAR.

IT DEPEND UPON HOW MANY PEOPLE ARE BUYING DIGITAL GOODS.

I THINK IN THE PANDEMIC, IT BECOMES MORE AND MORE EVERY DAY.

>> SENATOR, THANKS VERY MUCH FOR JOINING US.

GREAT TO SEE.

THANKS TO OUR GREAT PANEL AND YOU ALL HAVE A SAFE WEEKEND AS WELL.

SEE YOU NEXT WEEK FOR MORE TURKEY FROM WKAR'S "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 HAVE MAKE MICHIGAN A TOP 10 STATE FOR JOBS, HEALTHY SKWHOE ECONOMY.

LEARN MORE AT MICHIGAN'S ROAD TO TOP 10.COM VISIT WKAR.ORG.

MICHIGAN PUBLIC TELEVISIONSTRATIONS CONTRIBUTED TO THE PRODUCTION COSTS OF "OFF THE RECORD" WITH TIM SKUBICK.