Governor Whitmer’s Turkey Pardon and Legislative Milestones
In an event marked by levity and tradition, Governor Gretchen Whitmer pardoned two turkeys, Faygo and Vernors, at the Michigan state Capitol on Tuesday. This annual ceremony, filled with playful puns, saw attendees gathered under a tent as snowflakes began to fall.
Governor Whitmer engaged the crowd with humor, welcoming them as “fellow Michi-gizzards and Michi-gobblers.” Reflecting on the year’s accomplishments, she highlighted the new funding for an air national guard base in Macomb County, stating, “I went to the White House to talk turkey and save Selfridge. We carved out money to protect our Great Lakes,” and humorously adding, “We lived our baste lives and got things done. Because we believe in baking the world a better place.”
This year, unlike previous ones where pun-filled names like “Aidan Cluckinson” and “Dolly Pardon” were given to the turkeys, the birds were named after local favorites Faygo and Vernors. Diana Wallace from Maybury Farms, the turkeys’ origin, expressed her excitement for the birds being spared.
“Where else can you get a pardon two days before they have to be processed?” Wallace remarked, while noting that the turkeys’ siblings were not as fortunate but were nonetheless well cared for.
Legislative Actions
On the same day, Governor Whitmer also enacted four new bills. Two of these are designed to enhance budget transparency, focusing on earmarks – designated spending for specific projects. The legislation requires that these earmarks be publicly requested 45 days before a vote and mandates a hearing.
The laws also prohibit for-profit companies from receiving earmarks, and stipulate that nonprofits must be established for at least three years to qualify. Proponents believe these changes will reduce secretive dealings and increase accountability, building on similar reforms trialed earlier this year.
“For far too long, politicians and Lansing insiders have abused the system to stuff the budget full of anonymous pork projects they can’t defend. That abuse ends today,” stated House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp) in a press release.
Despite these reforms, some legislators contend that true transparency will only be achieved through applying open records laws to both the Legislature and the governor’s office, a move which has not yet been embraced.
Additionally, another newly signed law expands the jurisdiction of legislative police, allowing them to operate statewide in matters concerning the security of lawmakers and their staff. This change has sparked concerns about potential political influence in security operations.
A final bill signed into law facilitates zoos in maintaining breeding programs for large carnivores, even in the face of specific regulatory challenges.
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