Senator Schauer's removal from the Campaign & Elections Oversight Committee garned a three-sentence story in the Battle Creek Enquirer with no explanation of what happened. Well, we can't have that, can we?
Mark took the time to sit down, explain the situation, and let everyone know that he will fight this sort of behavior for the sake of the people he represents.
It also seems likely that the hasty decision had more to do with the fact that just the day before it took place I publicly called upon the committee chair to take up important elections reform legislation. My refusal to let misinformation stand or to back off from championing important election reforms may have led to this effort to punish me for my outspokenness.
I am still hopeful that this issue will be resolved, but on behalf of my constituents I remain opposed to this type of intimidation. More important, my colleagues and I will not stop fighting for practical reforms that help fix our broken election system. We will not stay silent while voters who have to work multiple jobs and struggle to make it to the polls still have a hard time casting an absentee ballot. We will not stay on the sidelines as college students and others face barriers to make sure their votes count.
And that is the real issue here. McManus and the Republicans are dodging these questions with political games, hoping that you (and the media) won't notice that the committee won't address the problems that need attention.
Kudos to Senator Schauer for keeping the eye on the ball and the conversation directed at the issues that matter.