House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) removed House Appropriations Committee Minority Vice Chair Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) from his leadership position for not joining Republicans in supporting a bill that would reinstate a life-without-parole option for those under 21 found guilty of brutal crimes.
Even if it were passed in the House, HB 4506 has no future in the Democratic-controlled Senate or the Governor’s office. It would likely be immediately challenged in court if enacted. Democrats, in particular the Legislative Black Caucus, believe the legal system will use the bills to target people of color.
Only 55 Republicans were present Thursday, one short of the number needed to pass a bill without Democratic support. To get that 56th vote, Hall targeted Farhat, the vice chair of Appropriations who has been working behind the scenes to broker out a budget/road-funding compromise with the Governor and the Democratic controlled Senate.
For Farhat’s yes vote on HB 4506, Hall said he offered a substitute that got rid of consecutive sentencing and changed it to concurrent sentencing, meaning that if a convict is serving multiple sentences, they are all served at the same time rather than one after the other.
Hall said in his press conference that Farhat said with the substitute adopted, he’d vote for the bill. However, Farhat was seen having a spirited discussion with Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) during the vote. When Speaker Pro Tem Rachelle Smit (R-Shelbyville) called for Farhat’s vote, he eventually gave a thumbs down, which was received with applause by his caucus.
In a press conference of his own, Farhat said Hall came in with no concept of a plan, and so ultimately, he voted with his Democratic colleagues and legislative Black caucus.
“This town is a f***ing mess. It is a f***ing mess in Lansing right now, unequivocally. That’s what it is,” Farhat said.
Despite being removed from his position on the Appropriations Committee, Farhat said the negotiation on HB 4506 was not a budget negotiation.
“In this business, the only thing you have is your word. I’ve done a lot of deals with Democrats over the last several years and I always followed through with the things that I said I was going to do,” Hall said.
Farhat said there was not an agreement for him to vote yes on the bill.
Following Hall’s letter to the clerk removing Farhat as minority vice chair of Appropriations, House Democrats left the floor in a manner similar to the House Republicans’ lame duck walk off in 2024. Minority Floor Leader John Fitzgerald (D-Wyoming) called points of order multiple times to raise the question of a quorum.
Smit told him multiple times that a lack of quorum is not a valid point of order.
“This is probably the most disastrous session day that I’ve ever been a part of. To call people in the middle of summer, to not be able to get even 56 members of your own caucus here to vote, and then to leave here without anything actually voted on. I think it’s clearly indicative of his leadership and lack thereof,” Puri said.
But if Thursday was being compared to lame duck of 2024, Farhat said up until that point last term, the Democratic trifecta had passed two budgets on time and had over 300 Public Acts. At the moment, the Legislature has produced six public acts, a historic low.
Hall said House Democrats will be interviewed to replace Farhat. In the meantime, however, Farhat said House Appropriations Chair Ann Bollin (R-Brighton) is not the one negotiating this budget. When asked who is negotiating the budget, Hall said depending on the situation it’s appropriations subcommittee chairs, Bollin or himself.
Farhat said he was removed because he wanted to fight for values, but the Speaker consolidates every aspect of power by trying to pick who negotiates on behalf of Democrats and pick what they’re allowed to stand for and what democratic values they can defend.
In a press conference on Jan. 14 where he named Farhat as minority vice chair, he said “You shouldn’t be punished by your leadership just because you’re trying to solve problems.”
HB 4506 failed twice on Thursday. Once after the substitute was adopted, and once again for a reconsideration of the vote since Farhat didn’t vote the first time. The first time, it failed 55-42, and the second time, it was on the board for over an hour and failed 55-43.
Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) said in her floor speech some of the changes negotiated Thursday were unfortunate and gave more respect to murderers who kill multiple people rather than victims.
When speaking with the press, Lightner said it was disgusting and sickening that someone in her own caucus was in Lansing and chose not to come to session, referring to Rep. James DeSana (R-Carleton)’s absence, who she said was skipping session because votes on his priorities were not being taken.
“I am so mad and angry at lots of members in this Legislature today because they just slapped all victims in the face and give more respect to these pieces of crap than the people that have lost their lives,” Lightner said.
Hall said later that he thinks it’s important for his members to be here, and when they’re not, you have to work with who is present, like the House Democrats.
What’s more, Hall said he endorses Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s suggestion to suspend legislator salaries if they don’t meet the budget deadline.
“I endorse that because I know from experience being in the room that if we had had that policy, I would have got a deal done by July 1. We would have done it very easily,” Hall said.
Additionally, Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester)’s bill to ban cell phones from schools in certain situations failed in the House 53-45 with two Republicans voting no, despite House Republicans being told House Democrats would vote in favor earlier in the day, House Republican spokesperson Ryan Kazmirzack said. Puri denied that claim later.
At the beginning of session, Reps. DeSana, David Martin (R-Davison) and Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) were excused for Republicans, meaning they were one vote away from passing the bill.
Tisdel said he’s had multiple meetings with the Executive Office of Governor (EOG) and a one-hour Zoom call with Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer mentioned passing a policy banning cell phones in schools in her State of the State Address this year.
Additionally, after pushback came due to the concern of emergency situations, a substitute was adopted to the bill to make exemptions for emergencies. Tisdel said that substitute was included because Democrats wanted to see it, and members of his own caucus wanted to see it, too.
However, despite gaveling in at 12:00 p.m., the House waited until about 4:30 p.m. to vote on HB 4141, and the bill failed. Reps. Steve Carra (R-Three Rivers) and Jaime Greene (R-Richmond) voted no.
In committee, the bill passed 9-1, including one Republican that voted yes on Thursday and no in committee and three Democrats that voted no on Thursday and yes in committee.
Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog newsletter
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