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Interviews with news makers and discussion of topics important to Southwest Michigan. Subscribe to the podcast through Apple itunes and Google. Segments of interview are heard in WestSouthwest Brief during Morning Edition and All Things Considered

WSW: Plenty of Talk on Scandal and Roads, but Little Action

Kevin Lavery, WKAR

Michigan Public Radio Network Capitol Bureau Chief and Managing Editor Rick Pluta says two state lawmakers caught up in a sex and cover up scandal have isolated themselves, leaving them with no allies to weather the storm. 

Update: The interview with Rick Pluta was recorded on Friday. On Monday the state House released a preliminary reportfinding that taxpayer resources were misused to conceal the affair between Representatives Todd Courser and Cindy Gamrat. 

Beyond the extra-marital affair, Pluta says the story involving Cindy Gamrat of Plainwell and Todd Courser of the Lapeer area has a strong element of hypocrisy. Both lawmakers have talked often about protecting “traditional marriage” and following their Christian faith. Pluta says the cover up was “kind of weird” because Todd Courser tried to spread rumors about himself involving a gay prostitute. It was designed to make an affair with another lawmaker who is married with children seem tame by comparison. 

"They've basically been obnoxious, uncooperative and are now isolated"

Recordings made by a staffer have provided solid evidence that there was an attempt to cover up the affair. Pluta says the two lawmakers could face expulsion “although I would argue it’s as much for the fact that they’ve basically been obnoxious, uncooperative and are now isolated, as much as anything else.”

Actual expulsion votes are rare. Pluta has seen his fair share of scandals since he started covering the state Capitol in 1987. He says by the time it gets to the point of a vote on expulsion, the lawmaker at the center of the controversy usually decides to resign. There is no standard definition of what is an “expulsion-worthy” offense. Pluta says it’s basically whatever two-thirds of lawmakers think merits being removed from office.

Shortly before the House adjourned last week a Special Select Committee was created to determine Courser and Gamrat’s ability to continue holding office. But no members have been appointed, and Pluta says it appears that the committee is another way of turning up the heat a little bit on Gamrat and Courser to resign sooner, rather than later.

Credit Michigan House Republicans
Cindy Gamrat - Official state House Photo

Courser has said that he came up with the false e-mail scheme in response to a blackmail threat. But Pluta says what Courser has described doesn’t seem to rise to the legal definition of blackmail. There was no request of money or anything or value. Pluta says Courser’s claims don’t seem to be a major factor for lawmakers. He says the question for the Legislature is how much state staff time and resources was used to help conceal the affair between Gamrat and Courser.

Asked if the scandal got in the way of lawmakers reaching a deal on road funding, Pluta says it’s hard to say. But he says it does suck up the oxygen and attention of people as they try to come to an agreement on road funding.

Pluta says there is not much disagreement on how much money is needed for road repair. If anything there is some belief that the $1.2-billion mentioned for so long may not be enough. Pluta says the biggest discussion going on at the State Capitol is how much revenue House Republicans would approve, and how much will the governor, the Senate and Democrats agree to take from other areas of the state budget.

With large majorities in both the House and Senate, Pluta says some Republicans believed for a while that they could cut a deal without Democrats. But he says every time the revenue number gets bigger, some Republicans drop off and more votes from Democrats are needed.

Gordon Evans became WMUK's Content Director in 2019 after more than 20 years as an anchor, host and reporter. A 1990 graduate of Michigan State, he began work at WMUK in 1996.
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