Former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and others likely to be charged for roles in Flint Water Crisis

Two years ago, I observed that "The wheels of justice are grinding slowly in this case, but I expect they will indeed grind exceedingly fine" regarding the Flint Water Crisis. When Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud, and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy dismissed the criminal cases without prejudice, which means they could be refiled and the revised cases would be stronger, I added "If anything, they're grinding even slower than I expected, but also much finer." When prosecutors explained their action to residents of Flint in a town hall, I worried that "they can only grind so slowly because of the statute of limitations, which imposes a deadline nine months from now." That deadline passed almost a year ago, but either I was mistaken about the time limit or the statute of limitations didn't apply to all possible charges, because WNEM TV5 in Flint reported yesterday AP: Charges against Gov. Snyder, others likely.

Former Gov. Rick Snyder and other former state officials are likely to be charged in the Flint water probe, according to the Associated Press.

WNEM was vague about the likely defendants beyond former Governor Rick Snyder and former Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, but WXYZ's Former Governor Snyder to face criminal charges in connection to Flint water crisis was not, naming names and showing faces.

Former Governor Rick Snyder and several other state officials will be facing criminal charges in connection with the Flint water crisis.

In addition to Snyder and Lyon, the reported defendants include Eden Wells, former chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, Darnell Earley, former Emergency Manager for the City of Flint and Detroit Public Schools, and Gerald Ambrose, also a former Emergency Manager for the City of Flint. All of them were previously charged in the previous round of prosecutions brought by former Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, about whose motives I expressed cynicism.

Schuette is a Republican, but he doesn't owe Snyder much in the way of favors. He's going to thread (sic — "tread" fits the metaphor better, but it's a common mixing of metaphors) a narrow path. On the one hand, he's going to use this to make enough of a show that he'll help himself look "independent" for a general election. He might even harm Snyder as long as it also hurts the current Lieutenant Governor, Brian Calley, helping himself in the primary. On the other hand, he doesn't want to hurt Snyder so badly that it makes him look disloyal to the GOP. He especially does not want to force Snyder from office. The last thing he wants is Calley as an incumbent Governor to run against in a primary. That will be quite a balancing act!

I think Schuette did exactly what I described in this case, which was to look tough and independent while not going directly after Snyder. It worked for him, as he became the Republican nominee, not Calley.

While the residents of Flint were worried that the likely defendants would never be brought to justice when the previous charges were dismissed, it looks like they have not escaped being "ground exceedingly fine," not yet.

The person who caught my attention most was Jarrod Agen, Snyder's former Chief of Staff, Vice President Mike Pence's former communications director, acting chief of staff, and deputy chief of staff, and current Vice President of Communications for Lockheed Martin. This scandal follows him to go beyond the state lines of Michigan to the highest levels of government and industry. When I write about the revolving door between industry and government, it's not just about Monsanto and regulation of the food supply.* It happens all throughout government, including defense and aerospace, as Agen's example demonstrates.

Follow over the jump for reactions to this news from activists and local politicians.

Prosecutors hear from residents of Flint at town hall

I wrote "I'm looking forward to hearing and reading more on this investigation at the end of the month" near the end of All charges dismissed without prejudice against defendants in Flint Water Crisis cases as the Michigan Attorney General's office was planning on holding a town hall with the residents of Flint at the end of this month.  They were true to their word, as they held that town hall last night.  Local news media covered the event and I am sharing their reports, beginning with WDIV's Prosecutors meet with residents after dismissing charges in Flint water case.


I was very cynical about how Bill Schuette handled this case and this segment confirms my cynicism.  I described what Schutte hoped to achieve three years ago in a comment.

Schuette is a Republican, but he doesn't owe Snyder much in the way of favors. He's going to thread a narrow path. On the one hand, he's going to use this to make enough of a show that he'll help himself look "independent" for a general election. He might even harm Snyder as long as it also hurts the current Lieutenant Governor, Brian Calley, helping himself in the primary. On the other hand, he doesn't want to hurt Snyder so badly that it makes him look disloyal to the GOP. He especially does not want to force Snyder from office. The last thing he wants is Calley as an incumbent Governor to run against in a primary. That will be quite a balancing act!

I think Schuette did exactly what I described in this case, which was to look tough and independent while not going directly after Snyder.  It worked for him, as he became the Republican nominee, not Calley.  However, his strategy resulted in a lot of frustration, which the town hall audience expressed and WXYZ reported in Flint hears from prosecutors who dropped water charges.

Prosecutors who dropped charges against eight people in the Flint water scandal explained their decision in a public forum Friday night, telling frustrated and shocked residents they must look at hundreds of mobile devices and millions of documents that a previous investigative team never reviewed.

The one person named by the audience was Snyder.  I don't blame them for blaming him.

WNEM in Flint covered the event as well and uploaded the segment as Residents meet with prosecutors over Flint water crisis investigation.

Prosecutors who dropped charges against eight people in the Flint water scandal have explained their decision in a public forum.

I still think "The wheels of justice are grinding slowly in this case, but I expect they will indeed grind exceedingly fine," but they can only grind so slowly because of the statute of limitations, which imposes a deadline nine months from now.

I will give the last word to Marijoyce Campbell, who the other outlets showed, but whose public comment MLive reported apparently in full in Flint resident gives impassioned plea for Flint water crisis justice.

Flint resident Marijoyce Campbell, 65, speaks firmly from the heart as she please for justice to the new Flint water prosecution team during a community meeting on Friday, June 28, 2019 at UAW 659 in Flint. Some of those who came to the meeting at UAW Local 659 were angry over how the cases were initially handled and worried about whether anyone will still be held responsible. A few shouted at Fadwa Hammoud, Kym Worthy and other attorneys working on the current investigation as time ran out at the end of the two-hour meeting. Friday’s meeting was billed as the first opportunity for Hammoud and Worthy to explain their decision to dismiss criminal charges against current and former state and city employees and two former emergency managers of Flint. It was also bill[ed] as an opportunity to discuss the investigation going forward.

All charges dismissed without prejudice against defendants in Flint Water Crisis cases

I told my readers to "stay tuned" at the conclusion of  as I promised to "write about the latest news about the Michigan Attorney General's prosecutions in the Flint Water Crisis."  The cases took a shocking turn as MLive reported this morning State drops criminal charges in Flint water cases.

Eight remaining Flint water prosecutions have been dismissed by the Department of Attorney General, officials said Thursday, June 13, 2019. Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym L. Worthy issued a statement saying the cases are being dismissed without prejudice -- meaning they could be refiled -- in order to conduct a full and complete investigation, a shocking conclusion to the high-profile criminal prosecutions.

This video presented the headlines and facts, although I think its interpretation that this is the conclusion of the case is premature.  WXYZ had the reactions from officials and people on the street in its two videos, beginning with last night's Flint Water Crisis: Charges Dropped.


WXYZ captured the desire for justice from both expert observers and the people affected, which included the possibility that charges will likely be refiled and the resulting cases will be stronger.

Similar reactions from new interviewees and more, including an indignant one from one of the activists in Flint, appeared in this morning's Michigan AG's office drops Flint Water Crisis charges, pending further investigation.

The Michigan Attorney General's office announced Thursday that they have dismissed all pending criminal cases connected to the Flint Water Crisis that were brought by the former Office of Special Counsel.

The quote from Former Attorney General Bill Schuette reminds me that I was very cynical about how he handled this case and still think Dana Nessel's more direct approach is a necessary improvement.

Speaking of Nessel, her office was quoted by Fox 47 in Investigators to Hold Town Hall in Flint.

The attorney general says her office will not respond further on the investigation until prosecutors speak directly to the people of Flint.

I'm looking forward to hearing and reading more on this investigation at the end of the month.  Until then, this news just reinforces my observation that "The wheels of justice are grinding slowly in this case, but I expect they will indeed grind exceedingly fine."  If anything, they're grinding even slower than I expected, but also much finer.

In the meantime, stay tuned for my follow up Democratic presidential candidates from left to center from Voteview tomorrow.

John Oliver examines State Attorneys General elections

I am not done with the Michigan Attorney General contest as Last Week Tonight with John Oliver featured State Attorneys General in last Sunday's episode.  Watch for the mention of Dana Nessel.

State AGs have become major partisan players in national politics, so the races to elect them are worth your attention.

That's right, Nessel actually used the following as part of a campaign ad.


I don't know if doing so was smart, but at least it showed she has a sense of humor, however questionable.  Besides, she's not wrong.

Speaking of questionable and wrong, there's this image of Bill Schuette.


I didn't have any doubt who I was voting for between Gretchen Whitmer and Schuette before, but after watching that, I wouldn't have had any doubt anyway.

Stay tuned for at least three more days of election entries.

Michigan state health director to stand trial for manslaughter in Flint Water Crisis deaths

I last mentioned the Flint Water Crisis in the context of "Flint" winning environmental feature film of the year at the 2018 EMA Awards.  While the dramatized movie about the Flint Water Crisis is winning awards and being nominated for an Emmy Award as Outstanding Made for Television Movie, the real story continues to unfold.*

Yesterday, WXYZ reported MI health chief Nick Lyon heading to trial on manslaughter charges in Flint water crisis case.

Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon will stand trial in a case tied to the Flint Water Crisis. A judge bound Lyon over on two counts of involuntary manslaughter and one count of misconduct in office. Judge David Goggins found probable cause that Lyon failed to perform his duties to protect the public and that he failed to notify the public in a timely basis.

This case is not about lead poisoning of Flint's water supply.  Instead, it's about the mishandling and coverup of an outbreak of Legionnaire's Disease in Flint that happened concurrently with the lead contamination.  Just the same, it's related.

I'm not optimistic about the trial happening soon, as pretrial hearings have been going on for a year.  In addition, as seen and heard in the WXYZ report, the defense plans on appealing.  MLive has the full statement from Lyons' attorney in Defense says court will “reverse decision so fast, it will make your head spin” in Flint water ma[nslaughter case].

Defense attorney John Bursch, who represents Nick Lyon, speaks after Genesee District Judge David J. Goggins bound Lyon’s case over to Genesee Circuit Court for trial on Monday, Aug. 20, 2018, on two counts of involuntary manslaughter for the deaths of two men and one count of misconduct in office. Lyon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, also faces one misdemeanor count of willful neglect of duty.

This isn't stopping the prosecution one bit.  Despite the title of Nick Lyon's Attorneys Expected To Appeal Judge from Fox 47, the Attorney General's spokeswoman claimed victory.

An attorney for Michigan's top health director says he will appeal a judge's decision that sends Nick Lyon to trial for charges connected to the Flint water crisis.

I expected something like the spokeswoman's statement, not just because it's what prosecutors do, but because Attorney General Schuette has been using this case to distinguish himself from Lieutenant Governor Calley to earn the Republican nomination for Governor.  He can point to this as a reason to vote for him.

Despite the PR boost for Schuette, I'll be sure to follow the case, whether a trial happens or not.

*I still plan on writing an entry about "Flint" and the other nominees for Outstanding Made for Television Movie next week.  Stay tuned.

Whitmer vs. Schuette for Governor and Stabenow vs. James for Senate as turnout shattered records

It's time to return to a topic I have been neglecting here since I mentioned Gretchen Whitmer running for Governor in Record numbers of women running for office on International Women's Day — elections for office in Michigan.  Yes, I have been looking at proposals on the state ballot, but no candidates.  That changed today because yesterday was the primary election, which chose nominees for the Democrats, Republicans, and Libertarians, who achieved major party status in Michigan and participated in the primary for the first time since I moved here.

WXYZ reported on the outcome, beginning with Bill Schuette wins Republican nomination for Michigan governor, AP reports.

Former Democratic legislative leader Gretchen Whitmer and Republican state Attorney General Bill Schuette won the nominations for Michigan governor on Tuesday, besting five other candidates who were also vying to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Rick Snyder.

I expected this result, as I could see he was preparing to run for governor this year all the way back in 2012.  I also saw that Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley would struggle because he was associated with Governor Rick Snyder and the Flint water Crisis, hurting his candidacy.  As a result, Schuette won handily, while Calley won only three counties, including a majority in Ionia County, which he calls home.  The situation worked out exactly as I thought it would, which was good for Schuette.

WXYZ also reported Gretchen Whitmer wins Democratic nomination for Michigan governor.


I wrote in March that I was planning on voting for Whitmer in the primary.  I did and she won.  Yay!

Whitmer faced tougher opposition than Schuette, but ended up winning every county.  MLive showed her main opponent Abdul El-Sayed giving an emotional concession speech, urging support for Whitmer.


I'm glad to see El-Sayed being a team player for the Democrats.  I'm looking forward to seeing more of him in Michigan politics and government in the future.

As for the Libertarians, Bill Gelineau beat John Tatar to win the nomination for Governor.

Follow over the jump for the rest of the results.

Flint Water Crisis for the sixth year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News

I concluded Entertainment for the sixth year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News by writing "The next retrospective will be about the Flint Water Crisis, which had two posts in the top forty, one of which was briefly on the all-time top ten.  Stay tuned."  I'm not waiting until Throwback Thursday or Flashback Friday to post it; today is as good a day as any to finish the recounting of the forty most read entries of the blogging year finished just last month.  I summarized the rise of both entries in Monthly meta for April 2016, so I'm going to be a good environmentalist and recycle the stories for each in turn.

The twenty-ninth most read entry of the past year was Slow drip of Flint Water Crisis erodes Rick Snyder's approval from April 7, 2016 with 1509 raw page views on March 20, 2017.  That an entry that ranked so low at the end of the blogging year, however briefly, was in the all-time top ten, became one of the main reasons why I recapped the top forty instead of the top twenty.  Here's the tale of its rise and fall.

"Slow drip of Flint Water Crisis erodes Rick Snyder's approval" from April 7, 2016 earned a series of accolades.  It came in second among entries shared at the Coffee Party's Facebook page, second for April entries, second for the month overall, and tied for first in comments on entries posted during April with four comments (Thanks Paul W. and Les, who apparently came via the Coffee Party).  I also shared it at Greer's and Kunstler's blogs.  All that earned it 1416 page views, 1434 according to the raw counter, attracting 1639 page views on April 8th and 9th, and placed it tenth on the all-time list, kicking out "Doctors to Congress: Fund gun violence research at the CDC and NIH."  It only lasted ten days there.  Sic transit gloria mundi.

John Oliver and FiveThirtyEight on Tax Day knocked this entry out of the top ten after only ten days, a story I told in John Oliver: Top posts for the sixth year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News.

Follow over the jump for the other entry about Flint that made the year's top forty.

Michigan recount still on as Trump fails to stop it while Schuette still trying

I promised to keep my readers updated on the Michigan recount yesterday.  I mentioned one development in the comments to The Michigan recount is on!

Trump and the Republican Party have objected. Let's see if they prevail, in which case my optimism was premature.

WXYZ had the first word on this part of the story in Trump objects to Michigan recount.

Donald Trump and the Michigan Republican Party have filed an objection to a recount of the Michigan vote.

That was yesterday.  The Detroit Free Press reported today Deadlock: Board vote means Michigan presidential recount may proceed.

Michigan's Board of State Canvassers deadlocked 2-2, along party lines, Friday, on President-elect Donald Trump's objection to Green Party candidate Jill Stein's request for a recount of all presidential ballots cast in Michigan.

State election officials said earlier that a tie vote would mean a hand recount of all of the roughly 4.8 million ballots would proceed. But lawyers for Trump have asked the board for a stay of its decision, and the board has not ruled on that request. The board was also still deliberating Friday on whether a hand recount should be conducted, as requested by Stein, or a machine recount, recommended by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, who said it would peed the process, save money, and reduce the chance for error.

A recount can't start until Tuesday at the earliest, and Friday's court challenge filed by Attorney General Bill Schuette puts even that start date in doubt.

Trump failed to stop the recount.  However, he's not alone.  In an earlier Detroit Free Press story on the Board of Canvassers meeting, the other part of the story intruded.

But the Michigan Board of State Canvassers declared a one-hour recess just as the 9:30 a.m. meeting began, as news broke that Attorney General Bill Schuette had filed a lawsuit asking the Michigan Supreme Court to halt the recount before it began. Shortly before 10:30 a.m., the board voted to go into closed session to consider the Schuette legal action.

Follow over the jump for that part of the story.

Republicans in the news for the fifth year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News

I concluded June's stats and top posts by telling my readers to "Stay tuned for the next installment in the top entries of the fifth year of the blog, picking up where I left off at Drink to candidates for the fifth year of Crazy Eddie's Motie News."  It's tomorrow (barely), so it's time to fulfill that promise.

The eleventh most read entry of the previous blogging year was Michigan Attorney General launches investigation into Flint water crisis from January 26, 2016.  It earned 834 page views according to the raw counter by 11:59 PM on March 20, 2016.  I'll be a good environmentalist and recycle the explanation for how it got most of those page views from Monthly meta for February 2016.

The number one entry during February and the winner of the Revenge of the Back Catalog trophy goes to "Michigan Attorney General launches investigation into Flint water crisis" posted January 26, 2016.  Sharing it at the Coffee Party USA Facebook page earned it 759 page views during February and 819 overall according to the raw counter.  Behold the power of the Coffee Party!

That's a common theme among the top entries of last year.  Kunstler and Greer are becoming less of a factor in determining this blog's top entries, although they still play a part.

Follow over the jump for another top post about a Republican politician I dislike, even if he is good for page views.

WXYZ updated the Flint Water Crisis on Monday

After writing three entries about the Flint Water Crisis in April, I've been silent about it so for this month.  No more.  WXYZ posted three clips about the ongoing scandal to its YouTube channel on Monday, beginning with two that followed up on the Congressional inquiry into the matter.

First, Elijah Cummings wants to know more in Top member of Congress pressing Governor Snyder for answers.

One top member of Congress is pressing Governor Rick Snyder for answers on the Flint water crisis.

Here is the follow-up from later that night, Governor Snyder facing new questions over Flint water crisis.


It's not just Congress that is continuing to pursue the issue.  WXYZ reported on the results of two state investigations in New bombshell in Flint water crisis.

New information is leading to bombshell questions about the investigations into the Flint water crisis.

Looks like the right hand didn't know what the left hand was doing, not that I disapprove of an independent investigation by the Michigan State Police.  Far from it. I trust their findings more than I do Schuette's.  He wants the Republican nomination for Governor in 2018 and doesn't want to do anything that might jeopardize it.

Michigan Attorney General launches investigation into Flint water crisis

Last week, Congress announces it will hold hearings on the Flint water crisis and two MDEQ employees were suspended for their part in the scandal. The probes continue this week, as WXYZ reported yesterday that Michigan's Attorney General launches investigation into Flint water crisis.



WXYZ has more on the two men that Schuette appointed to lead the investigation in The former head of Detroit FBI among those investigating Flint water crisis.



Based on the credentials of these two, I'm encouraged that justice may actually be done after all. As for Schuette, I stand by what I wrote four years ago.

He's looking forward to replacing Governor Snyder when OneToughNerd retires, either in 2014 (early retirement or defeat) or in 2018 (term limitations), so he needs to be enough of a populist to maintain his electability. Here's to his ambitions making him actually serve the residents of Michigan, at least occasionally.

Yes, I'm being cynical. In this state, that's a survival trait.

Congressional hearings on the Flint water crisis and a resignation

I wrote yesterday that I didn't have much to say about the Flint water crisis until it got national attention.  Has it ever!  Wednesday, President Obama spoke on the issue while visiting the North American International Auto Show.  Yesterday, WXYZ reported on two more responses by the federal government.  First, Congressional hearings to be held in Flint water crisis.


As the caption read to an earlier version of this report, "Governor Rick Snyder will be requested to testify at U.S. Congressional hearings in connection to the Flint Water Crisis, according to the office for U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence."  That suggests to me that this is enough of a problem for national Republicans (thank you Hillary Clinton) that they have decided to do damage control.  Whether this will take the form of trying to save Snyder by making it look like a local problem or throwing him under the bus, I don't know.  I hope it's the latter.*

Speaking of throwing people under the bus, the report above mentioned an EPA regional adminstrator resigning.  Here's the clip from WXYZ on that part of the story: EPA administrator resigns amid Flint water crisis.

An EPA administrator is out of a job, and her agency is cracking down on the response to the Flint water crisis.

She's the second official to resign over the scandal, joining Michigan Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant.  I expect more resignations and firings to come.

*But probably not.  Instead, this quote from Representative Jason Chaffetz, chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, indicates they have one of the GOP's favorite targets in their sights instead, "The EPA is rife with incompetence and Region 5 is no exception. Mismanagement has plagued the region for far too long and Ms. Hedman’s resignation is way overdue."  The same article reports that the U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the EPA as well, so the concern is bipartisan.

As for Snyder, the just thing may be that he should resign, but I don't expect the just thing to happen any time soon.  That would give Michigan Governor Brian Calley as an incumbent in 2018.  Neither Attorney General Bill Schuette nor the more pragmatic Democrats who would run for the office would want that.  Better to campaign against lame duck Snyder for an open seat.

Gas price spike prompts outrage and analysis

The rise in gas prices I reported in Prices spike in time for Dream Cruise continues to spark outrage and analysis.  Both WXYZ and WOOD-TV have examined the issue, but I'll let WXYZ tell the story first in Digging for answers on gas price spike.

We're digging for answers on what caused the big spike in gas prices.

That's a good explanation of how the closure of the Whiting refinery is causing BP to buy gas on the spot market, driving up wholesale costs for everyone.  As for Schuette on Duty, I've seen him warn retailiers like this before, first in 2012 and again in 2013.  Both times, I've pointed out that he was grandstanding.  He's not alone in that regard.  Follow over the jump for another Republican politician who is taking advantage of the situation to get attention.

Another good day for marriage equality in Michigan

Yesterday brought good news in a follow-up to A song for marriage equality in Michigan.  A federal judge has ruled that Michigan must recognize the marriages performed last March.  WXYZ has the report in Federal judge rules to recognize same-sex marriages in Michigan.


For once, I agree with Attorney General Schuette. The sooner the Supreme Court rules on this case, the better, although I'm hoping for exactly the opposite result he is.

Both parties upset about gas prices as they continue to drop

I have new developments to report since Gas prices falling but still high.  First, both political parties in Lansing are making noises about high gas prices.  I'll give WXYZ first crack with State democrats call for gas price investigation.


Beyond both sides grandstanding over prices (Schuette is the pot calling the kettle black in this instance, as I'll explain later), this segment offers some hope for lower prices, which is already happening.  It also does a good job of explaining the economics of looking for cheaper gas, including giving some good advice about how to go about it the right way.  That final bit, driving from Southfield to the Ohio state line, is a bit of showmanship of its own.  Unfortunately, WXYZ didn't post any follow ups to that drive on its YouTube channel.  Those would have been fun to watch.

WOOD-TV covers much of the same territory in Attorney General warns of gas gouging, but its report downplays the conflict between Schuette and the Democrats in the state legislature and replaces it with a very useful map of gas prices.

Near-record gas prices may decrease soon, but that's not stopping some lawmakers from getting the word out that they are on the watch for gas gougers.

As for Schuette also grandstanding over high gas prices, I described that last year in Eye spy the gas price rollercoaster about to coast down like a parachute.

As for Bill Schuette, who is SchuetteOnDuty on Twitter, I'm glad to see that he is enforcing consumer protection laws. Even so, I'm somewhat cynical about it. After all, he's a member of a party that is a bunch of fossil fools who are in the pocket of the oil companies and who deny climate change. He's looking forward to replacing Governor Snyder when OneToughNerd retires, either in 2014 (early retirement or defeat) or in 2018 (term limitations), so he needs to be enough of a populist to maintain his electability. Here's to his ambitions making him actually serve the residents of Michigan, at least occasionally.

Finally, the gas prices are continuing to drop.  Yesterday, all four stations near me fell below $4.00, although by the skins of their teeth, by selling regular at $3.99.  I expect they'll fall some more.  When they do, I have another video of some real gas-related crime to share with my readers.

Eye spy the gas price rollercoaster about to coast down like a parachute

...but not until the day after tomorrow, when the holiday weekend is over.* WXYZ has the video report.


  Gas prices to drop in September
I haven't seen the slight drop Julie Banovic described where I am, but the prices here never went as high as they were at the gas station where she taped her report. Since the previous installment on the gas price rollercoaster, prices have gone both down and up. I predicted that the station on the corner nearest my house would lower its price. It did. A few days after that post, it dropped the price of unleaded regular to $3.85, exactly the same as those of the three stations a few blocks away that never raised theirs. Then, last Wednesday, all the stations in the area displayed prices of $3.99. You can thank a combination of Hurricane Issac closing refineries in the Gulf, a refinery fire elsewhere, and the Labor Day weekend. The bad news, on top of the price rise, is that the prices haven't budged locally. The good news, as WXYZ reported, is that prices are expected to drop this month. I think WXYZ has it right.

What if prices stay high? WOOD-TV, which usually has smarter reporting than WXYZ on energy and the economy, describes what could happen then.


  The state attorney general warned stations not to price gouge
According to this clip, the $3.99 that stations near me were charging was a fair price, but the prices a dime higher that other stations, both in Grand Rapids and in Southfield, were selling their gas at were not.

As for Bill Schuette, who is SchuetteOnDuty on Twitter, I'm glad to see that he is enforcing consumer protection laws. Even so, I'm somewhat cynical about it. After all, he's a member of a party that is a bunch of fossil fools who are in the pocket of the oil companies and who deny climate change. He's looking forward to replacing Governor Snyder when OneToughNerd retires, either in 2014 (early retirement or defeat) or in 2018 (term limitations), so he needs to be enough of a populist to maintain his electability. Here's to his ambitions making him actually serve the residents of Michigan, at least occasionally.

*Yes, that title is too cute by half, but I'm having fun with this month's theme.