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- ”More of the same from Lansing these days”
- ”If it looks like a duck, smells like a duck, it’s a duck”
- ”Shameful….Both husband and wife”
- "An appearance of conflict should be more than enough to abstain from voting on the bill"
As reported by the Detroit Free Press late Saturday night, state Sen. Mike Kowall has sponsored a bill to legalize online poker, a piece of legislation it turns out his wife’s lobbying firm has its hand in.
Kowal says there is no conflict of interest because his wife, lobbyist Eileen Kowall, is not working directly on the project.
So what do the Michigan readers (i.e. voters who helped elect both Kowals into office) think?
We sifted through much of the political party banter to seek out more unbiased readership reactions, much of it negative.
Michael Fetzer, offering a tinge of sarcasm, writes:
“The Kowalls using their government positions and ties to push special interests over those of regular Michiganders just to enrich themselves?! Tell me it's not true! Who would believe it?”
Scott Stevenson commented:
“More of the same from Lansing these days. Walking around with their pants pockets pulled wide open seems to be a full-time job for them.”
Terry Papineau of Dryden, Michigan writes:
“This from a conservative republican...... senator, if it even looks improper, step away from it. it makes you look like a crook, wether you are or are not.”
James Casha from the University of Detroit, writes:
“Ohhhhh ...now I understand why Sen. Mike Kowall won't support an investigation into the 'proposed' transfer of the People's 163 acre MI State Fairgrounds to some 'well-connected individuals' by the Governor's office ...even though he knows (he told me) it is the perfect location for a REGIONAL Transit Center and could provide funding for the RTA ...he is a afraid they will come back and investigate him!
Shameful ...both husband and wife ...and many of the others in Lansing.”
Steve Oakley, Lawrence Technological University, commented:
“A very foolish position to take on this matter. An appearance of conflict should be more than enough to abstain from voting on the bill, let alone be the lead sponsor. I'm sure folks will pile on strictly due to his political party but the truth is of course this is happening across political lines and these people need to be booted out of office.”
From David L Richards ·
“Eileen Kowall became a lobbyist two months after leaving the state house? She attends a hearing on her husband's bill, a bill that that would be of great benefit to her lobbyist employer, because "everyone from the company was there"? My comment would be, at long last, have they no shame?”
We had to dig real deep to find those actually supportive of the Kowalls….well…..sort of.
Peter Karin Blinkilde, a Board Chair (Volunteer) at Greenville Area Community Foundation, writes:
“If it looks like a duck, smells like a duck, its [sic] a duck Senator Kowall. I respect you generally, not on this.”
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
