North Michigan News

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed bills to repeal laws that were passed by the late Sen. Tom Casperson in the final days of his service in the Legislature. The laws established the Environmental Rules Review Committee, which consisted of representatives from various sectors to review environmental regulations proposed by the Department of Energy, Great Lakes, and Environment (EGLE).

Sen. Ed McBroom, who worked with Tom Casperson, expressed his disappointment with the repeal, stating, “The whole purpose of them was to force the department to listen to the voices of the public, science, and those being regulated by the department."

On the other hand, Rep. Dave Prestin criticized the repeal, questioning how involving citizens with expertise in the decision-making process could be labeled as adding bureaucracy. He stated, “How does explaining what the bureaucrats are planning to a group made up of citizens with expertise on the issues, presence in the community, and who represent the public — including environmental organizations — get slandered as a ‘committee of generalists,’ ‘bureaucracy’ and ‘red tape’?”

Rep. Hill, a sponsor of one of the bills, justified the repeal by saying it would allow EGLE to more effectively carry out its responsibilities. However, Rep. Greg Markkanen raised concerns about the diminishing voice of the public in decision-making processes, stating, “It’s less and less voice for us and more power for the government over our land, employers, farmers and businesses.”

Sen. McBroom further highlighted the impact of the repeal on local businesses, mentioning the challenges faced by small butcher shops due to new rules being imposed. He emphasized that repealing the committee may speed up the process but cautioned that more rules faster do not necessarily benefit the people. Sen. McBroom added, “Those claiming repeal is better for the people didn’t know Tom.”

The repeal of the bills has sparked debates among lawmakers and stakeholders regarding the balance between regulatory efficiency and public input in environmental decision-making processes. The legacy of Tom Casperson and the implications of these repealed laws continue to be subjects of discussion in Michigan's legislative landscape.