Yesterday, the Whitmer administration was forced to admit that they had been using two deeply partisan Democrat firms to conduct vital state healthcare business in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. After Republicans brought this fact to light, Whitmer quickly canceled both contracts in an effort to sweep the issue under the rug, however the following questions remain: Would these contracts still be in place had her administration not come under intense scrutiny? What other contracts has the Governor signed since this emergency started on March 10th and were those also with deeply partisan firms? Who produced the State’s advertising on COVID-19? How many volunteers have already been trained, and were they trained by Great Lakes Community Engagement employees? Did Great Lakes Community Engagement or EveryAction receive any personal information for the volunteers or the personal information of any of the citizens being called? How many contact tracing calls have been completed, and how many were placed utilizing software from EveryAction? Will Great Lakes Community Engagement or EveryAction be paid for the work they have done? If so, how much? Who approved these contracts? Who signed them? Will the Governor and her office release all internal emails regarding these contracts? Were these contracts the result of a lack of oversight by the Governor of her own administration? In addition to these partisan contracts, the Governor also hired Democrat public relations consultant Chris Meagher to help with her dozens of national media appearances. Who else has her administration hired since... More >

Following yesterday’s controversy that the state of Michigan awarded a contract to political data firm NGP-VAN for COVID-19 contact tracing, it was also uncovered that Gary Peters currently uses the firm for his 2020 US Senate campaign. Cycle to date, Peters has paid NGP-VAN over $36,000 for “software subscription”. Additionally, the firm was used to send out Peters’ most recent online fundraiser invitation featuring Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. “Every day, new information comes to light on just how deeply this firm was connected to the Democrat Party.” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox continued, “How do we know Peters and other members of the Democrat Party weren’t getting the data from the calls being made under this contract?” More >

Today, MIRS and the Detroit Free Press reported the shocking revelation that the Whitmer Administration is using a deeply partisan Democrat data firm as the platform for COVID-19 contact tracing calls being placed by volunteers across Michigan. The calls are being made using a platform produced by NGP VAN, the largest provider of Democrat data and technology services in thecountry. Right here in Michigan, their clients include the Michigan Democratic Party and many left-wing labor unions. “Awarding the contract for such a critically important project to an openly partisan political firm raises major questions about Governor Whitmer’s ethics and her priorities,” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. “In addition to the fact that a partisan company should not be handling a public health crisis, the Michigan Republican Party is extremely concerned with how this data will be used. The fact that there is now the possibility that it will be utilized for partisan ends is deeply troubling. This is yet another example of the governor’s reckless leadership during a pandemic while abusing her power for political gain.” Below are training slides from the presentation: More >

Today, police and health officials have countered Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s claims that last week’s protests against her executive overreach blocked ambulances from reaching Sparrow Hospital. In a report by The Detroit News, ambulance and police officials said “they had no reports of any patients being endangered by the protest.”, contrary to what Whitmer has claimed in two prior press conferences. This follows earlier false accusations Whitmer made that the federal government was diverting supplies from Michigan, and that FEMA was not sending adequate supplies. When in reality, Whitmer simply failed to file proper paperwork requesting additional aid. “It is very disappointing that the chief executive of our state to continues to make false claims like these, that spread fear, and are blatantly wrong.” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox went on to say, “Just like her assertion that the federal government was diverting supplies, and that FEMA wasn’t assisting enough – Whitmer is again using her platform to spread lies about her political opponents instead of focusing on ensuring Michigan is healthy and can get back to work.” More >

Today marks the fifth day since the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) ran out of funding after Gary Peters and Senate Democrats blocked additional aid for the program earlier in the month. Last Friday, countless businesses across the country had to miss payday, leaving their employees and their families to struggle in the coming days. One such Michigan business that is struggling to keep afloat is Metropolitan Furniture, a centuries old furniture retailer located in Allen Park, Michigan. The company’s owner, Alan Edelson, dipped into his personal savings to meet payroll. Edelson was depending on funding from the Paycheck Protection Program to meet the next round for payroll for his employees, without it he will have to instruct them to file for unemployment. “Why is it that our Michigan employers are struggling to pay employees from their own pocketbooks, when Gary Peters continues to collect his taxpayer funded salary after he blocked critical funding for this program?” said Laura Cox, Michigan Republican Party Chairman. Cox continued, “Maybe instead of calling for more funding for the PPP on cable television, Peters should have fought to approve it in the first place. Yet the senator would rather put his party and partisan politics above the people of our state.” More >