A bit of blackmail

I wrote about the discriminatory way the Michigan Senate wants to require some Medicaid recipients to work or study to keep their benefits. At the time I noted Republican Gov. Rick Snyder opposed the bill and added, “Good for him, but that doesn’t mean he’ll veto it.”

I wrote that because Snyder has a history of saying he opposes a bill, then signing it anyway. Sometimes it seems to be about apathy. Other times it is because he wants to “get along” with the Republicans in the legislatures. That sometimes means the legislators put pressure on the governor.

Like in this case. The Senate has approved the fiscal 2019 budget. In it there is a bit of blackmail. If Snyder and his administration don’t get a federal waiver for those work requirements then the salaries of the director and top officials of the Michigan Dept. of Health and Human Service would be suspended.

Legal? Democrat Sen. Curtis Hertel says no. The executive branch is supposed to implement (thus, interpret) the law. The legislature shouldn’t threaten the executive branch if the interpretation doesn’t go the way they want.

I believe both the Medicaid and the budget bills must still pass the House. And Snyder can still veto either one of them. I’m sure the legislature would get really annoyed if Snyder vetoes the budget bill because of this clause – which might be why Snyder might sign it.