FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from Progress Michigan
Monday, January 28, 2013
Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302
Behind closed doors, Colbeck gives credit to billionaire “unsung hero” DeVos
LANSING – Today citizens advocacy group Progress Michigan released audio from an Americans for Prosperity “Citizen Watchdog Training” where lawmakers and activists bragged about the circumstances surrounding passage of RTW in Michigan. Sen. Patrick Colbeck was given a featured speaking spot, in which he gave credit to billionaire Amway heir Dick DeVos and former Michigan Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser for providing “air cover…financial contributions” for lawmakers who were wavering in their support for RTW.
“It’s amazing what Republican politicians will say to Tea Party activists when they think no one is listening,” said Zack Pohl, Executive Director of Progress Michigan. “This just confirms what we’ve long suspected, that Gov. Snyder’s so-called Right to Work bill was bought-and-paid for by billionaire CEO Dick DeVos. It’s time for politicians like Snyder and Colbeck to start protecting middle class families, not the special interests.”
Colbeck has a history of accidentally telling the truth when the cameras are on. At a coffee hour with constituents in April 2011, he complained about taking a “40 percent pay cut” to run for office, and said the United States is not a democracy.
Americans for Prosperity is a conservative political advocacy group based in Arlington, Virginia and chaired by oil heir David H. Koch.
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BACKGROUND:
Audio of Patrick Colbeck talking about Amway heir Dick DeVos and Ron Weiser providing “air cover” can be heard here. Colbeck spoke at the AFP-Michigan “Citizens Watchdog Training” on January 19, 2013.
Video of Colbeck’s April 2011 constituent coffee hour can be viewed here.