Rep. Lisa Brown Doesn't Leave Lansing Quietly
The outgoing State Rep. from West Bloomfield — and Oakland County Clerk elect — who made national headlines with controversial 'vagina' speech over the summer blasts GOP House leadership in farewell remarks.
Lisa Brown might be gone from the Michigan House of Representatives floor soon, but she'll likely be remembered long after she leaves — thanks to pointed, negative comments she had for Republican leadership in her farewell address Wednesday.
Brown, a West Bloomfield Democrat and Bloomfield Hills Schools parent, gained international media fame for referring to her vagina in remarks regarding women's issues on the open House floor, on Wednesday left the House floor after two terms representing the 39th District.
Amid her remarks thanking staff, supporters and colleagues, she "stinging attack" for House Republicans that barred from speaking on the floor in response to her controversial June speech, Crain's Detroit Business reported.
"I would be remiss if I didn't acknowledge (Rep.) Pete Lund, (House Speaker) Jase Bolger, (Rep.) Jim Stamas, and (Rep.) John Walsh for: gerrymandering me, trying to have me recalled, banning me from speaking, and breaking your promise to have a hearing on my cyberbullying bills," Brown said.
"Instead of the political pranks and stunts, why don't you try and put policy in place that will actually benefit, support and protect the people of Michigan? And to have a committee chair who has hearings on bills that she has not read, even those she has sponsored, is shameful and disrespectful of other people's time."
Crain's reports that the last line is in reference to Rep. Lisa Posthumous Lyons, chairwoman of the Education Committee, where Brown serves as the minority vice chairwoman.
Brown defeated Oakland County Clerk Bill Bullard in the November election and takes office in January.
art
2:52 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Apparently Mrs. Brown has trouble leaving with any class. Instead she opps for the bitter old lady syndrome. Lets hope she can do her clerks job half as well as Mr. Bullard did without the whinning.
Neal Charness
10:03 pm on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Sour grapes Art. Proud of Ms. Brown as a legislator and I'm sure she'll do better than the appointed, not elected, Mr. Bullard. She has more substance and honor in one fingernail than the people she rightfully spoke of. Mr. Bullard's electoral demise was created by the vindictiveness by the people in the Republican House leadership in Lansing.
Betsy Appleton
9:10 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I am so proud to know Lisa and how she approaced her job in Lansing. She was treated without respect while putting her constituents first. She represented the people of Michigan with a contemporary attitude, not one of repression and "bad parenting".
Amy Cardin
10:10 am on Friday, November 30, 2012
I agree Betsy. Lisa fought hard for education and always had her constituents in mind. I believe she will do a great job as clerk and thank her so much for her years of dedicated service.
M. Belden
1:24 am on Saturday, December 1, 2012
I have always found Lisa to be someone who makes a sincere effort to "do the right thing"...listening to her constituents, and speaking up on their behalf. I truly wish she were able to continue representing us, but I'm sure she will be an excellent County Clerk. Education and women's rights have lost a committed defender in the Michigan legislature.