ACHTUNG: This is not a “fair and balanced” article. It is an editorial by the editor.

“You get what you pay for.” — John Arbuckle in an ancient TV advertisement for Yuban coffee

I just received the first newsletter from State Rep. Angela Rigas, a Republican who represents the 79th State House District in Lansing, which includes all of Leighton Township.

Ms. Rigas has wasted no time in delivering just what she said she would. She makes absolutely no attempt to be bipartisan in her approach to Michigan’s problems and challenges ahead. She is being very much the maverick she said she would be.

“Promises made, promises kept.”

What remains to be seen is whether she accomplishes anything of value for the people of this state in her likely six years as a legislator. Probably about as much as was delivered by her predecessors in these parts, including Steve Johnson, Mary Whiteford, Fulton Sheen, Bob Genetski and Ken Yonker. Another question is whether she will use this position as a stepping stone toward something else, such as Genetski and Lisa Posthumus Lyons as a county clerk, or Yonker as a county drain commissioner.

However, apparently, this is what the voters of Leighton Township and the rest of the 79th District want.

The following is the text of what she passed along. She certainly loudly and proudly proclaims her loyalty to Donald Trump and the MAGA agenda, and delivers, at least at the rhetorical level.

Voting No on Speaker Tate

As many of you have heard; I, along with 7 of my Republican colleagues, voted No on a ceremonial vote for Joe Tate as Speaker of the House. I was inspired by our federal Representatives holding strong in Washington DC, requiring the caucus to be stronger on issues that matter to our constituents. 

As a result of this vote, I was removed from several planned committees, and given a pity sub-committee on Housing. While I don’t sit on any real committees, I am still fighting hard for the people of the 79th district every single day!

Protecting our Gas Stoves

Last week I unveiled a commemorative resoltion for formally declare Jan. 31, 2023 as “Gas Stove Appreciation Day” in the State of Michigan. Earlier this month, a US. Consumer Product commissioner said the federal agency is considering a ban on gas stoves because they pose a “hidden hazard.” After a firestorm erupted over the misguided comments, the agency backtracked and some even implied the misunderstanding was fueled by a right-wing conspiracy.” Pardon the expression, but this is obviously another example of gaslighting from our federal government. The feds had every intention of banning this important product, but when things got too hot, people tried to blame Republicans.

It is important to recognize that any attempts to forcibly remove and/or remove Michiganders’ ability to purchase or own a gas stove is a direct attack on all of us. If the federal government wants to take away our gas stoves, I’d like to see them try. 

Voting Against Plan to Alter Presidential Primary Election

Yesterday, I opposed a self-serving political ploy by Democrats who want to move Michigan’s presidential primary elections up to February.  

Senate Bill 13, which would move Michigan’s presidential primary from the second Tuesday in March to Feb. 27, 2024, and to the fourth Tuesday in February in each presidential election year after 2024.

Roughly half of Michigan voters would be penalized under the plan. Due to rules that cannot be changed, the Michigan Republican Party would lose the majority of the delegates to the national convention. Instead of the 72 delegates the state had at the 2020 Republican National Convention, the number of delegates representing the voices of Michigan Republican voters at the national level would fall to 13 in 2024.

Moving Michigan’s presidential primary election does not benefit voters or help local clerks. The plan is being driven by Democrat political leaders to gain an advantage for the governor and her presidential aspirations.

Letter to Pfizer Regarding the Project Veritas Video

Project Veritas released a video on January 25, 2023, claiming that a person identified as Jordan Walker is Pfizer’s Director of Research and Development. In the video, Mr. Walker is seen casually discussing how the COVID-19 virus could be manipulated through “directed evolution,” so that Pfizer could preemptively create an effective vaccine for a mutated virus.

I along with 15 other Representatives signed a letter demanding Pfizer inform the public regarding the legitimacy of the claims in the video. My office will send out an update on our Facebook page if we receive an official response.