By Nick Smith
Staff Writer
Posted: October 13, 2017 12:39 PM

Political insiders were able to bear witness this week to a bizarre as well as rare if not unprecedented public rebuke of a lawmaker when Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof stripped Sen. Patrick Colbeck of his committee assignments.

Chatter was widespread around the Capitol halls and committee rooms following the move, largely centered on what’s been described as ongoing friction between Mr. Colbeck (R-Canton Township) and the other 26 Republicans of the Senate majority caucus.

Lack of courtesy notification by Mr. Colbeck of being in other members’ districts during his gubernatorial campaign. Openly criticizing caucus actions while on the campaign trail. Accusations of being uninterested in advancing caucus goals.

All were cited on background as being part of a growing chasm between Mr. Colbeck, Mr. Meekhof (R-West Olive) and the rest of the caucus, which came to a head during a closed caucus last week when he voiced displeasure over his treatment, prompting a sharp rebuke from other members.

Mr. Colbeck and the rest of the caucus are elected by the majority of voting residents in their districts. Like any other profession, one is held to certain standards of conduct and be part of a team. Lawmakers, of course, are public officials and are to be held to an even higher standard.

Was Mr. Colbeck not being part of the team? Was he going his own way, having built a reputation during his time in office as one of the most outspoken and most conservative members of the Republican caucus? The background from sources seems to point in that direction.

If I, or anyone reading this blog, were to repeatedly break rules or engage in what would be considered insubordination, one would be subject to discipline or sanction.

Mr. Colbeck was already given a first slap on the wrist by Mr. Meekhof by being the only caucus member not given any committee chair posts this term.

Whether this latest punishment fits the crime is the ultimate question. Political insiders and reporters have been unable to point to an instance of a lawmaker being permanently stripped of all committee assignments who wasn’t in any sort of legal trouble.

Mr. Colbeck is still able to meet in caucus; could that have been an option before taking away committee assignments? Mr. Meekhof’s spokesperson said the majority leader doesn’t want to get into “a public about caucus dynamics.” So whether this was an option is unclear.

The fact of the matter is Mr. Colbeck’s ongoing actions, and Mr. Meekhof’s reactions, affect the former’s ability to do his job and serve the 7th Senate District he represents. As Mr. Colbeck pointed out it’s going to take much more work to do district business. He’s effectively been cut off at the knees and to an extent it was his own doing.

Mr. Colbeck says the action was a swipe at his gubernatorial campaign. He’s been running as an outsider, so I’m not sure how this doesn’t have the base of support he’s gathered further solidify around him. The only question is whether he can build out beyond the conservative wing that’s in his camp.