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DE ROCHE, BLACK CAUCUS DISCUSS CONTROVERSY House Speaker Craig DeRoche and the Legislative Black Caucus this week discussed an allegation against Mr. DeRoche that he engaged in "race-baiting," and the leader of the Black Caucus said the matter has been resolved. Mr. DeRoche (R-Novi) was accused Friday by Rep. Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) of "race-baiting" when he said several times on a Sault Ste. Marie radio station that the three House Democrats from the Upper Peninsula sided with "Detroit Democrats" instead of the U.P. in their handling of the controversy over whether to close two U.P. prisons. (See Gongwer Michigan Report, June 10, 2005). Monday, Mr. DeRoche met with the Black Caucus where several topics, mainly the budget, were discussed, including the controversy over his comments. Mr. DeRoche said in an interview Wednesday that he should not have engaged in "regional politics" on the issue. He said his comments were not racial, but they "definitely talked about regional politics." Mr. DeRoche said "whether it's me talking about one region or another," or Governor Jennifer Granholm preferring the Upper Peninsula to Lake County in the prison closure debate, it conflicts with what former Governor William Milliken said recently about the need for civil debate in government. Mr. DeRoche said the recent flare-up between Rep. Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) and Oakland County Executive Brooks Patterson in which Mr. DeRoche said Mr. Patterson pit his county against Battle Creek also would serve as an example. "We should whenever possible talk about how things affect the whole state, the policy of the state," he said. Rep. Mike Murphy (D-Lansing), chair of the Legislative Black Caucus, said controversy over Mr. DeRoche's comments is in the past. Mr. Murphy declined to offer detail of what was said in the meeting with Mr. DeRoche. "I was concerned when I saw it (Mr. DeRoche's comments). But I talked to him," Mr. Murphy said. "I'm not making an issue out of that." Mr. Murphy said he wants to see rhetoric subside about Detroit and race, but the main issue is the budget and he foresees no lasting damage to Mr. DeRoche. "My eye's on the ball, and that's the budget," he said. And Wednesday on the House floor, tension appeared to have dissipated. Mr. DeRoche walked up to Ms. Whitmer at her desk and put his arm around her while the two talked. The conversation ended with Mr. DeRoche planting a kiss on the side of her head.