State representative pulled over by MSU Police on suspicion of drunken driving
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State Rep. Bob Genetski, R-Saugatuck, was arrested by MSU Police for impaired driving following Gov. Rick Snyder’s State of the State address Wednesday evening, Genetski’s attorney said.
Genetski was traveling through East Lansing early Thursday morning when he was pulled over for driving slightly above the speed limit, East Lansing Attorney Mike Nichols said. The representative refused to take a breathalyzer test believing he had passed a field sobriety test, and then was taken to the Ingham County Jail, Nichols said.
Genetski’s blood alcohol level was .066 once he arrived at the jail, Nichols said. The legal limit in Michigan is .08.
Genetski said in a statement to reporters that the incident “has been one of the most humbling and eye-opening experiences of my life.”
He now will have to appear in East Lansing’s 54-B District Court. The process likely will begin in about three weeks, Nichols said. Genetski has waived his right to arraignment, and his preliminary examination has yet to be announced.
Genetski is the chairman of the House Higher Education Education Appropriations Subcommittee and has been a leading voice at the Capitol against MSU’s latest tuition raises. Genetski has argued the university tampered with the definition of the academic year during calculations, claiming tuition actually was raised 9.4 percent instead of the 6.9 percent calculated by the university.
In July 2011, Genetski called MSU administrators Mark Burnham and Mark Haas to testify in front of the committee, where they defended the university’s method during heated exchanges between House members. Genetski has introduced legislation that if passed would strip MSU of more than $18 million in state funding, on the grounds the university surpassed the 7.1 percent cap to maintain full funding.
The university so far has kept its full funding by the ruling of State Budget Director John Nixon, who found MSU was in compliance.
Genetski also has introduced legislation that would explore the possibility of realigning university structure, which could lead to one public university board for the entire state. President Lou Anna K. Simon has openly opposed the bill.
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watchdog
(01/22/12 2:16am)Report
Yet another example of how the behind-the-scenes betting of “who can get the most DUIs tonight” hasn’t paid off for the MSU-DPPS. A BAC of .066 is not .08 and I don’t understand how this paper can run an article accusing somebody of suspicion of drunken driving when clearly this person was not above the legal limit. Just a few years ago this would have been barely over half of the legal limit. Y’all really need to work on your reporting. This isn’t news—this is a life-cycle event—and the State News is on a witch hunt for anyone and everyone who looks bad as long as it’s not in its own backyard.
EL And MSU police ABUSERS
(01/22/12 8:52am)Report
They don’t need a reason to pull you over. Your car will be searched and you will likely be assessed for drunk driving. It’s a money-making racket!
LSJ pulled their article on this topic.
(01/22/12 10:57am)Report
LSJ removed their article on this!
Marc
(01/22/12 12:49pm)Report
Another newspaper reported the time of arrest was around midnight and in his own statement he said he was a .066 around 4am when he finally agreed to take a breathalyzer at the jail. Seems like he would definitely have been over a .08 at the time of his arrest when they took his blood.
A high risk city
(01/22/12 1:40pm)Report
The moral of the story is: can’t do the time; don’t do the crime. The likelihood of getting caught driving under the influence in E. Lansing is higher than most places and just not worth the risk.
The hypocrisy of a lawmaker allegedly breaking the law is always worthy news and will hopefully always be reported.
Article returned to LSJ-- but not details.
(01/22/12 6:29pm)Report
Where are you getting this BAC over time curve info???
Mike
(01/22/12 11:39pm)Report
He likely was over the limit.
What a smart man for refusing until he knew he’d be under. Saved a ton of money this way!
I like his work for disputing the university over tuition increases, but definitely don’t support one board for the whole state.
Michigan State is unique. Let’s keep it that way.
watchdog
(01/23/12 12:00am)Report
How do you figure he was over the limit based upon the timing? He may have been “coming up” as opposed to going down on the BAC index…. Many variables can play into this and making an assertion that he was “probably” above .08 explains your nescience. That is an ignorant remark.
@watchdog
(01/24/12 12:24am)Report
It is unlikely that he was “coming up” four hours after being arrested. Where was he getting alcohol post-arrest. Sounds like you are ignorant to me.
In all likelihood he had a couple cocktails that evening after Snyder’s address, and was above the 0.08 when he was pulled over.
I didn’t say he was definitely over, but if you’ve ever experienced the effects of alcohol, your common sense would lead you to a general idea of what happened.
Justice
(01/30/12 10:13pm)Report
Anyone who would advocate for MSU to be stripped of $18 million in state funding deserves to be pulled over…for that reason alone. Never thought I’d say this, but good work MSU DPS!