Return to Transcripts main page
CNN Newsroom
Michigan Governor Will Sign Right-to-Work Legislation; Pepsi and Beyonce Announce Partnership; Rock N' Roll Hall of Fame 2013; Dapper Monkey Charms IKEA Shoppers; NFL's Gun Culture
Aired December 11, 2012 - 09:30 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
GRETCHEN WHITMER (D), MICHIGAN STATE SENATE: Well, of course, they're saying this is more freedom for union members to have a choice. Well, that's just bologna. If they believe this, you know, if they really believed in that, that it was good public policy, why are trying not to have any hearings? Why are they having an enormous police presence in the capitol to intimidate people from letting their voice be heard today?
It's because they know that this is pure politics at its worst. It's political retribution and it's going to hurt the middle class.
TED ROWLANDS, CNN ANCHOR: How much of this do you think is politics? The president mentioned it in his speech yesterday, payback to those that feel that the unions over the years have had way too much political clout in Michigan and in other states.
WHITMER: I think it's totally driven by political retribution. This is not about public policy. No one has been able to point to any state where this has improved life for people in the state.
You know, we know Michigan compared right-to-work states. We have a better quality of life. We make an average $7,600 a person more than they do.
They have higher reliance on state help, state aid, they have higher unemployment and lower per capita income. That's not a pattern or that's not something we should want to model Michigan after.
And so, they point to just saying that this is good public policy when they can't back it up at all. And that's why they're not having any public hearings on this.
ROWLANDS: Why are police and firefighters exempt?
WHITMER: Well, I don't know what the rationale is, but I think -- you know, I'm a lawyer and I'll tell you I think that's an equal protection question. They've carved out certain classes of people and I tell you the ones they kept in happened to be woman-dominated fields like nurses and teachers and social workers.
So I think there are going to be a lot of legal challenges as we go forward as to whether or not what they've done is not just offensive but illegal.
ROWLANDS: And it is evolving as we speak in Michigan, Democratic State Senator Gretchen Whitmer -- thank you for your time.
The other side of the coin from the other side of the aisle is coming up next. We'll speak with Republican State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker. That's after a quick break.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROWLANDS: We'd been taking a close look this morning at the heated political situation in Michigan. The heavily unionized state could be just hours away from becoming the 24th right-to-work state in the country.
Republican State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker joins us from Lansing.
Senator, how, tell us --
TONY SCHUITMAKER (R), MICHIGAN STATE SENATE: Good morning.
ROWLANDS: Good morning to you.
In your opinion, how would this make Michigan's economy improve?
SCHUITMAKER: Well, this will certainly make Michigan's economy improve. If you look at other right-to-work states, they have -- take Indiana, for example. They have 74 new projects since they got their right-to-work law on the books. And if you look at our competitors we're losing jobs to those right-to-work states.
And as a mom, I certainly want to keep my children here in Michigan. This is incumbent in terms of job growth.
ROWLANDS: Why do this in the lame duck session? If it has merit, why not go through the normal legislative process with the folks elected in November?
SCHUITMAKER: This has been a discussion ongoing. I know when I ran for the Senate two years ago, I was asked substantially on the campaign trail about this, and this has been the discussion in fact in Senate Bill 116, which is one of the bills we are talking about right now, that was introduced at the beginning of the term. So this has been a discussion that has been evolving the last two years.
ROWLANDS: So, why not wait just a few -- why not wait another month or two?
SCHUITMAKER: I think it's a discussion. I think the time is right. I think if you look at the political landscape, Indiana just passed their right-to-work law. Michigan needs to be competitive.
ROWLANDS: How much of this is political, in an effort to cripple unions in Michigan?
Clearly, Republicans we talked about this yesterday would love it if they woke up tomorrow and every union was evaporated into thin air because unions fund Democratic opponents to Republican lawmakers.
How much of this honestly is political?
SCHUITMAKER: This has everything to do about worker choice. The hard working Michigan workers I talked to have come up to thank me because they haven't felt like their unions have represented them. So they came up to thank me for my vote on this last week, and I think it has everything to do with choice for their hardworking workers.
ROWLANDS: But do you agree that it would be good for Republican candidates in the future if unions weren't around or didn't have as much power and money?
SCHUITMAKER: The fact is that 17 percent of Michigan's workforce is union. This law will not change any of that. If workers feel like their unions are representing them, the day after this law passes, 17 percent of Michigan's workforce will still be in control or will be unionized labor. So this has nothing to do and everything to do with worker choice.
ROWLANDS: This does, this is like Wisconsin and Indiana, much of the funding for this effort is coming from outside of the state. Why would people from outside of Michigan be so concerned with Michigan residents to contribute money? Doesn't -- isn't that a sign that this truly is a political battle between Republicans and Democrats being played out in Midwestern states right now?
SCHUITMAKER: Are you referring to buses of union people being brought in?
ROWLANDS: Well, both sides, yes. Both sides are bringing in people either money or people from out of state, and using Michigan as a battlefield here -- does that not tell you that this is a wider political issue that is beyond Michigan?
SCHUITMAKER: Actually, I think that this is a great discussion to have because I believe Americans need rights and I think the basic right of employment and to be free to join an organization and not be compelled because of one's employment is symbolic in the nation. And so I do think this will have far-reaching effects, but I think this is important for Michigan and for the United States.
ROWLANDS: All right, State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker, thank you for joining us this morning.
SCHUITMAKER: Thank you.
ROWLANDS: Well, in Los Angeles today, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame will announce its new class of inductees. Could your favorite artist make the cut?
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROWLANDS: Checking top stories: It's already off to a violent day in Egypt as protesters for and against the president gear up for massive demonstrations today. Just hours ago, nine protesters were injured, four of them critically in Tahrir Square. Their attackers fired bird shot pellets and threw Molotov cocktails at them. Tension is running high ahead of Saturday's controversial constitutional referendum.
The Australian radio station behind the prank call that apparently led to a nurse taking her own life plans to donate at least $500,000 to the Australian family, to their family of Jacintha Saldanha, who committed suicide after she was duped by the two deejays who called a U.K. hospital seeking information about Prince William's pregnant wife who was being treated for acute morning sickness.
In money, taxpayers are about to be out of the insurance business, that's because the Treasury Department is about to sell the last of its shares of AIG. The treasury says when it's all done, it expects a nearly $23 billion profit on one of the biggest bailouts of the 2008 financial crisis.
The new chapter in bounty-gate could soon be written. Could a former commissioner throw out suspensions for four players accused of trying to injure their opponents for money? We will talk to Adam Schefter about that coming up.
Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROWLANDS: It's been a decade since Pepsi fell "crazy in love" with Beyonce that's when she began starring in their commercials as a spokesperson.
(MUSIC)
ROWLANDS: And Pepsi apparently is still "crazy in love" with Beyonce because they are now going global. Let's get to A.J. Hammer in New York with details about this very lucrative partnership -- A.J.
A.J. HAMMER, HLN HOST, SHOWBIZ TONIGHT: Hey Ted, yes very lucrative. The deal is going to get Pepsi a whole lot more Beyonce, which means we're going to seeing a whole lot more of her if that's even possible. She signed on to a $50 million deal with the soda company which of course means she's going to be starring in a lot more of those Pepsi commercials and appearing on their soda cans.
Look at that, but this also means that Pepsi will be getting into the Beyonce business. That means they're going to sponsor her Super Bowl halftime show and they also plan to spend millions of dollars to support other creative projects that she's going to be bringing to the table. Whatever those are we're going to be finding out hopefully soon. And this will certainly keep her in the lifestyle to which she has become accustomed, "Forbes" estimated her total earning over the past year at $40 million with her last album and all of her non- musical ventures and endorsement deals. That was before this deal was announced so Ted I think there is a pretty good shot that Bey and her husband Jay-Z will retain their title as "Forbes" highest paid couple for the foreseeable history.
ROWLANDS: Absolutely $50 million doesn't hurt. Beyonce not the only one who is getting attention the rock 'n' roll hall of fame announcing its next class. Who is on the list?
HAMMER: Well it's always fun seeing who is getting into this, the class of 2013 includes Randy Newman this year, Public Enemy, NWA, the late Donna Summer and to the delight of progressive rock fans around the world, Rush will finally be inducted.
The new list always provokes a whole lot of debate over who gets in and why they get in so to address some of the criticism this year for the very first time the Rock Hall actually opened up the voting to the general public online. Fans got to vote for the five nominees they wanted in. The top five artists ended up making up a fans ballot that got counted along with all the other ballots from industry voters and historians who vote on this thing.
And on the Web site they actually tracked who was winning the fan vote with a running tally. It is closed now but I can tell you as of the end of November, Rush had pulled in nearly 25 percent of the votes which is huge followed by Deep Purple. So we know they're on the list and that fan vote does reflect the long-standing complaints of progressive and hard rock fans that those genres have largely been under-appreciated by the hall's 600 or so voting members.
And by the way last look on the fan vote one of my favorite groups Heart ranked third. So we'll see if they make it and we're going to get the full list of inductees a little later today. The ceremony will be held in April in Los Angeles.
ROWLANDS: All right, A.J. Hammer for us, A.J. we'll be back next hour with details about Adele allegedly being fined and it centers around her baby. Think I'll stick around for that.
Well, when it comes to brand loyalty, IKEA can have a cult like following. After all there aren't many stores that offer Scandinavian furniture and Swedish meatballs. So maybe it shouldn't be a surprise when a dapper-dressed monkey showed up to complete the shopping experience.
Jeanne Moos has more.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
JEANNE MOOS, CNN NATIONAL CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): You go to IKEA expecting cheap furniture, not expensively dressed monkeys.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: This is so bizarre. Like why is a monkey in IKEA?
MOOS: There he was running around outside an entrance in Toronto IKEA in an outfit that freaked everyone out.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's definite faux fur, it's not a shearling it's like a faux shearling.
MOOS: Double breasted no less the tweets started to fly. "Anyone lose their monkey at IKEA?" Well actually, yes. The owner was shopping inside the store when the monkey managed to get out of his crate and then out of the car.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: All the people were trying to like call it towards them, but it was very scared, it was darting all over the place they were trying to get it away from cars.
MOOS: His diaper only detracted a little from what was later described as his favorite jacket. He asked stylists to the stars Robert Verdi to critique the look.
(on camera): How stylish is he?
ROBERT VERDI, CELEBRITY SYLIST: I thought for a second it was an editor that I've seen at "Fashion Week".
MOOS: Ok it wasn't quite as formal as the red carpet out worn by the primate star of "Hangover Part 2" but who dresses up the shop at IKEA. Animal control folks eventually captured the 7-month-old primate.
(on camera): Unfortunately for the monkey's owner, this shopping trip ended with a no return policy.
(voice-over): Because monkeys are prohibited as pets, the owner was fined $240 and have to permanently hand over the little guy, identified as Darwin. He stayed briefly at Toronto Animal Services.
MARY LOU LEIHER, TORONTO ANIMAL SERVICES: He's not very happy right now. He's having kind of a bad day.
MOOS: Separation anxiety. He was moved to an Ontario primate sanctuary, where it's hoped Darwin will live happily ever after. But his name will live on as IKEA monkey. He instantly acquired parody Twitter accounts, describing him as lover of fashion. A Connie Stevens song was dedicated to him.
(MUSIC)
MOOS: Some speculated he headed for IKEA in search of Swedish meatballs. His image was inserted in an ad for IKEA bedroom furniture. As for the jacket --
VERDI: I bet you it's going to start a trend and we'll be able to find a version of it at H&M next week.
MOOS: Now, that's evolution. Jeanne Moos, CNN, New York.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLAND: Well a classic. Well, former New Orleans Saints football players accused of trying to injure their opponents, they have their suspensions overturned? We'll ask NFL insider Adam Schefter if they'll be allowed back in the field. That's coming up next. And lots more. Stay with us.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
ROWLANDS: Does the NFL have problems with guns? According to a "USA Today" estimate, nearly three quarters of all NFL players say they have a firearm. Just 11 days ago, Kansas City Police say Jovan Belcher shot and killed his girlfriend before taking his own life.
Listen to what Bob Costas told CNN's Piers Morgan last night.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
BOB COSTAS, NBC SPORTS: It seems that some people want it to be about everything and anything but guns. I don't think it's only about guns, but I think that guns, even if legally obtained, people's attitudes towards guns are definitely a part of this problem. Could Jovan Belcher -- as people have noted, this is obvious -- could he have stabbed her, yes. I knew O.J. Simpson, could he have strangled her or thrown her out the window? Yes. But the presence of a gun makes it much more likely that something like this will occur, much more likely.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: Several players have been arrested over the years for gun violence. You'll remember Plaxico Burress who was sent to prison for shooting himself in the leg at a Manhattan nightclub in 2008.
There aren't too many people that know more about the NFL than Adam Schefter, NFL reporter for ESPN. Adam, thanks for joining us. First off, I know you had a late night last night with Monday Night Football. Thanks for getting up for us.
First off, can the NFL really do anything to address the gun issue? These players are -- they own guns legally, but they can be potentially dangerous.
ADAM SCHEFTER, NFL REPORTER, ESPN: Ted, the NFL has tried to combat this issue, and it is a growing issue, make no mistake about it. It goes back to a policy that the NFL passed about five years ago, with gun policies and gun regulations. And basically what it said is, you cannot have a gun around an NFL stadium, around an NFL training facility, on an NFL premise.
The NFL cannot stop players from obtaining guns, but it can try to control whether or not they're used around NFL training facilities and stadiums. And the NFL wants to ban that at all costs. And I think you've heard from the "USA Today" more and more players have acquired them.
And it goes back to former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor getting gunned down in his own home during a burglary. And after that, there was a lot of talk around the league of players going out to obtain guns, to try to protect themselves, in their opinion. And I think ever since then, the number of guns with players has increased exponentially.
ROWLANDS: Drinking and drugs also a big problem for the NFL right now, but you know, these are young, sometimes kids, you know, 20-year- old kids with a lot of money. They're out having a good time. Just, of course, this weekend, cowboy's linebacker Jerry Brown Jr. died in a crash that police suspect was fueled by alcohol. The driver, Brown's teammate, Josh Brent was jailed for it. Brown's mother also shared her feelings with Piers Morgan last night. Take a listen to this.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
STACEY JACKSON, MOTHER OF JERRY BROWN, JR.: I was upset, but I realized, you know, our youth today are young and stupid and we was all once that age and we done things that we are not proud of. So I realize everyone think they're invisible and think it's not going to happen to me.
So because I know Josh Brent and he's been part of our family since Jerry went to the University of Illinois, that's all I can do is pray for him and his family, because I know he's hurting just as well as we are, because him and Jerry was like brothers.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
ROWLANDS: Tragedy all around. What's being done for the NFL to help players make the right decisions, concerning drinking and drugs?
SCHEFTER: Look, the NFL really has tried to do so much, as has the NFL Players' Association, but there's only so much you can do for young, wealthy players who sometimes can make irresponsible decisions, like a lot of people in society. There have been rookie symposiums given to these players when they're entering the league, ordering them and telling them and warning them about the dangers of drinking and driving.
Each player is given a card from the NFL Players' Association, and on the back of that card is the phone number of what is supposed to be a confidential car service that if the player feels as if he's too intoxicated to drive home, he should call that service. It's $90 an hour. It doesn't compare to the legal costs that the player can wind up having if he's involved in any type of legal incident with one of these particular cases.
And yet the players don't always use that service. They think that will be held against them if their teams or owners know that they're out on a regular basis, out at nightclubs, out late night, out drinking. And so sometimes players shy away from using that service.
But these players have been given repeated warnings and repeated advantages that a lot of people don't get. And frankly, sometimes it just doesn't work. It's not enough.
ROWLANDS: All right. Adam Schefter, thank you very much for your insight and thanks again for getting up this early morning and joining us. We really appreciate it.
SCHEFTER: Thank you, Ted.
ROWLANDS: And the next hour of CNN NEWSROOM begins right now.
Stories we're watching right now in the NEWSROOM, the Michigan assembly is moments away from taking up a controversial right to work bill that has labor unions up in arms. We are live in Lansing.
We will also go live to Florida, where a rocket will launch the U.S. military's unmanned prototype space plane today and the mission is classified.
