The speaker of the Michigan House has ordered business staff to run the office of a Detroit-area lawmaker after poor attendance.
Rep. Bettie Cook Scott, a Democrat, largely has been a no-show after she lost a run for the Senate in August. Scott's term as a House member runs through December. She's paid about $72,000 a year.
Gideon D'Assandro, a spokesman for House Speaker Tom Leonard, tells The Detroit News that the "people of Detroit deserve better." Scott's district has a portion of Detroit as well as Grosse Pointe Park, Grosse Pointe and Grosse Pointe Farms.
The News says Scott couldn't be reached for comment. TV station WJBK recently found her shopping and confronted her about her absences. She directed questions to a lawyer.