The U.S. House Republican Conference recently selected Michigan Congressman Fred Upton to Chair the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 112th Congress.

Upton pledged the committee will work aggressively to pass legislation that would repeal the national health care reform that was enacted earlier this year. To that end, Upton immediately appointed Rep. Joe Pitts (R-PA) to lead the Health Subcommittee.

Labels: Fred Upton, Joe Pitts

On Jan. 1, state House members will take a 10 percent pay cut and office allotments will be reduced by 5 percent. As a result of the Republicans regaining majority control of the state House, 18 policy and communications staff for House Democrats will be let go at the end of the year. These changes will balance the House legislative budget; however, Speaker-elect Bolger (R-Marshall) may need to enact additional reductions next year due to the ongoing state budget challenges.

Camp to Chair U.S. House Ways and Means Committee

In January, Michigan Congressman Dave Camp will take over the chairmanship of the powerful U.S. House Ways and Means Committee from Michigan Congressman Sander Levin. This committee is the chief tax-writing body for the U.S. House and has responsibility for such issues as health care, taxes, trade, and Social Security.

Republican Kurt Damrow has officially defeated Rep. Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) in the 84th House District race. After the results were unofficially certified in November, Brown filed for a recount. The final vote count showed an 18-vote difference with 15,190 votes for Damrow to Brown's 15,172.

Labels: Kurt Damrow, MI-84

The Michigan Liquor Control Commission will begin issuing the necessary permits for Sunday liquor sales late next week; however, mixed interpretations have recently surfaced on the intent of the newly expanded liquor sales legislation.

According to the Commission, the new law only allows liquor sales all day Sunday or no sales on Sunday. Many local units of government are requesting to limit liquor sales to only after 12:00 pm on Sunday, which had been the law. The Commission contends the new law does not permit this option.

Sen.-elect Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) has indicated he will introduce legislation in January to amend the current law to allow local communities to limit liquor sales to only after 12:00 p.m. on Sunday.

The Michigan Civil Service Commission delayed action to extend health insurance benefits to unmarried same-sex partners of state employees plus the partner’s dependents.

Commission members tabled the proposal after concerns were expressed about the agreements between the Office of State Employer and employee unions. In 2004, the state agreed to cover same-sex benefits as part of all of the state employee contracts but implementation has been delayed due to legal challenges.

The new policy could cost nearly $6 million in fiscal year 2011 and opponents cite the potential cost to a state budget that already faces a $1.6 million deficit. The Michigan Civil Service Commission has not rescheduled a meeting to approve the extension of benefits.

Attorney General-elect Bill Schuette announced three individuals, Richard Bandstra, Carol Isaacs and Rusty Hills, to his senior management team.

Michigan Court of Appeals Judge Richard Bandstra will be Schuette’s Chief Legal Counsel. Bandstra recently announced he will leave the Court of Appeals on Jan. 8 with four years remaining on his latest six-year term. Chief Deputy Attorney General Carol Isaacs will remain in her post and Rusty Hills will serve as Director of Public Affairs.

Officials from the Michigan Department of Human Services (MDHS) will meet with national advocate organization, Children’s Rights, in January to discuss the department’s ongoing efforts to improve the state’s foster care and adoption services. This recent development delays a request for a federal receivership of the MDHS.

The MDHS has been under a court order since the settlement of a July 2008 lawsuit, filed by Children’s Rights, to reform its foster care system. Under the settlement, the MDHS agreed to enact a five-year reform plan.

Last week, a court-appointed monitor released a detailed report demonstrating the MDHS failed to make significant improvements in the last year, such as adequately reducing caseworker loads and recruiting and licensing enough foster homes. As a result of these findings, Children’s Rights requested a court-ordered federal receivership of the MDHS.

U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds scheduled planning conferences with attorneys for Children’s Rights and MDHS officials in late January instead of issuing a federal takeover. Gov.-elect Snyder assured Judge Edmunds that improving the state’s child welfare services will be a top priority for his administration. At this time, Snyder has not appointed a new director for the MDHS.

Gov.-elect Rick Snyder will take the oath of office at noon on Saturday, Jan. 1 on the steps of the Capitol building in downtown Lansing along with the other Constitutional Officers. The inaugural ceremony will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and a receiving line will run from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the governor’s ceremonial office in the Capitol. Both events are open to the public.

Later that evening, a $125-per-ticket reception will be held from 8 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. at the Wharton Center for Performing Arts at Michigan State University in East Lansing. Tickets are limited and will not be available for purchase at the door. Ticket information and other inaugural details are available at www.governorelectricksnyder.com/inauguration.

Senate Majority Leader-elect Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) announced throughout the week additional committee chairs, as well as structure changes. Full committee assignments are still being finalized; however, the committee chairs and modifications include:

Sen.-elect Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township): Economic Development

The current Economic Development and Regulatory Reform Committee will be divided into two committees and the current Commerce and Tourism Committee will be discontinued.

•  Sen.-elect Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair): Education Committee
•  Sen. Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek): Energy and Technology Committee
•  Sen.-elect Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township): Finance Committee
•  Sen.-elect Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion): Health Policy Committee
•  Sen.-elect Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge): Judiciary Committee
•  Sen.-elect Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba): Natural Resources, Environment and the Great Lakes Committee, which was previously named the Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs Committee
•  Sen.-elect Goeff Hansen (R-Hart): Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Committee, which was previously named the Hunting, Fishing and Outdoor Recreation Committee

The Campaign and Election Oversight and Local, Urban and State Affairs Committees will become one committee, a new Redistricting Committee will be created, and chair of the Transportation Committee has not been determined.

Lastly, the Senate Appropriations Committee, to be chaired by Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township), will include 11 Republicans and 5 Democrats. Richardville and Senate Minority Leader-elect Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) collaborated on committee ratios.