PAAdvisory Briefs

MI Supreme Court to Hear Judge Hugh Clarke, Jr. Case

A case involving the timing of former Governor Jennifer Granholm’s appointment of Judge Hugh Clarke, Jr. to the 54-A District Court, will be heard by the Michigan Supreme Court. The State, led by Attorney General Bill Schuette, contends Judge Clarke was appointed to finish a term than ended at noon on January 1^st and the new appointment should have been made by Governor Rick Snyder. The Supreme Court granted a request from Judge Clarke’s attorney to bypass the Court of Appeals and move directly to the State’s highest court.

Judge Halts State Workers’ 3% Paycheck Deduction

Just two weeks after ruling that the Legislature did not have the authority to mandate a 3 percent salary deduction from state workers for retirement health care expenses, Judge William Collette ruled Wednesday that the state must cease collecting the money April 1^st. The state is expected to appeal the ruling to the Court of Appeals; meanwhile, the money is being deposited into an interest-bearing escrow account.

New Bridge Authority Concept Under Development

The Snyder Administration is reportedly developing a Mackinac Bridge Authority-like concept for building and operating the New International Trade Crossing (NITC) between Detroit and Windsor. The creation of the authority would place the Department of Transportation (MDOT) in a support role.

Item Pricing Measure Nears Final Passage

Legislation repealing the requirement that retailers place a price tag on all items (House Bill 4158), sponsored by Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) moved closer to enactment as the Senate Committee on Economic Development passed the measure 5-1 Tuesday and the full Senate moved the legislation from General Orders to Third Reading on Thursday after seven failed attempts by Senate Democrats to amend the bill.

Pure Michigan Campaign Funding Bill Signed

Governor Rick Snyder also used his pen this week (Thursday) to sign House Bill 4160 into law. The measure, now Public Act (PA) 3 of 2011, creates a stable funding source for the award-winning ad campaign, largely through 21^st Century Job Fund dollars. The campaign will see new life beginning Monday as ads are scheduled to be aired on 24 cable networks.

Congressman Camp Announces New Communications Director

Megan Piwowar will serve as Congressman Dave Camp’s (R-Midland) new Communications Director, based in Mr. Camp’s Midland office. Having most recently served as director of communications for Ohio Governor John Kasich’s Inauguration, Ms. Piwowar was previously spokeswoman for the Ohio House Republican caucus and deputy director of communications for the Michigan GOP.

Labels: item pricing, Pure Michigan

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 11, 2011 11:07 AM
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