Lawsuit to Challenge EFM Law
According to State Senator Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park ), a lawsuit will be filed in the next three to four weeks challenging Michigan ’s recently enacted new Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) law as it is being applied in Benton Harbor Benton Harbor , has used the new statute to remove all authority from Benton Harbor
21st Century Jobs Fund Expands Reach
Under legislation signed by Michigan Rick Snyder Tuesday, the 21st Century Jobs Fund will be open to two new sectors. Agricultural processing and information technology companies have now been added to the four original sectors of advanced automatic, alternative energy, homeland security, and life sciences. Senate Bill 144, sponsored by Senator Mike Green (R-Mayville), also provides the Michigan Strategic Fund Board the authority to consider loans and grants to any company demonstrating innovative use of technology.
Recall Effort Launched Against Pscholka
Benton Harbor City Councilman Dennis Knowles filed recall language with the Berrien County Benton
“No Budget, No Pay” Measure Moves
A proposed constitutional amendment that would stop legislators’ pay for each day the next fiscal year’s budget is not complete past 90 days prior to the start of that fiscal year passed the Senate Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee Wednesday. SJR E, sponsored by Senator Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell), passed the panel on a straight party-line vote of 5-2. State budgets were not complete prior to the October 1 start of the fiscal year in both 2007 and 2009, resulting in partial, although brief, government shutdowns.
Senate Passes No-Age Limit Hunting Legislation
Senate Bill 207, sponsored by Senator Joe Hune (R-Fowlerville), passed the Senate 30-6 Wednesday with Republican Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) joining five Democrats in voting “no.” The measure removes the age requirement for a hunting license in Michigan (currently 10 years old, or 12 to hunt bear, deer or elk with a firearm) and establishes a “mentoring youth hunting license” for those under 10 who are hunting with an adult mentor of at least 21 years of age.