Snyder Signs Film Incentive Measure
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed Senate Bill 569 into Public Act 291 of 2011, establishing the new structure for Michigan’s film incentive program. $25 million had been appropriated by the Legislature for fiscal year 2011-2012 to provide for between 25 and 32 percent incentives for the costs of activities and personnel for film, television and video production in Michigan.
State Population Drops Again – But Only Slightly
The 2011 census estimates released Wednesday by the U.S. Census Bureau have Michigan at roughly 7,500 fewer citizens than the official 2010 census. With 9,876,187 residents, Michigan was not alone in losing population as it was in 2010. This year Maine and Rhode Island also experienced population drops.
Contentious Oakland County Redistricting Reform Signed
House Bill 5187 became Public Act 280 of 2011 on Tuesday when Governor Snyder approved the bill sponsored by Representative Brad Jacobsen (R-Lake Orion). The bill provides the Oakland County Board of Commissioners with the authority to draw district lines for the Commission rather than the reappointment panel previously in statute (comprised of the county prosecutor, county treasurer, county clerk and the chairs of the two county political parties). The maps already drawn in 2011 by the previous panel had been approved by the Court of Appeals; however, were the first ever drawn by a panel with a Democratic majority.
Lindsey to Wayne State
Wayne State University has announced the addition of Patrick Lindsey as the University’s Vice President of Government and Community Affairs. Mr. Lindsey was most recently the Director of External Relations and Development for Focus: HOPE, the Detroit-based not-for-profit.