Teacher Tenure Reform Passes House, Moves To Senate

With supporters claiming the reform serves to benefit students and the Michigan education system and those in opposition claiming the reform represents simply another attack on teachers, the House of Representatives passed a package of bills Thursday providing for significant changes in how teachers achieve tenure, can be hired, promoted, or demoted. House Bills 4625, 4626, 4627 and 4628 will now move to the Senate after passing the House with scattered Democratic support and Republican opposition.

Last in, first out (LIFO) standards for teacher layoffs would be eliminated and a standard for teacher tenure hearings would be implemented under the legislation. Teachers that are rated as ineffective for two consecutive years shall be dismissed by the district and a teacher that is on probation can be dismissed at any time.

Some changes were made to the package during session Wednesday prior to moving to third reading, most notably a substitute for HB 4625 that allows a tenure “fast track” for teachers who receive high ratings during the first three years of the required five-year probationary period.

Representative Tim Melton (D-Auburn Hills) was the most vocal Democrat in favor of the reform, speaking to colleagues on the floor regarding their campaign platforms to improve education and the fact that a large number of the state categorized “failing” school districts are in areas represented by Democrats in the House. His efforts managed to obtain seven Democratic votes in favor of one of the bills.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 10, 2011 11:11 AM
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Recall Efforts Continue – Swell In Numbers

Although the full effect of the wide-spread recall movement, and the votes that caused it, will not be known for months – the number of Republican office holders facing potential recalls continues to grow. The language used by those filing the recall language consistently refers to votes on the emergency financial manager reform legislation and/or votes in favor of the recent tax restructuring plan.

The most recent lawmaker to join the ranks of those facing potential recall efforts is Senator Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale). A long list that also includes Governor Rick Snyder stretches into both the House and Senate: Senators Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Mike Green (R-Mayville), Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township), Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek), John Proos (R-St. Joseph), Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) and Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) are joined by Representatives Kurt Damrow (R-Austin), Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville), Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake) and House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall).

Most assume that recall language, previously rejected during clarity hearings, seeking to recall Senators Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan), John Moolenaar (R-Midland), Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) and Representatives Gail Haines (R-Waterford Township) and Joel Johnson (R-Clare) will be re-filed.

So far, language has only been approved and signatures allowed to be collected in the efforts to recall Governor Snyder, Senator Nofs, and Representative Pscholka.

posted by PAA Online , 11:10 AM
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Detroit Tax Bills Signed

Two pieces of legislation necessary for the City of Detroit to continue levying income and utility taxes passed the Senate Tuesday and were signed into law by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder Thursday. House Bills 4623 and 4624 lower the threshold for cities to collect such taxes to 600,000. The changes were necessary as the former law allowed cities with a population of 750,000 or more to levy the taxes and Detroit’s population fell to 714,000 according to the 2010 census.

After narrowly passing the House last week, the two measures received no debate in the Senate following a discharge to the Senate floor. The income tax measure, HB 4623, passed 21-17 with 9 Republicans joining all 12 Democrats in voting “yes.” The Republicans were Senators Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), Darwin Booher (R-Evart), Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale), Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell), Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), Mike Kowall (R-White Lake), Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion), Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), and John Pappageorge (R-Troy).

The utility tax legislation, HB 4624, was passed on a similar vote – this time Senator Marleau voted “no.”

The City of Detroit’s 2011 – 2012 fiscal year budget, which begins July 1^st, assumed the tax collections would continue as passed by the City Council and the Mayor.

posted by PAA Online , 11:10 AM
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Legislature Scoffs At SOCC’s Recommendation For Increased Judicial Pay

The State Officers Compensation Commission (SOCC), granted authority under the State Constitution to set salary levels for state elected officials, released a report this week recommending a 3-percent increase in both 2013 and 2014 for Justices of the Michigan Supreme Court. Justices currently make $164,610 annually.

Because judges’ salaries at the circuit, district, probate, and appellate level are all set based on the salaries of Supreme Court Justices, they would all stand to receive a pay increase. Immediate reactions by the Legislature, which must approve the recommendations, and by the Justices themselves point towards the raises not becoming a reality.

Since the Senate acted first on the SOCC recommendations in 2009, the House will act first this year – and House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) has already indicated that the timing is poor and the House could not support such a recommendation.

The SOCC recommended no change in the salaries for the Governor, Lt. Governor and the 148 state legislators.

posted by PAA Online , 11:09 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

New EFM Law May Get First Test

Pontiac Emergency Financial Manager (EFM) Michael Stampfler has likely provided the first test of Michigan’s new EFM statute by terminating the contracts of 11 Pontiac Police dispatchers. The move was approved by the Department of Treasury and represented the last step necessary for Stampfler to essentially eliminate the Pontiac Police Department and turn the law enforcement reins over to the Oakland County Sheriff’s Department.

Romney Michigan Staff Announced

The 2012 GOP Presidential campaign of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will be run by familiar faces in Michigan. The director of the state campaign will long time Michigan GOP staff and now managing partner of the Macomber Group, Rob Macomber. Fresh off a successful gubernatorial bid for Governor Snyder, the Michigan finance director will be Lauren Rakolta and deputy finance director will be Bryce Sandler, longtime aide to former Congressman Joe Knollenberg. Political consultant Lori Wortz will also serve as a senior advisor to the campaign.

Coalition for Progress to Lose Stryker Money

After contributing almost $10.7 million to the Coalition for Progress since 2006 ($9.4 million in the 2006 and 2008 election cycles alone), making it the state’s largest political action committee (PAC), Jon Stryker has announced that the PAC will be terminated. The Kalamazoo billionaire, whose impact on elections was evident, most-notably in the State House, will reportedly continue giving through other means.

Sederburg to Lead Aging Office

Kari Sederburg, currently the Director of Public Policy for the Michigan Nonprofit Association, was appointed head of the Office of Services to the Aging by Governor Rick Snyder. Ms. Sederburg is a graduate of Ferris State University and Ohio University and will take over on June 27^th.

Suspicious Envelope Not Harmful

As reported in last week’s PAAdvisory, a staff member in the Governor’s constituent relations team felt a “burning sensation” on his hand after opening an envelope reportedly containing a “white, granular” substance. While the State Police and the FBI are still investigating the incident and working to determine exactly what caused the irritation to the staff member’s hand, they have informed the public that the envelope did not contain a harmful substance and that the content of the letter was not threatening.

posted by PAA Online , 11:08 AM
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