Redistricting Process Progresses

The State Senate acted Thursday on deal struck between the GOP caucus and Detroit Dems on a new Senate district map. On a 29-8 vote, the Senate passed the new map, identical to the map released last week – with the exception of the lines in Wayne County.

The four sitting Democratic Senators from Detroit who are eligible to run again for office in 2014 would keep their existing districts for the most part, adding other portions of the city and pieces of the suburbs to make-up for population loss.

Senators Morris Hood III, Bert Johnson, Virgil Smith and Coleman Young II all voted for the plan, praising the Redistricting Committee Chairman Senator Joe Hune’s (R-Hamburg) openness.

Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) also joined in voting yes with the above-listed four and 24 Republicans. Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) voted no and Senator Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell) remains absent mourning the loss of his father.

Earlier in the week, the House of Representatives acted on a congressional redistricting map, passing the measure 63-47. As expected, the map draws current US Representatives Sander Levin (D-Roseville) and Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) into the same seat. Also of note are the drastic changes in the districts where current US Reps Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) and John Conyers (D-Detroit) reside, maintaining small pieces of their current districts. The new lines would leave the sitting members vulnerable to considerable challenges.

Two democratic members of the House of Representatives surprisingly voted in favor of the plan, Representatives Doug Geiss (D-Taylor) and Andrew Kandrevas (D-Southgate). Both stated that they approved of the plan’s treatment of the district currently held by US Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn).

Republican Representatives Bob Genetski (R-Saugatuck) and Tom McMillin (R-Rochester) voted no.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 24, 2011 10:36 AM
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Governor Signs 2011-2012 State Budget

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed House Bills 4325 and 4526 into Public Act 62 and 63, respectively, Tuesday – more than three months before the start of the 2011-2012 fiscal year. Flanked by dozens of Republican lawmakers, the Governor signed the actual bills just hours prior to them automatically going into effect without his signature.

The education budget did not receive any line-item vetoes, while the general government budget did. Further, the Governor was clear that several boilerplate provisions included were unenforceable, specifically noting that the provision requiring universities to report stem cell research activities would not be enforced.

The final product, nearly $38 billion, includes a $255 million deposit into the state’s Budget Stabilization or “Rainy Day” Fund, $280 million toward post-retirement liabilities and calls for $145 million in state employee concessions.

posted by PAA Online , 10:36 AM
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Update On Recall Efforts

Language filed in an attempt to recall Senators Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale), Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Tonya Schuitmaker was rejected by the Ottawa, Hillsdale and Van Buren County election commissions, respectively. New language has already been filed seeking to recall Senators Meekhof and Schuitmaker.

Recall language was also filed this week against Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), Representative Kurt Damrow (R-Austin) and Representative Mike Shirkey (R-Jackson). Meanwhile, House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) received an injunction against the Calhoun County Election Commission from holding any further clarity hearings on the subject of recall language against him as he appeals the earlier decision to approve the language.

Language was approved by election commissions in Kent and Wexford counties, giving recall efforts the go-ahead to begin collecting signatures against Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) and Representative Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac).

posted by PAA Online , 10:35 AM
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Citizens File Lawsuit To Overturn EFM Law

Twenty-eight Michigan residents joined forces Wednesday in filing suit against the State of Michigan, stating the new emergency financial manager (EFM) statute is unconstitutional. The lawsuit, Brown v. Snyder, was filed in Ingham County Circuit Court by the Sugar Law Center on behalf of the twenty-eight citizens.

2011 Public Act 4, signed by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder in March, was designed to provide increase authority to EFMs appointed by the state, to turnaround school districts and local governmental units facing severe financial distress. The state-appointed EFMs have the power to merge municipalities, order millage elections and void contracts among others.

The lawsuit claims the new statute violates the Constitution by breaking the separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches

Labels: EFM

posted by PAA Online , 10:34 AM
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New Educational Authority Announced – DPS Schools First Moved

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and Detroit Public Schools (DPS) Emergency Manager Roy Roberts announced the development of a new state-run authority, the Educational Achievement System (EAS), in partnership with Eastern Michigan University (EMU). EAS will serve to ensure the worst-performing of Michigan’s schools have increased access to financial resources and utilize said resources more efficiently.

The 11-member authority will include seven gubernatorial appointees and two representatives from DPS and EMU. Mr. Roberts will serve as Chair.

Mr. Roberts reported that of the 92 consistently poor-performing schools, 45 are DPS schools – and that these 45 will be the first moved under the new authority as a pilot. The new authority is intended to provide increased bureaucratic separation between school district administrators, teachers, parents and principals while maintaining building-level autonomy.

US Secretary of Education Arne Duncan joined the press conference, praising Snyder and Roberts and stressing urgency in reforming Detroit’s schools.

posted by PAA Online , 10:34 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Brock Joins Dingell Staff

Ken Brock, former staff member to then US Congressman Mark Schauer, has joined the staff of US Congressman John Dingell (D-Dearborn) as district administrator. Brock, who also served as press secretary for Democratic gubernatorial candidate Howard Wolpe, will be located in Mr. Dingell’s Dearborn office.

Quimby Joins Deloney on Liquor Control Commission

Just days after announcing the appointment of longtime Michigan Restaurant Association lobbyist Andy Deloney as Chair of the Liquor Control Commission, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder appointed former House Republican Policy Office legal counsel Teri Quimby as a Commissioner. Quimby, of Brighton, replaces outgoing Commissioner Pat Gagliardi.

Staff Shuffle Continues in Mayor Bing’s Office

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing’s Chief of Staff, Shannon Holmes, and Communications Director, Karen Dumas, have resigned their positions with the Mayor’s office. Former Bing Group executive Kirk Lewis will reportedly be returning to the Administration as the Mayor’s new Chief of Staff.

Bolger, Beckmann Consider US Senate Run

Conservative radio talk show host Frank Beckmann announced on his WJR broadcast that he had considered and has opted not to run against incumbent US Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Detroit). House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) also indicated that he has been approached and while not completely dismissing the opportunity, indicated he is not one to leave a current job half-done.

Republican Staff Moves

Longtime legislative staffer Brian Mills, most recently Chief of Staff to Senator John Moolenaar (R-Midland), was named Director of the House Republican Policy Office. Trevor VanDyke, Sen. Moolenaar’s Legislative Director, was named to succeed Mills as Chief of Staff.

posted by PAA Online , 10:33 AM
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