Redistricting Bills Obtain Final Passage - Await Governor's Approval

Just 12 days after the process officially began with the public release of the Republican-drawn maps for new Congressional, State Senate and State House district lines, the State Senate gave final passage to the two bills Wednesday (HB 4780 and SB 498) sending them to Governor Rick Snyder for his signature and paving the way for likely judicial challenge.

Detroit Democrats in the Senate were unsuccessful in a final attempt to change the lines drawn for the two largely-Detroit U.S. Congressional seats currently held by U.S. Representatives John Conyers (D-Detroit) and Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit). The new lines not only spread the two districts well into the surrounding suburbs, but essentially switch the portions of the City currently represented by the incumbents – arguably making both vulnerable to a primary challenge.

All 12 Senate Democrats voted no on the Congressional maps, HB 4780, and were joined by Republican Senator Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan) who objected to the new districts splitting a precinct in her area into two congressional seats. The new plan also draws sitting U.S. Representatives Sandy Levin (D-Southfield) and Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) into the same district.

The maps for the State Legislature, SB 498, passed with a bit of bi-partisanship, as Senators Morris Hood III (D-Detroit) and Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor) joined the chamber’s 26 Republicans in voting yes. These maps were also not without controversy, as no less than eleven Democratic incumbent House members were drawn into districts with other seated Democrats.

The two Republicans most notably effected by the new lines are Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton), who will either have to move into Kalamazoo County to maintain the integrity of her current seat or stay put and run in a largely new geographic area, and Representative Rick Olson (R-York Township) who’s new seat is significantly Democratic.

Labels: redistricting

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 1, 2011 9:24 AM
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Health Claims Tax Clears Senate On 2nd Try

After failing to obtain the necessary votes late Wednesday, the State Senate was successful in passing SB 348 Thursday morning, providing for a 1-percent health insurance claims tax. The measure is expected to raise approximately $400 million and leverage an additional $800 million in federal matching dollars and is viewed as a key component in balancing the 2011-2012 Medicaid budget.

On Wednesday, the Senate began action on the measure by attempting to pass a companion bill, SB 347, however, passed it for the day and tabled debate when the final tally only reach 19-13. Only one Democrat joined 18 Republican members of the Senate in casting yes votes, Senator Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield). Eight Republicans voted no while six Democratic members abstained.

Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) was unsuccessful in his effort to replace the word “assessment” with “tax.” The final tally on SB 348 on Thursday was 26-9; SB 347 passed 24-9.

posted by PAA Online , 9:23 AM
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Regulation Of Sporting Swine Industry Passes House

With the budget out of the way, as well as the tax reform debate, the issue keeping Lansing abuzz beyond the redistricting debate is the regulation of the sporting swine industry in Michigan. With a Department of Natural Resources order set to take effect July 8^th shutting down sporting swine facilities, a split House of Representatives acted Thursday to impose regulations on the industry and to permit 65 such facilities.

Although active enforcement of the DNR order would not begin until April of 2012, the five-bill package passed to the Senate Thursday would establish registration requirements, inspections, fees, fence heights and require a facility inform the state of an escaped swine within 48 hours.

HB 4503, 4504, 4505, 4506 and 4699 were passed with a handful of Democrats supporting the measures and a similar number of Republicans voting in opposition. If passed by the Senate and signed by the Governor, the package calls for the regulation of the industry to be handled by the Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

posted by PAA Online , 9:23 AM
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Senate Amends, Passes Helmet Bill

Legislation to repeal the State’s 50-year old motorcycle helmet law passed the Senate Wednesday 24-14. Seventeen Republicans and seven Democrats voted in favor of SB 291, sponsored by Senator Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair). Nine Republicans and five Democrats voted no.

The Senate made two significant changes to the legislation. The first change adds an amendment requiring motorcyclists 21 years of age and older to carry $100,000 in insurance if they chose not to wear a helmet. There were earlier efforts to have the required insurance be $250,000.

The second change sunsets the helmet law repeal in four years and requires the Department of State to complete a study on increases in head injuries resulting from the law’s repeal.

During her eight years in office, former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm twice vetoed similar efforts. The legislation now moves to the House Committee on Transportation for consideration.

posted by PAA Online , 9:22 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Marleau Recall Language Approved

The Oakland County Elections Commission approved language Wednesday, giving petitioners the green light to begin collecting signatures in a recall effort against Senator Jim Marleau (R-Orion Township). Senator Marleau is the eighth seated lawmaker with language approved in recall efforts.

PLA Ban Passed

SB 165, legislation to prohibit the use of project-labor-agreements (PLAs) by state agencies and local governments on construction projects, passed the House Wednesday on an expected party-line vote. PAAdvisory previously reported on the details of the provision. The legislation now moves to the Governor’s desk for approval.

Protestors Fined

The cases against the14 protestors arrested for being in the State Capitol after hours on March 16^th were addressed in Lansing District Court Tuesday. While many were placed in a diversion program with probation and fines, others were convicted of misdemeanor trespassing, one via jury trial.

Wittman to Retire

After 34 years as Assistant Director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections, Brad Wittman is retiring from State Government. The Central Michigan graduate, 59, has worked alongside State Elections Director Chris Thomas since the 1970s.

Main to Oklahoma

Former Michigan Economic Development Corporation President & CEO Greg Main is reportedly taking the reins at St. Gregory’s University, a Catholic university in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

DeVos’s Endorse Heckman

Randy Heckman, the Grand Rapids Republican looking to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) has received the endorsement of Richard and Helen DeVos.

PAA will be closing at 1:00pm today for the holiday weekend. We will reopen on Tuesday, July 5^th. Please have a safe and happy 4^th of July!

posted by PAA Online , 9:21 AM
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