Gaffney Not Seeking Re-Election

Current AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney has announced that he will not seek re-election in October when the labor unions hold elections. At 55 years of age, Gaffney has held the post as the head of the 80-plus labor union coalition since 1999.

Some sources are describing the move as coming as the result of pressure applied by the United Auto Workers (UAW), the single largest part of the AFL-CIO. Unlike his predecessors, such as Frank Garrison and Sam Fishman, Gaffney did not rise through the UAW ranks – instead, coming from the Teamsters.

After being a member of the United Steelworkers of American and National Maritime Union, Gaffney became an organizer for the Teamsters Local 486 in 1984. Gaffney eventually served as the Teamsters’ legislative and community affairs director until joining the AFL-CIO as President in 1999.

Reports have indicated that Karla Swift, head of We Are the People, will replace Gaffney when he leaves his post in April of 2012. We Are the People is an effort to target vulnerable House Republican members.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 9, 2011 10:14 AM
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Conyers To Run in 13th, Peters in 14th

As expected by most, one of the longest serving members of the U.S. Congress, U.S. Representative John Conyers (D-Detroit), will be moving districts and running in the 13^th Congressional District. While the field is not completely clear, this does set up an already interesting primary as State Senator Bert Johnson (D-Highland Park) announced last week that he is running.

State Representative Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) has also indicated that she is running in the 13^th, and speculation continues regarding the plans of current Wayne County Commissioner Burton Leland and State Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland).

In related news, current U.S. Representative Gary Peters (R-Bloomfield Hills) confirmed Thursday that he will be seeking re-election to Congress, but in the newly drawn 14^th Congressional District. This also sets up a potentially exciting primary election as Mr. Peters will be facing incumbent U.S. Representative Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) who previously announced his decision to seek re-election in the redrawn 14^th district.

posted by PAA Online , 10:13 AM
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Senate GOP Introduces Education Reform Package

Senate Education Committee Chair Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) and other Senate Republicans introduced a package of seven bills this week, including measures to eliminate boundaries on schools of choice and remove the cap on charter schools. Senate Bills 618, 619, 620, 621, 622, 623 and 624 are based in large measure on the content of Governor Rick Snyder’s April special message on education.

One of the most anticipated measures in the reform package is the language on schools of choice. SB 624 eliminates the language in current statute that restricts schools of choice options to those within the resident’s intermediate school district; however, only requires districts to accept nonresident students if the district has determined they have the space.

SB 618 is the legislation that removes the cap on university-authorized charter schools and urban high school academies. The measure also permits school districts to authorize charter schools; however, employees at the new charter schools would not be subject to the districts labor agreements.

Likely the most controversial portion of the package is an effort to allow schools to hire teachers from private 3^rd party employment agencies. The rationale here appearing to be a reduction in teacher retirement benefit costs as the teachers hired through a private company would not be placed under the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System.

Other items in the package include an expansion of cyber charter schools, and reform to allow private school students to dually enroll at a local community college.

posted by PAA Online , 10:13 AM
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Bridge Card Reform Measures Get Bi-Partisan Approval

A package of legislation intended to restrict the use and halt the abuse of Bridge Cards passed the House Wednesday on largely unanimous votes. The perception of waste among benefit recipients has been a hot issue in many circles. The package includes HB 4721, 4722, 4723 and 4724, although HB 4724 has not yet been passed by the House.

Highlights of the reform are the authorization of the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, Department of Human Services and State Police to compare those with outstanding warrants to public assistance recipients and the prohibition of Bridge Card use for cash benefits in casino ATMs or for the purchase of alcohol, tobacco, or lottery tickets.

posted by PAA Online , 10:12 AM
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House Holds 9/11 Ceremony

In recognition of the 10^th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington, DC, and the crash in rural Pennsylvania, the Michigan House of Representatives held a ceremony Thursday to honor those Michigan citizens that lost their lives in the attacks on the United States as well as express gratitude to Michigan’s first responders.

Each member of the House representing a district who lost constituents on 9/11 read the names of the deceased and made remarks. The House and guests also heard from a survivor of the attacks. Michigan economist Patrick Anderson was in the World Trade Center Complex when the planes hit and spoke to the event’s impact on his life.

posted by PAA Online , 10:11 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Richardville for Romney, Miller for Perry

State Senate Majority Leaders Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) announced his endorsement of former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney in his effort to win the GOP nod and challenge President Barack Obama. Richardville will join Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette in serving as co-chairs of Romney’s Michigan campaign. U.S. Representative Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township), meanwhile, announced her endorsement of Texas Governor Rick Perry.

Bill Introduced to Tighten-Up Recall Standards

Legislation was introduced in the Senate this week to make it harder to recall some elected officials. Senate Bill 629, introduced by Senator John Gleason (D-Flushing), extends the time period an elected official must be in office prior to being subject to a recall from six-months to one-year among other changes.

Schuette, Moolenaar Recall Language Approved

The Midland County Elections Commission has approved language in recall efforts targeting Attorney General Bill Schuette and State Senator John Moolenaar (R-Midland). The effort against Schuette is based on the AG’s opinion regarding medical marijuana dispensaries. Senator Moolenaar is now the 28^th GOP lawmaker facing a potential recall.

Teacher Pension Elimination Bill Introduced

Legislation to transition teachers from pensions to a defined contribution plan was introduced by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) in the Senate this week. SB 593 represents an effort for reform that has been attempted for years and would reportedly come with an estimated $100 - $200 million up-front transition cost.

Welfare Reform Bills Signed

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed HB 4409 and 4410 into Public Acts 131 and 132, respectively, on Tuesday, finalizing a major portion of the state’s budget taking effect October 1^st. The measures place a 48-month lifetime limit on cash assistance for able-bodied adults.

posted by PAA Online , 10:10 AM
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