Snyder Delivers Special Message On Health And Wellness

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder delivered his special message on health and wellness this week, calling for a mix of voluntary efforts and reforms requiring legislation. While opinion was generally cautiously optimistic regarding the vast majority of the Governor’s points, the highly anticipated, yet expected, call for mandatory insurance coverage of autism treatment was met with mixed reaction.

Immediately criticized by portions of the business community, Governor Snyder stated that medical treatments for autism have met critical metrics in making material differences in patients, necessitating the move to become the 29^th state mandated coverage. The Lt. Governor, whose widely publicized advocacy for coverage of autism treatment came up short during the last legislative session, has reportedly had positive results from informal whip counts in both the Senate and House of Representatives.

Other portions of the Governor’s message included an authorization for the Department of Natural Resources to ban smoking on public beaches, a comprehensive review of the statute governing Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan as well as similar reviews of the Public Health Code and Food Code, and the development of the state’s health care exchange through a not-for-profit entity.

The Governor took his message on healthier lifestyles personally – weighing in at 192 pounds and announcing his intention on losing ten by the end of the year.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 16, 2011 11:00 AM
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32-Bill Package of Tax Changes on Fast-Track

Only a day after being introduced in the House of Representatives, the House Committee on Tax Policy moved 32 bills intended to make technical changes to the individual and business tax structures overhauled this spring.

All seven Democrats abstained from voting on the measures, complaining that ample time was not provided to review the sizable package – an argument being made by many other stakeholders who had not been included in drafting and discussion processes.

House Bills 4937 through 4968 are on the fast-track to move through the process, according to sources, as the Administration hopes to have all changes completed by September 30^th so that tax form development can begin.

posted by PAA Online , 10:59 AM
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Union Dues Reform Measure Narrowly Passes House

House Bill 4929 passed the House of Representatives Thursday 55-53 following debate that had Republicans and Democrats both criticizing the measure. The legislation, which prevents union dues from being automatically deducted from teachers’ paychecks, now moves to the Senate.

Proponents of the legislation, sponsored by Representative Joe Haveman (R-Holland), state that the reform provides educators with the ability to have power over their income while also potentially saving school districts money in payroll processing. Opponents, however, point to the House Fiscal Agency Analysis indicating that no savings would be realized and it only adds an inconvenience to teachers.

During the heated debate, Representative Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe) was interrupted by the Chair and had his remarks gaveled down after suggesting the reform would create a “plantation economy in our schools.”

Representatives Ben Glardon (R-Owosso), Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Holly Hughes (R-Montague), Kenneth Kurtz (R-Coldwater), Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City), Earl Poleski (R-Jackson), Deb Shaughnessy (R-Charlotte), and Sharon Tyler (R-Niles) joined Democrats in voting against the legislation.

posted by PAA Online , 10:58 AM
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Domestic Partner Benefits Banned Under House-Passed Bills

Legislation to prohibit public employers from providing medical benefits to domestic partners passed the House of Representatives on party-line votes today after significant debate. The package also excludes medical benefits to domestic partners as an issue during collective bargaining.

Both bills, House Bills 4770 and 4771, are sponsored by Representative Dave Agema (R-Grandville) and passed 64-44 with only Democrat Richard LeBlanc (Westland) voting with the Republicans. The measures will now move to the Senate for action. The legislation would apply to all public employees except classified state employees.

posted by PAA Online , 10:57 AM
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MPSC Chair Appointed

The briefly vacant position of Chair of the Michigan Public Service Commission has now been filled with this week’s appointment of John Quackenbush by Michigan Governor Rick Snyder. Previous reports had alluded to the Administration’s potential difficulty in matching their standard for experience with the public employee salary.

A New Buffalo resident, Quackenbush has spent the last decade working for UBS Global Asset Management as both managing director and as a senior investment analyst focusing on utility and transportation industries.

Assuming no trouble in the State Senate, Quackenbush will assume his position on October 13^th. He succeeds former Commissioner Monica Martinez who recently resigned.

posted by PAA Online , 10:57 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Manufacturing Housing Association Celebrates 70 Years

The Michigan Manufactured Housing, Recreational Vehicle & Campground Association will celebrate its 70th Anniversary on September 19th. The organization was formed as the Michigan Trailer Coach Dealer Association, Inc. in 1941 and continues to serve thousands of members under the leadership of Executive Director Timothy J. DeWitt, CAE. The MMHRVCA has been a part of the PAA family for over 30 years. Everyone here is proud of the many good things this organization has done for its members and the state of Michigan over its long and successful history.

Michigan Unemployment Rate Continues Upward Trend

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics released numbers for August showing Michigan’s unemployment rate climbing to 11.2 percent, capping off a full 1 percentage increase since May. The national rate held stable at 9.1 percent from July to August.

Special Election Called in 29^th House District

Governor Rick Snyder has called a special election to replace former State Representative Tim Melton (D-Auburn Hills) who resigned late last week to take a position with Michelle Rhee’s education reform organization. A November 8^th primary and February 28^th general election are scheduled.

McDowell Announces Congressional Bid

Freshman U.S. Representative Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls) has his first opponent for the 2012 election. Former State Representative Gary McDowell (D-Rudyard), who previously ran against Mr. Benishek in the 1^st Congressional District, has announced this week that he will run again.

February 28^th Presidential Primary Approved by Senate

An amended version of Senate Bill 584 passed the State Senate 25-12 Thursday following a discharge from the Senate Committee on Local Government and Elections. The measure sets February 28^th as the date of the Presidential Primary Election. Only one Republican, Senator Joe Hune (R-Hamburg), voted no.

Binoniemi Joins MITA

The Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association announced the addition of Lance Binoniemi as vice president of government affairs. Binoniemi had most recently been executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association.

posted by PAA Online , 10:56 AM
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