Charter School Cap Elimination One Step Closer

Following a committee composition change on Tuesday which replaced Representative Holly Hughes (R-Montague) with Representatives Jon Bumstead (R-Newaygo) and Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R- Alto) on the House Education Committee, the panel approved Senate Bill 618, lifting the cap on university-based charter schools. Rep. Hughes has reportedly not supported the measure.

The measure had passed the Senate earlier this fall as part of the GOP’s education reform package. The final vote on the bill was 11-6 with Republican Representative Tom Hooker (R-Byron Center) voting “nay” with the panel’s Democratic members.

This was newly appointed House Education Committee Chair Representative Tom McMillin’s (R-Rochester) first meeting with the gavel and the debate became heated almost immediately. Multiple exchanges took place between Committee Democratic Vice Chair Lisa Brown (D-Bloomfield Township), Representative Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrup Village) and McMillin over procedural aspects, such as the order in which amendments were addressed; however, the Chair closed the hearing with comments clearly intended to attempt to mend any hard feelings resulting from the day’s debate.

McMillin also announced his intention of forming a subcommittee on education quality standards.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, December 2, 2011 10:14 AM
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Snyder's Veto Pen Gets First Use

Although not entirely unexpected, some Republicans and business groups were caught off-guard when Michigan Governor Rick Snyder used his veto power for the first time Thursday, vetoing House Bill 4326, legislation that would have essentially prohibited state agencies and departments from issuing regulations more restrictive then the federal government. The measure was sponsored by Representative Jeff Farrington (R-Utica).

The Administration had expressed early concerns regarding the measure as it went too far to tie the hands of state agencies. The Governor also criticized the legislation’s requirement that every proposed rule be matched with a federal statute by the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) and even went as far as to mention it may contain conflicts with the Constitution as it amends other statutes through the Administrative Procedures Act.

Republicans had shown signs of willingness to work with the Administration to address their concerns; however, the only change made was the ability for agencies and departments to promulgate emergency rules more strict then federal regulations.

In his veto message, the Governor used examples of successful initiatives that went beyond associated federal regulations, such as ballast water rules.

posted by PAA Online , 10:13 AM
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Senate Passes Major UI Changes Following Rare Procedural Act

The State Senate addressed significant changes in the state’s unemployment insurance program Thursday, but only after a rare procedural move by the upper chamber’s minority caucus members extended session by more than four hours.

After Senate members found some common ground on two bills to issue bonds as a method to pay off the $3.2 billion unemployment benefit debt to the federal government (Senate Bills 483 and 484), the debate on SB 806 took an interesting twist. Senate Democrats refused to waive the full reading of the 205-page bill on Third Reading, requiring Secretary of the Senate Carol Viventi and Assistant Secretary Adam Reames to take turns for 4 hours and 18 minutes.

The legislation makes significant changes to unemployment insurance regulations in Michigan, such as requiring the unemployed to accept a position outside of their field of training after 10 weeks of receiving benefits if the job pays more than 120 percent of the unemployment benefit or is equal to the area’s prevailing wage. The substance of the measure, however, was never debated on the floor.

Democrats had offered nine amendments to the legislation; however, quickly following the conclusion of the bill’s full reading, Republicans moved to vote “en bloc” on all amendments – resulting in their immediate failure. The vote on the passage of the measure followed thereafter.

posted by PAA Online , 10:12 AM
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Governor Delivers Special Message On Talent

In what he described as his most important special message to the Legislature yet, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder laid out his plan for better connecting Michigan’s employers with jobseekers. The Governor’s Special Message on Talent was highlighted by the unveiling of the Pure Michigan Talent Connect program and website, http://www.mitalent.org/.

Also significant was the Governor’s call for a “work sharing” program whereby an employer can reduce a worker’s hours rather than an outright layoff and the Unemployment Insurance Agency benefits would be prorated to make-up for lost hours. The Governor pointed to 22 other states with similar successful programs.

Legislation making the needed statutory changes already exists, having been introduced by Representative Jim Ananich (D-Flint) in April. House Bill 4516 has been referred to the House Commerce Committee where the panel’s Chairman, Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City), has indicated he would consider addressing the measure following the Committee’s priority – the unemployment insurance program reforms recently passed by the Senate (see related story).

The Governor also called for the federal government to relax restrictions on immigrants working in Michigan and called upon the Michigan Legislature to provide an exemption for entrepreneurs from job training and work requirements.

posted by PAA Online , 10:11 AM
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New Film Incentive Structure Measure Clears House Panel

Senate Bill 569, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), cleared the House Commerce Committee 16-1 Thursday. The legislation, which provides for rebates for film companies that do business in Michigan rather than placing the incentives within Michigan’s tax structure, passed the State Senate 34-4 in early November.

With support from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Representative Jeff Farrington (R-Utica) was successful in amending the legislation to remove commercials from eligibility for the incentives. Representative Mike Shirkey (R-Clark Lake), the lone “no” vote on the bill, offered three amendments, all failing 3-14.

posted by PAA Online , 10:10 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Democratic Nominee Named in 51st

Linden Community Schools board member and special education teacher Steven Losey was selected by the Genesee County Democratic Party Thursday to run in the special election for the 51^st House District. Mr. Losey will face Genesee County Commissioner Joe Graves, selected by Republicans, on February 28^th to replace recently recalled former Representative Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc).

Terry Brown to Run for 84^th…Again

After losing by only 18 votes in 2010 to current, and embattled, State Representative Kurt Damrow (R-Port Austin), former Democratic Representative Terry Brown has announced his intention to seek his former seat in 2012. Mr. Brown has previously served two terms in the seat, allowing for one more.

Conyers Requests Review of PA 4

In the midst of expected action regarding the City of Detroit, U.S. Representative John Conyers (R-Detroit) has asked U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder to review Michigan’s new Emergency Manager statute, Public Act 4. Mr. Conyers expressed concern that the ability for an acting Emergency Manager to cancel contracts and collective bargaining agreements outside of bankruptcy may violate the U.S. Constitution Contract Clause.

MEDC Issues Saving Grant to Focus: HOPE

Just more than a week after announcing significant staff layoffs and the ending of job training programs because of the loss of nearly $6 million in federal dollars, Focus: HOPE was issued a $1 million transitional grant from the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) to continue some of the programs.

House Passes County Road Commission Elimination Measures

The House of Representatives passed a package of legislation this week allowing for the elimination of county road commissions. House Bills 5125 and 5126 allow for road commissions appointed by county boards of commissioners to be eliminated by a vote of the boards, while those county road commissions elected by public vote must be eliminated by public vote.

posted by PAA Online , 10:09 AM
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