Legislature Bans Domestic Partner Benefits- Confusion Reigns

On Wednesday, the State Senate passed House Bill 4770, sponsored by Representative Dave Agema (R-Grandville), prohibiting local units of government from providing medical benefits to unrelated adults living with employees. The measure was amended by Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) to remove mention of high education institutions in the definition of public employers in an effort to bring the measure into compliance with the State Constitution, which provides universities with autonomy.

The House, on Thursday, concurred in the Senate’s changes to HB 4770 63-47, claiming the measure would still apply to university employees. By utilizing the same definition of public employee found in the Public Employee Relations Act, the House claims the measure puts emphasis on the employee, not the employer, thereby working around the constitutionally-provided autonomy. The Public Employee Relations Act defines a public employee as “a person holding a position by appointment or employment in the government of this state.”

Meanwhile, the Administration and the Senate maintain their interpretation that universities are exempt from the measure.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, December 9, 2011 10:00 AM
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Back-Up For Emergency Manager Law Under Development

A coalition, led by Stand Up for Democracy, is seeking the more than 161,000 signatures necessary to suspend the State’s new Emergency Manager (EM) statute (Public Act 4) and place it on the November 2012 general ballot. Some polls have shown that as few as 30 percent of voters would support the continuation of the statute.

As coalition leaders claim the effort is close to the threshold for success in the referendum effort, Snyder Administration officials are growing nervous about the potential for the EM law being thrown into limbo and the resulting confusion for those local units under the control of an EM at that time. Most believe the suspension of PA 4 would revert the state to PA 72 of 1990, the former Emergency Financial Manager law.

Governor Snyder, Lt. Governor Calley and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) have expressed their hopes that a back-up EM law would be on the books prior to the signatures being submitted for the potential referendum. House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall); however, has indicated his preference to wait until the results of the effort are determined. Either way, by placing a new law on the books prior to the referendum, organizers would be required to again collect signatures.

The legislation under development reportedly would maintain all of the powers of an appointed EM; however, some “experience-based” changes would be made. Leaders were also reportedly debating the possibility of including an appropriation in the new legislation, rendering it referendum-proof.

posted by PAA Online , 9:59 AM
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House Passes Oakland County Redistricting Reform- Dems Object

The House of Representatives passed legislation Thursday transferring the authority for redrawing the County Board of Commissioners district lines in Oakland County from a reapportionment commission to the Board of Commissioners. The current reapportionment commission is comprised of the county clerk, treasurer, prosecutor and the chairs of the two county political parties.

House Bill 5187, sponsored by Representative Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford) passed the House 58-50 with Republican Representatives Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), Earl Poleski (R-Jackson) and Sharon Tyler (R-Niles) voting no.

Democrats immediately characterized the transition of authority as a blatant Republican partisan power-grab largely because the maps have already been re-drawn and have been upheld by the Court of Appeals. The current reapportionment commission has a Democratic majority while the County Board of Commissioners is under Republican Majority.

Confusion occurred during final passage on the House floor when Democratic Floor Leader Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) called for a point of order with regard to the bill’s need for a two-thirds approval as it affects only one county and is therefore considered a local act. The debate ended when, after 30 minutes of caucusing, Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia), then in the Chair, ruled the request was out-of-order as it was not timely.

posted by PAA Online , 9:58 AM
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Anti-Bullying Measure Signed

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder related his experiences with bullying from childhood into college as he signed House Bill 4163 into law this week, now Public Act 241 of 2011. The measure requires all school districts to have anti-bullying policies.

Surrounded by the parents and relatives of students who had committed suicide because of bullying, the Governor brought to a close one of the year’s more contentious legislative issues. Former State Senator Samuel “Buzz” Thomas was recognized by the Governor for beginning the anti-bullying effort nearly a decade earlier.

Also with the Governor for the signing ceremony were Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing), bill sponsor Representative Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac), and Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) who sponsored a similar measure in the Senate.

posted by PAA Online , 9:57 AM
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Senate Passes School Supplemental

With an estimated $500 million surplus from fiscal year 2011 at their disposal, the State Senate passed a measure this week filling a roughly $95 million shortfall in school funding.

Senate Bill 197, sponsored by Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) passed the Senate 35-0. The measure utilizes $67.1 million in School Aid lapsed funding from other budget lines and $27.5 million in direct appropriations in School Aid Funding (SAF).

The shortfall, largely caused by continued declining property values and associated tax revenues, was approximately $94.3 million in school foundation allowance funding and $334,000 in special education hold-harmless funding.

posted by PAA Online , 9:56 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Black Caucus Files Suit Regarding Redistricting Maps

The Legislative Black Caucus, in conjunction with the Detroit Branch of the NAACP, the United Auto Workers and the Latin Americans for Social and Economic Development have filed a suit in Federal Court as anticipated. The suit claims the redistricting maps will result in half of the minority lawmakers in the city of Detroit being forced from office, as well as splitting the 47 percent Hispanic district in Southwest Detroit into two districts.

November Revenues Show Mixed Bag

Although both individual income and sales tax revenues were down for November, overall revenues were up compared to November of 2010. The $1.6 billion in state revenue was up largely due to Michigan Business Tax collections; however, the revenue falls short of the projections for November from the May Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference.

Retailers Continue to Push Internet Sales Tax

Many small Michigan retailers continue to ask Michigan legislators to act on House Bills 5004 and 5005, which would require internet retailers to collect sales and use tax on internet sales in Michigan. While many local retailers have internet sales of their own, they claim business is being lost to internet sales-only businesses.

Frendeway Joins MRP

Matt Frendeway will serve as the new spokesperson for the Michigan Republican Party. The Central Michigan University graduate most recently was employed by The Quell Group and has previously served as spokesperson and executive affairs director for former Attorney General Mike Cox.

posted by PAA Online , 9:55 AM
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