Charter School Cap Phases Out As Legislation Heads To Governor

The State Senate concurred Thursday in the version of Senate Bill 618 approved Wednesday by the House, sending the measure to the desk of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, who is expected to sign it into law and end the long debate over a cap on university-authorized charter schools.

Wednesday’s House session brought the significant action on the measure, which eventually passed 58-49. Sources indicated that more than a dozen Republicans had expressed displeasure with the measure; however, the final vote included only five Republican “no” votes – Representatives Mike Callton (R-Nashville), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City), Phil Potvin (R-Cadillac), and Sharon Tyler (R-Niles). Democratic Representative Shanelle Jackson (D-Detroit) voted “yes.”

The enrolled version of the measure, as amended by the House, phases in the cap elimination over four years, rather than completely eliminating the current 150 charter school cap immediately. The cap will increase to 300 by the end of 2012, 500 at the end of 2014 and be completely gone by the beginning of 2015.

The legislation was not given immediate effect so, upon signature by Governor Snyder, will take effect 90 days following the Legislature’s late December sine die adjournment.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, December 16, 2011 11:01 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Legislation To Create Process For County Road Commission Elimination Falls Short

Early Thursday evening, the Senate passed legislation permitting the elimination of county road commissions. House Bills 5125 and 5126, sponsored by Rep. Jon Switalski (D-Warren) and Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Ida), respectively, gained the Senate’s approval 20-18.

A floor substitute proposed by Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) marked a significant change in direction from earlier Senate action.

While the version of the package that moved this week from the Senate Transportation Committee provided for a vote of the people in the case of the elimination of any road commission, the substitute version that passed allows county boards of commissioners to eliminate their county road commissions and absorb their authority and responsibilities if the road commissioners are appointed and not elected. If road commissioners are elected, voters would have to approve.

It was another change made by the Senate; however, that resulted in the House’s failure to obtain the votes to concur in the Senate changes and ultimately resulted in the legislation not moving to the Governor this year. The Senate-adopted substitute contained a January 1, 2015 sunset provision – after which a county board would no-longer be authorized to absorb the road commission.

Many House Democrats, including Rep. Switalski, who had strongly supported the original measures, were unwilling to support the amended version. Sources indicate that the measure will be a top priority following the Legislature’s return to Lansing in January.

posted by PAA Online , 11:00 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Home Heating Aid Compromise Reached

Not long before adjournment for the remainder of 2011, the Legislature was able to reach an agreement on Legislation designed to assist those in need of help paying their home heating bills this winter. Senate Bills 364 and 864, containing the compromise, were passed by the House shortly following the announcement of the agreement. The Senate then concurred in the House changes without discussion, placing the bills on the road to the Governor’s desk.

Earlier this year, the Court of Appeals found that the Public Service Commission no longer had the authority to manage the problem, ruling that 2009 action by the Legislature indicated a desire for the Low-Income and Energy Efficient Fund to continue.

The compromise calls for the return of the roughly $48 million previously collected from customers and to continue the surcharge customers have been paying for another nine months to restore the $48 million. This will be combined with a $10 million general fund appropriation to equal the $58 million that was appropriated last year.

posted by PAA Online , 10:59 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Unemployment Reform Package Finalized

The House of Representatives passed legislation back to the Senate Wednesday, amid strong Democratic opposition, providing for significant unemployment reform. Senate Bill 806, sponsored by Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), passed the House 61-47. The Senate later concurred in the changes 26-11, sending the measure to Governor Snyder.

Under the reform, businesses are able to increase the wage base they use for figuring unemployment taxes as well as shorten the experience window from five years to three. Additionally, unemployed workers will be required to take a job after 10 weeks if the job pays at least 120 percent of their assistance amount or is equal to or greater than the area’s prevailing wage – even if the position is outside of their field of experience or skill.

The legislation was tie-barred to Senate Bills 483 and 484, measures permitting the state to issue bonds in order to pay of the $3.2 billion unemployment benefit debt to the Federal Government.

posted by PAA Online , 10:58 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Revised Film Incentive Structure Headed to Governor

Michigan replaced the generous film subsidy with a $25 million appropriation during the budget development process earlier this year, and Thursday the Legislature passed the measure creating the structure for managing the distribution of the funds.

Senate Bill 569, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) provides for tax incentives of 25 to 32 percent for personnel and activities in Michigan related to television, film and video game production. The House of Representatives passed the bill 92-15 and the Senate concurred 35-3 shortly thereafter.

posted by PAA Online , 10:57 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

House Session Ends Following Unusual Confrontation

Although both the House and Senate sessions were adjourned Thursday without approaching the midnight hour, a bit of drama unfolded on the House floor as two members of the Democratic Caucus had to be separated following a physical confrontation.

Sergeants-at-Arms were involved in a brief scuffle around Representatives David Nathan (D-Detroit), Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) with Roy Schmidt (D-Grand Rapids), stepping in between them.

Briefly following the incident, rule 32.2 was invoked, requiring members to remain seated.

posted by PAA Online , 10:56 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

PAAdvisory Briefs

Senate Addresses Emergency Manager Transition Issue

Thursday afternoon the State Senate passed Senate Bill 865, a bill to authorize the appointment of a receivership transition advisory board for local governmental units exiting the control of an emergency manager under Public Act 4. The bill was passed by the Senate Government Operations Committee Tuesday and now moves to the House for consideration.

State Employees to Receive Retirement Health Care Contribution Refund

Beginning with the December 22^nd paychecks, state employees will no longer be making the 3% contribution for retirement health care. Further, the amount raised by the previously mandatory contribution will be refunded to employees, with interest, in their January 19, 2012 paychecks.

State Unemployment Falls Below 10 Percent

For the first time since November of 2008, Michigan’s unemployment rate fell below double-digits, falling to 9.8% for November 2011. The 0.8 percent drop is representative of a 21,000 increase in total employment, a 39,000 decrease in unemployed and a 19,000 decrease in total workforce.

Governor’s Signature Legalizes Fireworks

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation Tuesday ending Michigan’s prohibition on consumer-grade fireworks. House Bill 4293, sponsored by long time champion of the issue Representative Harold Haugh (D-Eastpointe), and Senate Bill 194, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), are now Public Acts 256 and 257, respectively.

PAA Offices to Close

Along with the State of Michigan offices, Public Affairs Associates will be closed for the holidays on both Fridays, December 23^rd and 30^th, as well as both Mondays, December 26^th and January 2^nd.

posted by PAA Online , 10:55 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters