Legislative “Polar Plunge” Raises $20K
Approximately 30 members of the Michigan House and Senate, as well as Lt. Governor Brian Calley, took the “Polar Plunge” on the Capitol Lawn Thursday afternoon. The office-holders jumped into an above-ground pool filled with cold water to raise money for Michigan Special Olympics.
Bills Providing for Road Commission Dissolution Signed
House Bills 5125 and 5126 are now Public Acts 14 and 15 of 2012, respectively, as Michigan Governor Rick Snyder put his pen to the two measures that provide for dissolution of county road commissions under certain circumstances. Michigan is reportedly the only state with road commissions, and has 81.
ARC Recommends Significant Regulatory Reduction
The State Office of Regulatory Reinvention announced this week that it has provided its recommendations to Governor Snyder with regard to reform of Michigan’s environmental regulations. The recommendations, stemming from the review conducted by an Advisory Rules Committee, reportedly contains the recommended rescission of 330 Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) regulations.
Lindberg Introduces Gift/Meal Restriction Bill
State Representative Steve Lindberg (D-Marquette) introduced legislation this week to prohibit legislators and other public office-holders, and the staff of public office-holders, from accepting gifts of any monetary value from lobbyists – including food and beverage. House Bill 5255 was referred to the House Government Operations Committee and, if passed, would result in a dramatic weight loss in both legislative chambers.
Tax Foundation Bumps State’s Corporate Tax Ranking
The Tax Foundation, a Washington, DC-based nonprofit tax research group, conducted a hypothetical new ranking of Michigan’s tax and overall business climate due to the new state tax structure effective January 1st. Governor Snyder announced Michigan’s jump from 49th to 7th in corporate tax ranking and from 18th to 12th in overall business climate ranking.
Rep. Byrum Seeking Post as County Clerk
State Representative Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) officially announced her intention to run for Ingham County Clerk in the August 7th primary. The soon-to-be term-limited legislator will be attempting to replace retiring County Clerk Mike Bryanton.