Synthetic Drug Ban Signed
A package of legislation developed to prevent the sale of
synthetic substances designed to have effects similar to illegal drugs like
marijuana was signed into law by Governor Snyder this week. The bills
effectively remove substances such as K2 or Spice from store shelves and
provide the State with the ability to act more quickly to block any substances
posing danger in the future – something law enforcement officials have promised
to focus on immediately. The package includes Senate Bill 789,
sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), Senate Bill 1082,
sponsored by Senate Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell), House Bill 5714,
sponsored by Representative Pat Somerville (R-New Boston) and House Bill 5338
sponsored by Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan).
Former State Representative Bettie Cook Scott will not be on
the August Democratic Primary ballot. The Wayne County Clerk’s office found
that the home from which Ms. Scott filed to run is actually in the 1st
House District, not in the 2nd where she filed. Scott’s departure
from the ballot leaves two current State Representatives, Tim Bledsoe of Grosse
Pointe and Alberta Tinsley-Talabi of Detroit ,
running in Detroit
Highland Park Schools
to Transition to Charter-based
With a current operating deficit of $3.7 million and an
overall deficit of $11 million, the Highland Park Schools have announced a
deficit reduction plan that includes the school district becoming a charter
school system. Emergency Manager Joyce Parker made the announcement as the
district becomes the second to follow such a path, after Muskegon Heights
Public Schools. Parker said the requests for application will be immediately
released with the hope of having a management company in place by mid-July.
Bentivolio Secures
Agema Endorsement
Kerry Bentivolio, the Tea Party-backed candidate for the 11th
Congressional seat and only Republican on the ballot after current Congressman
Thad McCotter’s well-publicized mishap, received the endorsement of Republican
National Committeeman Elect and current State Representative Dave Agema. Mr.
Bentivolio will be fighting off the challenge of former State Representative
and Senator Nancy Cassis who is waging a write-in campaign with the backing of
local GOP leadership.
DNR Director Stokes
Changes Positions
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director
Rodney Stokes is leaving his cabinet position according to an announcement from
the Governor’s office Thursday afternoon. Stokes will be moving to a position
with the DNR as a special advisor on city “placemaking” where he will work with
communities on ensuring ample recreational opportunities and green space are
present.