Lawsuit Against Consent Agreement Dismissed
Wayne County Circuit Court Judge Amy Hathaway dismissed a lawsuit this week filed against the Financial Stability Agreement, or “consent agreement,” reached between the City of Detroit and the State of Michigan. The case had been filed by three Detroit residents on behalf of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees and contended that the City was owed some $220 million in revenue sharing by the State. In dismissing the lawsuit, Judge Hathaway found no proof of owed revenue sharing.

Anti-Abortion Legislation Clears Senate Committee
The Senate Judiciary Committee held a hearing Thursday and passed, on a 3-1 party-line vote, anti-abortion legislation. The Committee hearing was posted late Wednesday afternoon, near the 18-hour legal requirement; however, proponents and opponents alike clearly had time to organize as the hearing on House Bill 5711, sponsored by Representative Bruce Rendon (R-Lake City), necessitated an overflow room.

Treasury’s Appeal in Pfizer Case will Not be Heard The Michigan Supreme Court will not hear an appeal filed by the Michigan Department of Treasury regarding how pharmaceutical company Pfizer calculated tax liability under the former Michigan Single Business Tax (SBT), leaving stand the Court of Appeals decision. The Court found that Pfizer accurately interpreted the law, replaced by the Michigan Business Tax (MBT) in 2007, in that royalties were not taxable.

Energy Emergency Declared by Governor Snyder On Tuesday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder issued an Executive Order declaring a State of Energy Emergency in Michigan. Due to the closing of the West Shore Pipeline in Wisconsin, areas of the Michigan’s Upper Peninsula are facing gasoline and diesel fuel shortages. The Order suspends regulations associated with hours of service for transportation of fuels as the Pipeline’s closure has resulted in alternative routes and more complicated logistics.