Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant announced that former chief deputy treasurer Madhu Anderson will be the DEQ’s new policy director; Sarah Howes, House Speaker Jase Bolger’s former legislative aide will serve as the Department’s legislative liaison; Maggie Datema has been promoted to legislative affairs director and Jim Goodheart will be a senior policy advisor.
Schuette Seeks Removal of Detroit School Board Members
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed a motion in the Wayne County Circuit Court seeking an injunction prevent further action by the Detroit School Board and the removal of seven of the eleven Detroit School Board members. The School Board is reportedly seeking to unseat the state-appointed emergency financial manager and, because of the suspension of PA 4 (see related story), the authorities not involving the District’s finances have been restored to the Board.
House Fiscal Agency: Year-to-Date Revenues Up
Although third-quarter revenue was down nearly 2 percent from last fiscal year, overall year-to-date revenue is up 1.6 percent, or roughly $216 million from 2010-2011. Total year-to-date tax collections total $14.2 billion with the strongest increase (12.3 percent) coming in income tax.
Fireworks Law to Be Examined by Workgroup
A bipartisan workgroup has been developed to examine the new fireworks law in Michigan, specific to the new law’s impact after a season of implementation. The workgroup, which will include the new law’s original sponsor Representative Harold Haugh (D-Roseville), will also include House Regulatory Reform Committee Chair Representative Hugh Crawford (R-Novi), Representative David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti), and Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City).