Legislature Passes Funding to Highland Park Students-Not Schools

Following the removal of Emergency Manager Jack Martin due to the pending court case and the prior court’s decision that the meetings of the financial review team were subject to the Open Meetings Act, Highland Park Schools was left with the choice of closing or taking a payless payday on Friday.

Late Thursday afternoon, the House of Representatives and the Senate moved a measure, House Bill 4445, to provide $4 million dollars in funding; however, the funding will not go to the school district. House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), along with other Republican thought-leaders, made it clear that they had no intention of providing more funding to a mismanaged school district. Instead, the money is being appropriated (the Governor is expected to sign the bill Friday) in order to award $4,000 per student to a school district that accepts a transferred student from the failing district.

The measure passed the House of Representatives 63-44 with only Democratic Representative Richard LeBlanc (D-Westland) voting “yes” with all the Republicans. The Senate vote was also nearly along party lines with four Republicans voting “no” – Senators Jack Brandenburg (R-Hamburg Township), Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc), and Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights), and two Democrats voting “yes” – Senators Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) and Steve Bieda (D-Warren).

Emergency Manager Jack Martin cannot be reinstated until next Thursday as the Highland Park School Board decided late Thursday not to appeal the second financial emergency declaration.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 24, 2012 10:43 AM
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Michigan Primary Continues to Heat Up

Next Tuesday’s Republican Presidential Primary in Michigan continues to catch national attention as the campaigns for the two leading top candidates, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former Pennsylvania Senator Rick Santorum, continue spending millions in an onslaught of advertising estimated to be costing both camps $6.6 million to date.

Multiple polls are released daily and have shown a trend of Mr. Romney closing the gap in the lead that Mr. Santorum had developed in Michigan. However, Mr. Santorum still leads most polling by as much as 5 percent.

Both candidates are expected to spend considerable time in Michigan in coming days. While Mr. Santorum’s plans were not available, he is reportedly returning to the state Friday. Mr. Romney returned Thursday evening for an event in Milford and will speak to the Detroit Economic Club on Friday.

National pundits have handed Mr. Romney the baton of victory for this week’s debate in Arizona as Mr. Santorum found himself defending his Congressional voting record for significant minutes. The results of the debate may play a role in making Tuesday’s primary vote close.

posted by PAA Online , 10:43 AM
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House Panel Begins Medical Marijuana Hearings

The House Judiciary Committee began hearings this week on four bills introduced last year to add clarity to Michigan’s 2008 medical marijuana law. The substitute measures contain some of the provisions of other bills introduced at the same time; however, according to the panel’s Chair, Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia), the Committee will not yet be addressing the dispensary issue.

House Bill 4834, 4851, 4853, and 4856 are being addressed by the Committee.

Committee members took testimony this week from a representative of the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan regarding the 2008 law, the history of its enactment and a description of current litigation involving the statute. The panel is expected to take testimony from interest groups next week and public testimony the following week.

Representative Philip Cavanaugh (D-Redford Township) and Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) presented their recommendations for change as co-chairs of a bipartisan workgroup. Any changes face an uphill fight as legislation will require a three-quarters majority as it will be amending law enacted by the voters.

There are currently more than 130,000 individuals registered to receive medical marijuana in the state.

posted by PAA Online , 10:41 AM
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House Changes Tune, Passes Appellate Court Judge Elimination

Senate Agrees and Moves Measure to Governor’s Desk

The new boundaries for the state’s Court of Appeals districts are now complete as the Legislature finalized Senate Bill 849 this week. The measure also reduces the number of judges from 28 to 24, a move long-supported by Governor Snyder and finally agreed to by the Legislature.

The House of Representatives, which opposed the judge reduction plan in 2011, passed the legislation without debate and by unanimous vote on Tuesday. The Senate then gave the bill final approval on Wednesday 37-1, sending the measure to the Governor’s desk for anticipated signature. Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) was the only “no” vote on the legislation.

The Legislature was operating under time constraints as incumbent judges have until March 26^th to file for re-election.

posted by PAA Online , 10:41 AM
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Paadvisory Briefs

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 1^st. Governor Snyder announced Michigan’s jump from 49^th to 7^th in corporate tax ranking and from 18^th to 12^th 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 7^th primary. The soon-to-be term-limited legislator will be attempting to replace retiring County Clerk Mike Bryanton.

posted by PAA Online , 10:40 AM
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