Paadvisory Briefs

Universities Testify on Governor’s Higher-Ed Budget

Presidents of four major Michigan universities testified Wednesday before the House Appropriations Higher Education Subcommittee, highlighting their areas of opposition to Governor Snyder’s 2012-2013 budget proposal. Testimony was provided by Grand Valley State University, Michigan Technological University, Saginaw Valley State University and the University of Michigan. Among the issues the university presidents articulated is their collective belief that tuition decisions appropriately lie in the hands of the university boards.

Judge Issues Restraining Order to Flint Emergency Manager

Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina placed a restraining order on City of Flint Emergency Manager Michael Brown Thursday, enjoining Mr. Brown from acting on behalf of the city. Judge Aquilina ruled that the meetings of the state’s review team were in violation of the Open Meetings Act and, therefore, the appointment of Mr. Brown was also in violation of the law. A Department of Treasury official explained that the heads of the city’s departments will be in charge while the court cases continue.

Governor Europe-Bound

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder is still leaving on his one week trade mission to Europe, specifically Italy and Germany. The Governor had reportedly considered delaying the trip given the fallout from the proposal City of Detroit Consent Agreement, however, will be departing tomorrow and returning Saturday, March 24^th.

Oakland County Redistricting Case Headed to Supreme Court

The Michigan Supreme Court will hear oral arguments later this month on whether it should grant leave to appeal to those challenging the law enacted in 2011 that moved the authority for county commission redistricting and overrode the already-redistricted county lines. The legal challenge is based on the theory that the law is a local act and therefore requires the approval of two-thirds of both legislative chambers.

February Casino Revenue Up

The Michigan Gaming Control Board reported that all three Detroit casinos had an increase in revenue in February – and double-digit percentage increases over February 2011 numbers. MGM led the way with a 13.9 percent increase over February 2011 revenue, followed by Greektown with 12.3 percent and MotorCity Casino with 11.2 percent increases.

Pam Posthumus Event Scheduled

May 16^th will mark the date of the Pam Posthumus Signature Auction event at the Lansing Center. The event benefits the Michigan Children’s Trust Fund and their efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 16, 2012 10:13 AM
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Senate Committee Passes "Obama-Care" Opt Out

Senate Bill 973, legislation to permit the state to opt out of the national healthcare system, or “Obama-care,” passed the Senate Health Policy committee this week. The measure is sponsored by Senator Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion) and also allows Michigan to join an interstate health care compact. Senate Resolution (SR) 120, supporting the compact, accompanied the bill.

The measure was reportedly intended to soften the views of Tea Party activists that were highly critical of the Committee’s action last year in providing the authority for a not-for-profit to establish a health care exchange for consumers’ use in purchasing health care insurance, a major component of the Affordable Care Act.

The proposed legislation, which suspends the operation of all federal laws and regulations regarding health care that were “inconsistent with the laws and regulations” of a state, is intended to provide another option for consideration in the discussion of national health care, according to the panel’s Chair.

posted by PAA Online , 10:12 AM
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Procedural Debates Continue Through House Session

The substance of the legislation in question seemed to take second-place to the procedural maneuvering by House Republican and Democratic leaders for a portion of this week’s session. House Democrats had promised to request a record roll call vote on all immediate effect votes for the remainder of session and were provided the first opportunity to do so this week.

The bill in question, House Bill 5063, is legislation to require a committee distributing petitions for a constitutional amendment or initiated act to have the language approved by the Board of Canvassers. The legislation passed on Wednesday; however, the vote for immediate effect was delayed when Minority Floor Leader Representative Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) submitted signatures requesting a record roll call vote.

Thursday’s session began with Majority Floor Leader Representative Jim Stamas (R-Midland) making a parliamentary inquiry of Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia), Speaker Pro Tempore and in the Chair at that moment. Representative Walsh ruled that the House would continue to operate under their rule that a motion must be made orally from the House floor and that submitted signatures would not constitute a properly made motion. This was also the practice during previously legislative sessions when the Democratic Caucus had a majority control of the House.

Ultimately, the legislation was given immediate effect over loud objections by the Democratic Caucus.

In potentially related news, for the first time this legislative session House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) prohibited House staff from photographing or videotaping Thursday’s floor session. Permission is routinely granted when requested by either party, however, all staff technically is employed by the Speaker of the House who is empowered to determine if permission will be granted.

posted by PAA Online , 10:12 AM
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Senate Passes Autism Coverage Requirement

The State Senate voted Tuesday to pass a package of bills requiring private insurers to cover treatment for autism. Senate Bill 414, 415, and 981, sponsored by Senators Mike Green (R-Mayville), Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit), and Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), respectively, passed with significant majorities of 29-9, 29-9, and 28-10. The measures now move to the House.

The package, while requiring regulated insurance providers to cover effective treatments, also provides for the reimbursement of the cost of coverage by the State of Michigan through the Autism Coverage Fund. This is viewed as a compromise acceptable to the business community who had long opposed an insurance mandate.

Proponents of further action to extend the coverage requirement to all mental health issues, commonly known as mental health parity, came very close to a huge victory as well. An amendment offered by Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), long a champion of the issue, failed 18-20. Six Republicans joined the chamber’s twelve Democrats in supporting the amendment.

posted by PAA Online , 10:11 AM
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Govenor Proposes Consent Agreement to Detroit

Democrats Widely Critical

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder provided a proposed Consent Agreement for Detroit to the City Council Tuesday, resulting in significant criticism by city officials, state legislators representing the city, and attacks from Detroit Mayor David Bing.

Characterized by the Governor as a step in the right direction to return Detroit to a state of fiscal health, the proposal calls for a 9-member “financial advisory board” with significant authority over the city’s financial decisions. The Governor compared the board to one implemented in New York City during its financial in the 1970’s.

The Mayor and other critics were quick to describe the content of the proposal as nearly identical to an emergency manager appointment, just in the form of a multiple-member board. The Administration quickly refuted those claims, pointing out that the proposal called for board members to be appointed by City Council and the Mayor as well as the Governor and the State Treasurer.

The proposal has driven a wedge, at least temporarily, between the Governor and the Mayor. In order to take effect, the proposal would need the signatures of both in addition to the State Treasurer and the Financial Review Team currently operating in the city. Council’s approval is not needed.

The Review team has until March 26^th to complete their work and present the Governor with its recommendations, at which point the Governor has 10 days to act. All signs are pointing to the appointment of an emergency manager if an agreement cannot be reached. The Mayor and City Council are reportedly drafting a counter proposal to provide to the Governor for consideration – a move the Governor has welcomed.

Meanwhile, the Governor will be holding a series of town hall meetings in Detroit to ensure residents fully understand not only the content of the proposal, but more importantly, the severity of the city’s financial situation.

posted by PAA Online , 10:10 AM
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