Board of State Canvassers Split- PA 4 Referendum Not Approved

The Board of State Canvassers split Thursday on their vote regarding the ballot initiative to repeal the Emergency Manager Law, PA 4, resulting in the denial of the language based on form. The issue is highly likely to end up in court.

Sterling Corporation Counsel Bob LaBrant filed the complaint containing five allegations of deficiency in the ballot initiative championed by Stand Up for Democracy. Michigan Elections Bureau chief Chris Thomas had previously indicated that only one issue should be discussed by the Board of State Canvassers, the issue of font size as required by law.

It was this issue that split the Board’s vote and resulted in the proposal failing to be certified as a bipartisan vote is needed to certify the issue. Democrats Julie Matuzak and James Waters voted in favor of a motion to dismiss the challenge, while Republicans Jeff Timmer and Norm Shinkle voted against the dismissal motion.

Statute requires the petition’s title to be printed in 14-point, bold-faced, capital letters, which the Stand Up for Democracy petition did not meet.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, April 27, 2012 9:59 AM
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Cyber School Legislation Gains House Approval

Senate Bill 619, legislation to lift the cap on cyber schools in Michigan, gained approval from the House of Representatives Thursday 56-54. The measure, sponsored by Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton), has had a tough time in the House. After passing the Senate in late October of 2011, it did not clear the House Education Committee until over three months later in early February 2012. Now, again nearly three months later, Republicans were able to muster enough votes following a steady flow of amendments to the bill.

The House adopted a substitute H-3 version of the legislation and six additional amendments, all without a vote. Nine Democrat-offered amendments were defeated, also without votes.

The changes made in the House include the requirement of a monthly report to the Michigan Department of Education filed by the cyber schools. Additionally, the ceiling for maximum student population of the cyber schools is gradually increased from 2,500 in the first year, to 5,000 in the second year, 10,000 in the third and so on.

The lifting of the cap on the total number of schools is also graduated in the House-passed version, to five schools until 2014, 10 in 2015, and limiting it to 15 thereafter.

The eight Republicans that voted against the legislation were Representatives Jeff Farrington (R-Utica), Anthony Forlini (R-Harrison Township), Ben Glardon (R-Owosso), Ken Goike (R-Ray Township), Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Joel Johnson (R-Clare), Paul Muxlow (R-Brown City), and Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle).

posted by PAA Online , 9:58 AM
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$34.2 Billion Spending Package Passes House

Education Budget a Day Later

After more than an hour of debate and 46 total amendments offered, the House of Representatives passed House Bill 5365 Wednesday - the omnibus appropriations bill for all non-education spending. The budget bill provides for $34.2 billion in funding.

Five Republicans voted “no” with the entire Democratic caucus, for a 58-52 final tally. Representatives Ken Goike (R-Ray Township), Thomas Hooker (R-Byron Center), Andrea LaFontaine (R-Richmond), Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), and Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) accounted for the Republican “no” votes.

Seven Republican amendments were added to the bill, including a requirement that those departments spending more than $75 million provide reports of the top ten measurable outcomes the department intends to achieve with the funding.

House Bill 5372, the omnibus education funding measure or “school bus” passed the House Thursday on a narrow 56-54 vote. The budget contains the House’s proposal for K-12, community college and higher education funding for the 2012-2013 fiscal year.

The legislation was then given immediate effect on a record roll call vote, requested by House Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas (R-Midland). The immediate effect vote passed 100-10 with all 10 “no” votes coming from Democratic House members. Unlike Wednesday’s procedural action on HB 5365, Democrats were allowed to speak to their amendments to the education omnibus bill. Overall, 22 amendments were addressed with only six being adopted.

The roughly $14.5 billion budget includes $11.2 billion in School Aid Fund appropriations. Of the seven Republicans that voted against the measure, more than one voiced concern over language that may result in funding difficulties for all-day kindergarten programming.

posted by PAA Online , 9:58 AM
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Senate Passes Smoking Ban Exception

The 2012-2013 fiscal year budget for the Michigan Department of Community Health contained an interesting item as passed by the Senate Tuesday – an exemption from the 2009 smoking ban.

Sponsored by Senator Howard Walker (R-Traverse City), the amendment to Senate Bill 950 added boilerplate language to the budget directing DCH not to enforce the smoking ban at fundraising dinners for charities that have been in existence for a minimum of 10 years.

Senator Walker described a Catholic charity in the 37^th Senate District that raises a large sum of money through a cigar dinner each year. The budget was passed 24-14 with Senators Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township) and Joe Hune (R-Hamburg) joining all 12 Democrats in opposition.

posted by PAA Online , 9:57 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Senate Panel has Hearing on Waterfront Rights Measure

The Senate Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes Committee held a hearing this week on Senate Bill 1052, legislation sponsored by Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba). The measure would eliminate the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) permitting requirement for property owners seeking to groom their beaches. Proponents of the measure, including the organization Save Our Shoreline (SOS), compare the lakefront property owners’ requirement to negotiate the DEQ permitting process to homeowners needing a permit to mow their front yards.

Townships Offer PPT Reform Alternative

Departing a bit from the strategy of other local government organizations, the Michigan Townships Association presented an alternative solution to the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday during another hearing on the legislative package to reform the Michigan Personal Property Tax. Acknowledging the desire of the Administration and the Legislature to eliminate the tax – and even acknowledging the rationale, the Townships proposed to replace the loss in revenue to local government through credits in the Corporate Income Tax as opposed to direct appropriation reimbursements.

FRIB Funding Up

A United States Senate Subcommittee increased the recommended funding amount for the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) at Michigan State University. President Barack Obama’s proposal had called for only $22 million to begin construction of the $550 million facility; however, the Subcommittee increased the number to $30 million. Members of Michigan’s U.S. Congressional delegation, such as Congressman Mike Rogers (R-Brighton), who represents the university, and U.S. Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow have reportedly been working to increase the funding level.

New Anti-Tax Ballot Initiative Launched

A new ballot initiative championed by the group Michigan Alliance for Prosperity has begun to collect signatures. The initiative proposes to prohibit the state from imposing new taxes or increasing an existing tax rate unless approved by a two-thirds vote in both chambers of the legislature or approved by a statewide vote of the people.

Hunter Considers Wayne County Treasurer Bid

State Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) is reportedly considering a run for Wayne County Treasurer – a position currently held by 81-year-old Raymond Wojtowicz. The second-term Democratic Senator was first elected to the House in 2002 and is currently Democratic Floor Leader in the Senate.

posted by PAA Online , 9:56 AM
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