Fall Election Races Taking Shape

Tuesday, May 15^th was the filing deadline in the State of Michigan. Every two years, members of Michigan’s House of Representatives hold their breath to see if anyone will challenge them for the privilege to serve. This year’s fall races are sure to excite political couch potatoes, as candidates will run in newly redrawn districts for the first time since last year’s contentious re-districting process. Twenty incumbents, whose House districts were re-drawn into the same district, will be forced to slug it out to see who will return to Lansing in 2013.

Of special note was a decision by incumbent Democratic Representative Roy Schmidt, who decided to run as a Republican just before the expiration of the filing deadline. This certainly caused an uproar among House Democrats, whose efforts to take back leadership of the House suffered a huge blow with this defection. The GOP-led redistricting process created 59 seats with a 48 percent republican base or higher. Additionally, Representative Rick Olson (R-York Twp.) declined to seek re-election, as his district was redrawn into one with a leaning Democratic base.

Below, find detailed information concerning this fall’s most competitive races:

INCUMBENT GOP PRIMARIES:

84th: Rep. Kurt Damrow (R-Austin) squares off against Tuscola County Register of Deeds Dan Grimshaw and Sami Khoury, who has served on the Sebawing Village council.

86^th: Rep. Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) has two primary opponents – Public School Teacher Thomas DeVault and first-timer Ethan Frasier.

104^th: Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) will face a challenge from Right Michigan blogger Jason Gillman.

INCUMBENT DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES:

2^nd: Redistricting forced Rep. Tim Bledsoe (D-Grosse Pointe) and Rep. Alberta Tinsley-Talabi (D-Detroit) into the same district. They’ll square off in a primary race against process improvement consultant Anthony Zander and paralegal Harry Scott.

3rd: Incumbents Rep. Jimmy Womack (D-Detroit) and Rep. John Olumba (D-Detroit) will face off against newcomer Christopher Owens in this 3rd District battle.

Incumbent Representative Lisa Howze (D-Detroit), whose district was also rolled into the new 3^rd District, decided not to seek re-election and plans to run for mayor of Detroit.

5^th: Legislative Black Caucus Chairman Rep. Fred Durhal Jr. (D-Detroit) is in a crowded primary against UAW member Renard Berry, Sr., Cynthia Johnson, and homemaker Tonya Wells, Mark Murphy Jr., and daycare owner Nathaniel Nathan.

6^th: Incumbent Representatives Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) and Rep. Maureen Stapleton (D-Detroit) will square off against Democrat Patrick O'Connell.

28^th: This southern Macomb seat will feature the incumbent Democratic primary that seems the toughest to call. It will feature Rep. Jon Switalski (D-Warren) against Rep. Lesia Liss (D-Warren), after they were forced into a primary against each other due to redistricting.

7^th: Rep. Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit) is seeking re-election from this district, but faces a challenge for the Democratic nomination from Jeanette Williams of Detroit.

10^th: Rep. Philip Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) will have to fight off three Democrats for their party's nomination: Leslie Love and David McNeal of Detroit and Jerry Thomas of Redford Township.

INCUMBENT COMPETITIVE SEATS:

21^st: Incumbent Rep. Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township) drew a primary against Kiz Ahamiojie of Belleville. If successful, she’ll face off against Republican Joe Barnabei.

23^rd: The 23^rd District holds the distinction of being a strongly leaning Democratic district held by a Republican. Consequently, Incumbent Rep. Patrick Somerville (R-New Boston) will face a targeted attack by House Dems, who badly want to return this district to the D column. Their hopes lie in former Trenton Mayor Tom Boritzki. But first, Rep. Somerville will have to get past Wayne County Deputy Sheriff Jeremy Cady for the right to run as the GOP nominee.

24^th: Rep. Anthony Forlini (R-Harrison Township) is unopposed in the GOP primary. Therefore, he’ll square off in November against either business owner Philip Kurczewski or former Macomb County Board of Commissioners member Carey Torrice

32^nd: Rep. Andrea LaFontaine (R-Richmond) fielded a tough primary race against newcomer Michael Shmina. The winner will face off against Democrat Sheri Smith, who works for Sanilac ISD.

50^th: Incumbent Rep. Charles Smiley (D-Burton) will have a tough re-election bid against Republican and Genesee County Commissioner Miles Gadola.

51^st: Newly-elected incumbent Rep. Joseph Graves (R-Linden) will be challenged by perennial candidate and GM retiree John Lauve. House Dems are pinning their hopes of stealing this competitive seat on the winner between Democrats Steven Losey and Ryan Starski.

52^nd: Rep. Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township) will face Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell in November’s general election.

56^th: Incumbent Rep. Dale Zorn (R-Ida) will be challenged by either Retired Wayne County Sheriff's Lieutenant Larry Crider or Dundee resident Joe Astro in the general election.

57^th: Incumbent Rep. Nancy Jenkins (R-Clayton) will face a strong challenge in this targeted district. Democrats are eagerly awaiting a fall contest between Mrs. Jenkins and political heavyweights Former Sen. Jim Berryman or Former Tecumseh Mayor Harvey Schmidt, who’ll square off in the Democratic primary.

62^nd: Minority Floor Leader Kate Segal (D-Battle Creek) will face a tough challenge from former Battle Creek Mayor and current City Commissioner Mark Behnke.

64^th: Democrats Barb Shelton and Rueben Marquez II will square off for the opportunity to face incumbent Rep. Earl Poleski (R-Jackson) in November.

65^th: Rep. Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) is being challenged by Columbia School District Treasurer Dan Fulara in the GOP Primary. If successful, he’ll face a November challenge from Democratic primary winner between retired corrections officer Bonnie Johnson or U.S. Army Veteran Steve Grace.

70^th: Rep. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes) will see a rematch with former Rep. Mike Huckleberry.

76^th: Former Democrat Rep. Roy Schmidt (see above) is running unopposed as a Republican. Democrats intend on fielding a write-in candidate to face Schmidt.

91^st: Rep. Holly Hughes (R-White River Township) will likely face off against Democratic challenger Collene Lamonte. But first, Ms. Hughes will have to win the GOP primary with former U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel Max Riekse.

97^th: Rep. Joel Johnson (R-Clare) will square off against Democrat Chris Breznau in the November General Election.

99^th: Incumbent Rep. Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) will be pitted against recent Central Michigan University grad Adam Lawrence.

101^st: Two Democrats will vie for the right to challenge incumbent Rep. Ray Franz (R-Onekama). Derek Bailey, the Grand Traverse Band tribal chairman, will face former Marilla Township Supervisor Allen O'Shea.

103^rd: Incumbent Rep. Bruce Rendon (R-Lake City) will face two primary challengers in Brenton Weiss and college student Matthew Sherman. If successful, he’ll square off against the winner of a Democratic primary race including; Investor Lon Johnson and Frank Izworski.

106^th: Incumbent Rep. Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle) will face the winner of the Democratic primary between Nicholas Hein of Posen and Kenneth Hubbard of Alpena.

108^th: Sharon Gray, a CPA and political neophyte, will challenge Incumbent Rep. Ed McBroom's (R-Vulcan) for this northern Michigan seat.

110^th: Rep. Matt Huuki (R-Atlantic Mine) will face off against Democrat and former Calumet Village President Scott Dianda, and Democrat William Lucius.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, May 18, 2012 12:11 PM
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AG Questions Legality of Proposed Casino Project

On January 23, 2012, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero announced a partnership with the Sault Tribe of Chippewa Indians to build a $245 million off-reservation casino in Downtown Lansing. However, in a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior released this week, Michigan Assistant Attorney General S. Peter Manning labeled the proposed casino “illegal.” Furthermore, the letter asks the U.S. Department of the Interior not to support the proposed Kewadin Lansing casino project.

Mr. Manning went on to write that the state is “gravely” concerned about future consequences, if the casino is allowed to proceed. Specifically, he noted that if the legal theory the tribe is depending on to garner federal approval is validated, then the tribe could justify purchasing land, using funds obtained through the Michigan Indian Land Claims Settlement Act to build casinos throughout Michigan and the United States.

Additionally, Mr. Manning commented that the state previously advised the city and the tribe that the proposed casino violated state and federal law, as well as the existing compact between the Sault Tribe and State of Michigan.

Mayor Bernero issued the following statement in response to the letter:

"The Attorney General is entitled to his opinion, but of course we respectfully disagree with him. Along with our partners in the Sault Tribe, we will continue to vigorously pursue our plans to establish a casino in Lansing, which will bring millions of dollars in new investment and thousands of new jobs to the region."

posted by PAA Online , 12:10 PM
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Gleason Files for Genesee County Clerk; Hunter for Wayne County Treasurer

Democratic Senator John Gleason (Flushing) filed to run for the Genessee County clerk position. He will face incumbent Clerk-Register of Deeds Michael Carr, who is also a Democrat, in the primary.

Mr. Carr was elected clerk in 1976 until 1983 when he was appointed Director of the Department of Lottery under Governor Blanchard. He returned to the post in 1993.

Mr. Gleason had been considering running for Congress after U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee (D-Flint) announced he would not seek re-election.

Senator Democratic Floor Leader Tupac Hunter (D – Detroit) would forgo his last two years in the Senate if he is elected Wayne County Treasurer. Mr. Hunter would be term limited from the Senate in 2014.

posted by PAA Online , 11:57 AM
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House Committee Changes Announced

As a result of Rep. Roy Schmidt’s move to the Republican caucus this week, Speaker Bolger announced a series of committee changes. Rep Schmidt will remain on all of the committees on which he current serves, and a Democrat will be added to each committee.

Rep. Mike Callton (R-Nashville) will be removed from the Insurance Committee and added to the Agriculture Committee.

Rep. David Nathan (D-Detroit) will be added to the Insurance Committee.

Rep. Thomas Stallworth (D-Detroit) will serve as minority vice-chair of the Energy and Technology Committee, and the committee will also add Rep. Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills). Rep Joe Haveman (R-Holland) will no longer serve on this committee.

posted by PAA Online , 11:56 AM
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Small Revenue Increase Won't Mean Big Budget Increase

The long-anticipated Revenue Estimating Conference indicated that the Michigan economy has come a long way from the depths of the Great Recession, but not far enough to meet the hopes and wishes of all those seeking budget increases. University of Michigan economists expect Michigan to continue a sustained but “modestly paced recovery” through 2014.

General fund revenues are up $33.9 million and the School Aid fund is up $112.5 million from the January forecast for FY2011-12. Lower than anticipated Medicaid and welfare caseloads free up an additional $152 million general fund in the 2011-12 budget. State Budget Director John Nixon said the “essentially just under $300 million in revenue for 2012” will help but not radically alter the look of the budget.

The consensus seems to be that the new money does not change the direction Governor Rick Snyder and legislative leaders are taking in the drafting of the FY 2012-13 budget. Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township), the Senate Appropriations Committee chair, and Representative Chuck Moss (R-Birmingham), the House Appropriations Committee chair, said they anticipated that the budgets would not authorize spending much beyond what the Legislature has already passed.

With the completion of the Revenue Estimating Conference , the administration and Republican legislative leaders will set targets for department and major budget areas by early next week; these targets will enable the House and Senate Appropriations subcommittee chairs to finalize their respective budgets and move toward final budget passage by the self-imposed June 1 deadline.

posted by PAA Online , 11:56 AM
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MSPERS Defined Contribution Proposal Clears Senate

Today the Senate passed a major education reform to the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (M.P.S.E.R.S). On party lines, the Republican Majority in the Senate narrowly passed the reform by a two vote margin, 20-18. The new proposal offered within Senate Bill 1040 mandates all new public school employees hired on or after July 1, 2013 be placed into a defined contribution 401(K) program. Senator Mark Jansen, a key proponent of the legislation said, “If we had done something like this in the middle 90’s, we probably would have a zero liability. In the future, legislators will look back on this group as the Legislature that fixed an un-ended nightmare.”

Other key components of the Senate bill 1040 are as follows:

· Employees hired prior to 1990 that are currently in the basic pension plan would be required to start making a 5% salary contribution to the plan.

· Public School Employees enrolled in the Member Investment Plan and currently contributing 3.9 percent of their salary would be required to increase that donation to 8 percent. A variety of exemptions are available if the new employee chooses the 401(k) type system for future service.

· School Retirees would have to pay 20 percent of their Health Insurance Premium, an increase of 10 percent.

· New School Employees will not be eligible for retiree health insurance and would instead be mandated to set up a 401(k) style account that the State would match 2 percent of their salary that could be used toward future retirement healthcare costs.

All Democratic amendments to provide prefunding of the retirement, and retirement healthcare systems, were rejected by the Republicans.

posted by PAA Online , 11:54 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

SNYDER TAKING HIS SALARY

Governor Snyder plans on getting paid his full salary this year, but plans to make a “significant” contribution to charity. Mr. Snyder worked for $1 his first year in office, in an effort to offset the state budget deficit. This year he plans to take his full $159,300 salary.

SESSION SCHEDULE RELEASED

The Senate plans to meet once a month in July and August according to their updated schedule. June 28 is the last day of session with a return on July 18 and August 16. They will then break until Tuesday, September 11. They will not meet September 18 or September 26.

They are scheduled to meet Wednesday, October 17; Tuesday, November 8, and the last week of November, through December 20.

GOVERNOR SIGNS CYBER SCHOOL, DUAL ENROLLMENT BILLS

Governor Snyder signed SB 619 (PA 129) this week expanding the number of cyber schools permitted in the state. The total enrollment is limited to two percent of the student population. Also signed was Senate Bill 622 (PA 131) which expands the ability of high school students to get college classes while still in high school.

posted by PAA Online , 11:53 AM
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