Police and Firefighter Income Tax Exemption Expansion Quietly Moves

During the busy last day of session prior to the Summer recess, the House of Representatives quietly moved a bill that has been sat idle for more than a year.

Senate Bill 409, sponsored by Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart), passed the Senate in 2011. When it moved over to the House, it proposed to entirely exempt all retirement income from the state’s individual income tax for those who do not participate in Social Security. The H-7 substitute passed by the House provides these individuals with a higher exemption than the general public, but not a total exemption.

The measure passed 108-1 with only Representative Doug Geiss (D-Taylor) voting no.

The law currently provides the income tax exemption of $20,000 for an individual or $40,000 for a couple to those born between 1946 and 1952. The legislation adds government employees not covered by Social Security to the section and increases the exemption values to $35,000 and $55,000, respectively.

Although it is unclear when the Senate may act on the House-passed version of the reform, all signs indicate the upper Chamber is pleased with the changes.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 22, 2012 12:08 PM
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Michigan Mourns Passing of Two Former Legislators

Former State Representative and State Senator Joe Young, Jr. of Detroit passed away last week in Wisconsin where he had resided since 2007. Young followed his father, former State Representative Joe Young, Sr., into the House of Representatives in 1978 and, in 1994, won election to the State Senate where he served until 2002.

The Detroit native was born in 1950 and graduated from Michigan State University. The funeral will be held at 11AM, Monday, June 25^th at Nativity of the Lord Parish in Detroit.

Also mourned this week is the long-time champion of victim rights and powerful chair of both the Senate and House Judiciary committees, former Representative and Senator William Van Regenmorter who passed Monday at the age of 73.

Mr. Van Regenmorter was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1982 and was elected to the Senate in 1990. In 2003 he returned to the House after being termed out of the Senate and decided not to seek re-election in 2006.

The Ottawa County Republican was well liked throughout his entire career. Funeral services and visitation were held earlier this week.

The PAA family sends warm wishes and sincere condolences to the friends and family of Mr. Young and Mr. Van Regenmorter.

posted by PAA Online , 12:07 PM
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Coalition Urges Johnson to Strike Down Ballot Language

Protect Our Jobs submitted nearly 700,000 signatures to the Secretary of State in an effort to place language on the ballot designed to protect collective bargaining rights – more than double the roughly 323,000 valid signatures required to do so. Now, a coalition of business interests has asked the Secretary of State to deny moving forward on the process.

Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution have asked the Secretary of State, Ruth Johnson, not to canvass the signatures or otherwise move the process forward as the ballot initiative represents an illegal general revision of the State Constitution and statutes. The Coalition claims that the potential widespread effect of the initiative would certainly take the proposal summary description well outside the 100-word limit.

An attorney representing the coalition sent the letter and asked Ms. Johnson to act quickly so the Coalition could determine if a court case was necessary.

posted by PAA Online , 12:06 PM
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Court Yet to Decide on Pension Contribution Reform

Ingham Country Circuit Court Judge Joyce Draganchuk heard oral arguments this week regarding the constitutionality of a new law requiring 4 percent of state employees’ pay to remain in the pension system. The Coalition of State Employee Unions brought the case, stating that the law violated the Civil Service Commission’s authority, as did the 3 percent contribution for retiree health care.

Attorneys for the State argued that the new law differs, though, in that it is not mandatory. Those state employees who do not want to pay the 4-percent do not have to – they can convert to a defined contribution plan for the remaining years of their state employment.

Judge Draganchuk has said she will issue a written ruling.

posted by PAA Online , 12:05 PM
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Brinks Received Dem party Nod in 76th

The Kent County Democratic Party decided early this week to place their support behind Winnie Brinks to run as a write-in candidate against now-Republican Representative Roy Schmidt (Grand Rapids). Brinks reportedly was chosen by the party over former State Representative Robert Dean and former Kent County Commissioner Bob Synk.

Ms. Brinks is a case worker for the Grand Rapids-based non-profit job training organization The SOURCE and is a Calvin College graduate.

In order to be nominated as the write-in candidate, Ms. Brinks will need to receive at least the same amount of votes as the top vote-getter in the August Democratic Primary.

posted by PAA Online , 12:04 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Synthetic Drug Ban Signed

A package of legislation developed to prevent the sale of synthetic substances designed to have effects similar to illegal drugs like marijuana was signed into law by Governor Snyder this week. The bills effectively remove substances such as K2 or Spice from store shelves and provide the State with the ability to act more quickly to block any substances posing danger in the future – something law enforcement officials have promised to focus on immediately. The package includes Senate Bill 789, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), Senate Bill 1082, sponsored by Senate Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell), House Bill 5714, sponsored by Representative Pat Somerville (R-New Boston) and House Bill 5338 sponsored by Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan).

Former State Rep. Scott off August Ballot

Former State Representative Bettie Cook Scott will not be on the August Democratic Primary ballot. The Wayne County Clerk’s office found that the home from which Ms. Scott filed to run is actually in the 1^st House District, not in the 2^nd where she filed. Scott’s departure from the ballot leaves two current State Representatives, Tim Bledsoe of Grosse Pointe and Alberta Tinsley-Talabi of Detroit, running in Detroit’s 2^nd district.

Highland Park Schools to Transition to Charter-based

With a current operating deficit of $3.7 million and an overall deficit of $11 million, the Highland Park Schools have announced a deficit reduction plan that includes the school district becoming a charter school system. Emergency Manager Joyce Parker made the announcement as the district becomes the second to follow such a path, after Muskegon Heights Public Schools. Parker said the requests for application will be immediately released with the hope of having a management company in place by mid-July.

Bentivolio Secures Agema Endorsement

Kerry Bentivolio, the Tea Party-backed candidate for the 11^th Congressional seat and only Republican on the ballot after current Congressman Thad McCotter’s well-publicized mishap, received the endorsement of Republican National Committeeman Elect and current State Representative Dave Agema. Mr. Bentivolio will be fighting off the challenge of former State Representative and Senator Nancy Cassis who is waging a write-in campaign with the backing of local GOP leadership.

DNR Director Stokes Changes Positions

Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Director Rodney Stokes is leaving his cabinet position according to an announcement from the Governor’s office Thursday afternoon. Stokes will be moving to a position with the DNR as a special advisor on city “placemaking” where he will work with communities on ensuring ample recreational opportunities and green space are present.

posted by PAA Online , 12:03 PM
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