Governor To Seek State-Federal Partnership on Health Exchange

Still an advocate for the State to act and remain in control through a Michigan-led health insurance exchange, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has evidently come to the realization that the House Republican Caucus will not be moving forward on Senate Bill 693 or any other similar proposal.

Faced with a deadline under the federal Affordable Care Act, the Governor has announced his intentions of seeking a partnership with the federal government.

House Republicans originally refused to address the measure as they awaited the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision on the Act. With the Act being deemed constitutional by the Court, the House GOP’s hopes moved to the potential for Governor Romney’s election in November and resulting charge to repeal the Act.

The State, however, is left with the choice of informing the federal government of its intentions by November 16^th or being handed a purely federal exchange.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 24, 2012 11:47 AM
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State Says Anti-Bridge and Tax Ballot Proposals Have Signatures

Needing 322,609 valid signatures to appear on the November ballot, the Department of State staff review found that the Michigan Alliance for Prosperity had nearly 522,000 valid signatures from the 629,000-plus they submitted. The group is supporting the ballot proposal that would require a two-thirds majority approval in both the State Senate and House of Representatives, or a statewide public vote, for any tax increase.

The proposal has faced two challenges to date. The first, by Defend Michigan Democracy, alleged that signature gatherers were not registered voters among other potential violations. Department of State staff determined enough valid signature existed regardless. The second challenge, by Taxpayers United Michigan Foundation, alleges that the portion of the Constitution sought to be amended by the proposal was not stated on the petition. Department of State staff offered no opinion on the matter, which is likely to be resolved in the court system.

Additionally approved by State Department staff review were the signatures submitted by The People Should Decide. The group’s reported 477,000 valid signatures (of roughly 596,000 submitted) were enough for the petition in opposition to the New International Trade Crossing between Michigan and Canada.

Similar to the tax proposal, the anti-bridge proposal was challenged based on the omission of specific constitutional language on the petition. The challenge, by Taxpayers Against Monopolies, will also be decided by the courts.

posted by PAA Online , 11:46 AM
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Tribal Museum Receives Grant For Ancestral Burial

The Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways announced this week that they are the recipients of a federal grant in the amount of $13,593 for the repatriation of ancestral remains and funeral artifacts currently at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Anthropology.

The grant was issued by the National Park Service under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act. The National Park Service Director and Secretary of the Interior announced more than $1.6 million in grants.

The remains of 120 Native American individuals and 219 funerary objects were excavated in 1973 during the Fisher Site project near Lapeer, Michigan. The reburial will be at the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe’s Nibokaan Cemetery on the Tribe’s Isabella Indian Reservation.

posted by PAA Online , 11:45 AM
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New Michigan License Plates Released By Secretary of State Johnson

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson stood 500 feet above the Straits of Mackinac on a tower of the Mackinac Bridge to unveil Michigan’s two new license plates, both containing the “Pure Michigan” logo. The simply blue and white plate will phase out the current standard plate and will be available at no additional cost. The second, colorful Mackinac Bridge plate will be available for an additional $5 above the normal license and registration fees. Both plates will be available beginning January 1^st.

posted by PAA Online , 11:42 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Rulemaking Process Advisory Committee Appointed

Charged by Governor Rick Snyder with reviewing all regulatory processes, the Michigan office of Regulatory Reinvention (ORR) appointed a twelve member Rulemaking Process Advisory Committee. The Committee will have 120 days (unless extended by ORR) to submit recommendations to ORR, which will then submit recommendations to Governor Snyder.

State Has New Personnel Director

Former State Personnel Director Jeremy Stephens has accepted a position as the director of human resources at Chelsea Community Hospital and has resigned prior to the end of his term. The office’s chief deputy director, Janet McClelland is serving as acting director. The Civil Service Commission appoints the Personnel Director, who leads the State’s human resources operations.

Tribal Accord Renewed

Governor Rick Snyder signed an Executive Order this week, renewing the State’s now 10-year old commitment to an accord with twelve federally recognized Native American tribes. The accord recognizes the tribes’ self governing and sovereign status and requires departmental interaction with the tribes in instances of rule or policy implementation.

posted by PAA Online , 11:35 AM
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Questions of the Week

posted by PAA Online , 10:51 AM
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