Ballot Proposal Debates Concluded - 3 Approved, 1 Removed

The Michigan Supreme Court ended the seemingly endless legal and administrative battle over four major ballot proposals Wednesday, approving three for position on the November ballot and denying one.

The three ballot proposals approved for the November ballot are 1) The proposal to place the right to collective bargaining in the Constitution; 2) The proposal to require a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers or statewide vote to raise any taxes; and 3) The proposal to require a statewide vote to authorize the building of any new international border crossings.

The ballot proposal to authorize eight new casinos failed to gain approval with the Court voting 4-3 to order the Board of State Canvassers not to place the item on the ballot.

Opponents of all four proposals had argued that each was in violation of Article XII, Section 2 of the Constitution that requires any proposal for amendment to include all sections of the Constitution that would be altered or abrogated. The Court determined that by merely affecting a section, a proposal does not alter or abrogate the section.

In all, voters will face six ballot questions in November. In addition to the three described above, two additional proposed constitutional amendments and one referendum had already been approved for the ballot. The referendum is on the state’s new emergency manager law, Public Act 4 of 2011. The two previously approved amendment proposals are the “25 in 25” proposal to require utilities to generate 25 percent of power from renewable sources by 2025 and the proposal to ensure the state’s home help workers can organize.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 7, 2012 11:39 AM
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MPSERS Reform Hits Hurdle in Court

Lawsuits were filed by the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the American Federation of Teachers - Michigan (AFT) in anticipation of the Governor Rick Snyder’s signing of Senate Bill 1040 (now Public Act 300 of 2012), and earlier this week Ingham County Circuit Court Judge Rosemarie Aquilina issued a restraining order in response.

The new law requires participants to choose whether or not to remain in traditional pension and retiree healthcare coverage and make a 3 percent contribution, or avoid the 3 percent by giving up the health insurance and enrolling in a 401(k)-type plan. According to the Snyder Administration, the law serves to eliminate $15 billion of the $45 billion in unfunded liability in the Michigan Public Schools Employee Retirement System (MPSERS).

The problem is, according to the MEA and AFT, the law requires this decision to be made by participants by October 26^th – far too soon. The restraining order issued by Judge Aquilina prohibits the state from forcing the public school employees to make the decision.

During Tuesday’s signing ceremony, the Governor stated that the Administration would appeal to the Court of Appeals and felt comfortable in their litigation position on the matter. � � o o �0L �cJ quire utilities to generate 25 percent of power from renewable sources by 2025 and the proposal to ensure the state’s home help workers can organize.

posted by PAA Online , 11:37 AM
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Heads-Up For Corporate Fee Scam

The Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) issued a statement this week warning consumers about a potential scam.

A non-governmental entity calling themselves “Michigan Corporate Compliance Company” is soliciting a $125 fee from corporations and limited liability companies for filing corporate meeting minutes and completing an Annual Meeting Disclosure Statement. LARA indicated that similar scams had existed in numerous other states.

Legitimate mailings from LARA’s Corporations Division are mailed to the resident agent at the registered office address on record. Annual meeting minutes are not required to be filed with the State of Michigan. An annual report or annual statement is required and can be filed online.

Any consumer that receives a questionable solicitation or notice should keep the entire mailing and report it to either the Michigan Attorney General’s office or the U.S. Postal Inspection Services.

:A' m ' D �0L �cJ esday’s signing ceremony, the Governor stated that the Administration would appeal to the Court of Appeals and felt comfortable in their litigation position on the matter.

posted by PAA Online , 11:36 AM
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Last Week's Survey Results

The question in last week’s PAAdvisory was: Do you believe the process for having an issue placed on the ballot for potential Constitutional amendments is too easy?

77% of respondents replied “yes,” that the process is too easy. 23% responded “no.”

posted by PAA Online , 11:35 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Bentivolio Prevails in 11^th Special Election

Republican Kerry Bentivolio was successful in winning the special election to serve out the remainder of former U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter’s term in Congress following his resignation. Bentivolio won the August Republican Primary and this week’s special election over former State Senator Nancy Cassis.

Vandals Strike Capitol, Memorial

Sometime between 3:00 and 4:00AM early Thursday morning, an unknown number of vandals spray painted two columns on the State Capitol Building with the images of a man and woman. The War Memorial near Ottawa Street was also spray painted with the phrase, “give art a chance.” Capitol Facilities was hard at work Thursday to begin removing the graffiti and estimated costs could rise to $8,000. State Police are investigating the incident.

West Nile Numbers Up

The Department of Community Health reported that 136 individual instances of human infection with West Nile Virus have happened in Michigan. The six deaths remain the same as reported previously. Wayne County is the highest with 37 cases, and Kent County followed close behind with 32.

Faris Holds on Through Recount

Pam Faris, the wife of former Lt. Governor John Cherry, won the Democratic Primary in the 48^th House district by 24 votes in August – and, after a recount, ended up winning by 3 more votes than originally counted. Faris defeated Patrick “Shorty” Gleason in the very close Primary. Four more recounts are expected in Primary races in the 5^th, 83^rd, 88^th, and 108^th House Districts.

posted by PAA Online , 11:34 AM
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Question of the Week 9/7/12

posted by PAA Online , 10:13 AM
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