Southeast Michigan Mass Transit Initiative Given Potential New Life

The House Transportation Committee took two-and-a-half hours of testimony Thursday from business and political groups and those representing local governmental units – breathing new life into the age-long debate over mass transit in Southeast Michigan. The jammed hearing room overflowed into a second room and, while no vote on legislation was taken and some concerns and suggested changes were discussed, the atmosphere was certainly one of cooperation and potential progress.

House Transportation Committee Chair Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) voiced some frustration that the two major transportation issues, the New International Trade Crossing and Southeast Michigan mass transit (Senate Bill 909), both were initiated legislatively in the Senate. He opted to have a hearing on the issue, which has a House version in House Bill 5309.

The measure, sponsored by Representative Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak), proposes to create the Southeast Michigan Regional Transit Authority to serve Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The Authority would be able to receive federal funds and propose special assessments to voters in the region.

Community leaders, including Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel, Deputy Oakland County Executive Robert Daddow, and Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners Chair Conan Smith testified in favor of the initiative.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 28, 2012 11:09 AM
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EFM Statute Subject of New Suit

When the state’s new emergency manager statute (PA 4) was put in place, it repealed Michigan’s prior emergency financial manager law (PA 72). Upon determination that the group Stand Up for Democracy had obtained enough signatures to place the referendum of the state’s emergency manager law (PA 4) on November’s ballot, thereby suspending the law, the Snyder Administration’s position was that the former (PA 72) was given new life and again became the applicable law.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette issued a formal opinion on the matter, in favor of the Snyder Administration’s interpretation – one which has held up in the Circuit Court once already.

A new lawsuit filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights and the Sugar Law Center in Ingham County Circuit Court against the Snyder Administration questions this approach. Plaintiffs in the matter include city council members from the cities of Benton Harbor, Flint and Pontiac – all with emergency financial managers in place.

posted by PAA Online , 11:08 AM
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All Signs point to Duggan Mayoral Bid

As reported in last week’s PAAdvisory, Detroit Medical Center CEO Mike Duggan filed paperwork on Wednesday to form a mayoral exploratory committee for the City of Detroit. Duggan is a former Wayne County Prosecutor and Assistant Wayne County Executive.

After recently moving into the City of Detroit, Duggan stated he would consider the run over the next 90 days.

Briefly a candidate for Wayne County Treasurer, current State Senator Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit) is Duggan’s campaign director. Conrad Mallet, Jr., former Supreme Court Justice, is campaign chair.

Current Detroit Mayor Dave Bing has not yet announced his intentions to seek another term in office; however, it is expected he will do so. Current State Representative Lisa Howze (D-Detroit) is the only other officially announced candidate, having chosen not to run for re-elecion to her seat in the House of Representatives to focu on the upcoming Mayoral race.

posted by PAA Online , 11:06 AM
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Dem and GOP Packages Introduced To Provide for Removal of County Executives

Representative Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township) and Representative Pat Somerville (R-New Boston) have both introduced separate, similar packages of legislation aimed at misconduct by county executives. House Bills 5906 and 5907 were introduced by Representative Slavens on September 13^th while House Bills 5945 and 5946 were introduced by Representative Somerville this week.

All four have been referred to the House Committee on Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs.

The legislation proposes to allow the Governor to remove a county executive from office if found guilty of neglect of duty, extortion or misconduct. Current law already provides the Governor with the same authority for other county-level positions.

posted by PAA Online , 11:04 AM
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Last Week's Survery Results

The question in last week’s PAAdvisory was: As another election approaches and, with it, the reality of another group of new faces in the House of Representatives – what effect do you believe term limits has had on the public policy-making process in Michigan?

An overwhelming 71% of respondents replied that term limits has had a negative impact on the public policy-making process in Michigan. 14% replied that term limits has had no effect and 14% replied that term limits have positively impacted the process.

posted by PAA Online , 11:03 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

House Dems Take Immediate Effect Fight to Supreme Court

The House Democratic Caucus has appealed their fight on immediate effect to the Michigan Supreme Court. Thus far, the lower courts have ruled in favor of the Republican’s argument that the matter is not under the Court’s jurisdiction and is a matter of internal House management. Democrats contend that their numbers in the House are greater than the 22 necessary to request a roll call vote and, therefore, should be honored.

Mortgage Foreclosure Claim Forms Mailed

For those that lost their homes between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2011, the process for some relief under the $25 billion settlement won by 49 state attorneys general has started. 148,000 forms will be mailed through October 12^th and must be completed and returned by January 18, 2013.

Spear Fishing Legalized on State’s Largest Inland Lake

While Governor Snyder is out of the country on a trade trip to China, Lt. Governor Brian Calley signed legislation legalizing spear fishing on Houghton Lake. House Bill 5452, now PA 301 with immediate effect, passed both legislative chambers with unanimous votes.

New Senate Transportation Committee Composed

A new body in the Senate, developed to tackle the state’s transportation funding issues, has its three members but remains without a name. Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) was named to Chair the panel by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe). Senator Kahn will be joined by Senator John Pappageorge (R-Troy) and Senator Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor). The group will hold their first meeting October 2^nd.

Governor to Receive Business Court Creation Legislation

House Bill 5128, sponsored by Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia), is making its way to the Governor’s desk following House concurrence in Senate changes. The measure provides for the authority to establish business courts to relieve courts of crowded dockets. Under the proposal, a circuit court with three or more judges can assign a business docket and have a judge oversee proceedings specific to business cases.

posted by PAA Online , 11:02 AM
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Question of the Week 09/28/2012

posted by PAA Online , 10:39 AM
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