House Democrats Win Fundraising Race

As we approach the final weeks of the campaign over control of the House, Democrats have outraised Republicans 2-1. Campaign finance reports released earlier this week show the House Democrats have raised $700,000 during the reporting cycle and have $1.15 million cash on hand. They spent $330,302 during the reporting period.

House Democrats also show two late expenditures. The first totaled $385,400 for television ads supporting Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell in her bid to unseat Rep. Mark Ouimet in the 52^nd House District. The other expenditure is for $222,543 for television ads supporting Bill Farmer, who is running against Speaker Jase Bolger.

The House Republican Campaign Committee has $544,957 in the bank. House Republicans raised $293,348 in the period and spent $1.23 million.

House Republicans have spent the most in support of Rep. Deb Shaughnessy (R-Charlotte) a top target for Democrats. They have spent $171,000 on her race. They also spent $142,000 on Rep. Bruce Renden (R-Lake City) and more than $118,000 on Rep. Rick Outman (R-Six Lakes), two other top targets for the House Democrats.

On the Senate side, the Senate Republican Campaign Committee rasied $105,500 during the reporting period and reported $448,556 on hand.

The Senate Democratic Fund raised $51,139, spent $28,376 and reported $276,486 on hand.

The current reporting period covered July 21 through October 20.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 26, 2012 12:00 PM
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Michigan Congressional Races to Watch

Michigan’s First Congressional District appears to be one of the closest races in the nation. U.S. Rep. Dan Benishek and Gary McDowell have been crisscrossing the state’s largest U.S. House district while their respective political parties have been hitting the airwaves heavily.

Mr. Benishek came out of the tea party movement in 2010, surprising many in the Republican establishment by winning the party’s nomination over then State Senator Jason Allen. He went on to win a 51 to 40 percent victory over Gary McDowell as Republicans enjoyed perhaps their best year ever in the Upper Peninsula.

Congressional rematches are historically difficult for the challenger; however, the National Democratic Campaign Committee has this seat as a target for resources, the only Democratic challenger on that list for Michigan. Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney is expected to defeat President Obama in the areas that cover the 1^st congressional district so that should help Mr. Benishek.

Michigan’s 3^rd Congressional District also finds the incumbent facing a serious challenge in this election. U.S. Rep. Justin Amash and challenger Steve Pestka appear to be in a dead heat according to recent polling in the district. According to a poll conducted for WZZM 13, WDIV and the Detroit News, challenger Steve Pestka holds a 34.9 to 33.8 percent edge. Pestka’s 1.1 point advantage is within the 4.9 percent margin of error. 28 percent of the respondents were “undecided.” What may be troubling for Republicans in the 3^rd Congressional District is the poll also found President Obama holds a narrow lead over Republican challenger Mitt Romney 44.1 to 41.5 percent with 9 percent undecided. (President Obama narrowly defeated John McCain in the 3^rd Congressional District in the 2008 election.)

In Michigan’s 11^th Congressional District, Republicans are likely to hold this seat on November 6.

There was some early national interest by the Democratic Congressional Committee in the seat when tea party candidate Kerry Bentivolio became the de facto Republican candidate; however, that interest appears to be fading. The committee has not made the district a top target for resources as it hinted when they named Mr. Syed Taj, a Canton Township trustee, one of its “red to blue” candidates.

In a poll released earlier this week by Practical Political Consulting, showed Mr. Taj behind Mr. Bentivolio 48.5 to 51.5 percent, while he is polling better than typical Democratic candidates in the district, it may not be enough to carry the race given the Republican base in the district.

posted by PAA Online , 11:59 AM
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Michigan Has Fifth Highest Unemployment Rate

Michigan’s unemployment rate fell in September for the first time since April but still ended up with the fifth highest unemployment rate among all states, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Most states saw their unemployment rates fall in September. Forty-one states and the District of Columbia all saw their rates fall, while it increased in six states and remained the same in three states.

Michigan had a jobless rate of 9.3 percent in September, down from 9.4 percent in August. Nevada again had the highest unemployment rate at 11.8 percent. North Dakota had the lowest rate at 3 percent which was unchanged from August.

posted by PAA Online , 11:59 AM
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MDOT to Task Force: "Revenues Flattening Out"

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, while the department has done the best it can with current funding, the system is unsustainable as revenues and investment continue to decline.

“All the revenues are flattening out” according to Greg Johnson, the department’s chief operating officer. When adjusted for inflation, they are on par with 1993.

The state trunk line system, which is most frequently used by motorists and accounts for 34 percent of all trade flow in the nation, is funded by the gasoline tax, registration fees and the diesel tax. Each of those has begun to flatten out according to Greg Johnson; Inflation has taken away the ability to perform the basic functions of the trunk line system. Add to that the increased material and labor costs, as well as the fact that the state has not seen an increase in the gas tax since 1997, and the future is looking dismal.

Also testifying before the task force was Carmine Palombo of the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments. “Our pavements are deteriorating faster than we can improve them,” he said. The number of miles of both “good” and “fair” pavement condition status has gone down between 2004 and 2011 while the miles in “poor” condition go up, with about 36 percent of the system listed in poor condition.

The Transportation Task force met for its second meeting to discuss current transportation revenue levels. This is the second in what will be a series of meetings to look at transportation funding. The next meeting will be held on October 30 to continue the discussion of current transportation revenue levels

posted by PAA Online , 11:57 AM
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Last Week's Survey Results

The question in last week’s PAAdvisory asked how readers plan to vote on Proposal 3, the proposal to amend the State Constitution regarding renewable energy.

79 percent of PAAdvisory readers indicated that they plan to vote “no” and 21 percent plan to vote yes.

posted by PAA Online , 11:56 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Woosley New M.S.H.D.A. Director
The Michigan State Housing Development Authority unanimously appointed Scott Woosley as Executive Director on Wednesday. Mr. Woosley, of Rochester, succeeds Gary Heidel, who had been director since 2010. Mr. Heidel will return to his previous position as director of program policy and market research at MSHDA.

Governor Signs Concussion Legislation
Governor Snyder has signed into law legislation designed to reduce the number of head-related injuries in youth sports. The bills, Senate Bill 122, PA 342; House Bill 5697 PA 343, will take effect 90 days after the sine die adjournment of the Legislature. Attending the signing ceremony were the bill sponsors, Senator John Proos and Rep. Thomas Hooker. Detroit Lions President Tom Lewand also was on hand. The National Football League has been seeking similar laws in states throughout the country with all the concerns about concussions affecting NFL players.

New Film Commissioner Named
Governor Snyder appointed Margaret O’Riley of Fenton, as the new Director of the Michigan Film Office. Ms. O’Riley is currently the director of strategic planning for the Department of State. Ms. O’Riley fills the vacancy left by Carrie Jones, who accepted a position as executive director of the Michigan Venture Capital Association. Her appointment is effective October 29.

posted by PAA Online , 11:55 AM
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Question of the Week 10-26-12

posted by PAA Online , 11:21 AM
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