Election 2012 Done - Results Mixed

Beyond the convincing victory of President Barack Obama in Michigan and nationally, beyond incumbent U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow’s sizable defeat of challenger Pete Hoekstra (nearly 20-point margin at 58-39), beyond the lack of surprises among Michigan’s U.S. House of Representatives races (Congressmen Amash and Benishek were successful in their re-election bids, Kerry Bentivolio won in the 11^th), somewhere among the details exists the real story.

House Republicans Retain Majority 59-51

The House Republican Caucus, entering the night with a 64-46 edge over Democrats, came within 3,000 cumulative votes of having 55-55 shared power; however, they ended the night losing five seats maintaining a 59 – 51 majority for the 97^th Legislature.

Most significant among the races was that of Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), whose re-election efforts only became a question after the Representative Roy Schmidt party-switching issue and related fall-out. Speaker Bolger ended the night pulling-off the victory by approximately 860 votes, of more than 43,000 total cast.

Among the highlights of the night were five current GOP members that won’t be returning in January:

· Incumbent Representative Mark Ouimet (R-Scio Township) was defeated by Democrat Saline Mayor Gretchen Driskell in the 52^nd District.

· In the 71^st House District, Theresa Abed defeated incumbent Representative Deb Shaughnessy (R-Charlotte) in a rematch from 2010.

· As expected, Representative Roy Schmidt (R-Grand Rapids) was defeated by Democrat Winnie Brinks in the 76^th District.

· In the 91^st House District, incumbent Representative Holly Hughes (R-White River Township) lost a very close race to Democrat Colleen Lamonte, a math and science teacher at Muskegon High School.

· Incumbent Representative Matt Huuki (R-Atlantic Mine) lost to Democrat Scott Dianda, an MDOT employee and former union president.

Other close races include:

· Democrat Henry Yanez of Sterling Heights defeated Republican Sean Clark of Warren in the 25^th District.

· Klint Kesto of Commerce Township, a Republican, won a relatively comfortable victory over Democrat Pam Jackson in the 39^th District to replace Representative Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield).

· Incumbent Representative Nancy Jenkins (R-Clayton) held off a challenge by former State Senator Jim Berryman, a Democrat from Adrian, in the 57^th District.

· Former Representative Terry Brown will reclaim his office in the House after winning election to the 84^th District over Dan Grimshaw.

Republicans Continue to Control Supreme Court

Republican-nominated Justices will continue to hold the majority on the Supreme Court in Michigan as Justice Stephen Markman and Justice Brian Zahra were re-elected on Tuesday. Democrat-nominated Bridget McCormack was elected and will succeed Justice Marilyn Kelly, who could not seek re-election due to age.

Interesting Dynamics in Oakland County

Although the Board of Commissioners in Oakland County remains a Republican Majority (14-7) following Tuesday’s election, Democratic candidates were far more successful in county-wide races, defeating two incumbents. County Clerk/Register of Deeds Bill Bullard was defeated by House of Representatives member Lisa Brown and Water Resources Commissioner John McCulloch narrowly lost to Democrat Jim Nash. Additionally, incumbent Democrats County Treasurer Andy Meisner and Prosecutor Jessica Cooper held off challenges by Republicans current State House member Marty Knollenberg and former Senator Majority Leader Mike Bishop.

Michigan Voters Reject All of the Ballot Initiatives

Michigan voters defeated all of the ballot initiatives on Tuesday’s ballot; five of the six initiatives were overwhelmingly rejected.

· Proposal 1 (the referendum on Public Act 4, the Emergency Manager Statute) was narrowly defeated, the effect of which will be felt during lame duck session.

· The most expensive showdown between unions and business groups over Proposal 2, which would have placed the right to collective bargaining in the Constitution, was easily defeated 58-42 percent. A combined $45 million was spent by those opposing and supporting Proposal 2.

· Proposal 3 would have established a constitutional amendment to increase the state’s renewable energy standard to 25 percent by 2025, up from the current 10 percent by 2015. This proposal failed by a 63-37 percent tally.

· Voters overwhelmingly defeated Proposal 4 to allow the state’s home care workers to unionize and have a registry. Although absent an organized opposition, the initiative was still easily defeated by a 57-43 percent margin.

· Proposal 5, a constitutional amendment to require a 2/3 vote from the Legislature or a statewide vote from the people to raise taxes, was defeated 69 – 31 percent.

· The Moroun family spent over $42 million to require a statewide vote to build any new international bridge or tunnel in an effort to create a big divide to the Governor’s proposed new bridge connecting Detroit and Windsor, Canada. The endless commercials, mailings and phone calls proved futile in the end as Proposal 6 was defeated 60-40 percent.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 9, 2012 12:26 PM
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Speaker, House GOP Leadership Remain Unchanged

The fallout from the Representative Roy Schmidt (R-Grand Rapids) party-switching controversy had no effect on House GOP leadership elections Thursday as the Caucus re-elected House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) for two more years as the Chamber’s leader.

Only one other House member had toyed with running and offering an alternative to Speaker Bolger, Representative Ken Yonker (R-Caledonia); however, reports are that the Caucus was unified in their decision and direction even prior to Thursday’s closed-door meeting.

Re-elected along with Speaker Bolger were House Majority Floor Leader Jim Stamas (R-Midland), Speaker Pro Tempore Representative John Walsh (R-Livonia) and Majority Whip Representative Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township).

Representative Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) will serve as Majority Caucus Chair and Representatives Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant) and Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage) will serve as Associate Speakers Pro Tempore.

The only freshman elected to a leadership spot is Representative-elect Tom Leonard of DeWitt Township who will serve as Vice Chair of the Majority Caucus.

posted by PAA Online , 12:25 PM
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Greimel, Hobbs to Lead House Dems

Bringing with him the potential to serve an unprecedented three full terms as a caucus leader, Representative Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) was elected House Minority Leader for the 97^th Legislature by the House Democratic Caucus Thursday.

The former Oakland County Commissioner and labor attorney was a relatively late entry to the leadership race; however, he quickly secured considerable support and arguably locked-in the position upon obtaining support from Representative Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield), the Caucus’ new Floor Leader.

Although there was considerable chatter about other potential candidates leading into the meeting Thursday, Representative Hobbs’ only competitor was in Representative Doug Geiss (D-Taylor); however, after-the-fact, everyone involved described a strong and unified Caucus.

posted by PAA Online , 12:24 PM
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Ananich and Stanley Eye Senate Special

State Senator John Gleason (D-Flushing) was successful Tuesday in his bid to become Genesee County Clerk/Register of Deeds and will take that position January 1^st, leaving vacant one seat in the State Senate.

Since the Senate’s next election isn’t until November of 2014, the Governor is expected to call a special election to replace Mr. Gleason. Two Flint Democratic members of the State House have already begun to prepare for their bids to replace Senator Gleason: Representatives Jim Ananich and Woodrow Stanley

Representative Ananich’s current House district represents a larger portion of the 27^th State Senate District, about 65 percent, and Rep. Ananich reportedly also has a current financial edge of around $40,000 with $108,000 in cash-on-hand.

posted by PAA Online , 12:23 PM
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Lame Duck List Long - Highlights Include Blues Reform, PPT Elimination

Florida may not even be done counting their general election votes, but the Legislature in Michigan is ready to get back to work and has a long list of items ripe for attention prior to year’s end.

When the “lame duck” session begins in earnest the week after Thanksgiving, the window of opportunity to get something done will close quickly as both the House and Senate are estimating three weeks of session. Legislation not sent to Governor Rick Snyder will die and would have to be reintroduced when the Legislature reconvenes in January.

The two items arguably at the top of the list are the package of bills to reform Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Personal Property Tax (PPT) reform.

Senate Bills 1293 and 1294 would convert the Blues into a nonprofit mutual insurance company and require $1.5 billion in aid to health care to be paid into a fund over 18 years. The bills have passed the Senate and are awaiting action by the House.

The Personal Property Tax package (Senate Bills 1065 – 1072) is also awaiting action by the House, and has been since the Senate addressed the bills last May. When it comes to PPT reform (or elimination), most policy leaders, including the Governor, have stressed that getting it right is more important than getting it done quickly.

Other issues talked about for potential action or discussion during lame duck include House Bill 4936, the much-maligned auto insurance reform legislation that has been stuck on the House floor for a year-plus, and a new emergency manager statute now that PA 4 has been repealed by voter referendum.

Finally, in the wake of the significant defeat of Proposal 2, some buzz has been created over the potential for right-to-work legislation heating up during lame duck. The House has indicated intentions of visiting the possibility; however, the Governor and others have made clear the need to step back after the election results and evaluate priorities.

posted by PAA Online , 12:22 PM
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Last Week's Survey Results

The question in last week’s PAAdvisory asked how readers plan to vote on Proposal 4, the initiative to provide collective bargaining rights for in-home care workers.

100% of respondents indicated they would be voting “no.” on this proposal.

posted by PAA Online , 12:21 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

President Bartlet Among Contributors

Martin Sheen, the actor that played fictional U.S. President Jed Bartlet on the popular television series ‘West Wing,’ made a $3,400 contribution to the Michigan Supreme Court campaign of Bridget McCormack. The actor, and other personalities from the hit series, also appeared in a short video clip earlier in the campaign cycle for Ms. McCormick, the sister of Mary McCormick who also appeared on the show.

Signature Gathering Reform Measure Introduced

Representative Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth) introduced legislation Thursday (House Bill 6020) to prohibit an individual from being paid a set amount to gather petition signatures or for each page of petition signatures. The bill wouldn’t prevent individuals from being paid, as a part of a job, to collect signatures as long as the individual wore a badge identifying themselves as a paid petitioner as well as the organization paying the individual.

posted by PAA Online , 12:21 PM
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Question of the Week

posted by PAA Online , 11:35 AM
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