PAA Government Profiles

PAA Government Profiles
For the 97^th Legislature (2013-2014), 28 new Michigan House of Representative members will be working in the Capitol. Here are four of the newest members with more to follow in the coming weeks.

District 17
Bill LaVoy (D)
Email: bill@billlavoy.com
Occupation: Monroe Public Access Cable Exec. Director
Age: 44
Predecessor: New seat

District 18
Sarah Roberts (D)
Email: sarahroberts24@yahoo.com
Occupation: Economic Alliance for MI Legislative Director
Age: 37
Predecessor: New seat

District 25
Henry Yanez (D)
Email: hyanez57@gmail.com
Occupation: Firefighter
Age: 54
Predecessor: New seat

District 39
Klint Kesto (R)
Email:klint@klintkesto4michigan.com
Occupation: Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Age: 30
Predecessor: Lisa Brown(D)

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 30, 2012 11:33 AM
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Right to Work on Hold For Now

After meeting behind closed doors with Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) and House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), Governor Rick Snyder announced Thursday that there would be no “Right to Work” legislation that day.

Meanwhile, the United Auto Workers (UAW) and other opponents reportedly made preparations for a significant Capitol presence if legislation began moving that enables workers to opt-out of union membership. The State Police made similar preparations with a significant presence of patrol cars, a command station, and troopers on foot in and out of the Capitol.

The Governor had held strong to his position that Right to Work legislation is not on his agenda; however, the significant defeat of Proposal 2 in November, seeking to protect the right to collective bargaining in the Constitution, has led the Republican-led House and Senate to increase pressure for passing Right to Work.

At issue is not just whether to make Michigan the nation’s 24^th state with Right to Work protection, but the substance and reach of the proposed measure. Sources close to the issue report that Senator Richardville’s priority is only public unions; however, that raises constitutional questions.

The Legislature is currently scheduled to be in session next week (December 4 – 6) and the following week (December 11 – 13) with leadership previously pointing to the 14^th as the very last session day; however, tentative session days have now been scheduled for December 18^th – 20^th.

The topic is next scheduled to be discussed at the normal Tuesday meetings between the Governor and the Legislative leadership.

posted by PAA Online , 11:30 AM
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PPT Reform, Transit on Tap For Next Week

The latest version of the effort to eliminate Michigan’s Personal Property Tax (PPT), recognized as one of the Snyder Administration’s top priorities, is expected to see action in the House Tax Policy Committee next week.

Although Lt. Governor Brian Calley made a presentation to the House panel this week, Committee Chairman Representative Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac) stated that some questions still needed to be answered with regard to compensation to local governments for revenue loss.

The package is encompassed by House Bills 6050, 6051, 6052, 6053, 6054, 6055, 6056, and 6057.

Meanwhile, House Transportation Committee Chairman Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) indicated that the Committee would take action on a package of bills passed from the Senate this week to establish a regional transit authority in Detroit.

Senate Bills 445, 909, 911, 912 and 967 passed the Senate on bipartisan votes earlier this week, with mostly Republican opposition. The bills create a new authority that would oversee a rapid bus system serving the City of Detroit and Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.

posted by PAA Online , 11:29 AM
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Governor Delivers Special Message on Energy and the Environment

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder delivered his special message on energy and the environment Wednesday from the Michigan State University W. K. Kellogg Research Center near Kalamazoo, focusing on a call for better use of the state’s resources to improve overall quality of life.

With regard to renewable energy, the topic of the ill-fated Proposal 3 from November’s ballot, the Governor called on industry leaders, utilities and other advocates to spend 2013 discussing what the next standard should be after the current standard of 10 percent is met in 2015.

Three “tillers” will direct the Administration’s policies in moving forward, according to the Governor’s message – reliability, affordability and environmental protection. Further points included:

The call for more natural gas and less coal usage for electric generation
The development of a strategic reserve of natural gas
Significant expansion of a loan program to improve overall energy efficiency of low-income households
The call for a summit of Great Lakes governors and Canadian leadership to discuss policies to protect the Great Lakes, including invasive species
A complete trail from Belle Isle in Detroit to the Wisconsin state-line in the Western UP

posted by PAA Online , 11:27 AM
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House Dems Announce More Leadership Elections/Appointments

The House Democratic Caucus announced five more leadership elections and one major committee appointment Thursday.

Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit) will serve as the Caucus’s lead member on the House Appropriations Committee, as announced by Democratic Leader-elect Representative Tim Greimel (D-Pontiac).

The Caucus also announced the election of Representative Stacey Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) as Minority Whip, Representative-elect Sarah Roberts (D-St. Clair Shores) as Caucus Chair, Representative Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) as Campaign Chair, Representative-elect Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) as Finance Chair, and Representative Jim Townsend (D-Royal Oak) as Policy Advisor.

Leader-elect Greimel and Democratic Floor Leader-elect Representative Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield) were previously elected on November 8^th.

posted by PAA Online , 11:26 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

LARA Director Departs for MEDC

Steven Hilfinger, the Director of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA), is leaving the cabinet position for the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC). Hilfinger will serve as Chief Operating Officer for the MEDC. Deputy LARA Director Steve Arwood will serve as acting Director until such time as a new Director is appointed.

Michigan Wins in Bond Refinancing

State Treasurer Andy Dillon announced this week that a series of environmental bonds have been refinanced at the lowest rate in 35 years, 1.16-percent. The $96.8 million in bonds refinancing at such a historical low will save the state approximately 10-percent from the payments made on previous bonds.

Two More Former McCotter Staffers Convicted

Don Yowchuang and Paul Seewald, both former staff members of ex-U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter, were convicted of charges Tuesday related to their respective roles in the petition fraud scandal that cost McCotter his seat in Congress and his political career. Yowchuang pleaded no contest to 10 felonies and six misdemeanors and Mr. Seewald pleaded guilty to nine misdemeanors. Sentencing is set for January 18^th.

October Unemployment Numbers Down in Most Markets

The Michigan Department of Technology, Management & Budget released numbers this week showing that unemployment decreased in all labor markets except Detroit in October. Detroit-Warren-Livonia increased from 10 to 10.5 percent in partially due to the region’s increase in overall labor force to 2.029 million. The lowest unemployment numbers came from the Ann Arbor market, down from 4.9 percent to 4.6 percent.

posted by PAA Online , 11:25 AM
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Question of the Week

posted by PAA Online , 10:51 AM
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