Michigan Legislature Opens with Introduction of First Bills

Representative Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) introduced a bill which reduces the ability of governments to use the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process as a revenue generator. The bill (HB 4001) reduces copying costs to a fixed price of 10 cents per page and disallows governments the ability to charge members of the public a copying fee for information copied and reviewed on-site.

Constitutional amendment HJR A was also introduced by Rep. Shirkey and aims to limit legislative pay increases as well as require legislators to provide 20 percent of their health insurance premium cost. It will also deduct pay for legislators in the case they do not complete the budget before the start of schools’ fiscal year, as well as deducting pay for missing sessions unless for serious illness or a death in the family.

In the Senate, Senator Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) will soon re-introduce legislation to remove the 19-cent gas tax and 15-cent diesel tax while increasing the sales tax by 1 percent. Along those lines, Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph) plans to introduce a bill allowing transportation funding to be earmarked based on a percentage of collected sales tax revenue.

Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) introduced legislation which would make revisions to current law regarding advanced practice nurses, making them meet all of the requirements necessary in regard to licensure and qualifications. Senator Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) intends to amend election law by making paid petitioners indicate the organization they are working for at the top of their petition. Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) plans on proposing legislation that will amend the constitution to eliminate the lame duck period.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 11, 2013 10:46 AM
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