PAAdvisory Briefs

Speaker Bolger Adds New Committees

House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) announced early this week the addition of four new committees for the 2013-2014 session, the House Committees on Criminal Justice; Financial Liability Reform; Tourism; and Michigan Competitiveness. The Criminal Justice Committee will be addressing some of the issues previously sent to the House Judiciary Committee, while the new Tourism Committee was split off from the House Natural Resources, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee of sessions past. The Financial Liability Reform Committee will be charged with addressing the State’s debt load while the Michigan Competitiveness Committee will be charged with examining Michigan’s business climate, specifically when compared to other states.

Michigan Legislative Black Caucus Announces Officers

Officers that were announced include Representative Thomas Stallworth III (D-Detroit), who will be the MLBC’s chair; 1^st vice chair Rep. Stacy Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) and 2^nd vice chair Sen. Virgil Smith (D-Detroit). House Minority Floor Leader Rudy Hobbs (D-Lathrup Village) was elected Treasurer and Secretary will be Rep. Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods). Sen. Coleman Young II (D-Detroit) will serve as Historian and chaplain will be Rep. David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti).

Kelsey’s Law Approved

A bill was signed this week by Governor Snyder to prohibit level one and level two graduated drivers from making phone calls while driving, unless it is an emergency situation. This measure was named in honor of Kelsey Raffaele, a 17-year-old who died when her automobile crashed as a result of using her mobile phone while driving. Senate Bill 756 is now Public Act 592 of 2012 and will most directly affect those under 17. The measure was sponsored by Sen. Howard Walker (R-Traverse City).

House Fiscal Paints Rosier Picture

Following last week’s less than optimistic report from the Senate Fiscal Agency, the House Fiscal Agency released their economic forecast Thursday showing the budget holding in line with projections. The report has General Fund revenues falling in the current fiscal year (2012-2013) to roughly $8.85 billion, but rising 5.6 percent in the 2013-2014 fiscal year to $9.344 billion. School Aid Fund revenues are projected an increase in 2012-2013 to more than $11.15 billion and again in the next fiscal year to $11.522 billion according to the report.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 11, 2013 10:38 AM
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