Session Opens

The 2013-2014 legislative session opened Wednesday with the swearing-in of the 28 new members of the House of Representatives and the re-election of the Speaker of the House Jase Bolger (R-Marshall).

Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young, Jr. administered the oath of office to the present House members. The 28 total freshmen included Representatives Terry Brown (D-Pigeon) and Sarah Roberts (D-St.Clair Shores), both of whom had previously served, however, had lost re-election bids in 2010.

After a bit of speculation with regard to the Democratic Caucus potentially departing from tradition and voting against Speaker Bolger en mass, little drama actually took place as the Speaker was nominated by a Republican colleague (Representative Andrea LaFontaine of Columbus Township) and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) delivered the seconding speech.

The Speaker received 107 supporting votes as two Democratic House members did not vote for Speaker Bolger in the election, Representatives Doug Geiss (D-Taylor) and Dian Slavens (D-Canton Township). Representative Greg MacMaster (R-Kewadin) was not present due to a family illness.

In a bit of a rare event, Representative Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) cast the lone vote in opposition to re-electing House Clerk Gary Randall, who handily won.

Banks Seated Without Incident

State Representative Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), elected to represent the citizens of Michigan’s 1^st House District, was seated in the House of Representatives with no objection from Republican members. Although a member has not been denied a seat after being elected since 1965, Mr. Banks’ multiple felony convictions related to financial fraud had caused considerable speculation that House Republicans might contest his seating.

Olumba Addresses Campaign Finance Issues, Takes Seat

State Representative John Olumba (D-Detroit) took care of $4,000 owed to the Secretary of State associated with late filings of four reports and the post-election compliance statement shortly after noon Wednesday and was ultimately sworn-in separately from the other House members due to his late arrival.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 11, 2013 10:46 AM
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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 , 10:46 AM
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State of the State Address to Include Road Funding Specifics

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has indicated that his address to the Legislature and the citizens of the State of Michigan next week will include a refined proposal on how to narrow or fill the State’s road funding gap estimated at $1.6 billion annually.

The issue has been discussed for years without much in the form of tangible action until, during the last legislative session, former Representatives Rick Olson (R-York Township) and Paul Opsommer (R-DeWitt) provided their research to a special Senate Task Force on Transportation. The task force held hearings in an effort to develop a plan.

Similarly, Governor Snyder had introduced a plan in the Fall of 2011 by changing the gasoline tax to a percentage-based tax at the wholesale level. His proposal also included increases in vehicle registration fees averaging $60 per vehicle – a widely unpopular effort.

posted by PAA Online , 10:45 AM
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Governor Calls 27th Senate District Special Election

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder announced Wednesday that a special election will be held this Spring to fill the vacant 27^th Senate District seat. The special election will be held Tuesday, May 7, 2013. If necessary, a primary election will be held March 12, 2013.

The 27^th Senate seat is vacant due to former State Senator John Gleason’s departure to serve as Genesee County Clerk, a position he won in November of 2012.

State Representative Jim Ananich (D-Flint) is, as of yet, the only candidate to formally announce he is running for the seat. State Representative Woodrow Stanley (D-Flint) is reportedly considering a run as well.

In related news, Representative Ananich received the endorsement this week of the Genesee/Lapeer/Shiawassee Building Trades Council.

posted by PAA Online , 10:43 AM
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January 4th Survey Results

The question in the January 4^th PAAdvisory asked readers, (carefully) who, overall, they believe wasn’t a winner in 2012

The overwhelmingly most popular response was “organized labor,” with 71% of the vote. No other response received more than one vote.

posted by PAA Online , 10:41 AM
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PAA Government Profiles

District 93
Tom Leonard (R)
Email: tom@votetomleonard.com
Occupation: Assistant Attorney General
Age: 31
Predecessor: Paul Opsommer (R)

District 94
Tim Kelly (R)
Email: timkellyforrep@gmail.com
Occupation: County Commissioner
Age: 55
Predecessor: Tim Horn (R)

District 109
John Kivela (D)
Email: jkivela@charter.net
Occupation: Mayor of Marquette
Age: 53
Predecessor: Steven Lindberg (D)

District 110
Scott Dianda (D)
Email: sjdianda@gmail.com
Occupation: Former MSEA-AFSCME President
Age: 41
Predecessor: Matt Huuki: (R)

posted by PAA Online , 10:40 AM
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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 , 10:38 AM
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Question of the Week

posted by PAA Online , 10:06 AM
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