Governor Receives Full Fiscal Year 2014 Budget

Early this week the Senate passed the final piece of the Fiscal Year 2014 budget to the Governor’s desk in the form of HB 4328, the omnibus budget bill. The omnibus education bill, or “school bus,” with spending plans for the K-12, higher education, and community colleges was sent to the Governor last week.

Republican leadership praised the budget, noting that it was the third consecutive year the budget process was completed early. The measure passed 24-14 with GOP Senators Joe Hune (R-Hamburg) and Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan) joining all Democrats in opposition.

While focusing on the lack of funding associated with the Medicaid expansion proposal in their opposition, Democrats still found positive aspects of the spending plan, calling attention to the funding of mental health for special populations, mental health and drug courts, and funding of the Graduate Medical Education program in the Department of Community Health.

In addition to noting the timeliness of the budget, Senate Majority Leader Randy RIchardville (R-Monroe) and Senate Appropriations Chairman Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) touted the $250 million of new transportation dollars and the $46 million increase in revenue sharing to local governments.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 7, 2013 10:32 AM
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Vehicle Registration Fee Discussion Returns to Transportation Talks

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discussed vehicle registration fees Tuesday following more than a month respite from the topic. The three bill package, House Bills 4630, 4632, and 4633, raises vehicle fees by an average of 20 percent, affecting most vehicles including commercial trucks, motorcycles, hybrids, and farming vehicles.

While setting no timetable to complete their work, Committee Chair Representative Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) acknowledged the need to continue working on the fee increases and associated changes on diesel and gasoline taxes to the wholesale level.

Among the changes, the legislation would increase registration fees for motor vehicles from model year 1984 and after and motorcycles from 2015 and after based on the value of the vehicle. For $6,000 and under, the fee would be $35. The scale goes up from there, topping-off at $160 for vehicles of $30,000 or more, with a $5 increase per every $1,000 over the $30,000. Electric or hybrid vehicles would have an additional $75 fee on top of the regular registration cost.

Under the package, an operator’s license would also be increased from $18 to $25 and the late fee would go from $7 to $10.

posted by PAA Online , 10:32 AM
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Poll has Peters Leading All Potential GOP Opponents

Although only one potential GOP candidate has formally announced intentions of running for the U.S. Senate against Democratic candidate and current U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield), Mr. Peters has a lead over a list of possible candidates according to a recent poll.

Former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land, the only Republican fully “in” at the moment, trails Mr. Peters by 5 points (41 to 36 percent), despite more voters recognizing Ms. Land’s name than those that recognized Mr. Peters’ name. Ms. Land’s numbers against Mr. Peters are the best of any of the potential candidates.

U.S. Representative Mike Rogers (R-Brighton), who many in the GOP are hoping will run, trails Mr. Peters 42 percent to 32 percent. Mr. Peters also leads U.S. Representative Justin Amash (R-Kentwood) by double-digits, 42-30.

Two other potential candidates whose names have been circulated, State Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw) and physician Rob Steele, both trail Mr. Peters 44-26. One sleeper GOP candidate considering a run is Holland Mayor Kurt Dykstra; however, he was not included in the poll.

posted by PAA Online , 10:31 AM
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House Moves Curriculum Changes

The full House of Representatives passed two bills Thursday to provide additional flexibility in the Michigan Merit Curriculum for students interested in more career technical courses. House Bill 4465, sponsored by Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan) passed 81-26 while House Bill 4466, sponsored by Representative Joel Johnson (R-Clare) passed 87-20.

Under the legislation, students could opt out of the required two years of foreign language. Further, students would have flexibility in the math and science requirements under the reform which adds agricultural science as an approved course and provides that students could meet benchmarks in algebra II as an alternative to actually taking the course.

Additionally, the proposal allows students to meet the ½ credit requirement in physical education through participation in extracurricular activities that involve sports or physical fitness if approved by the district.

Supporters of the measures point to shortfalls in people to fill open jobs in technical careers such as welding, etc., while opponents claim the reform will water-down the state’s requirements for math and science education.

posted by PAA Online , 10:31 AM
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May 31st Survey Results

In the May 31^st edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked what the top issue is that policy makers should address now that the fiscal year 2013-2014 budget is complete. 42 percent responded that Medicaid reform should be number one, with road funding a close second (38 percent). 12 percent of respondents answered failing schools, and 8 percent stated auto no-fault.

posted by PAA Online , 10:30 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

49^th House Seat has Eight Total Candidates

The 49^th District seat in the Michigan House of Representatives, vacant because of now-Senator Jim Ananich’s (D-Flint) recent election, has six Democratic and two Republican candidates filed after the passing of Tuesday’s filing deadline. With the heavy Democratic base of the House seat, the winner of the August 6^th Democratic Primary is almost assured taking the seat. Democratic candidates include Flint Township Supervisor Karyn Miller, Phil Phelps of Flushing, Trevor Rodgers of Flint Township, Dan Hipkins of Mt. Morris, Donald Wright of Flint Township, and Eli Isaguirre of Swartz Creek.

“Main Street Fairness” Legislation Stalls

After learning that Democratic members of the House Tax Policy Committee planned to abstain from voting on bills to require the collection of sales and use tax on online purchases, the panel’s Chairman, Representative Jeff Farrington (R-Utica) did not bring up the bills (House Bills 4202 and 4203) although they appeared on this week’s agenda. Democratic members of the Committee reportedly stated that the issue is a federal issue and that the U.S. House of Representatives is preparing to follow the action already taken by the U.S. Senate.

STOD Passes House

Representative Andrea LaFontaine’s legislation to charge sales tax only on the difference between the price of a new motor vehicle, watercraft, or recreational vehicle and the value of a trade-in passed the full House of Representatives Thursday. House Bill 4234 moved to the Senate on a 100-7 vote. Earlier this session, the Senate passed a similar measure in Senate Bill 89. The main difference between the two versions is the phase-in of the tax relief. The House version reaches a level of 100 exemption of trade-in value by 2018 while the Senate version will take until 2022. Reports indicate intentions are to work over summer recess to address the differences and negotiate with the Snyder Administration.

Rep. Cavanagh Considering Wayne County Executive Run

State Representative Phil Cavanagh (D-Redford Township) is considering a run for Wayne County Executive according to reports. The former Wayne County Commissioner and son of former Detroit Mayor Jerome Cavanagh is reportedly also considering running for his third and final House term, or viewing a State Senate bid. Rep. Cavanagh

posted by PAA Online , 10:29 AM
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Question of the week 6-7-13

posted by PAA Online , 10:05 AM
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