Medicaid Expansion Falters in the Senate

The Michigan Senate adjourned for the summer without taking up a bill that would expand Medicaid health insurance for low-income adults. On Wednesday evening, Gov. Snyder cut short a trade mission to Israel and flew back to Michigan in an effort to convince wavering Republican senators to support the expansion.

The House of Representatives passed legislation (House Bill 4714, H-3) last week that would expand Medicaid health care coverage for individuals with income up to 133 percent of the poverty level. The bill also stipulated that the federal government must fully fund the expansion program or the savings from the expansion must cover the state match. Lastly, the bill included personal responsibility measures (i.e. co-pays and deductibles, healthy behaviors) and incentives for providers to meet cost and quality improvement goals.

The Senate Republicans reportedly had the minimum votes needed to pass the bill with the 12 Democrats. However, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) evoked the “Hastert Rule,” which is a governing principle that will not allow a vote on a bill unless a majority of your own caucus supports it. In the end, it proved too difficult to obtain a Republican majority for the bill’s passage.

In a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Gov. Snyder strongly criticized the Senate Republican Caucus for failing to address the issue. Senate Democrats and members of the business and health care community echoed the Governor’s disappointment that the Senate failed to bring the measure to a vote and essentially delayed health care coverage to more than 450,000 Michiganders.

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville stated the bill is not dead and that a workgroup would be formed to develop a solution over the summer. The Senate is slated to return on July 3 and Aug. 27.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 21, 2013 10:32 AM
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Transportation Deal Remains Allusive

The Michigan Legislature adjourned on Thursday without passing a comprehensive road funding package. In the spring, Gov. Snyder requested nearly $1.2 billion in new funding to fix the state’s crumbling infrastructure.

Gov. Rick Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley have been holding private negotiations with House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall), Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) on a funding solution. The negotiations appeared to break down last week after details about the meetings leaked out to the media. However, lawmakers expressed a more optimistic tone this week stating that conversations on a new road funding package will continue over the summer.

On a related note, Transportation for America released a report (http://t4america.org/resources/bridges/) this week showing that more than 12 percent of Michigan's bridges are structurally deficient according to federal standards, compared with a U.S. average of nearly 11 percent. In total, 1,354 bridges that motorists cross each day in the state are deteriorating to some degree, the report said.

posted by PAA Online , 10:31 AM
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New Fireworks Law Takes Effect

Lt. Gov. Brian Calley signed into law a bill that would allow municipalities to restrict the use of fireworks around national holidays.

Under Public Act 65 of 2013 (HB 4743), local units of government can enact an ordinance banning the overnight use of consumer fireworks on the day before, of, or after a national holiday. A city with a population of 50,000 or more and a local unit within a county of 750,000 or more can prohibit fireworks between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m. on all holidays, except New Year’s when celebrations can be extended until 1 a.m. Smaller communities can only set regulations between the hours of 1 a.m. and 8 a.m. on all days. Violators could face a maximum civil fine of $500.

The new law also guarantees that all vendors’ fees go toward local firefighter training programs.

posted by PAA Online , 10:30 AM
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Foreclosure Bills Head to the Governor

The Michigan Legislature passed a four-bill package (Senate Bills 380 and 383 and House Bills 4765 and 4766) that modifies the residential mortgage loan modification program and extends the foreclosure redemption period.

Under the provisions of the legislative package, a purchaser of a home bought at a sheriff’s sale would be permitted to periodically inspect the property during the post-redemption foreclosure period. If the inspection was refused or damage occurred on the property, the purchaser could begin legal proceedings to take possession of the property or obtain relief to protect it. The bills would also extend the deadlines on foreclosure proceedings outlined in the mortgage loan modification program to align with the new federal regulations that take effect on January 9, 2014. All four bills were sent to Gov. Snyder for his signature.

posted by PAA Online , 10:30 AM
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State Board of Education Fails to Resolve Charter School Application Issue

On Monday, the State Board of Education was evenly split (4-4) on a resolution that would require charter schools to submit completed applications before the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) could issue them a school district number.

The MDE was not allotting school codes to new charter schools until the Department received completed applications. However, an Attorney General opinion ruled that the MDE was overstepping its legal authority in not issuing the numbers within 30 days of receiving an application.

The State Board of Education initiated discussions on this issue at its May meeting; however, it was unable to reach an agreement. Some of the concerns raised about the resolution include: what constitutes a completed application; the policy could benefit large charter operators and disadvantage smaller ones; and the financial burden of completing applications.

The MDE will attend the Board’s August meeting with additional suggestions on how to resolve the issue.

posted by PAA Online , 10:29 AM
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Mike Duggan Ends Detroit Mayoral Campaign

The Michigan Court of Appeals panel voted on Tuesday to uphold a circuit court’s ruling that Mike Duggan is ineligible to run for mayor because he did not meet Detroit’s residency requirements.

Under the city’s charter, a candidate must be a resident and a registered voter for one (1) year at the time of filing for office. The issue was whether “at the time of filing” means the date a candidate files for office or May 14, 2013, filing deadline. Mr. Duggan registered to vote on April 12, 2012, but filed to run on April 3, 2013.

On Wednesday, Duggan announced he would not appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court nor run as a write-in candidate. This decision means that he is no longer a Detroit mayoral candidate for 2013. During an emotional news conference, Duggan took full responsibility for filing too early and pledged he would continue to support Detroit’s rebuilding efforts.

The August primary will send the top two vote-getters to the November general election ballot. With Duggan’s departure from the race, the front runner for the position is Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon. However, there are 15 candidates vying for a spot on the November ballot.

posted by PAA Online , 10:28 AM
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June 14th Survey Results

In the June 14^th edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked who they thought would secure the GOP nomination in the U.S. Senate race. According to readers, the potential candidates ranked as follows:

· 84 percent: Former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land
·         5 percent: U.S. Rep. Justin Amash (R-Grand Rapids)
·         5 percent: State Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township)
·         5 percent: Dr. Rob Steele

Others receiving votes were former Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis and State Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township).

posted by PAA Online , 10:26 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Gov. Snyder Appoints New Education Advisor
Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Craig Ruff as his Special Advisor for Education. Ruff previously served as President and CEO at Public Sector Consultants and in Gov. William Milliken’s administration.

Sen. Kahn Not Running for U.S. Senate
Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township) confirmed that he is not running for U.S. Senate. To date, Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land (R-Grand Rapids) is the only Republican who has announced she is running for the seat. On the Democratic side, U.S. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) has largely secured his Party’s nomination.

Mark Totten Announces Bid for Attorney General
Democrat Kalamazoo attorney Mark Totten officially announced that he is seeking his Party’s nomination for Attorney General in 2014. In 2010, Totten ran for the 20th Senate District but was soundly defeated in the Democratic primary by the late former Rep. Robert Jones. While he has not officially announced, it is widely expected that incumbent Attorney General Bill Schuette (R-Midland) will seek re-election.

Federal Government Declares Flood-Related Disaster in 16 Counties
President Barack Obama declared a flood-related disaster for 16 counties, including Allegan, Barry, Baraga, Gogebic, Houghton, Ionia, Kent, Keweenaw, Marquette, Midland, Muskegon, Newaygo, Ontonagon, Osceola, Ottawa and Saginaw. The federal declaration does not include assistance for individuals or businesses. The Michigan State Police, Emergency Management and the Homeland Security Division will hold briefings across the state to help communities understand and start the application process.

Michigan Republicans Opening Regional Offices
The Michigan Republican Party announced it will open regional offices on July 1 in Grand Traverse, Kent, Kalamazoo, Livingston, Macomb, Oakland, Ottawa, Saginaw, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. The goal of these offices is to better connect with voters and the issues of greatest concern to them.

posted by PAA Online , 10:24 AM
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Question of the Week 6-21-13

posted by PAA Online , 9:40 AM
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