Senate Medicaid Workgroup Named

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) named a six-member workgroup of Senate Republicans on Wednesday to continue to study the topic of Medicaid reform in hopes a proposal can be developed that will achieve the necessary GOP support.

The workgroup will be led by Senator Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), a long-time proponent of Medicaid expansion, including reforms to encourage personal responsibility and healthy living among recipients. Joining Senator Kahn on the workgroup will be Senators Darwin Booher (R-Evart), Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale), Jim Marleau (R-Lake Orion), John Pappageorge (R-Troy), and Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc).

The workgroup’s composition is viewed as largely Senators considered “malleable” on the issue, perhaps with the exception of Senator Caswell who has, to-date, been an opponent of Medicaid expansion. He has, however, been a supporter of expanding access to low income residents through other means and introduced Senate Bill 422 seen as a potential starting point for the workgroup’s discussions.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 28, 2013 9:08 AM
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First Week of Governor’s Medicaid Tour

Following the State Senate’s failure last week to address the Medicaid expansion proposal advocated by Governor Rick Snyder and the health care community, the Governor announced a “A Conversation with the Governor” tour in an effort to get the attention of residents in the districts of Senate Republicans and convince them to pressure their Senators to support expansion.

The tour had scheduled stops in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Hastings, notably the districts of Senators Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell), Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township), and Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek). The tour also may include additional stops in Southeast Michigan and other locations.

The Senators in each district were invited to the tour stops; however, all reports indicate none attended. Many members of the House of Representatives, who already voted to approve House Bill 4714, were in attendance.

The Governor’s original plan was to utilize the tour in an effort to pressure the Senate for a July 3^rd vote during their tentatively scheduled session. Most believe that to be highly unlikely; however, the Governor described the appointment of the Senate Workgroup as “progress” and attention seems to be shifting to a bit later in the summer. During one stop, the Governor went as far as to indicate that early fall would be the latest the issue could be addressed.

posted by PAA Online , 9:06 AM
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Emergency Managers Appointed

Cathy Square will be the new Emergency Manager for the city of Hamtramck, effective July 1^st. The former chief operating officer for the City of Detroit was most recently city administrator and head of the public works and human resources departments for the city of Pontiac.

Governor Snyder declared a financial emergency in Hamtramck on June 11^th, and the city council quickly voted to accept the EM appointment the following day. This was the first time, under the changed Local Financial Stability and Choice Act, where the local unit had the opportunity to choose between accepting the EM appointment, filing Chapter 9 bankruptcy, developing a consent agreement, or going to mediation.

In other news, current Flint city administrator Mike Brown will take over the position as emergency manager upon the retirement of Ed Kurtz on July 3^rd. Mr. Brown was previously appointed as EM but was ruled ineligible when PA 4 of 2011 was suspended due to the petition drive.

posted by PAA Online , 9:06 AM
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Dems Introduce Marriage Equality Legislation – Hope for Momentum from SCOTUS Decision

Just a couple of days before the U.S. Supreme Court’s historical ruling regarding the federal Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA), House Democrats introduced a package of legislation aimed at creating more marriage equality in the state. The legislation proposes to amend the Michigan Constitution to allow same-sex marriages, allow the state to recognize same-sex marriages from other states, and amend other state laws surrounding marriage.

Advocates point to significant support for marriage equality among younger generations, particularly “millennials,” and describe the issue as not just one of equality, but one of economic development.

Spokesperson for House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) indicated it has been the Speaker’s position that voters would need to initiate another vote on the issue and that the Republican Caucus has not discussed a collective position.

Democrats also indicated that legislation would be forthcoming to include LGBT language in the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act and other domestic partnership benefits.

posted by PAA Online , 9:05 AM
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June 21st Survey Results

In the June 21^st edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked, “Much to the chagrin of Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, the Michigan Senate failed to vote on Medicaid expansion legislation prior to adjourning for the summer. What should the Governor’s next steps be in helping Senate Republican’s resolve their differences with the bill in order for it to come up for a vote?” The faraway winner, with 75 percent of respondents, said the Governor should call the Legislature back into a special session. The next most popular response, with 19 percent of the vote, was to allow the Senate workgroup to continue working throughout the summer. 6 percent said the Governor should initiate a grassroots campaign.

posted by PAA Online , 9:04 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Michigan Charter Schools Among Nation’s Top Performers

The Stanford University Center for Research on Education Outcomes released a report this week that showed Michigan’s charter schools ranking in the top half for both mathematics and reading among the charter schools in 25 states, New York City and Washington, DC. On average, Michigan charters provided students with 43 more days of learning than their traditional counterparts, ranking Michigan fifth for reading and ninth in mathematics.

Michigan Unemployment 7^th Highest in U.S.

With Michigan’s unemployment rate unchanged from April to May at 8.4 percent, that number ranked the state 7^th in the US according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 17 states realized increases in May and 25 states enjoyed decreased jobless rates. Nevada remained the highest at 9.5 percent unemployment and North Dakota remained the lowest at 3.2 percent. Neighboring Indiana enjoyed a decrease from 8.5 to 8.3 percent in May.

U.S. Supreme Court to Hear Bay Mills Case

The United States Supreme Court said Monday that they will hear arguments on whether or not the Bay Mills Indian Community has legally established a gaming facility in Vanderbilt. Bay Mills opened the small facility in Vanderbilt, more than 100 miles away from the Tribe’s Brimley reservation, on land the Tribe purchased rather than land held in trust. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette and the Little Traverse Band of Odawa Indians sued to stop the operations of the Vanderbilt facility.

posted by PAA Online , 9:04 AM
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Question of the Week 6/28/13

posted by PAA Online , 8:43 AM
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