Senate Aims for August Medicaid Reform Vote

Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R – Monroe) indicated this week that the Senate Medicaid workgroup will have a proposal ready by next week, and the full chamber would likely vote on the proposal in late August.

Richardville, Chair of the Senate Government Operations Committee is planning to vote on the proposal in committee July 31st followed by a vote in the full Senate August 27 and 28. That would give the entire Senate about two weeks to study the new proposal before they are asked to vote.

Senator Roger Kahn (R – Saginaw Township) would not divulge any details about the group’s work except that it is using House Bill 4714, as passed by the House in June, as well as other reforms that could be implemented without federal waiver approval while improving the program’s delivery system statewide.

Senator Patrick Colbeck (R – Canton Twp.) a strong opponent of House Bill 4714, released a statement earlier this week about his plans to introduce two bills that “provide a free market alternative that expands access to quality care without expanding government.” The first bill would provide a regulatory infrastructure for the solution within the confines of the ACA. The second bill would convert Medicaid enrollees to qualified health plans featuring direct primary care services and high deductible health plans all within a health savings account. Senator Colbeck is planning to discuss his legislation with the workgroup meeting Thursday.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 19, 2013 10:17 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

State GOP Committee Proposes Change to Statewide Candidate Filing

The Michigan Republican Party Policy Committee has recommended a change requiring candidates nominated for statewide office to file affidavits in May at the same time as House and Senate candidates. The Committee will make a recommendation to the Party’s State Central Committee in October and, if adopted, would prevent a floor nomination for lieutenant governor at a convention.

Under the proposal, candidates for statewide office on the November ballot would have to file on May 15^th; however, the requirement would not apply to candidates for governor or the U.S. Senate. Candidates for lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, Michigan Supreme Court and all of the education boards would be affected.

Rumor has it the proposal is an attempt to prevent a potentially embarrassing moment for Governor Rick Snyder as some expect tea party activists, none-to-happy with Governor Snyder, may attempt to nominate someone other than Lt. Governor Brian Calley from the convention floor.

The proposal is reportedly one of many the Committee is proposing leading up to the August 2014 convention.

posted by PAA Online , 10:17 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Suzanne Miller Allen Leaving House GOP

Suzanne Miller Allen, Chief of Staff to House Speaker Jase Bolger surprised many within the Capitol with her announcement she will be leaving her position at the end of August.

A fixture in the Republican legislative staff for over 20 years, Suzanne will take a new job working external affairs for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan in northern Michigan, where she and her husband have a home.

“The House of Representatives and the people of Michigan are all better off because of the time, talent and dedication Suzanne has devoted to this institution and this state.” Mr. Bolger said. “I wish nothing but the best for her and the entire Allen family.”

Her departure has raised speculation whether her husband, former State Senator Jason Allen who served in the Legislature from 1999-2010 might be seriously considering another bid for the U.S. House. He narrowly lost the 2010 Republican primary in the 1st U.S. House District to now Congressman Dan Beniskek (R – Crystal Falls).

Suzanne began her political career in 1989 with then-Senate Majority Leader Dick Posthumus. After managing former Senator George McManus’s campaign in 1990 she went on to serve on Governor John Engler’s transition team.

She has held positions with former House Minority Leader Paul Hillegonds and served as Chief of Staff to Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema in 2003. In 2006, she took a job in the private sector with a Republican political consulting firm. She returned to the Legislature in 2009 as House Minority Leader Kevin Elsenheimer’s Chief of Staff. In 2011, Mr. Bolger retained her as Chief of Staff when he was elected Speaker.

posted by PAA Online , 10:16 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

2nd Quarter Fundraising Numbers in for Some Members of Congress

If he were to decide to take a run at the U.S. Senate, current U.S. Representative Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) would have a fundraising edge on most, assuming he would transfer funds from his House account. Mr. Upton is reportedly still considering a run for the U.S. Senate, a campaign for which former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land remains the only declared GOP candidate.

Raising nearly $453,000 in the most recent quarter, Mr. Upton has $719,784 in cash on-hand, having raised a total of more than $930,000 in the election cycle.

Another yet-to-decide potential GOP U.S. Senate candidate, Congressman Justin Amash, has $164,419 in cash on-hand after raising just shy of $215,000 in the current quarter and $348,046 for the cycle.

One of the most likely targets in the 2014 election, Congressman Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls), raised almost $200,000 in the recent quarter, bringing his total raised to $367,860 for the cycle and $259,869 cash on-hand. Mr. Benishek also has almost $95,000 in remaining debt.

Perhaps most interesting is the fundraising efforts of freshman Congressman Kerry Bentivolio (R-Milford) who raised only $71,198 for the quarter between his two funds. One of his two funds still carries nearly $112,000 in debt. Although no candidates have officially declared this early to challenge Mr. Bentivolio, the numbers show that Michigan’s wealthiest county, Oakland, may be up for grabs – at least financially.

posted by PAA Online , 10:16 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Indigent Defense Major Bipartisan Win of 2013

Senator Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale) and Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester), both members of Governor Rick Snyder’s advisory commission on indigent defense, led a workgroup that ultimately resulted in one of the most swiftly-passed and bipartisan-supported packages of legislation in 2013. The package provides for significant reforms to the indigent defense system that provides legal representation to individuals charged with crimes; however, unable to afford an attorney of their own.

House Bill 4529 and Senate Bill 301, now Public Acts 93 and 94, respectively, are the results of weekly meetings for three months and failed attempts at similar initiatives in 2009-2010 and 2011-2012 sessions.

A key component that resulted in buy-in from diverse interests from the Michigan Association of Counties to the American Civil Liberties Union was the decision to maintain the locally-run system, as opposed to a state-level controlled system as was debated.

Further, putting to rest more concerns, was the Legislature’s move to fund the changes which include the development of a gubernatorial appointed Indigent Defense Commission. The Commission will then hire an executive director, hold hearings and develop standards subject to Supreme Court approval.

posted by PAA Online , 10:15 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

July 12th Survey Results

In the July 12^th edition of PAAdvisory, readers were asked what they did for the 4^th of July. 35 percent of respondents indicated they took time away from work, but stayed home. 41 percent vacationed in Michigan, 18 percent worked and another 6 percent vacationed abroad.

posted by PAA Online , 10:14 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

PAAdvisory Briefs

Gratz Weighing Run for U of M Board of Regents

Although currently a resident of the state of Florida, Jennifer Gratz is reportedly considering a run for The University of Michigan Board of Regents in 2014. Ms. Gratz is best known as a longtime advocate for the repeal of affirmative action. The case the U.S. Supreme Court decided in 2003 rejecting the affirmative action plan used by The University of Michigan for their undergraduate students was Ms. Gratz’s case.

Swartzle Appointed House GOP Counsel

Brock A. Swartzle of Okemos has been appointed House Republican Caucus Legal Counsel by House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall). Swartzle was most recently a partner with Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn LLP and also clerked for U.S. Court of Appeals Judge David W. McKeague. The position became vacant when former counsel Joseph Baumann left to become General Counsel for the Michigan Supreme Court.

Duggan Write-in Campaign Allowed

In a follow-up to a story that appeared in last week’s PAAdvisory, a Wayne County Circuit Court Judge ruled early this week that Michael Duggan can in fact run for Detroit Mayor as a write-in candidate. Judge Lita Popke ruled that Mr. Duggan meets all of the qualifications for a write-in candidate. The case was brought by Tom Barrow, also a mayoral candidate. Ironically, Judge Popke is also the judge that ruled Mr. Duggan could not appear on the August Primary ballot.

posted by PAA Online , 10:14 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Question of the Week 7/19/2013

posted by PAA Online , 9:07 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters