Senate Common Core Resolution Under Development

The Senate Republican Caucus announced Thursday that they are in the early stages of developing their own resolution in response to the measure passed last week by the House of Representatives to fund the implementation of the Common Core State Standards. Senate Appropriations K-12, School Aid, and Education Subcommittee Chair Senator Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) is developing the draft, intended to address some of the caucus’s concerns on issues such as local control.

Questions also remain with regard to the assessment tools for the standards, the “Smarter Balanced Assessment, which was not passed by the Legislature. The Board of Education is instead required to report back to the Legislature with assessment options by December 31^st.

House Concurrent Resolution 11, sponsored by Representative Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw), was referred by the Senate to the Government Operations Committee.

45 other states have adopted the Common Core standards, which the Michigan Legislature blocked effective October 1 during the budget process, pending legislative action.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 4, 2013 11:48 AM
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Belle Isle Lease Signed – State to Take Over Operations

City of Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr, Michigan Department of Natural Resources Director Keith Creagh, Michigan Department of Transportation Director Kirk Steudle and Governor Rick Snyder all put their pen to a lease this week, turning operations of Belle Isle over to the State.

An attempt was made to do the same earlier this year; however, Detroit City Council rejected the plan. Orr overruled the City Council this week.

The State’s new fiscal year budget, that began on Tuesday, included $3.7 million to run the park in anticipation that a lease agreement would be reached. Under the plan, the state will provide maintenance and improvements to the park for 30 years, and up to 60 years unless the City opts-out of one of the 15-year extensions.

Annual revenue to do so will be provided by the State’s Recreational Passport and vehicles entering the park will be required to have the Passport as with other State Parks.

The lease includes a development plan that calls for the state to invest up to $20 million over the next three years on various improvements. In addition, DNR employees, conservation officers and State Police troopers will be assigned to the island, freeing some 22 City of Detroit police officers for other assignments.

posted by PAA Online , 11:47 AM
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Michigan Health Endowment Fund Board Members Named

Public Acts 4 and 5 of 2013, the Blue Cross Blue Shield reform measures of earlier this year, created the Michigan Health Endowment Fund charged with improving the overall wellness and health of Michiganders. The law also called for the creation of a Board to oversee the $1.56 billion it will receive over the next 18 years. This week, Governor Rick Snyder announced the 9 members of the Board, subject to the advice and consent of the State Senate:

Lynn Alexander of Bloomfield Hills for a three-year term to represent senior citizens. Alexander is Vice President of Public Affairs for Presbyterian Villages of Michigan and is a former Director of the State Office of Services to the Aging.
Tim Damschroder of Ann Arbor to represent the general public for a four-year term. Damschroder heads the Business Practice Group at the Bodman PLC law firm.
Cindy Estrada of Whitmore Lake as the nominee of Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) for a two-year term. Estrada is Vice President of the United Auto Workers.
Rob Fowler of Haslett for a four-year term to represent the business community. Fowler is the President and CEO of the Small Business Association of Michigan.
Susan Jandernoa of West Olive for a two-year term as the nominee of House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall). Jandernoa is a retired longtime teacher.
Jim Murray of Okemos for a three-year term as the nominee of Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe). Murray is the President of AT&T Michigan.
Keith Pretty of Midland for a four-year term to represent the general public. Pretty is the President and CEO of Northwood University.
Margaret Robinson of Southgate for a two-year term as the nominee of House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills). Robinson is the president of SEIU Healthcare Michigan.
Michael Williams of Westland to represent minor children for a three-year term. Williams is the President and CEO of Orchards Children's Services.

posted by PAA Online , 11:47 AM
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Discussion, No Movement on College Tuition Tax Credit Bill

Senate Bill 408, legislation to allow tax breaks on student loan costs for newly graduated students, was the topic of a hearing before the Senate Finance Committee this week; however, the panel took no action.

The bill, sponsored by Senator Glenn Anderson (D-Westland) is meant to retain as many Michigan college students after graduation as possible. The quantity of college graduates leaving the state after receiving their degree has long been an issue described as taking a toll on Michigan’s economic recovery.

The proposal would allow for any graduate to be eligible for an income tax break of 50 percent of the total cost of their student loan. This was a change made to reduce overall cost estimates of the proposal, which still came in at $152.9 million according to the Senate Fiscal Agency analysis.

Senator Anderson said this legislation should aid in bringing more students to the state of Michigan and also to give them more of an incentive to stay after graduation. Further, proponents argue the legislation could help the economy in terms of increased tax revenues due to the boost in employment.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township) said that the committee was just not ready to move the bill at this moment, even though keeping students in the state of Michigan is of utmost importance.

Senator John Proos (R-St. Joseph) said he’s quite worried about the steep increase in college tuition costs and that this is something that the Senate Appropriations Committee needs to seriously take a look at. Senator Anderson also said that this legislation should not solely apply to university students but also to trade schools and community colleges.

posted by PAA Online , 11:46 AM
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September 27th Trivia Results

Last week’s Michigan trivia question was: Fear of recall by office-holders has often stalled difficult policy objectives, with recall attempts become more prevalent in recent years. When was the first Michigan lawmaker recalled?

a. 1911

b. 1873

c. 1968

d. 1983

50 percent of respondents answered “1968.”

33 percent answered “1983.” This is the correct answer. Another 17 percent answered “1873.”

State Senator Phil Mastin (D-Pontiac) was the first state legislator recalled in 1983 based on his vote for a temporary income tax increase.

posted by PAA Online , 11:45 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Michigan State Fairgrounds Site Sold

A development partnership, Magic Plus, led by Lansing-native and retired NBA legend Earvin “Magic” Johnson and developer Joel Ferguson, has purchased the site of the former Michigan State Fairgrounds at Woodward Avenue and 8 Mile Road in Detroit. The $4.65 million sale of the 157-acre site was approved by the Land Bank Fast Track Authority this week and paves the way for a mixed-use development including retail and restaurants, residential units.

Gregory to Enter Congressional Race

State Senator Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield) will reportedly officially join the Democratic Primary to replace current U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township) in the 14^th U.S. House District. State Representative Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield) announced his candidacy some time ago and has been actively campaigning since. Senator Gregory’s potential weekend announcement will also vacate the 11^th State Senate seat, where Representative Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) has already been rumored to be ready to run.

O’Brien to Make Run for State Senate

State Representative Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage), as expected, announced her bid to take the open 20^th State Senate seat in 2014. Representative O’Brien joins former State Representative Lorence Wenke on the GOP side and State Representative Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo) on the Democratic side. Current State Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) has announced her intentions of running in the newly formed 26^th Senate District with the new lines drawn during redistricting.

UM Study Shows Local Government Finances Slightly Improved

The University of Michigan’s Ford School of Public Policy released survey results this week that show 29 percent of local officials questions said their communities are in better shape fiscally than in previous years, however, an equal 29 percent said their financial condition was worse. These numbers; however, changed significantly from a similar 2010 survey where 61 percent of respondents indicated they were in poor fiscal shape.

posted by PAA Online , 11:44 AM
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Question of the Week 10-4-13

posted by PAA Online , 11:20 AM
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