Terri Lynn Land Raises $2 Million for U.S. Senate Campaign

With a $1 million personal contribution and $1.05 million from donors, a total of $2.05 million will be reported by U.S. Senate Candidate Terri Lynn Land for the third quarter of this year.

Terri Lynn Land is at the forefront of the potential Republican candidates and will likely be slated to run against presumptive Democratic nominee U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Township).

Campaign finance reports have not yet been released by Ms. Land but she says they will be filed before the October 15^th deadline. No information was released by Representative Peters on his third quarter fundraising numbers.

If Ms. Land’s numbers are accurate, it will mean that she raised more in the third quarter than Representative Peters did in his second quarter. Although, Representative Peters only raised money for just over half of the second quarter while Ms. Land had the full third quarter to raise money.

Democrats believe that poor donor support led to Ms. Land’s million dollar donation to her own campaign. U.S. Representative Dave Camp (R-Midland) was still considering running for most of the third quarter, which gave Ms. Land a disadvantage in trying to raise funds.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 11, 2013 10:47 AM
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Tanning Booth Restrictions Discussed

The House Regulatory Reform Committee took testimony this week on two bills that would prohibit minors from using tanning booths and require that tanning salons register with the Department of Community Health. House Bills 4404 and 4405 are sponsored by Representative Jim Townsend (D – Royal Oak).

Under the proposals, tanning salons would pay a $75 registration fee to the State and only registered tanning salons would be allowed to permit customers to use tanning booths or beds. Further, the legislation would make it a misdemeanor for a salon to allow a minor to use a tanning device and provides for a $150 fine for each violation.

Current law requires that minors have a parent or guardian present while tanning and thatcustomers sign a statement regarding exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Some committee members suggested the state start by better enforcing current laws rather than taking such a significant leap to more stringent regulations.

The panel did not vote on the legislation.

posted by PAA Online , 10:47 AM
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Brian Ellis to Challenge Amash

East Grand Rapids School Board member Brian Ellis has announced his intentions to challenge current U.S. Representative Justin Amash (R – Cascade Township) in the 2014 GOP Primary.

Republican Brian Ellis, an investment banker, immediately began attacking Congressman Amash during the announcement of his campaign, focusing his criticism on Amash’s choice not to vote for some significant conservative measures in the U.S. House. Further, Ellis was critical of Amash’s “present” vote, stating he would always go on record with either a “yes” or a “no.”

Specific vote references by Mr. Ellis include votes to support the proposed Keystone oil pipeline, a vote to defund Planned Parenthood, and the 2013 – 2014 fiscal year budget proposed by U.S. Representative Paul Ryan.

Michigan’s 3^rd Congressional District is certainly a Republican stronghold and Mr. Amash has found himself in the national spotlight frequently as a figure in the tea party/liberty wing of the Republican Party. Mr. Amash’s campaign spokesman dismissed the primary challenge from Mr. Ellis as not worrisome.

posted by PAA Online , 10:46 AM
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Billboard Proposal Debated in Senate Transportation

House Bill 4629 was the topic of debate during a Senate Transportation Committee hearing this Tuesday. The measure, sponsored by Representative Bradford Jacobsen (R-Oxford), is intended to bring the Michigan statute into alignment with federal regulations regarding billboard construction and maintenance.

The billboard industry, however, is not all on-board with the measure.

The Department of Transportation, reportedly neutral on the H-4 substitute debated in Committee, noted that the proposal mirrors federal rules in most instances, however, departs with specific regards to spacing and vegetation maintenance.

It’s mostly the latter issue that seems to have at least one industry group opposed to the measure. The Michigan Billboard Industry focused on the vegetation regulations when explaining their opposition – stating that the legislation is too vague with regard to vegetation issues at the time of purchase and through the duration of the permit.

The panel did not vote on the measure.

posted by PAA Online , 10:46 AM
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October 4th Trivia Results

Last week’s Michigan trivia question was: Meijer stores are a family-owned, Michigan-based business. When did the first Meijer store open?

a. 1907

b. 1931

c. 1957

d. 1974

Only 11 percent answered correctly, “1907.”

67 percent of respondents answered “b. 1931.”

17 percent of respondents answered “c. 1957.”

23-year-old Hendrik Meijer opened a grocery store in Holland, Michigan after coming to the US from his native Netherlands.

posted by PAA Online , 10:45 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Kilpatrick Sentenced to 28 Years

Former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick was sentenced Thursday to 28 years in federal prison. U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds matched the request of the prosecutor in the case, imposing the sentence that will likely send the embattled former official to a federal prison near his family in Texas.

Former Senator Robert D. Young Passes

Former State Representative and State Senator Robert D. Young passed away this week. He was 79. The Saginaw Republican served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1971 -1974 and the Michigan Senate from 1975 – 1982. Young was living in Grayling at the time of his death. Memorial services were held earlier this week.

Civil Rights Commission Selects Wesaw to Direct

The Civil Rights Commission selected Matt Wesaw on Monday as the new Director of the Department. Wesaw was previously Chair of the Commission and was chosen mainly because of his experience with the Commission and his focus on change. Two important issues that Wesaw will focus on are employee morale and organization of the Department.

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

posted by PAA Online , 10:28 AM
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