Unemployment Benefit Drug Testing Legislation Signed By Governor

Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation Tuesday that would allow for the denial of unemployment benefits to someone if they failed or refused a drug test needed for employment and had a job offer revoked by a potential employer. House Bill 4952, now Public Act 146 of 2013, will go into effect immediately.

Also signed were a few other bills that would make changes to the unemployment system, including:

Requiring the cancellation of benefits as of the date a claimant intentionally made a false statement, misrepresentation or concealed material information, instead of when the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) receives notice of that activity (HB 4949, PA 147, immediate effect)
Mandating benefits be charged to an employer’s account if the employer had a pattern of failing to respond with timely or adequate information, as requested or required by the UIA, and benefits were paid due to that failure (HB 4950, PA 142, immediate effect)
Changing the allocation of money recovered by the UIA in cases of willful violations (HB 4951, PA 153, immediate effect)
Altering some technical aspects of UIA investigations (HB 4953, PA 144, immediate effect)

Democrats have said that HB 4952 creates a double standard for the unemployed because those that have their salaries paid with public money, such as legislators, do not have to take drug tests.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 1, 2013 11:56 AM
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Court of Claims Shift on Fast-Track

Legislation introduced last week by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) passed the Senate Wednesday just one day after passing the Senate Judiciary Committee, which Senator Jones chairs.

Senate Bill 652 would move Court of Claims cases to the Court of Appeals instead of the Ingham County Circuit Court. The Court of Claims cases handled in Ingham Circuit Court involve major litigation against the State of Michigan.

Senate Democrats have characterized the move as purely political as the Ingham Circuit Court has repeatedly ruled the Snyder Administration on a number of issues, such as the City of Detroit bankruptcy matter. Senate Republicans fired back, pointing to the Court’s creation in the 1970’s as equally political and defend this move as expanding access.

The measure passed the Senate 26-11. House Judiciary Committee Chairman Representative Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant) has indicated that he is studying the issue, and will give the bill a hearing, but does not yet know when.

posted by PAA Online , 11:56 AM
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House Criminal Justice Committee Passes Criminalization of “Squatters”

The House Criminal Justice Committee approved a package of bills Wednesday that would prohibit and criminalize “squatting,” which is when a person who lacks permission enters and proceeds to live in a vacant home or building.

House Bills 5069, 5070, and 5071, introduced by Representative Kurt Heise (R-Canton Township), make a squatting first offense a 180-day misdemeanor and $5,000 fine. The second offense would be elevated to a 5-year felony also with a $5,000 fine.

All three bills passed on a 7-1 vote with Representative Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit) opposing. Representative Robinson stated that she was concerned the legislation would result in the harassment of homeless people in her district.

Representatives Brian Banks (D-Harper Woods), John Kivela (D-Marquette) and Stacey Erwin Oakes (D-Saginaw) abstained from voting.

posted by PAA Online , 11:55 AM
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House and Senate Republicans Outraise Democrats in Third Quarter

The House Republican Campaign Committee outraised the House Democratic Fund during the third quarter of the year with a total of $222,303 compared to $218,054 raised by the Democrats. Even though both parties raised close to the same amount during the third quarter, the Republicans still have about $150,000 more cash on hand than the Democrats.

The current amount of cash on hand has been the most held by the House Democrats in the past 10 years and they have almost $450,000 more on hand currently than they did at this same time in 2011, said House Democrat spokesperson Katie Carey.

Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) was among the Democrats top donors along with the UAW PAC. For the Republicans, the largest donations came from Nancy Kennedy and the Van Andel Institute.

Senate Republicans also outraised the Senate Democrats for the third quarter by about $53,000. The Republicans raised $201,000 while the Democrats raised $147,436. Total amounts raised for the year to date are $331,361 by the Democrats and $833,875 for the Republicans. Senate Republicans also have almost doubled the cash on hand that the Democrats have with $1.15 million compared to $523,598.

David Van Andel, CEO of the Van Andel Institute and Jim Nicholson, president and CEO at PVS Chemicals were the two biggest donors to the Republican caucus both contributing $20,000, which is the maximum allowed for a single year. The UAW Michigan PAC and the Michigan Association for Justice were the biggest contributors to the Democrats, donating $20,000 each.

posted by PAA Online , 11:55 AM
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October 25th Trivia Results

Last week, PAAdvisory asked, “In the wake of the “deal” in Washington last week, the “talking heads” took to the airways on Sunday’s morning talk show circuit. Much was made of the potential for a “grand bargain” or significant deal being reached prior to the new deadlines on the U.S. government budget situation and debt ceiling. Given that 2014 is a mid-term election year for Congress, what do you believe are the chances of a significant, long-term deal associated with the debt ceiling, federal budget, tax reform, etc.?”

a) Absolutely – it will happen.

b) Are you nuts? – No chance.

c) Ehhh…I think they can get there.

d) I’d like to be optimistic, but I just don’t think it’ll happen.

e) I’m 50-50.

55 percent of readers replied with “d. I’d like to be optimistic, but I just don’t think it will happen,” and 27 percent answered “b. Are you nuts? – No chance.” Answers c and e together obtained 18 percent of the vote.

posted by PAA Online , 11:54 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

House Reg Reform Moves Brewery Package

House Bills 4709, 4710, and 4711, introduced by Representatives Kevin Cotter (R-Mt. Pleasant), Peter MacGregor (R-Cannon Township), and Andy Schor (D-Lansing), respectively, moved to the full House for consideration this Tuesday. The three bill package proposes to modernize archaic restrictions governing the craft beer industry by allowing a micro-brewery to grow past locations, and allow the state’s largest breweries to open and own more than one restaurant.

Peltonen Files as Dem in 13^th Senate District

Former Clawson Public School’s Board of Education member and music teacher Cyndi Peltonen has filed as a Democrat in the 13^th Senate District, being vacated by Senator John Pappageorge (R-Troy) who cannot run again due to term limits. Peltonen will face a primary battle with fellow Democrat Ryan Fishman. The GOP Primary will have at least two candidates with current Representative Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) and former Representative Chuck Moss of Birmingham already indicating their intentions to run.

MacGregor Officially Announces Senate Run

As expected, Representative Peter MacGregor (R-Cannon Township) has announced that he will forego a third and final term in the House and will run for the 28^th Senate District seat. Term limits will keep Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) from

posted by PAA Online , 11:53 AM
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Question of the Week 11-1-13

posted by PAA Online , 10:48 AM
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