Locals Hold Elections throughout State

Counties, cities, villages, and townships throughout the state of Michigan held elections this Tuesday, resulting in the biannual showing of “I Voted” stickers on nearly everyone in the Capitol community.

Duggan Elected Detroit Mayor

Former Detroit Medical Center CEO Mike Duggan defeated Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon to become the mayor-elect of the City of Detroit. Duggan, also a former Wayne County Prosecutor and once top lieutenant in the late Wayne County Executive Ed McNamara’s administration, is the first Caucasian to win the mayoral election in Detroit since 1969, and did so with 55 percent of the vote.

Phelps Wins Special in 49^th House District

As expected, Phil Phelps easily won the special election to replace now State Senator Jim Ananich in the 49^th House District. Representative-elect Phelps (D-Flint) defeated Republican Don Pfeiffer with 62 percent of the vote.

Community Merger Fails

A successful merger of communities has not happened in Michigan since 2000, and didn’t happen again this year as Douglas and Saugatuck both rejected the effort Tuesday. Officials in the two Allegan County communities were seeking the merger to save an estimated $500,000 per year; however, both communities were required to approve the move in order for it to take place. It failed in both.

Former Legislators in Local Races

Former State Representatives George Cushingberry, Jr. and Gabe Leland both won seats on the Detroit City Council and former Senator Jim Berryman won his bid to be mayor in Adrian Tuesday. Former Representative Marty Griffin was not as fortunate as he unexpectedly loss his re-election bid to be City of Jackson mayor to newcomer Jason Smith.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 8, 2013 11:51 AM
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Court of Claims Bill Causes Stir

A reconsideration motion of a vote on legislation that would shift the Court of Claims from the Ingham County Circuit Court to the Court of Appeals and also expand the jurisdiction had the one-third votes it needed by the House Democrats but was quickly rejected by the House Republicans.

The Democrats were denied in their attempt to file a motion to have the vote reconsidered and also to challenge the bill’s immediate effect.

This legislation would affect the Court of Claims in that it would expand its jurisdiction to hear any claims against the state and the state’s departments or officers. The Supreme Court would be required to assign four Court of Appeals judges to serve as the Court of Claims and those judges would need to come from at least two of the four Court of Appeals districts.

Representative Sam Singh (D- East Lansing) said the legislation would end up costing the County of Ingham $500,000, which had him outraged. Better representation of the state’s voters and convenience would be an outcome if this legislation was passed according to proponents like Representative Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant).

posted by PAA Online , 11:51 AM
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Medical Marijuana Bill Clears Committee

Senate Bill 660, which would allow for pharmaceutical grade marijuana to be prescribed to medical marijuana patients, cleared the Senate Government Operations Committee Tuesday.

The bill would give those that want a pharmaceutical alternative to marijuana the option according to former House Speaker Chuck Perricone. This is if the federal government decides to allow marijuana to be classified as a Schedule II prescription drug. To pass legislation in anticipation of something is highly unusual said Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing).

Senate Minority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhoff (R-West Olive) said he doesn’t believe individuals that grow marijuana have been singled out by the police. Some that testified in committee say those that grow marijuana plants are targeted by law enforcement.

posted by PAA Online , 11:50 AM
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Removal of Sales Tax on Trade-Ins Gives Many Reason to Celebrate

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill into law Wednesday that would decrease the sales tax on the value of a trade-in when a purchase is made.

The first $2,000 of a trade-in will be exempt and that number will continually rise by $500 per year until it reaches its cap level of $14,000. The phase-in applies to automobiles and recreational vehicles (RVs); however, watercraft will receive the full benefit immediately.

Bills passed through the House and Senate in the 2011-12 term until Governor Snyder’s concerns over revenue impact stalled the bills. Mr. Snyder agrees more with the new phase-in period of 24 years as opposed to 10 years and said that the economy’s revenue improvements and state savings from Medicaid expansion and reform would help to limit the damage from the revenue loss.

posted by PAA Online , 11:50 AM
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Renewable Energy Report Sent to Governor

The Public Service Commission and the Michigan Energy Office sent their renewable energy report (available here) to Governor Rick Snyder this week. Included in the report is information on renewable portfolio standard eligibility for biomass, ground source heat pumps, and solar thermal energy.

The new report states that it is quite possible that the state could generate up to 30 percent of its power from renewable sources located in the state.

An energy law overhaul was signed in 2008 by then Governor Jennifer Granholm that included many standards with a 2015 sunset. These standards will need to be revisited prior to that sunset.

The report shows an expected dominance by wind energy with 93.8 percent of the market share along with anaerobic biomass at 2.23 percent and solar operations with 1.78 percent of the market share. Governor Snyder is expected to make recommendations in December on how to improve the state’s energy future.

posted by PAA Online , 11:49 AM
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November 1st Survey Results

Last week, PAAdvisory asked, “Sadly, the Detroit Tiger’s season ended with a loss in Game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the now World Series Champion Boston Red Sox. They’ll be some roster moves in the offseason, but most expect the 2014 team to largely resemble this year’s club. How far do you think they’ll go?”

a. World Series Champions!

b. Another World Series loss.

c. ALCS loss.

d. ALDS loss.

e. I don’t think they’ll make the postseason next year.

56 percent of readers replied with “a. World Series Champions!,” and 22 percent answered “d. ALDS loss.” Answers b and c both obtained 11 percent of the vote. Thankfully, no one thought the Tigers would not make the postseason.

posted by PAA Online , 11:48 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Hertel Announces Endorsements

Curtis Hertel, Jr, Ingham County Register of Deeds and Democratic candidate for the 23^rd State Senate District, announced multiple endorsements this past Wednesday. His campaign has been officially endorsed by State Representatives Andy Schor (D-Lansing), Tom Cochran (D-Mason) and Sam Singh (D-East Lansing).

Federal Balanced Budget Amendment Resolution Passed

The State Senate passed a Joint Resolution Thursday (SJR V) that petitions the U.S. Congress to call a convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution requiring a balanced federal budget. The language calls for an amendment which would ensure federal spending would not exceed estimated revenue except in the case of a national emergency. Michigan is the 19^th state to pass such a resolution. 34 are needed to force Congress to call the convention. The Resolution passed the Senate on a 26-12 party-line vote.

posted by PAA Online , 11:48 AM
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Question of the Week 11-8-13

posted by PAA Online , 10:27 AM
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