Senate Moves Contribution Limit Increase

On the same day the legislation passed the Senate Local Government and Election Committee, the full Senate moved Senate Bill 661 all the way through final passage.

The measure, sponsored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), proposes to double the contribution limits for individuals and political action committees to candidates and caucus campaign committees. As an example, a political action committee currently cannot contribute more than $10,000 to a candidate for a State Senator in an election cycle. The legislation would serve to double that to $20,000.

The debate, over what will surely become a campaign issue in 2014, grew relatively heated at times on the Senate floor as Democrats offered multiple amendments that were ultimately defeated.

One amendment that was not defeated makes it clear in law that an expenditure only involves express advocacy for or against a candidate, when it asks voters to either vote for or against a specific candidate. This particular amendment is significant as it flies directly in the face of a proposed rule announced the same morning by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. Secretary Johnson announced Thursday morning that she would be proposing an administrative rule to require groups funding issue ads to disclose their contributors and spending activities.

Six Republicans voted “no” with their Democratic colleagues: Senators Darwin Booher (R-Evart), Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), Mike Green (R-Mayville), Goeff Hansen (R-Hart), Phil Pavlov (R-St. Claire), and John Proos (R-St. Joseph), leading to a 20-18 final tally.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 15, 2013 11:46 AM
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Advanced Practice Nurse Bill Passes Senate

The State Senate passed a highly controversial measure Wednesday expanding the scope of practice for advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) after a somewhat heated debate and a slew of both successful and failed amendment attempts. Senate Bill 2, sponsored by Senator Mark Jansen (R-Gaines Township) ultimately passed on a 20-18 vote.

The majority of Republicans voted “yes,” and the majority of Democrats voted “no;” however, this was nowhere near a clear party-line split. Republican Senators Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw), John Moolenaar (R-Midland), John Proos (R-St.Joseph), Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc), Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights), and Howard Walker (R-Traverse City) voted “no.”

Democratic Senators Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit), Rebekah Warren (D-Ann Arbor), and Coleman Young (D-Detroit) voted “yes.”

The measure creates a new license for APRNs and provides the ability to perform some tasks currently performed by physicians.

Multiple attempts were made to the measure prior to final passage. One amendment, which took three changes to adopt, stated that an APRN not practicing under the supervision of a physician would be held to “the higher standard of acceptable professional practice or case in the community” upon an action of malpractice or license removal.

Another amendment, sponsored by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), was meant to address the concern of APRN’s “hanging out a shingle.” The amendment would prohibit an APRN from organizing or becoming a shareholder or member of a professional corporation or professional limited liability company following the effective date of the bill.

The medical community was predictably split on the legislation, with physicians and physician groups strongly opposed to the bill and nurses and nursing groups strongly supporting its passage.

posted by PAA Online , 11:46 AM
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Court of Claims Bill Signed By Governor Snyder

Legislation that will move the Court of Claims from the Ingham Circuit Court to the Court of Appeals was signed on Tuesday by Governor Rick Snyder. Governor Snyder said the legislation is good policy for the state.

Governor Snyder was asked if he was ready to sign the bill and he made the announcement that the bill was already signed, which came as a surprise. He said that he had signed the bill while he was talking with reporters.

This legislation would move all litigation against the State into the new Court of Claims instead of the Ingham County Circuit Court aside from moving cases involving at least $1,000 against the state to the Court of Appeals. The bill would also require that the four Court of Appeals judges be selected from at least two of the four state districts (see related story).

Governor Snyder said there would also be a trailer bill introduced that would allow some plaintiffs or defendants that want a jury trial to have their cases stay in the Ingham Circuit Court, although the language of the bill has not yet been finalized.

posted by PAA Online , 11:45 AM
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DNR Belle Isle Lease Approved

The Local Emergency Financial Assistance Loan Board members approved the long term State lease of Belle Isle. The hope is the maximum 30-year contract would give the State more of an opportunity to make the necessary improvements to the park. Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr and the Department of Natural Resources have already signed the document.

The original contract was for 30 years and would allow for two 15-year renewals. An alternative plan was provided which would have an initial 10-year lease with the potential for two 10-year renewals.

Belle Isle, now a city park, would essentially become a state park sometime within the next 90 days. This would also mean that visitors would need to have a recreation passport registered on their vehicle to be able to enter the park.

James Tate, who spoke for the Detroit City Council and agreed with the need for the lease, said there was no guarantee that the State would actually make the investments in the park.

posted by PAA Online , 11:45 AM
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Medicaid Expansion Waiver Filed

Governor Rick Snyder’s administration announced Friday that a waiver application has been filed by the State to expand Medicaid. The proposal has been sent to the Federal Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval which Community Health Director James Haveman expects to happen by Christmas or possibly even sooner.

The Medicaid proposal caused controversy as it was passed in June by the House but no action was taken by the Senate prior to the summer recess. The Senate finally approved the bill in August after Governor Snyder came back early from a trip to Israel to persuade legislators to approve the bill.

The proposal will expand Medicaid eligibility to those incomes of about $15,000 a year (133% of Federal Poverty Level) for a single person and will also make an effort to promote behaviors that lead to better overall health and reduce chronic diseases.

Michigan has drawn attention from other states such as Indiana and North Carolina looking to receive information on the proposal to aid in the consideration in expanding Medicaid.

posted by PAA Online , 11:44 AM
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Supreme Court Appoints New Court of Claims Judges

A day after Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed the legislation moving the Court of Claims from the Ingham County Circuit Court, the Michigan Supreme Court appointed four Appeals Court judges to the new Court of Claims.

Judge Pat Donofrio, Judge Amy Ronayne Krause, Judge Deborah Servitto and Judge Michael Talbot were appointed Wednesday. Judge Talbot will serve as chief judge of the Court.

The judges were all appointed by unanimous Supreme Court order – not just by the majority of justices nominated by the Republican Party. In fact – two of the judges were appointed to the Court of Appeals by former Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm. Judge Krause and Judge Servitto were appointed by Governor Granholm, Judge Donofrio and Judge Talbot were appointed to the Court of Appeals by former Republican Governor John Engler.

Chief Judge Talbot indicated that the Court of Appeals staff had already been working with Ingham County Circuit Court staff in anticipation of the Governor’s signature, in order to ensure a quick and smooth transition of jurisdiction.

posted by PAA Online , 11:44 AM
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November 8th Survey Results

Last week, PAAdvisory asked, “Now that the citizens of the City of Detroit have elected Mike Duggan as their new Mayor, what is your outlook on the City’s future?

a. Things will get better, faster.

b. This will reverse progress and take the city backwards.

c. Things will remain the same.

A large majority of respondents, 73 percent, believe that Mr. Duggan’s election means things will get better, faster. 27 percent believe that things will remain the same. No one responded that the election results will reverse progress.

posted by PAA Online , 11:43 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Holyfield Departs For Lottery Spokesperson

Communications Director for Governor Rick Snyder, Jeff Holyfield, will be taking up a new position as spokesperson for the Lottery Bureau. Andi Brancato, who previously held the Lottery spokesperson position, left the post for a job in the private sector.

Student Tax Break Loan Legislation Approved By Senate Panel

Legislation has passed the Senate Finance Committee that would allow those that earn a bachelor’s degree at a Michigan college or university and find work in Michigan to receive a credit on their income tax for student loans which would end after the 2022 tax year. After five years of graduates claiming the tax credit, the bill would reduce state revenue by an estimated $152.9 million.

Phelps Sworn In After 49^th House District Special Election

Representative Phil Phelps (D-Flint), who won the 49^th District House seat after winning a special election last Tuesday, was officially sworn into the House of Representatives Tuesday. Representative Phelps was previously Chief of Staff to current state Representative Pam Faris (D-Clio).

Dem Challenges for 99^th House District Seat

Representative Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) will be challenged by Union Township Trustee Bryan Mielke. Democrats hope that Central Michigan University’s student and professor population will be an advantage against the currently leaning Republican district.

posted by PAA Online , 11:41 AM
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Question of the Week 11-15-13

posted by PAA Online , 11:21 AM
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