Treasurer
Clinton: ‘Main Street Fairness’ An Issue for 2014
In one of his first presentations since
succeeding Andy Dillon, Treasurer Kevin Clinton told the House Appropriations
General Government Subcommittee that the Department of Treasury wants to look
into requiring Internet retailers who conduct business in the state to collect
sales tax. House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) and others have stated it is
an issue for the federal government to deal with because the state passing
legislation will only get a fraction of the sales and use taxes not recovered
during online sales. A bill requiring all online retailers to collect sales tax
has been passed by the US. Senate, but is pending in the U.S. House. The House
Fiscal Agency analysis indicated $482.4 million could be uncollected in fiscal
year 2013-2014, with 60 percent of that total coming from online sales.
House
Appropriations Reports Year-Round Schooling Legislation
The House Appropriations Committee
unanimously reported a $2 million pilot program for year-round schooling. The
bill, HB
4982, would divide up the current 3-month summer break throughout the
entire school year. State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing) originally
called for a $10 million program, but it was reduced to $2 million to fall in
line with Governor Snyder’s State of the State proposal. To qualify for a grant
a district must be eligible for free and reduced lunches in the current school
year and its school board must adopt a resolution to adopt a year-round
calendar in at least one building for three years. Grants of no more than
$750,000 will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Districts with at
least one school building designated a focus school, and having lower General
Fund balances in comparison to total revenue, will be given priority.
Viviano,
Zahra Announce Joint Election Campaign
This week, Supreme Court Justices Brian Zahra
and David Viviano announced a joint campaign for the Supreme Court election.
While they both will pursue the Republican nomination, both men described themselves
as rule of law judges. Justice Zahra will run for a full eight-year term and
Justice Viviano will run to fill the remainder of the term of former Justice
Diane Hathaway. Both men were initially appointed to the bench by Governor
Snyder. While it is unclear whom the Democrats will nominate to run against Mr.
Viviano for the partial term, Attorney Richard Bernstein is widely expected to
seek the Democratic nomination for one of the two full-term seats against
Justice Zahra. Kent County Circuit Judge James Redford has said he will seek
the other Republican nomination for one of the full-term seats.
Staffer
Announces Run in 104th House District
Long-time Republican staffer Jamie Callahan
has announced his intention to run for the 104th House District. The
seat is currently held by State Representative Wayne Schmidt, who cannot seek
re-election due to term limits. Mr. Callahan was also the Chief of Staff of
former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land and also the Chief of Staff of former
State Senator Jason Allen.