Governor Delivers Fourth State of the State – Makes Case for Second Term

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder delivered his fourth State of the State Address Thursday night, a 61-minute speech before a joint session of the House of Representatives and Senate.

The Governor started his speech by providing a long list of negative statistics that have declined during his time in office – and continued by providing a list of positive statistics that have improved. On the negative front, Snyder highlighted decreases in violent crime, infant mortality, un-adopted children, homelessness, long-term financial liabilities, and regulations. One the positive side, the Governor called attention to improvements in private sector jobs, per capita income, state population, home sales and prices, building permits, K-12 funding, and the state’s Budget Stabilization Fund (“Rainy Day Fund”) balance.

Overall, the Governor spent about two-thirds of his speech on reviewing accomplishments and touting the successes of his first three years in office.

With regard to new proposals, the speech lacked the major announcement or significant and specific direction some previous speeches have included. In fact, the policy proposal that may very well dominate the Legislature’s time and the airwaves in the first part of 2014 is one the Governor didn’t even discuss during his speech – the idea of a $350 million commitment to the City of Detroit.

Substantive items the Governor outlined included his strongest call to-date for tax relief as a result of the estimated $971 million in surplus revenue, giving indications that such tax relief would come in a form that would primarily benefit low and middle class residents.

Also of particular substance, the Governor announced that he will create a new Office of New Americans by executive order, intended to develop and implement policies to attract immigrants to Michigan.

The speech also included calls for money to implement a new teacher evaluation system, create a fund to combat invasive species (e.g. Asian long-horned beetle, Asian carp), fund a pilot program for year-round school calendars in certain school districts, and a call for the Legislature to support amending the U.S. Constitution to require a balanced budget.

While there was a bit of cross over where Democrats supported some of the Governor’s remarks and perhaps some Republicans were less-than-enthusiastic, the reaction to the speech was largely predictable for an election year State of the State. Republicans largely supported the Governor’s new plans as well as highlighting the achievements outlined in his remarks; while Democrats largely called foul on many of the statistics the Governor touted and continued to argue the State is on the wrong path under Snyder’s leadership.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 17, 2014 12:35 PM
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Former Lieutenant Governor Binsfeld Passes

On Sunday, three months short of her 90^th birthday, former Lt. Governor Connie Binsfeld died in hospice care. Ms. Binsfeld was hailed as champion for children in statements from colleagues, but also played a pivotal role in protecting women from domestic abuse and in protecting the Great Lakes sand dunes.

She was elected to the State House of Representatives in 1974 and subsequently made significant contributions towards making Michigan one of the first states to deal with domestic violence issues. Later that decade she was elected the assistant to the Republican leader. She hesitantly ran for Senate in 1982, and was made assistant Senate Majority Leader after her election.

Before becoming Lieutenant Governor, Ms. Binsfeld made national news for her role in spearheading legislation that made contracts for surrogate babies illegal in Michigan.

Ms. Binsfeld shattered more than a couple of glass ceilings over the course of her career. She was the first woman to hold leadership positions in the House, Senate, and the executive branch. Former Governor John Engler, who surprised even Ms. Binsfeld when he chose her to be his running mate in the 1990 election, remarked that Ms. Binsfeld “lived an unbelievable, full life and was successful at everything she did.”

In 1977 she was named Michigan mother of the year. Later, in 1998, she was named to the Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame, in part due to her focus on children’s issues.

A private service will be held in the coming days, with a public memorial service planned for this summer.

posted by PAA Online , 12:34 PM
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Campaign Update: Chirkun, Moss, and Lucido Make Bids Official

Roseville Mayor John Chirkun announced Tuesday that he is running for the 22^nd House District, where Representative Harold Haugh (D-Roseville) cannot seek re-election because of term limits.

Rep. Haugh said in a statement announcing Mr. Chirkun’s run for State Representative that he endorses the mayor for the seat. Mr. Haugh lauded Mr. Chirkun as an outstanding candidate, citing Chirkun’s past experience in government and law enforcement.

Former State Representative Chuck Moss, a Republican, has filed paperwork to run as a candidate for the open 13^th Senate District seat. The announcement was a formality, as Mr. Moss has been running for months.

Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester Hills) has also filed to run for the 13^th Senate District, which forces a primary in the seat currently held by Senator John Pappageorge (R-Troy), who is at the end of his second term and cannot seek re-election.

Finally, Republican Peter Lucido made an official announcement this week that he will run for the 36^th House District seat. The seat is currently held by Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township), who cannot seek re-election due to term limits.

posted by PAA Online , 12:34 PM
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House Criminal Justice Committee Reviews Scalping Legalization Bill

The State House of Representatives Criminal Justice Committee took up legislation that would repeal the ban on reselling tickets for public events at higher prices than face value, otherwise referred to as “scalping.”

The bill, House Bill 5108, would also eliminate various other provisions including: prohibiting a person from establishing an agency for the sale of a seat ticket, making the owner or manager of a venue where a scalper was selling tickets as liable and guilty as the scalper, and prohibiting a person from selling a nontransferable ticket that contains the name of the person who originally bought the ticket.

State Representative Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Township) is sponsoring the bill, and asserts that it is a simple change to a 1931 law.

Opponents maintain that repealing the ban would take away the power for venues to prevent scalpers conducting business on their own property. In fact, some artists have already claimed they would not perform in Michigan again if the bill was enacted.

The Committee Chair, Representative Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth Township) said the committee will hear additional testimony on the bill next week. Many of those wishing to testify had not gotten the chance to do so before the committee ended.

posted by PAA Online , 12:30 PM
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House Passes Billboard Legislation

On Wednesday the State House of Representatives approved an amended bill intended to bring the state into compliance with federal law on freeway billboard maintenance and construction. The legislation will now go back to the Senate for additional debate.

The first amendment to the bill requires an entity applying to upgrade a nonstandard billboard to surrender three permits for billboards visible from highways when applying for a digital permit, as well as the payment of additional fees. The requirement would be imposed one year after the bill is enacted.

A nonstandard sign is one erected before March 23, 1999 that complies with the Highway Advertising Act, but is built closer than 1,000 feet to another sign structure on the same side of the highway in an industrial or unzoned commercial area.

The second amendment provided spacing requirements for billboards in communities with less than 750,000 people.

posted by PAA Online , 12:29 PM
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PAADVISORY BRIEFS

Justice Boyle Passes at 76

Former Michigan Supreme Court Justice Patricia Boyle, 76, died suddenly on Monday during a visit to her sister in Florida. Boyle spent nearly her entire legal career in the public sector and was eventually appointed by former President Jimmy Carter to the U.S. District Court in Detroit. Later in her career Michigan Governor James Blanchard appointed her to the Michigan Supreme Court, on which she served from 1983-1998. Her decision surprised many, as she gave up a lifetime appointment to the U.S. District Court. After her retirement in 1998 she worked for the Birmingham firm of Kienbaum, Opperwall, Hardy, and Pendleton. Funeral Services are pending.

Agen Named Communications Director

Governor Snyder announced Tuesday that he has named Jarrod Agen, a veteran of communications shops in both government and elections, as his new communications director. Mr. Agen succeeds Jeff Holyfield, who moved to the communications post at the Lottery Bureau. Press Secretary Sara Wurfel and Deputy Press Secretary Dave Murray will continue to speak on behalf of the Administration to the news media.

posted by PAA Online , 12:28 PM
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January 10th Survey Results

In the January 10^th edition, PAAdvisory asked: Beyond general recalling prior accomplishments and outlining an agenda for 2014 and beyond, what do you anticipate will be the highlight of Governor Rick Snyder’s upcoming State of the State Address?

a. A call for individual tax relief

b. A reiterated call for transportation/infrastructure funding reform

c. Proposed higher education/technical training initiatives

d. Proposed reform related to local governmental units (e.g. cities, townships, counties, etc.).

45 percent of respondents indicated the Governor will highlight a reiterated call for transportation/infrastructure funding reform (b). Another 27 percent of respondents answered (a). A call for individual tax relief. 19 percent believe the highlight of the speech will be proposed higher education/technical training initiatives (c), while the final 9 percent believe it will be proposed reform relative to local governmental units (d).

posted by PAA Online , 12:28 PM
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Question of the Week 1-17-14

posted by PAA Online , 12:05 PM
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