Campaign/Election Update

According to a recent survey done by EPIC-MRA, U.S. Representative Justin Amash (R-Cascade Township) is leading his primary challenger Brian Ellis by a significant margin in the Republican primary for the U.S. 3^rd House seat. The survey reports 55 percent of responses were in support for Amash while only 35 percent supported Ellis. Amash is backed by the tea party movement, which according to the survey 74 percent of GOP primary voters support.

Representative Rudy Hobbs (D-Southfield) received endorsements from the United Automobile Workers (UAW) and the Michigan AFL-CIO in his bid for the 14^th District U.S. House seat. Mr. Hobbs is in a very competitive Democratic primary race against former U.S. Representative Hansen Clarke and Brenda Lawrence, the Mayor of Southfield; however, Hobbs has nailed-down most major endorsements in recent weeks.

Senator John Moolenaar (R-Midland) received the Michigan Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement in his race for the U.S. 4^th House District seat.

Senator Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) received seven new endorsements in his race for re-election in the 4^th Senate District against Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit). Mr. Smith was endorsed by the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, Michigan Association of Police Organizations, the Michigan Regional Council of Carpenters and Millwrights, the 12^th and 14^th Congressional Districts, the Fannie Lou Hamer PAC and the Wayne County Democratic Black Caucus.

In the 98^th House District Republican candidate Karl Ieuter of Sanford received endorsements from three members of the Midland County Board of Commissioners. Mark Bone, Eric Dorrien, and Jim Geisler all announced their support for Mr. Ieuter on Tuesday. The endorsement comes before a tough primary against Gary Glenn of Midland.

Representative Peter MacGregor of Cannon Township received the endorsement of the Grand Rapids Chamber over former Representative Kevin Green in the Republican primary race for the 28^th Senate District. The Chamber also endorsed Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart), Brandt Iden in the 61^st House District, Chris Afendoulis in the 73^rd district, Donijo De Jonge in the 76^th District, Mary Whiteford in the 80^th District, Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) in the 86^th District, Daniela Garcia in the 90^th District, and former Representative Holly Hughes in the 91^st District. All the endorsements came in Republican primaries.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 20, 2014 10:47 AM
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LARA Warns of Scam Hitting Corporations, Limited Liability Companies

On Wednesday the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) warned corporations of a non-government entity running a scheme trying to collect a fee. The fee of $59.99 is in order to receive a certificate of good standing that this entity implies is required in order to stay in compliance with the state business formation requirements.

The Department says that businesses should stay on alert even though there have not yet been any confirmed cases of Michigan businesses. According to the Department a few Arizona businesses have already been affected by the entity.

LARA said that if a business receives the mailing they should contact the United States Postal Inspections Service to report mail fraud and keep the document and envelope that it came in or contact the Michigan Office of the Attorney General.

If a business is in need of a certificate of good standing they are available through the Corporations Division and cost $10.

posted by PAA Online , 10:46 AM
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Covington Resigns as EAA Leader

John Covington, the Education Achievement Authority (EAA) Chancellor, announced his resignation Monday. Mr. Covington has had a tumultuous stint as the leader of the EAA, regularly having his success and practices questioned. Spokespeople from both the EAA and from Governor Rick Snyder’s office stated that there was no pressure or request for Mr. Covington’s resignation. Mario Morrow, the Education Achievement Authority spokesperson, said that Mr. Covington was leaving in order to care for his mother who is ill and to start a consulting business for schools.

The EAA was formed through a partnership between Detroit Public Schools (DPS) and Eastern Michigan University in order to help the lowest performing schools in the DPS system. Mr. Covington implemented many new ideas such as longer school days and years as well as individualized learning plans for students. The results have shown mixed progress causing for wide criticism. Student enrollment in the EAA has seen a sharp decline and teacher turnover rates are very high.

Controversy over Mr. Covington arrived shortly after the news of his hiring as he was accused of failing to fulfill promises in Kansas City and leaving the school system in Kansas City for the position with the EAA.

posted by PAA Online , 10:45 AM
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Republicans Filing Amicus Brief Supporting Gay Marriage

Former Speaker Rick Johnson was joined by at least 12 other former members of the legislature in signing an amicus brief that was filed with the 6^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Monday. The brief asks that the appeals court uphold the decision, by U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman, that the 2004 amendment to the state Constitution banning same-sex marriage is in violation of the equal protection clause of the U.S. Constitution. Among the former legislators who signed the brief are four former House members who voted yes on a bill to ban same-sex marriage that was voted on under Speaker Johnson.

The topic of same-sex marriage is a divisive issue in the Republican Party now and there are many members who have voiced displeasure about the signing of the amicus brief. National party committee member Dave Agema has voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage a multitude of times and has been joined by members of the party opposing the brief. Richard McLellan, one of the signers and a longtime influential legal mind in the party, received backlash on his Facebook post from angry Republicans who claimed that same-sex marriage is a sin. Attorney General Bill Schuette is appealing the ruling made by Judge Friedman citing the precedent that the U.S. Supreme Court put forth on their decision to uphold the 2006 constitutional ban on affirmative action in Michigan.

The brief argues that while courts should not impose on the legislature or the citizens and their decisions in most cases, it is necessary in this case as banning gay marriage is discriminatory and completely based on opinions. It continues saying that the argument that same-sex marriage harms families, children, and the institution of marriage does not have any factual evidence to back it. Many of the signatories said that they regret their decision to vote in favor of the ban and that by signing this brief it allows fellow Michigan Republicans to courageously stand with them in asking the court to uphold the decision.

posted by PAA Online , 10:44 AM
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Quote of the Week

“New York is losing $1 million a day on cigarette bootlegging. That’s $93 million a year!”

- Senator Harry DeMaso, 1982

posted by PAA Online , 10:43 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Setting Energy Rates

House bills 5476 and 5612 were signed by Governor Snyder Tuesday in an attempt to make energy rates reflective of the service cost for all customers. HB 5476 will set a timeline with an emphasis on customers being rewarded for having “smooth” energy use for the Public Service Commission. HB 5612 will provide funding to residential rate advocates.

Unemployment Rate Rises Slightly In May

The Department of Technology, Management, and Budget announced that the unemployment rate rose by .1 percent, bringing unemployment to 7.5 percent, on Wednesday. Unemployment was not the only thing that rose however as the labor force saw a rise of 3,000, total employment rose by 1,000 and total unemployment rose by 2,000.

State Hits More Than 300,000 Enrollees Under Medicaid Expansion

The Healthy Michigan plan, Michigan’s expanded Medicaid eligibility plan, which launched April 1^st, has over 300,000 enrollees. On Wednesday the Department of Community Health announced that the program had reached an enrollment of 301,645. The plan allows for people to enroll if their income is up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level. Passage of the expansion through the legislature was one of the toughest fights in 2013.

posted by PAA Online , 10:42 AM
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