McLaren Facility Legislation Held in Committee

After 90 minutes of testimony before the Senate Government Operations Committee Tuesday, legislation to allow McLaren Health Care to erect a new facility was not moved. McLaren has been working for at least two years to get permission to build a new facility near Clarkston and move approximately 200 beds from the existing Pontiac location.

After the Certificate of Need (CON) commission rejected McLaren’s proposal in 2012, they have been pushing the Legislature to allow for the facility. The move is opposed by many representing a cross-section of interest groups, labor, and others, including the United Auto Workers (UAW), the Teamsters, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, the Economic Alliance for Michigan, and more.

Competing hospitals such as Sparrow, Beaumont, Trinity Health, Ascension Health, and others also oppose.

While Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), sponsor of the bill and Chair of the Committee, stated he wants the time to speak to his caucus and ensure accurate information is disseminated, speculation is that the bill was held because the votes aren’t there in Committee to move the measure. Republican Senator Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell) has confirmed his opposition – and with the Committee’s two Democratic members, the measure would fall short.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 26, 2014 9:16 AM
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New Poll Shows Growing Lead for Snyder; Debate Announced

The national firm Rasmussen Results, generally viewed as a slightly Republican-leaning firm, released a poll mid-week that showed Governor Snyder has expanded his lead over Democratic challenger Mark Schauer. In the poll of 750 likely voters, Rasmussen had Governor Snyder at 47 percent and Mr. Schauer at 41 percent.

The poll was conducted September 17^th and 18^th and showed 9 percent remaining undecided, 3 percent voting for a minority party candidate, and had a margin of error of 4 percent.

While the poll gave Governor Snyder his largest lead in quite some time, his average advantage over Mr. Schauer has been 2.3 percent over the last 6 polls – still well within the margin of error.

In related news, earlier this week the announcement was made that Governor Snyder and Mr. Schauer will square off in a televised town hall style debate on October 12^th. After months of back and forth between the campaigns regarding debates, the two sides agreed to the event that will be broadcast on Detroit Public Television from Wayne State University beginning at 6 p.m.

Stephen Henderson and Nolan Finley, from the Detroit Free Press and Detroit News, respectively, will co-moderate the debate while Detroit Public Television anchor Christy McDonald will host the event.

posted by PAA Online , 9:15 AM
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Power to be Restored to Detroit Elected Officials

City of Detroit Emergency Manager Kevyn Orr’s time will come to a close under a plan approved by the Detroit City Council late this week. The full transition will go into effect as the plan of adjustment to bring the city out of bankruptcy goes into effect, upon its approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court. Mr. Orr, however, has agreed to transfer power back to the City’s elected officials in the meantime.

Under an earlier power sharing agreement with Mr. Orr, Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan had assumed considerable operational control over the city, however, the City’s Finance and Police departments remained under Mr. Orr’s oversight. The recent agreement also restores authority to the City Council and leaves Mr. Orr’s role solely related to the bankruptcy.

A board appointed by Governor Rick Snyder will continue to oversee critical budget and finance decisions made by the city.

posted by PAA Online , 9:14 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Poll Shows U.S. Senate Race Tighter

A poll done by the same firm that conducted the poll in the gubernatorial race has U.S. Congressman Gary Peter’s lead over former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land narrowing a bit. The automated phone interview poll of 750 likely voters on September 18^th and 19^th showed Congressman Peters at 41 percent and Ms. Land at 39 percent. Margin of error is 4 percentage points.

New Executive at Chemistry Council

The Michigan Chemistry Council has appointed John Dulmes as the new Executive Director, succeeding the retiring Cynthia Schulz. Dulmes was most recently federal legislative analyst for the American Council of Life Insurers and is a graduate of Hope College in Holland, Michigan.

Senate Appropriations Moves Changes to Revenue Estimating Conference

A bill quickly approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee this week adds a new reporting requirement to the May Revenue Estimating Conference agenda. The measure requires the estimates to include unfunded accrued liabilities and is mirrored by another bill requiring budget bills submitted by the Governor to include the same.

400,000 Enrollees in Healthy Michigan

Governor Rick Snyder announced Thursday that the Healthy Michigan plan has more than 400,000 enrollees in almost 6 months following the plan’s opening. When the plan was enacted in 2013 it was one of the more controversial actions of this Legislature, however, enrollment numbers have surpassed estimates at all points.

posted by PAA Online , 9:14 AM
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