Latest Poll has Governor Snyder Up

In the latest EPIC/MRA poll, incumbent Governor Rick Snyder has a 6 percentage point lead over Democratic challenger Mark Schauer 45 percent to 39 percent. This is the second poll in a week showing a similar margin.

The poll of 600 likely voters was conducted September 25^th through 29^th and included 20 percent contacted via cell phone. The margin of error is plus or minus 4 percentage points. Just one month earlier (August 22^nd through 25^th), EPIC/MRA had Mr. Schauer at 45 percent and Governor Snyder at 43 percent.

This new poll, however, showed 8 percent favoring an unnamed third party candidate and another 8 percent as undecided. Governor Snyder also showed a 49 percent favorability rating in the poll, some of his highest numbers in recent times.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 3, 2014 10:17 AM
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Richardville Considering Discharge of CON Legislation

Following last week’s inaction by the Senate Government Operations Committee on legislation to allow McLaren Health Care to erect a new facility, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville is reportedly considering discharging the bill from Committee to the Senate floor. 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.

The measure wasn’t moved from the Committee last week when it appeared the “yes” votes did not exist on the Committee to do so, a fact that has evidently not changed this week – leaving discharge as the only option.

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, business, 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 the effort.

posted by PAA Online , 10:17 AM
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Manufactured Housing Safety Reform Clears Committee

The House Regulatory Reform Committee acted Tuesday to approve a bill sponsored by State Representative Andy Schor (D-Lansing), with the support of the Michigan Manufactured Housing Association, serving to provide for better communication and coordination between the State of Michigan and local governmental units relative to the regulation of manufactured housing communities.

House Bill 5513 (H-3) was twice amended prior to the panel’s vote to move the measure to the House floor. The first amendment increased the maximum fine the State can levy on a manufactured housing community from $10,000 to $50,000 for serious violations. The second amendment would permit the state to contract with county health departments to conduct health and safety inspections.

Other provisions in the measure include a process through which a receiver can be appointed for a distressed community, and a requirement that the state notify local units if an inspection results in finding a health or safety violation.

posted by PAA Online , 10:16 AM
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House Quickly Approves Health Care Licensing Revocation Package

The House Health Policy Committee approved a package of legislation Tuesday that would allow the State to permanently revoke the license or registration of a health professional under certain circumstances. Under current law, a license or registration can only be permanently revoked if a patient is sexually assaulted by a health professional.

The full House then acted on the package Wednesday, with all four bills passing unanimously.

House Bills 5839, 5840, 5841, and 5842, sponsored by Representatives Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township), Pat Somerville (R-New Boston), Jeff Farrington (R-Utica), and Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle), were introduced largely in response to the well-publicized story of a Metro-Detroit area doctor who falsely diagnosed patients with cancer and administered unneeded treatments to turn a profit.

The legislation would allow the disciplinary subcommittees of medical licensing boards to permanently revoke a health care professional’s license or registration if the professional harmed a patient after intentionally engaging in fraudulent activity, or after conviction for murder, manslaughter, or similar offenses.

posted by PAA Online , 10:16 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Big Increase in Online Ads

The month of August showed the year’s largest increase in online ads, mirroring a trend in 45 states. 174,920 online ads for available jobs were posted in August according to the Labor Market Information division, a 9.5 percent increase. Roughly 93,000 of the ads were first-time postings and professional, administrative support, and sales categories accounted for nearly half of the postings.

Wine Producers Shortage

The Michigan Grape and Wine Industry Council estimates a 50 percent reduction in wine grape crop size from 2013 numbers, largely due to the harsh winter and cooler than normal summer. The shortage is leading wine grape growers across the state to seek federal disaster assistance. The approximately 7,600 tons of wine grapes in 2013 was a record high, therefore most vineyards will have 2012 and 2013 vintages to fill the gap from this year’s shortfall.

Michigan Near the Top in Charter School Quality

The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools released a report this week that showed Michigan as the third healthiest charter school movement in the nation, trailing only Washington, DC and Louisiana. Michigan stood out in rankings for student progress, high opening rate, and low closure rate.

posted by PAA Online , 10:15 AM
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