PAA Election Tracker

The election is now just over one week away. Remember, as you tune into national and local television coverage on November 4th for election results, make sure to also check-in with PAA’s Election Tracker on our website at www.paaonline.com.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 24, 2014 10:12 AM
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Hospital Price Transparency Legislation Reported from Senate Panel

The Senate Health Policy Committee reported legislation this Wednesday that would require hospitals to disclose, whether in writing or on their website, what’s known as their charge master – a list of prices for the various services and goods offered by the hospital.

Senate Bill 627 is sponsored by Senator Joe Hune (R-Whitmore Lake) and passed from the Senate Health Policy Committee 7-1 with Senator Jim Ananich (D-Flint) voting no.

Representatives from the hospital community stated that hospitals will disclose the information if required by the state through the proposal; however, the more valuable information to consumers would be the average charge by procedure for various hospitals. The federal government requires the charge master be developed and annually updated, however, hospitals are moving to value-based pricing where prices are based on overall procedures rather than a sum of individually priced items.

posted by PAA Online , 10:11 AM
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Dealership Clarity Legislation Signed – Model to be 2015 Topic

Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation earlier this week providing clarity in the law stating that automakers cannot sell vehicles directly to consumers and also cannot market vehicles outside of franchised dealers. House Bill 5606, now Public Act 354 of 2014, was sponsored by Representative Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton).

Michigan auto dealers and auto manufacturers applauded the Governor’s signing of the legislation while Tesla Motors, who wanted to open a marketing center in the state, hoped the Governor would veto the measure.

In the wake of signing the measure, Governor Snyder called for a review in 2015 of the Michigan requirement that new vehicles be purchased at franchised a dealership – something both opponents and supporters of HB 5606 welcomed while, arguably, hoping the debate heads in different directions.

posted by PAA Online , 10:11 AM
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Film Incentive Changes Clears Senate

Legislation cleared the Senate Wednesday that would provide for long term security and clarity in the state’s film incentive law. Senate Bill 1103, sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe), first passed the Senate Economic Development and was later approved by the full Senate 32-4 with Senators Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), John Moolenaar (R-Midland), Joe Hune (R-Whitmore Lake), and Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc) voting no, Senator Gretchen Whitmer (D-East Lansing) was absent when the vote took place, and Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) was absent from session.

The bill amends the Film and Digital Media Production Assistance Program operated by the Film Office by eliminating the 2017 sunset on the funding as well as adjusting the funding caps beginning in 2015.

Among other revisions, the bill also allows for the program to provide funding to eligible companies for direct production expenditures or to state-certified qualified productions for qualified personnel expenditures, however, it also eliminates the Michigan-specific requirements on personnel and crew expenditures.

Committee testimony was dominated by advocates for the film and digital media industries supporting the revisions.

posted by PAA Online , 10:10 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Peters Lead Continues to Grow

In a new poll commissioned by the Detroit Free Press and conducted by EPIC/MRA of 600 likely voters over October 17^th – 19^th, U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield) continues to increase his lead over former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. The new numbers show Mr. Peters at 45 percent and Ms. Land at just 34 percent. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percent.

State Christmas Tree Selected

A 63-foot blue spruce from Kingsford, Michigan was selected by the Department of Technology, Management and Budget to be the state’s 2014 Christmas tree. The tree will be delivered on November 1^st and prepared for the annual lighting at the City of Lansing’s Silver Bells festival on November 21^st.

posted by PAA Online , 10:09 AM
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