PAA Election Tracker

Next Tuesday’s election is nearly upon us. 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. Additionally, PAA will have extensive coverage and analysis in the days following the election.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 31, 2014 10:07 AM
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Oh yeah…and Vote!

If you’re reading this newsletter, you are somehow, someway connected to State Government in Michigan. As such, you understand that elections have consequences. Whether Republican or Democrat; conservative or liberal, independent or activist. So please participate in the process and exercise your right to vote.

If you’re unsure of where to vote, please visit the Voter Information page on the Michigan Secretary of State’s website by clicking here.

posted by PAA Online , 10:06 AM
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Governor’s Race Tightens down the Stretch

With polls being released almost daily as Election Day is now just four days away, one of the latest polls has the gubernatorial race in a statistical dead-heat.

The poll was conducted by EPIC/MRA on October 26-28 and asked 600 likely voters who they would vote for in the coming election and had a margin of error of 4 percentage points. 45 percent of those questions answered that they would vote for Governor Snyder, while 43 percent responded with Democratic candidate Mark Schauer. 9 percent were undecided and 3 percent indicated their support for a third party candidate.

A further breakdown of the poll showed Governor Snyder winning in Macomb and Oakland counties, but trailing in Wayne County. Additionally, Governor Snyder is leading among men by 10 percentage points; however, Mr. Schauer is leading by 5 percentage points among women.

The same poll also showed U.S. Representative Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Hills) with a huge lead over former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land in the race for the U.S. Senate. Mr. Peters had 50 percent in the poll compared to Ms. Land’s 35 percent.

Further, the poll showed current Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette leading Democratic challenger Mark Totten 47 to 35 percent and current Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson leading Democratic challenger Godfrey Dillard 41 percent to 37 percent.

Good news came for the Governor this week as well when the Michigan Chronicle, the state’s largest and most influential black-owned newspaper endorsed his re-election efforts. The paper pointed to the Governor’s handling of Detroit’s financial crisis and bankruptcy as well as his leadership on Medicaid expansion as rationale for the endorsement.

posted by PAA Online , 10:05 AM
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Leadership Funds Raising, Distributing Significantly

The PACs controlled by those maneuvering for House and Senate leadership positions in the new Legislature have both raised and distributed significant funds heading into Tuesday’s general election.

Beginning in the House, State Representative Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville) raised $98,350 for his Pscholka Results PAC between July 21^st and October 20^th, bringing his total for the year to $148,650. He spent $128,111 during the same period, leaving him with $67,414 in cash on hand.

The other leading Republican positioning himself for the Speaker’s office, assuming Republicans maintain their majority in the House of Representatives, is Representative Kevin Cotter of Mt. Pleasant. Representative Cotter’s Vision for Victory PAC raised $42,150 during the July – October period, and $116,250 total year-to-date. He spent $61,500 during the period and is left with $56,190 cash on hand.

On the Senate side, Senate Majority Floor Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Senator Jim Ananich (D-Flint) are considered strong favorites for their respective caucus’ leadership roles, and their PAC fundraising efforts reflect as much.

The Moving Michigan Forward PAC, controlled by Senator Meekhof, raised $119,750 for the period of July 21^st – October 20^th, spent $246,306 and is left with $122,414 cash on hand. $181,500 of the disbursements went to the Moving Michigan Forward II PAC, also controlled by Senator Meekhof. The 2^nd PAC raised an additional $10,000 from another source for a total of $191,500 and spent $97,169 during the period.

Senator Ananich likewise posted impressive numbers for the period for the two PACs he controls. The Ananich Senate Majority Fund raised $91,559 and spent $85,225 during the quarter while the Ananich Future Fund raised $54,244 for the period but spent $170,025 from July – October.

posted by PAA Online , 10:04 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

10 Individuals Being Monitored for Ebola Symptoms

The Michigan Department of Community Health confirmed this week that 10 individuals in Michigan are being monitored for symptoms of Ebola. After being notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that the individuals returned to Michigan after traveling to West African nations where Ebola outbreaks have been well-publicized, the individuals are being asked to monitor for symptoms for 21 days.

$50 Million in Skilled Trades Program Dollars for Community Colleges

The Michigan Strategic Fund this week approved the Community College Skilled Trades Equipment Program. The program makes $50 million available to Michigan community colleges for equipment purchases for skilled trades education. Community colleges can request up to $4.8 million.

posted by PAA Online , 10:04 AM
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