Nick Lyon Named Interim Director DHS

Governor Snyder named Nick Lyon interim Director of the Department of Human Services (DHS) while he continues as Director of the Department of Community Health (DCH). There is speculation the Governor’s office is considering merging the two departments into one.

Director Lyon has indicated his focus would remain on improving overall services for persons both through DHS and DCH, especially through putting a great focus on the comprehensive integration of care.

Mr. Lyon pointed to the success of the Healthy Michigan Medicaid enrollment as one project that will improve the overall services for Michigan’s citizens. More than 500,000 people have signed up for the program this year, well in excess of the some 477,000 the state anticipated would sign up by the end of 2015.

About 120,000 recipients have filled out health assessments. There have been over 200,000 preventative care visits, 13,000 mammograms, and 15,000 colonoscopies for those covered under the Healthy Michigan Plan. Participants are taking steps to better manage their health.

The priority issue for the Director is ensuring providers look at the whole person. One way in which to achieve this goal is integrating care for persons who are eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare. The state plans to launch a Dual Eligible pilot project later this year.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 9, 2015 10:29 AM
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Senate Fiscal Agency Projects Reduced Revenue

According to a revenue forecast released this week by the Senate Fiscal Agency, General Fund and School Aid Fund revenues will total an estimated $21.5 billion in the current 2014-15 fiscal year, growing revenues from the previous fiscal year by 4.6 percent. However, the forecast is $212.2 million below the May 2014 consensus estimate, and that means the state would close the year on September 30, 2015 with a negative balance of $162.2 million based on current revenues and appropriations.

The agency's forecast is one of three that will be considered when it, the House Fiscal Agency and the Department of Treasury come up with their consensus estimate at January's Revenue Estimating Conference.

To fix the projected negative General Fund balance, the Senate Fiscal Agency said the state would have to shift revenue from other fund sources or reduce spending for the current fiscal year.

Also estimated to drop is the preliminary revenue estimate for the 2013-14 fiscal year that ended September 30 to $20.5 billion (down 1.5 percent from the previous 2012-13 fiscal year). That decrease reflects an improving economy that was more than offset by greater-than-expected refunds under the Michigan Business Tax and individual Income Tax. Combined General Fund and School Aid Fund revenue for 2013-14 is also expected to be $301.6 million below the May 2014 consensus estimate.

Looking ahead, the agency projected that in the fiscal year 2015-16 budget Governor Rick Snyder and the Legislature will draft in the coming months, combined General Fund and School Aid Fund revenue will total $22.1 billion, a 3.1 percent increase from the current year, but $372.6 million below the May 2014 consensus estimate.

If that General Fund revenue estimate is compared with expected expenditures freezing ongoing and one-time spending to current fiscal year levels and is adjusted for caseload changes, there is also a projected negative General Fund balance of $186.4 million for the 2015-16 fiscal year, the Senate Fiscal Agency projected.

The agency projects a surplus of $326.5 million for the School Aid Fund for the 2015-16 fiscal year.

As for the Michigan economy, it is estimated to grow by 3.4 percent in 2015, 3.1 percent in 2016 and 2.6 percent in 2017. It rose 2.8 percent in 2014. Wage and salary employment is predicted to continue growing, increasing 1.3 percent during 2015, 1.1 percent in 2016 and 1 percent in 2017, the report indicated.

By comparison, the U.S. economy - which grew 2.3 percent in 2014 - is predicted to expand 3 percent in both 2015 and 2016, and then 2.7 percent in 2017.

posted by PAA Online , 10:27 AM
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Bolger Heads into Consulting World With New Firm

Former House Speaker Jase Bolger announced on Wednesday that he has formed a consulting firm called Tusker Strategies LLC, and its first client is the West Michigan Policy Forum.

Bolger describes his firm as "a boutique consulting firm that will offer research, idea development, relationship building and strategic advice for political and public policy success to organizations in Michigan and across the country." Bolger said it would not operate as a traditional lobbying firm or offer consulting services to political candidates.

Mr. Bolger said he would also continue his ownership and management of his longtime business, Summit Credit Services, Inc., a Kalamazoo-based business that updates customer contact.

posted by PAA Online , 10:25 AM
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Snyder Taps Walsh as Policy Director, Redford as Legal Counsel

Governor Rick Snyder has filled two major openings on his staff, naming outgoing Representative John Walsh as his new director of strategy and Kent Circuit Judge James Redford as his new legal counsel.

Mr. Walsh (R-Livonia) replaces Bill Rustem, who retired earlier this year. Mr. Redford, who lost a Supreme Court bid in November, succeeds Michael Gadola, whom Mr. Snyder named to the Court of Appeals.

Mr. Walsh will fill an especially critical role within the Governor’s inner circle. During most of Mr. Snyder's first term, Mr. Rustem functioned as the Executive Office's ideas person, helping craft many special messages Mr. Snyder would issue and outlining his legislative agenda as well as his State of the State addresses.

During his time in the House, Walsh emerged as a top ally of House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) and became known as someone who was capable of leading many difficult legislative issues. Mr. Walsh was a critical figure in leading House approval of the so-called Grand Bargain legislation that secured state aid to Detroit, as well as several financial reforms in city operations. Prior to joining the House in 2009,he was an executive at Schoolcraft College and a member of the Livonia City Council. Mr. Walsh starts January 5 and Mr. Redford starts January 15.

posted by PAA Online , 10:24 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Legislative Director Named for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development
Kirk Hanna, former legislative director for Kelly Services, has been named legislative director for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. He officially takes that position January 5. He succeeds Derek Bajema, who is now president of the Michigan Soft Drink Association.

Newly sworn-in Wayne County Executive Warren Evans has named former Representative Rudy Hobbs as his chief of staff. Mr. Hobbs served in the House from 2011-14, rising to minority floor leader in the 2013-14 term. In 2014, he ran for the U.S. House, but lost a close race for the Democratic nomination to then Southfield Mayor and now U.S. Representative Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield).

Representative Brandon Dillon to Lead House Dem Appropriations
House Minority Leader Tim Greimel on Wednesday announced who will be filling the remaining leadership positions for the Democratic Caucus. Former minority floor leader Representative David Rutledge (D-Ypsilanti) will serve as the Democratic Caucus chair and Representative Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) will serve as the minority vice chair of the House Appropriations Committee.

Additionally, Representative Fred Durhall III (D-Detroit) and Representative Vanessa Guerra (D-Saginaw) will serve as assistant minority leaders; Representative Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) will serve as caucus whip; Representative Leslie Love (D-Detroit) will serve as caucus vice chair and Representative Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids) will serve as policy chair.

House Minority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing) was elected by the caucus after the November elections when Mr. Greimel was also re-elected as minority leader. Representative Brian Banks (D-Detroit) will lead the Detroit Caucus.

posted by PAA Online , 10:22 AM
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