Current Fiscal Year Negative Supplementals Move to Governor

The State Senate acted swiftly this week to move the two negative budget supplementals for the current fiscal year through Committee, from the Senate floor, and onto Governor Snyder’s desk for approval.

House Bill 4110 passed the Senate 23-14 with Senator Coleman Young, Jr., (D-Detroit) absent from the vote. Republican Senators Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township), Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights), and Dale Zorn (R-Ida) joined all ten present Democrats in opposing the measure.

Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor) offered the only amendment to HB 4110, again attempting to prevent the shift of some $167 from the School Aid Fund to pay for community college funding. Although the amendment ultimately failed, Senator Hopgood was able to secure support from four Republicans.

House Bill 4112 passed the Senate 26-11 with Democratic Senator David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) crossing over to join Republicans in voting “yes,” while Republican Senator Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) joined Democratic members in opposition.

Democratic Senate Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) attempted to amend the measure to add a $1 million emergency water fund for distressed local governments, citing the recent contamination in the City of Flint’s water supply. Senator Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield) tried to restore the $5 million that was cut from the Graduate Medical Education program by the Governor’s recent Executive Order. Finally, Senator Curtis Hertel, Jr. (D-East Lansing) moved to add $1 million to conduct a statewide study into the true cost of educating a student from kindergarten through high school graduation. All three Democratic amendments were defeated.

The two bills now move to the Governor’s desk for his signature.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, February 27, 2015 10:34 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Haveman Testifies for Sentencing Reform Bills

Former Representative Joe Haveman testified before the House Criminal Justice Committee on Tuesday relative to the reintroduction of sentencing reform legislation he attempted to pass last term. These bills failed to clear the Legislature during lame duck, however Mr. Haveman is hopeful they will be better received with this Legislature. The bills being re-introduced are House Bill 4137 and House Bill 4138, and they would make changes to the probate and parole system. Specifically, they would include an allowance for presumptive parole. Although the entire package did not pass last term, a Criminal Justice Policy Commission was created by the reforms that did pass, and Mr. Haveman said he is considering heading this Commission.

Mr. Haveman briefed the Committee that there was a moratorium on new sentencing guidelines last term, to which Representative Kurt Heise (R-Plymouth Township) responded there were various exceptions, one of which being human trafficking bills. Mr. Haveman insisted on this moratorium because legislators were drafting bills concerning their constituent’s issues, and not looking at the larger perspective. Representative Heise complimented Mr. Haveman’s ability to put a moratorium on those bills, but he argued that not all the bills drafted were frivolous.

Attorney General Bill Schuette is a large critic of these bills, commentating that they were being rushed through lame duck and Representatives voted against part of the package for the same reason. Representative Heise is hopeful the Attorney General will get on board with this policy as Mr. Schuette will be involved with the work group. Many interest groups have shown an interest in these policies, and Mr. Heise feels it would be in the best interest of Mr. Schuette to be involved with the process and have a say in how these bills will be formed.

Simply put, Mr. Haveman said these bills are necessary because the state can’t afford to continue “our $2 billion” into the equation anymore. These savings will be seen more long term by the state if the package passes. Mr. Heise stated that the increase in jail and probation sanctions will not lead to more incarcerations, a funding concern he knows the communities share.

When these bills went through lame duck last term, it was well known they would likely die in the Senate. This time around, Representative Heise encouraged the Committee to work with the Senate as their support will be crucial in this process.

posted by PAA Online , 10:34 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Lucido Introduces Bill to Regulate Oil Drilling

Representative Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township) introduced House Bill 4237 on Tuesday, a bill that would allow townships to better regulate the distance between oil drilling sites and residential homes. Additionally, the measure would repeal a portion of the Michigan Zoning Enabling Act that prohibits townships from regulating or controlling gas and drilling operations within their parameters. This bill has since been referred to the House Energy Policy Committee.

According to the Representative, over 90 percent of drilling operations in Michigan occur in townships. He feels it would only make sense that the townships have control over operations that concern their citizens.

This bill would address these citizen concerns over area operations regarding oil drilling sites. In his statement, Representative Lucido commented that townships are currently disgruntled by how drilling operations are being conducted, yet have no way of addressing these concerns.

The Representative wishes to change this by giving the power to the townships to set their own regulations, as he feels the safety and wellbeing of the residents are not being properly handled by the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). A similar bill was introduced last year by Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township), but it never emerged from committee.

posted by PAA Online , 10:33 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

IT Upgrades Funded by LARA Increases

A representative from the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) made a statement on Wednesday regarding the proposed licensing fee increases. Many state licensing fees, such as alcohol permits, are increased in the proposal due to a lack of sustainable funds for each respective program. What a LARA representative mentioned is that a portion of these fees are expected to pay for IT upgrades.

In Governor Snyder’s budget proposal for LARA, he established a 50 percent increase in some licenses that would be cut in half after three years. When the Senate Appropriations LARA Subcommittee asked why these legislators will have to address this issue twice, LARA Deputy Director Al Pohl said that once the IT upgrades have been completed, the Department will no longer need the additional funds.

Senator James Marleau (R-Lake Orion) wondered whether LARA would replace COBOL, a computer system the Department and the Liquor Control Commission uses for their respective administration functions. Mr. Pohl expressed that LARA is looking to do just that. According to Commissioner Andy Deloney, the Liquor Control Commission has been working with the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget to create a more efficient system. The Commissioner also commented that if these IT issues are not addressed, the $1.15 billion enterprise will be in jeopardy, as the computer system is necessary in the sale of alcohol.

Scott Ellis, Executive Director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, questioned why the money from the fee increase is being used toward technology. He recognizes the need for upgrades, however in his personal opinion the funds should be deducted from the Liquor Purchase Revolving Fund. In Mr. Ellis’ point of view, the revenue is being generated.

Chairman Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) had doubts about whether 50 percent was too much or too little for certain licensing. Mr. Deloney explained that they came to 50 percent because the Department looked at the licensing that required the most effort and most revenue and they decided to bump them up a bit. Al Pohl also commented that LARA is determining if that is the case or not, but the answer may be unclear until mid-March or so.

posted by PAA Online , 10:32 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

PAAdvisory Briefs

Hanna New MCUL Lobbyist

Kirk Hanna has recently been named Vice President for Governmental Affairs for the Michigan Credit Union League (MCUL). Mr. Hanna will be leaving his recent post as Director of Policy and Legislative Affairs at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to explore this new career opportunity.

Hurley Named CEO of Presidents Council

Beginning July 1^st, Daniel Hurley will take over as CEO of the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan. He will replace Mike Boulis who is retiring from the position after 14 years of service. Mr. Hurley was previously the Director of University Relations at the Presidents Council before beginning his current job as the Associate Vice President for Government Relations and State Policy at the Washington D.C. based American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

Nevins New President of Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association

Spencer Nevins, current Vice President of the Association, will replace retiree Mike Lashbrook as President effective July 1^st. Mr. Lashbrook has served the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association for 26 years, making him one of the longest serving association leaders. Spencer Nevins will be coming into his new position having served as Vice President for Regulatory Affairs and Counsel since 2006 and with prior experience as a former tax counsel for the Department of Treasury.

U.S. Representative Upton Adds New Staff Members

U.S. Representative Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) has appointed Chad Dillon and Corey Hansen as his new constituent service representatives for his district offices. Chad Dillon has a political science degree from Western Michigan University and has served in the Army National Guard for six years, and will be focusing on veteran outreach for the Representative. Corey Hansen has business management and accountancy degrees from Western Michigan University, and will be working in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor office.

posted by PAA Online , 10:31 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters