Proposal 1 Partialities

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has historically been a large supporter of transportation funding; however, representatives announced this week that the Michigan Chamber will remain neutral on Proposal 2015-1. The Proposal would increase sales tax to raise $1.2 billion for road funding and $700 million for schools, local government services, and transit. Rich Studley, President of the Michigan Chamber, commented that they will instead be educating their members leading up to the May 5^th vote.

Mr. Studley stated an inability to reach a board consensus as to why the Michigan Chamber will not take a position on Proposal 1. When it was originally proposed, Mr. Studley himself was exceedingly critical of the decision to put the proposal on the ballot instead of handling the matter legislatively.

While the Chamber decided to remain neutral, the CEO and President of the Michigan Manufacturers Association (MMA) Chuck Hadden announced the MMA’s endorsement for the proposal. Although there are no plans to finance it in the future, the MMA’s support adds yet another major business organization to the mix.

The Michigan Environmental Council (MEC) also announced that it is urging their members to support this proposal in the upcoming election. Chris Kolb, the MEC President, mentioned in a statement that the state cannot afford to wait to fix the roads any longer and Proposal 1 is the best chance to build a safe and reliable transportation system that Michigan needs.

The Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce also endorsed the measure. Lansing Chamber President and CEO Tim Daman shared the disappointment with the Legislature being unable to come up with a long-term solution, but has decided to support the proposal. Although not perfect, he thinks Proposal 1 still offers the best path to providing Michiganders safe and reliable roads.

This sentiment is not shared by Attorney General Bill Schuette. The Attorney General declared Wednesday that he will not be voting “yes” on Proposal 15-1. His rationale is that the proposal funds an additional $700 million for other projects; and if the proposal’s main purpose is to fund the roads, it should be focused exclusively on that. According to Schuette, this is not to minimize the intention of the other funding projects, but there is just “too much stuff under the Christmas tree.”

Mr. Schuette advised Governor Snyder of his position over the phone, as the two of them are now on opposing sides of this proposal. Roger Martin of the Safe Roads Yes Campaign dismissed the significance of the Attorney General’s remark saying the roads need to be fixed, and this is the only available avenue to do so. Mr. Schuette disagreed with his statement; he personally believes there is always another avenue to fix these roads.

When asked if he would campaign against the proposal, Attorney General Schuette mentioned it has not crossed his mind and he is merely voicing his opinion as a voter and a citizen.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 6, 2015 11:29 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Democrats Announce New Energy Proposal

Majority Republicans are interested in abolishing the state’s requirement mandating that utilities generate a certain percentage of their energy from renewable sources, but not without a counter proposal from the Democrats. Top Democrats on the House and Senate energy committees stated their top priority is to increase the current renewable portfolio standard and to raise Michigan’s energy efficiency from 1 to 2 percent.

Representative Bill LaVoy (D-Monroe) and Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), Minority Vice Chairs on the House Energy Policy Committee and Senate Energy and Technology Committee, proposed an increase in the renewable standard. Ideally, the Democratic proposal would like to raise this standard from 10 percent by 2015 to 20 percent by 2022. In addition to this increase, Democrats feel it’s imperative to improve on the efficiency percentage.

This proposal will also establish exceptions from the 20 percent by 2022 goal, as more affordable alternatives and new technology becomes available. Utilities will also be forbidden from placing surcharges on consumers for the new renewable standard. Democrats are also looking to prioritize the upgrading of the state’s energy infrastructure and develop a better method to advocate on behalf of residential utility customers.

The existing renewable standard has been under constant scrutiny this year as it nears its expiration date. Representative Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) and Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek), chairs of the two energy committees, both are in support of ending the current standard in exchange for a natural gas incorporated initiative for clean energy. Various business groups, including major utilities, have also rejected the standard.

Environmental groups, on the other hand, have praised the proposal from the Democrats. Mike Berkowitz, Legislative Director of the Sierra Club’s Michigan chapter, stated that the proposal will help keep Michigan from falling further behind other states in renewable and energy efficiency.

Senator Hopgood commented that the state needs a renewable standard and the clean energy standard could be a useful addition to the conversation. He and Representative LaVoy are interested in working with Republicans to develop a solution on renewable standards.

posted by PAA Online , 11:27 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

Senate Approves Licensing Bills

The Senate Regulatory and Reform Committee reintroduced legislation this past Wednesday that provides for the licensure and state oversight of security guards and security guard agencies. The bills being reintroduced are SB 161, SB 162, SB 163, and SB 164, with SB 161 providing the bulk of the changes. SB 161 will establish licensure, the requirements to be licensed, the insurance guards must carry, a background check for applicants, and requirements for employee uniforms for security guards.

An amendment was added to SB 161, which calls for the permission to administer testing or conduct personal interviews with petitioners to go to the townships and villages; the original bill granted exclusive permission for these functions to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

SB 162 includes additional provisions requiring applicants to have insurance that meets specific requirements, and remove private security agencies and security guards from regulation under the Private Security Business and Security Alarm Act. SB 163 allows certain security guard agencies licensed under the Occupational Code to be exempt from the “system provider” definition. SB 164 establishes fees for a licensed person, or seeking licensure as either a security guard agency or branch office.

The package introduced last year cleared the Senate, but did not make it through the House. Currently, all of the bills have received unanimous approval aside from SB 164, which Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) opposed. The Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police also opposed the package.

posted by PAA Online , 11:27 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

PAAdvisory Briefs

U.S. Rep. Candice Miller to Retire

United States Congresswoman Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township) announced late Thursday that she will not be seeking re-election in 2016. The immediate response was bipartisan praise for her years of service – and immediate speculation over who will run to replace her. PAAdvisory will look into this in more depth, but initial names most mentioned were former State Representative Pete Lund, Senator Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair), and Senator Jack Brandenburg (R-Harrison Township) on the Republican-side and Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel and Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) on the Democratic ticket.

State Superintendent Finalists

The State Board of Education has narrowed down their 54 candidates for Michigan’s new state superintendent of public instruction to just 6 finalists. These finalists include: Randy Davis, Superintendent of the Marshall Public Schools; Alan Ingram, Deputy Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Randy Liepa, Superintendent of Livonia Public Schools; Scott Menzel, Superintendent of the Washtenaw Intermediate School District; Vickie Markavitch, Superintendent of the Oakland Intermediate School District; and Brian Whiston, Superintendent of the Dearborn Public Schools. The interviews are scheduled for March 10-11.

Cochran Introduces Bill to Increase Reward Money

Representative Tom Cochran (D-Mason) introduced HB 4292, a bill to increase the reward money local communities can offer for information leading to an arrest or conviction of a wanted felon. Currently the amount is set at $2,000, but this legislation would increase the maximum to $20,000. According to the Representative, this bill has not been changed since 1927 and this increase will provide another tool to enable local leaders and assist law enforcement officials. This bill has been referred to the House Local Government Committee.

posted by PAA Online , 11:25 AM
LINK DIRECTLY TO THIS ARTICLE

This Week's Newsletter

Past Newsletters