Prevailing Wage Campaign Successfully Fundraising

Protecting Michigan Taxpayers, the group attempting to put a voter-initiated act to repeal prevailing wage before the legislature, has raised $1 million according to a campaign finance report. The effort has received the majority of these donations through the Michigan Freedom Fund, the Associated Builders and Contractors, and the Constitution Legal Rights Foundation.

The Michigan Freedom Fund, the group responsible for promoting right-to-work, has been the top donor with $360,000 in contributions and in-kind donations of staff time. The Associated Builders and Contractors, which is the non-union construction firm association, also had in-kind donations of staff time and donated $296,884. The Constitution Legal Rights Foundation, which is the national Associated Builders and Contractors legal branch, was responsible for $263,113. During the same period, which ran from April 21 to June 29, Protecting Michigan Taxpayers spent $341,750.

The effort to put a voter-initiated act before the legislature is important as Governor Snyder has vocally opposed the repeal of prevailing wage, a law which pays workers based on union-scale levels while working on state-funded construction projects. In order to bypass the Governor, the petition must receive 252,523 signatures from registered voters, and then it must be approved by the legislature within 40 days or face a vote on the November 2016 ballot.

Prevailing wage is an issue that has already been addressed by the Senate, through Senate Bill 1, SB 2, and SB 3, but the House has stated that they will wait until the petition drive has finished before moving toward any legislative solution. There is an organized effort to oppose the petition, which has launched a social media campaign to urge voters not to sign the petition.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 10, 2015 10:12 AM
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House Speaker Says Gas Tax Increase Vote Would be Difficult

Gathering the votes for a 15 cent per gallon tax increase, passed by the Senate last week, would be a stretch in the House Republican Caucus according to Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant). Mr. Cotter stated that the diesel tax increase of 4 cents per gallon would be the highest tax increase that the Republican caucus could support.

While both the House and Senate transportation plans include reprioritization of funds and generate new revenue, the plans still differ greatly in the details. The Senate passed a package void of cuts to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) and maintaining the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), while increasing the gas tax by 15 cents and rolling back the Income Tax. In comparison, the House passed a 4-cent increase on the diesel fuel tax and then tying both the gasoline and diesel tax rates to inflation. The House package also saw cuts to MEDC and elimination of the EITC.

The Speaker stated that while there is strong support within his caucus to decrease the income tax, the complex formula used in SB 414 does not guarantee a decrease, making it difficult sell to his members. He continued saying that the diesel tax increase passage was by incredibly slim margins, meaning that any further push for increasing revenue through taxes would have a hard time passing the House even with Democrat support.

When asked about the lack of cuts to the EITC and MEDC, Speaker Cotter stated that the cuts to MEDC are important to the members of his chamber. The Speaker said that while the House will return to session July 14-15, he is still not sure if the transportation package will be brought to the floor for a vote. He also stated that he does not currently plan to have a committee hearing on SB 414 before a vote is taken.

posted by PAA Online , 10:11 AM
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Roadside Drug Testing Proposed by Casperson

Senate Bill 434, introduced by Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), would allow for a pilot program to implement roadside drug testing following an oral test performed by a drug recognition expert. The introduction of the bill follows a fatal car accident in the Upper Peninsula, in which the driver was under the influence of marijuana.

According to the bill, a certified drug recognition expert is a peace officer who has undergone training to recognize impairment in the operator of a motor vehicle. An individual suspected of being impaired would be required to undergo an oral fluid analysis and a chemical breath analysis. The number of certified drug recognition experts has seen an increase lately in Michigan, according to Sergeant Amy Dehner of the Michigan State Police. Ms. Dehner estimates that there are currently 100 prosecutors, deputies, or officers who have completed the Drug Recognition Expert Program in place.

Sergeant Dehner added that she believes the three counties will be determined through a conversation with the Michigan State Police, Senator Casperson, and prosecuting attorneys throughout the state. An obstacle that has yet to be overcome in the program is the level required to be considered impaired on a variety of drugs, including marijuana.

The state has previously attempted to curb impaired driving, but has been unsuccessful thus far due to an inability to enforce the current legislation. In order to attempt to combat this issue, the program will require that the Michigan State Police submit a report on the program’s success in the three pilot counties.

posted by PAA Online , 10:10 AM
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Leonard and Weber Early Frontrunners for Leadership

Speaker Pro Tempore Tom Leonard III (R-DeWitt) and Representative Michael Webber (R-Rochester Hills) are becoming early frontrunners in the race to replace Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) as the leader of the Republican caucus. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) is expected to retain his position as the leader of the Democratic caucus as he is not term-limited.

Representative Leonard is rumored to be working alongside Representative Lee Chatfield (R-Levering), although Mr. Chatfield has not confirmed that he has decided whom to support in the leadership race, as he is focused on ensuring the Republicans remain in the majority. Neither Mr. Leonard nor Mr. Webber has officially announced that they will be running for leadership. Mr. Webber is rumored to be joining forces with Representative Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance) in his campaign for leader.

Representative Daniela Garcia (R-Holland) also has a leadership fund, although some sources have stated that she is on board with Mr. Webber. With 17 months left until leadership elections there are many factors still in play, including the outcome of the election and the caucus’s satisfaction with the direction Speaker Cotter is currently taking the chamber. Another issue, which could heavily impact the leadership race, is the ability to elect a two or four year leader, with Mr. Sheppard being in his first term.

The incoming class of Republican legislators will impact the election heavily, as more than half of the caucus is facing term limits. This factor will place great importance on the ability of candidates to court new members following the August primary, as 27 Republican legislators will not be returning.

posted by PAA Online , 10:10 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Disaster Declared in Ionia County Following Tornado

Following the EF-1 Tornado in Ionia County, Governor Rick Snyder has declared a state of disaster. The tornado, which damaged Portland, Orange Township, and Portland Township, occurred on June 22. The declaration allows for all state resources to be made available to municipalities and also opens the Disaster and Emergency Contingency Fund, which allows municipalities to apply for grants up to $100,000 to cover the cost of emergency responses.

Dillon Supported by Whitmer for Party Chair

Representative Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) has received the support of former Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer in his race for chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Mr. Dillon’s candidacy comes after Lon Johnson announced he would be stepping down to run for the 1^st U.S. House District. Mr. Dillon is not expected to receive a legitimate challenger during the election on Saturday, as Lavora Barnes, the only other contender, announced that she would be running as a team with Representative Dillon.

Recall Efforts Still on the Table for Senators

According to a tea party activist, the recall efforts against multiple senators who supported raising the gas tax are still being considered. “Trucker Randy” Bishop stated that although he is not involved with the efforts directly, the groups considering the recalls will meet in August to determine whether or not to follow through with them. The Senators who voted in favor of the tax increase are Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), Senate Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township), Senator Peter MacGregor (R-Rockford), and Senator Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City).

GOP Mackinac Conference to Include Fiorina

Carly Fiorina, Republican presidential candidate, has announced that she will attend the September conference for the Michigan Republican Party. Ms. Fiorina is the third candidate in the Republican field to announce her attendance, joining former Florida Governor Jeb Bush and U.S. Senator Ted Cruz.

posted by PAA Online , 10:09 AM
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