House Still Divided by Party Lines on Road Funding

According to Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant), the final road package from the House will have both new sources of revenue and re-prioritized funding. Mr. Cotter stated that the new revenue streams would come in the form of a gas tax increase, smaller than the 15-cent increase passed by the Senate, and an increase in registration fees.

The road package released by House Democrats differs greatly than the one Mr. Cotter has in mind, including a 3 percent increase, from 6 to 9 percent, in the Corporate Income Tax, a decrease in weight limits for commercial vehicles, an increase in registration fees for trucks, and the renegotiation of the Michigan Economic Growth Authority; the plan would raise $1.2 billion Authority tax credits. According to House Democrats the plan will protect middle class families in the state, while increasing the taxes paid by businesses.

While the Democrats have presented a plan, it has received harsh criticism from House Republicans including Speaker Cotter and Representative Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville), chair of the House Appropriations Committee. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) has said that both the Governor and the Speaker have rejected his attempts to meet on the road funding issue, leading many to believe that if a transportation solution is passed it will by with largely partisan support.

Former House Fiscal Agency Director Mitch Bean stated that Michigan’s 23 percent decrease in the General Fund, when adjusted for inflation, is the greatest cut in the nation. He also stated that if Senate Bill 414, a bill to roll back the income tax, was to be put into place the legislature would have to cut between $450 and $550 million from the 2017-18 fiscal year budget.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, July 17, 2015 10:24 AM
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Elliot-Larsen Changes Proposed by Senate Minority Leader

During a meeting of the Senate Government Operations Committee, Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) made a motion for a bill to expand the Elliot-Larsen Civil Rights Act, the state’s non-discrimination protection. With Senator Morris Hood III (D-Detroit) and Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) absent Mr. Ananich was unable to receive a second and the motion failed. It is unlikely that Mr. Hood’s attendance would have changed the outcome, as Republicans hold a 3-2 advantage on the committee.

Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) has said that his caucus is not yet ready to consider an expansion of the Elliot-Larsen Act, as many of his fellow Republicans are more interested in passing Senate Bill 4, Michigan’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), especially in the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision surrounding same-sex marriage. Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), sponsor of Michigan’s RFRA has stated that it is his personal goal to ensure that the bill becomes law as soon as possible.

Governor Rick Snyder has openly stated that in order for him to consider signing a Religious Freedom Restoration Act it would have to be accompanied by an expansion of the state’s non-discrimination act, otherwise he would veto the measure. Senator Ananich has attacked the idea that the Republicans want to first look at legislation protecting religious freedoms, arguing that Michigan needs to be brought up-to-date and this legislation would do so. He also stated that he would not give up the push to pass the expansion, as it is a major issue for his caucus.

posted by PAA Online , 10:24 AM
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Alternatives to Straits Pipeline on the Horizon

The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality, Dan Wyant, and Attorney General Bill Schuette presented their report involving Enbridge’s Line 5 pipeline and alternatives to the aging line. The 61-year old line, which runs through the Straits of Mackinac, will no longer be able to carry heavy crude oil, according to the report; however, Enbridge responded saying that the pipeline was never used and will never be used to carry heavy crude oil. The State will research alternative modes of transportation for the materials that are currently traveling via the Line 5 pipeline.

The report stated that an alternative to the pipeline, which transports over 500,000 barrels of oil and natural gas daily, would have to be well researched to establish the costs incurred. Mr. Schuette and Mr. Wyant also stated that 2,500 tanker trucks or 600 rail cars would need to be used per day in order to make up for the closure of the pipeline.

posted by PAA Online , 10:23 AM
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Six Trial Court Seats are cut in SCAO Recommendations

The 2015 Judicial Resources Recommendations report released Thursday suggests the cutting of nine trial court judge seats and the creation of three others throughout the state. According to the report, created by the State Court Administrative Office, the cuts would also include the loss of district court seats in Detroit, Oakland County, Baraga County, Houghton County, Keweenaw County, Berrien County, and Delta County. Five of the lost seats would come from Detroit’s 36^th District Court and Oakland County’s 52^nd District Court, while all the other aforementioned counties would see a loss of 1 judge a piece.

The counties of Monroe, St. Clair, Saginaw, and Ingham were all mentioned as districts that should lose a probate judge seat. The addition of seats would come in Royal Oak’s 44^th District Court, Macomb County’s Circuit Court, and Oakland County’s 6^th Circuit and Probate Court. In order for these changes to occur the legislature would have to pass a law to implement the suggested cuts and additions.

The report uses a specific formula, involving caseloads in each district, to determine where judges are most needed and where any elimination should take place. The reports released in 2011 and 2013 both saw legislative action, leading to the elimination of 45 judgeships. According to the State Court Administration Office with the 2011, 2013, and 2015 recommendations all fully implemented the state would save an estimated $7.4 million. Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. said that the court system is ready to work with the Senate and House as they review the recommendations.

posted by PAA Online , 10:23 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Full Senate to Consider African American Commission

Senate Bill 90, introduced by Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), would create a 15-member advisory board on problems facing African Americans in the state. The commission would give policy advice to the Governor and Legislature, as well as create an action plan in order to best combat these problems. The Government Operations Committee reported the bill on a 3-0 vote, with Senator Morris Hood III (D-Detroit) and Senator Goeff Hansen (R-Hart) absent.

Representative Dillon to Resign

Representative Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) has announced that he will resign his seat in the House following his election as chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Mr. Dillon’s official date of resignation is August 3, allowing him to take part in the ongoing road funding debate and possibly post a vote before he officially relinquishes his office. David LaGrand, a lawyer and member of the Grand Rapids School Board, announced his intentions to replace Mr. Dillon shortly after the news became public.

Unemployment Rate Remains Constant

Michigan’s unemployment rate for the month of June saw no change from May, remaining at 5.5 percent, bringing the rate to 5.5 percent for the second quarter. The newly released numbers show two improvements: first, the unemployment rate for the second quarter is down from the 5.9 percent seen in the first quarter, and Michigan now has had less than 300,000 unemployed people for six straight months, a feat that has not been accomplished since 2001. According to the Department of Technology, Management and Budget, the number of those employed dropped by 7,000, while total employment has risen by 38,000 since December 2014.

Courser Still Unsure About Congressional Future

State Representative Todd Courser (R-Lapeer), is still considering a run to replace retiring U.S. Representative Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township). Mr. Courser’s indecision comes on the heels of Paul Mitchell, a millionaire behind the anti-Proposal 1 effort, announcing he will be moving to the district and pursuing the 10^th Congressional seat. Mr. Courser said he hopes to come to a final decision some time in the next couple of weeks.

posted by PAA Online , 10:21 AM
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