Clean Power Plan Sees Michigan in the Middle of the Pack

The Clean Power Plan was released Monday, after nearly two years of work. The plan, authored by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, is the final rule on carbon emissions. According to research done by the U.S. EPA, Michigan has a carbon emissions goal that, when compared to other states throughout the country, is rather moderate.

This is the first time that power plants’ carbon emissions have been regulated by the federal government, as they account for nearly one-third of all carbon pollution in the country. According to President Barack Obama, due to the lack of regulations in the last 15 years, we have seen asthma rates more than double, while 14 of those years have been the country’s warmest on record.

Since the issuing of a Clean Power Plan draft in 2014, many of the state’s departments have been working with the EPA, including the Public Service Commission, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. Governor Rick Snyder has also gotten involved in the clean energy debate, stating that by 2025 between 30 and 40 percent of Michigan’s energy should be coming from its cleanest sources.

Politicians throughout the state met the plan, which calls for a reduction of carbon pollution by an average of 32 percent by 2030, with mixed opinions. House Majority Floor Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) and chair of the Senate Energy and Technology Committee Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) argued that the plan was severe government overreach. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) disagreed, saying that the new regulations will allow Michigan to become a healthier state, powered by clean energy sources.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 7, 2015 10:38 AM
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Issues Surface in the Police Body Camera Debate

Amidst the current debate surrounding the use of body cameras by police officers, two major issues have come to the forefront of the attention, namely how to store the footage from the cameras and how to protect the privacy of those individuals in the videos. The issues of funding for body camera programs and when to allow the officers to turn their cameras off have also been called into question.

During a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislators (NCSL), Susan Parnas Fredrick presented on the issues behind implementing these programs. She discussed House Resolution 103 proposed by United States Representative John Conyers (D-Detroit), which would allow the U.S. Attorney General’s office to create an incentive based grant program for the funding of these programs. A congressional subcommittee is still debating this plan.

One Texas legislator, state Senator Royce West (D-Dallas, Texas), disclosed that much of the cost behind these programs does not stem from the cameras themselves, but rather from the storage of video captured by the cameras. In order to address this issue in Texas, Mr. West worked to appropriate $10 million to go with another $2 million in federal funds.

Some Michigan legislators have started work on this issue with Representative Rose Mary Robinson (D-Detroit) and Senator Coleman Young II (D-Detroit) both having introduced legislation requiring body cameras to be worn in certain areas of the state, while Representative Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) has introduced a bill to exempt video or audio recordings of private places from the Freedom of Information Act. If legislation is adopted, Michigan would follow 21 other states in addressing the use of body cameras.

posted by PAA Online , 10:37 AM
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Lawsuits and Legislation Results of State Tax Commission Actions

The State Tax Commission is facing lawsuits and possible legislation following their decisions to implement a two-year probation period for a tax assessor and to take over the tax rolls for four separate communities in the Upper Peninsula. Houghton, Baraga Township, L’Anse Township, and Laird Township, as well as, the assessor in question, James Fedie, have filed a lawsuit charging overreach by the State Tax Commission.

The plaintiffs’ lawyer said that this problem is a result of the commission not having proper procedures for handling complaints. According to Jack Van Coevering, a Grand Rapids attorney, complaints filed with the commission have been handled by the Department of Treasury. Those behind the lawsuit are not the only ones displeased with the actions of the commission, as Saugatuck City Manager Kirk Harrier has also voiced his displeasure in a letter to Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) following the hearing process against his city’s assessor.

Following the filing of the lawsuit by Mr. Fedie and the four municipalities in question, Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Representative Scott Dianda (D-Calumet), Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), and Representative Kivela authored a letter to the State Tax Commission, arguing that the commission has not met their statutory requirement to take over assessment rolls.

In order to help communities who are struggling with the complaint process, Representative John Kivela (D-Marquette) has been working on legislation which would clarify the current process. According to Representative Kivela’s staff, meetings to draft legislation in order to clarify the appeals process are underway and a final draft of the bill should be introduced in the House sometime this fall.

posted by PAA Online , 10:37 AM
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Enbridge Aware of Duty to Protect Straits According to Former Governor

Former Governor James Blanchard authored a letter saying that Enbridge Energy was fully aware of their responsibility to protect the straits. The letter, which also said he would not want any problems with the Line 5 pipeline to affect his legacy of protecting the Great Lakes, was in response to a letter from the Sierra Club, calling on Mr. Blanchard to use his power stemming from his position on the Enbridge Energy Board to ensure an end to the use of the pipeline.

Director of the Sierra Club, Anne Woiwode, stated that she was happy to receive a response from Mr. Blanchard, as in the past he has not responded to their concerns about the pipeline threat. Mr. Blanchard, who served as Governor from 1983 to 1991, made protecting the Great Lakes a focal point during his time in office. In his response to the Sierra Club, Mr. Blanchard stated that as a board member of Enbridge Energy and as a Michigan citizen he has been focusing on the safety of Line 5 for many years.

Earlier this summer a task force of Attorney General Bill Schuette and Department of Environmental Quality Director Dan Wyant released a report on Line 5. At the time the pair stated that there was information which was not released by Enbridge. Mr. Blanchard responded to these claims saying that Enbridge believes all requested information was provided; however, they will continue to work with the taskforce to release any additional information requested.

Mr. Blanchard’s letter also said that the executive in charge of pipeline operations at Enbridge would schedule a meeting with Sierra Club officials in order to discuss any additional items of concern to the organization.

posted by PAA Online , 10:36 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Special Election in the 75^th House District

Following former Representative Brandon Dillon’s resignation, Governor Rick Snyder announced his plans for a special election to fill Mr. Dillon’s seat on Monday. The primary election will take place on November 3, 2015 with the general being held on March 8, 2016. These dates are already playing host to the Grand Rapids’ mayoral election and the presidential primary respectively. David LaGrand, who narrowly lost an election for the 29^th Senate District in 2010, is the only candidate who has already formed a campaign committee.

Smart Meters Should be a Choice, According to Kelly

Representative Tim Kelly (R-Saginaw Township) said that citizens in the state should not be required to purchase smart meters. Mr. Kelly expressed multiple concerns with required smart meters, including the ability to hack the meters, as well as taking away consumer choice. Mr. Kelly expressed support for the April Court of Appeals decision, which requires the Public Service Commission to reconsider a fee being implemented for those who choose to keep their analog meters.

Representative’s Daughter to Run for Her Seat

Representative Alberta Tinsley-Talabi’s daughter, Carla Tinsley-Smith, will seek election in the 2^nd House District, which her mother currently represents. Ms. Tinsley-Smith has created a campaign committee in order to succeed her mother in representing the people of the 2^nd District. While Ms. Tinsley-Smith could not be reached for comment, a spokesperson for House Democrats, Katie Carey, did confirm their relationship.

“Looking For Alaska” to be Filmed in Michigan

The film “Looking For Alaska”, based on John Green’s novel, will begin filming in Michigan this fall, according to the Film Office. The project, which will be able to receive more that $7 million in incentives, will look to hire more than 200 Michigan residents and spend over two-thirds of their $21 million budget in the state. The incentives for the film were issued via executive order following the elimination of the Film Incentive Program. Specific filming locations throughout the state are expected to be released in the coming weeks.

posted by PAA Online , 10:35 AM
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