House Republicans’ Plan Shows Massive Increase in New Revenue for Roads

According to anonymous sources, the House Republicans are constructing a new transportation-funding package, which would include $600 million in new revenue, as well as $600 million in spending cuts. The plan, which does not have specific details yet, will hopefully see a vote next week as the House returns to session; however, the 55 votes needed to pass the package have yet to be secured.

The $600 million in new revenue is a drastic increase from the plan previously approved by the House Republicans. According to the House Fiscal Agency, the prior plan had only $38.2 million in new revenue in the first year and capped at $119.1 million after four years. The new package would also bring the chamber significantly closer to the Senate passed bill of $800 million in new revenue through a gasoline tax increase.

When asked about specifics of the new package, the spokespersons for Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Speaker of the House Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) stated that while talks were progressing, no specifics have been laid out at this point. The idea of raising new revenue to the proposed level seems to have the support of some Republican lawmakers. Representative Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle), House Transportation Committee Chair, said that lawmakers are ready to consider new revenue and constituents are willing to pay more for direct transportation funding.

When asked about the possibility of a vote when the House returns to session next week both Representative Pettalia and Representative Harvey Santana (D-Detroit) said that while no detailed plan has been laid out for discussion, it is possible a vote could take place on the floor within the next week.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 14, 2015 12:50 PM
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Muchmore Departing As Snyder Chief of Staff – Agen New Chief

On Tuesday, Governor Rick Snyder announced that Dennis Muchmore has decided to retire, and named Communications Director Jarrod Agen to replace Muchmore as chief of staff. Mr. Muchmore, who has been chief of staff since Snyder assumed office, is set to retire in January. Mr. Snyder said “Dennis Muchmore has guided this administration throughout our state’s dramatic comeback and his public service towards the betterment of Michigan is to be admired. Dennis’s counsel and leadership was a driving force in the reinvention of our state, the resurgence of Detroit, our dedication to environmental conservation, and our commitment to improving education. Dennis’s gift for creating sound public policy is remarkable and his mark on Michigan will last for decades.”

Mr. Agen, who was hired as Communications Director in 2014, does not have a long history as a state government employee. His past employment involves time with multiple Republican campaigns, federal agencies, and a technology firm. Ms. Wurfel added that the selection of Mr. Agen showcases Governor Snyder’s focus to surround him with diverse ideas.

Mr. Agen’s background is certainly much different from that of his predecessor, Mr. Muchmore. Mr. Muchmore rose to one of the state government’s most demanding jobs after spending years as a Lansing insider and a well-known lobbyist. While Mr. Muchmore will relinquish his position as chief of staff in January, he will continue to assist Mr. Snyder’s administration as a counselor and deal primarily with special projects in a part-time capacity.

At this point, a successor to Mr. Agen as communications director has not yet been selected and his salary as chief of staff is still being negotiated. Mr. Snyder will also be giving Beth Clement, Deputy Chief of Staff, the title of cabinet secretary, with which she will take on the responsibility of being Mr. Snyder’s chief liaison to his Cabinet.

posted by PAA Online , 12:49 PM
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Speaker Cotter Investigating Courser-Gamrat Affair, Cover Up

On Friday August 7^th, about three hours after The Detroit News posted its Courser-Gamrat story online, Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) announced he instructed the House Business Office to conduct an investigation into the matter.

“The office will review the matter and determine whether there was a violation of the House rules or any evidence of illegal behavior, and will follow-up with any and all appropriate measures, including disciplinary steps,” Mr. Cotter said in a statement. “We will not stand for any violation of House rules or law, and we will not let anyone’s actions tarnish this institution or take away from the work we do every day to improve the lives of the hard-working men and women of this great state.”

House Business Office Director Tim Bowlin could not discuss specifics of the investigation at that time but said details on the scope of the investigation and timeline could be available in the next two weeks.

There was no immediate announcement of a criminal inquiry and the Department of Attorney General has no comment. Gideon D'Assandro, spokesperson for Mr. Cotter, said the business office will turn over any evidence of illegal activity found to the proper authorities. Mr. D’Assandro said The Detroit News report was the “first evidence we’ve seen” of any wrongdoing.

There has been speculation about what Mr. Cotter’s office knew of the incident and when they knew it. Several sources said the Speaker’s office knew the staffers in Representative Todd Courser’s (R-Silverwood) and Representative Cindy Gamrat’s (R-Plainwell) office were unhappy with their office environment. It was not clear if the speaker’s office had any knowledge of state resources being used to cover up the affair.

posted by PAA Online , 12:47 PM
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Saari Approved by Senate Committee

Facing questions about his time spent working with Consumers Energy, Norm Saari, former chief of staff for House Speaker Kevin Cotter was approved for appointment to the Public Service Commission (PSC) at a Senate advice and consent hearing on Thursday.

Mr. Saari quickly set the tone for the hearing, first responding to questioning from Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) about the ongoing investigation by the House Business Office surrounding Representatives Courser (R-Silverwood) and Gamrat (R-Plainwell), stating that he is not in a position to comment on a situation that is under an open investigation. After directing the attention to his appointment to the Public Service Commission, Mr. Saari stated that he understood his duty would be to balance the needs of regulated utilities and ratepayers as a member of the PSC. He further dismissed concerns of his ability to be unbiased on the commission saying that he has no financial interests in any company that is regulated by the Public Service Commission.

Following questioning about current energy policy and his opinions on new technologies from various members of the panel, such as Senator Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Senator Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake), and Senator Hoon-Yung Hopgood (D-Taylor), Mr. Saari’s appointment to the Public Service Commission was recommended for Senate approval with a vote of 6-1. Senator David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) was the lone vote against the recommendation citing the ongoing investigation as his reasoning behind the vote. Senator Hopgood abstained from voting and Senators Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton) and Steve Bieda (D-Warren) were absent from the hearing.

posted by PAA Online , 12:46 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Former Actress to Run for 8^th U.S. House Seat

Melissa Gilbert, the actress who played Laura Ingalls Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie,” has announced her candidacy for the 8^th U.S. House District. Ms. Gilbert will run as a Democrat against incumbent Mike Bishop. The announcement all but guarantees a heated race, as the Democratic Party has grown to despise U.S. Representative Bishop throughout his political career. While Ms. Gilbert’s fame will certainly help her with name recognition, she will be forced to answer attacks by Republicans surrounding her past tax issues.

Grand Traverse County in State of Disaster

Following a thunderstorm that had winds as high as 80 miles per hour, Governor Rick Snyder has declared a state of disaster in Grand Traverse County. By declaring a state of disaster, Governor Snyder has allowed state resources to work together with local recovery efforts, in order to clean up the damage from the storm. Leelanau County declared a local state of emergency following the same storm, and when asked about declaring states of disaster in other counties, Dave Murray, deputy press secretary to Governor Snyder, said it was likely that the Governor would receive requests for help from more counties.

Fewer Michiganders Living Without Health Insurance

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics, the percentage of Michigan residents without health insurance saw a significant decrease from 2013 to 2014. According to the statistics only 9.3 percent of Michiganders were living without health insurance in 2014, down from the 12.7 percent without insurance in 2013. In the Great Lakes Region, Michigan ranks fourth lowest in the percentage of people living without health insurance, behind Wisconsin, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Mackinac Straits to be Watched by Michigan Tech

Michigan Technological University’s Great Lakes Research Center will be partnering with Enbridge Energy Partners LP to monitor the water conditions in the Mackinac Straits in real time. The announcement made Wednesday stated that the company also plans to place an additional buoy in the Upper Great Lakes Observing System, in order to improve the monitoring system. This project is one of the first opportunities for real-time monitoring of the Mackinac Straits, which have become a focus of statewide attention due to the aging Enbridge Line 5 pipeline.

posted by PAA Online , 12:45 PM
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