Road Funding Solution Talks to Restart

Following the failure to pass a road funding solution on Wednesday, Governor Rick Snyder, House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant), House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills), Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), and Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) began discussing new solutions on Thursday. Talks of a solution have effectively started over as Governor Snyder opposed the previous House solution, which would create $600 million in new revenue and cut $600 million from other programs.

According to the House Republican majority they were nearing enough votes to pass the “600/600 plan” which many had reluctantly come to support as it created $600 million in new revenue. While the House was gathering votes for this package, Governor Snyder told Speaker Cotter that he must also solve the Medicaid funding problem with the “600/600 plan” or he would not support it. This is due to the Governor’s fear of placing too much pressure on the General Fund (GF) by taking half the necessary money for road funding out of GF.

Other parties involved disagree with this analysis of events, stating that House Republicans had never gotten too close to passing their plan, and Mr. Snyder, Mr. Meekhof, and the Democratic leaders had an understanding hat $800 million in new revenue and $300 million in General Fund money would make more sense for the state. According to this line of thought Mr. Cotter did not subscribe to the 800/300 split and was pushing the already dead 600/600 split.

Whichever analysis is correct one thing is certain, the road funding plan has stalled and negotiations are going back to square one. While Governor Snyder is scheduled to leave the state for a trade mission to China, he stated that Lt. Governor Brian Calley, who has been present throughout the transportation discussions, is more than capable of representing the executive branch’s views.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 21, 2015 10:47 AM
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Justice Kelly to Resign From the State’s Highest Court

Supreme Court Justice Mary Beth Kelly has announced her intention to resign from the Supreme Court on October 1. The announcement comes after Ms. Kelly served only a partial term on the bench. According to Ms. Kelly, she will be leaving the court to return to the private sector where she will join Bodman PLC, a Detroit based firm. Ms. Kelly stated that she has accomplished everything she set out to while serving as a Justice and she believes that she can do more to advocate for juvenile justice in a position off the court.

Following the resignation of Ms. Kelly, Governor Snyder will appoint a new justice to fill the partial term. This will be the third appointment during his tenure as Governor, the most since Governor John Engler held office. At this there has been no signal when Governor Snyder will appoint Ms. Kelly’s successor.

When discussing her future role with the court, Ms. Kelly stated that it is not her place to recommend a replacement. She has also publicly stated that while she fully intends to remain an active member of the court until her resignation, she will recuse herself of any legal actions that involve Bodman PLC.

While some throughout the state have begun to hint a potential run for Attorney General for Ms. Kelly, thus causing her to resign, she has stated that there is no interest on her part in running for office. Although Mr. Snyder has replaced the last two female justices to resign with men, Justice Brian Zahra and Justice David Viviano, his spokesperson has stated that he feels no pressure to replace Ms. Kelly with another female.

posted by PAA Online , 10:46 AM
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High School Students to See Significant Cut to Testing

According to a report issued by the Department of Education on Thursday, high school students will see a reduction of up to 8 hours in standardized testing during the 2016 school year. The report states that the Michigan Student Test of Educational Progress will be seeing a significant time cut this year, and continues to say that lower grades could also see a cut of up to two and a half hours.

The time decrease is a result of eliminating the state-specific mathematic and English tests at the high school level, and instead using the SAT tests in these subjects. The reduction in time for the lower grades comes as a result of the performance task portion of the English test being limited to fifth and eight grades.

Both the Michigan Education Association (MEA) and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) -Michigan issued responses in full support of decreasing standardized testing saying that the decision shows that the Department of Education values teaching over testing. According to Steve Cook, President of the MEA, and David Hecker, President of AFT Michigan, the increased value on teaching over testing sends a strong message to parents and teachers, showing that the education of Michigan’s youth is their number one priority.

The report also released the testing windows for each grade level, with high school students and 5^th and 8^th grade students testing April 11-29, 3^rd and 6^th grade testing between April 25 and May 13, and 4^th and 7^th grades testing May 9-27.

posted by PAA Online , 10:45 AM
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PAAdvisory Breifs

Jeb Bush Announces Michigan Team and Endorsements

Jeb Bush announced a list of Michigan endorsements on Wednesday, including many of the leadership positions for his campaign in the state. Attorney General Bill Schuette, who ran George H.W. Bush’s campaign in Florida during his first presidential bid, was announced as the Michigan campaign chair. The finance co-chairs for the Michigan branch of Jeb’s campaign are C. Michael Kojaian and David Fischer. U.S. Representative David Trott and numerous current and former state elected officials also joined the list of endorsements.

Special Committee on Courser, Gamrat Created by House

The House of Representatives passed House Resolution 129 Wednesday, which will create a special select committee to investigate Representatives Courser (R-Silverwood) and Gamrat (R-Plainwell) and their ability to continue serving in the House. House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) said that following the release of the House Business Office’s report on the situation any recommendations for punishment would come through the committee.

Representatives Gamrat and Courser Receive Challengers

Following the discovery of Representative Cindy Gamrat’s (R-Plainwell) affair with fellow Representative Todd Courser (R-Silverwood), she has received many calls to resign and one official challenger should she seek reelection. Mary Whiteford, who was defeated in a primary by Ms. Gamrat in 2014, announced her decision to run to replace Gamrat in the 80^th House District. In the 82^nd House District Representative Courser will have two opponents should he seek reelection in 2016. Both Gary Howell, president of the Lapeer Intermediate School District Board of Education, and Jake Davison have stated they will run for the seat.

75^th House District Receiving Challengers

Following the resignation of former Representative Brandon Dillon to become Democratic Party Chair, the 75^th District has seen three candidates announce their intentions to replace him in a special election. David LaGrand and Michael Scruggs, an activist from Grand Rapids, have both filed for the Democratic nomination, while Blake Edmonds, a former youth vice chair of the Michigan Republican Party has filed as the lone Republican thus far. Mr. LaGrand has already received the endorsement of Grand Rapids Mayor-elect Rosalynn Bliss.

23^rd House District to be Hotly Contested by Democrats

Democrats have already begun eyeing the 23^rd House District where Representative Patrick Somerville (R-New Boston) is term limited. While the seat has a 54 percent Democratic base, Mr. Somerville has had one of the strongest voter contact programs, allowing him to win reelection. Three Democrats have already thrown their hat in the ring to replace Mr. Somerville, the most notable being Brownstown Township Clerk Sherry Berecz. Darin Camilleri, teacher and Democratic activist, and Steven Rzeppa, Trenton City Councilmember, are the other two candidates to have declared.

posted by PAA Online , 10:45 AM
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