House Passes Third Grade Reading Bill

After several discussions and changes to the bill, the House passed HB 4822 with a 57-48 vote. This bill would require students to read at a third grade level before moving up to fourth grade, with some exceptions. This bill aims to help schools by giving them more tools to assist with literacy between kindergarten and third grade. It also hopes to provide better intervention and coaching opportunities for struggling students.

House Education Minority Vice Chair Adam Zemke (D-Ann Arbor) was among critics who feel this legislation will fail children who are trying to improve their reading. Zemke was originally a co-sponsor on this bill. House Democrats also argued parents are too removed from the process and their voices are non-existent.

Representative Amanda Price (R-Park Township), sponsor of the bill, disagrees and says this bill will help more students succeed than fail. Representative Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) agrees and added that he would rather hold a student back for a year, than the student remain behind for life.

If it becomes law, HB 4822 would take effect in the 2019-2020 school year. The 2016 Fiscal Year budget includes $26.4 million to aid early literacy improvement efforts, and another $4 million that would potentially help with screening.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, October 16, 2015 10:30 AM
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Flint Water Bill to Governor’s Desk

The Senate passed HB 4102 unanimously Thursday, approving $9.35 million to switch Flint to Detroit’s water system and to fund extra staff at Flint schools to check for lead exposure, handle evaluation and protocols on drinking water, and to assist plumbing engineers.

This bill distributes $6 million to return Flint to Detroit’s water system, $1 million for the Department of Environmental Quality’s (DEQ) lab services, $300,000 for the DEQ’s drinking water and environmental health services, $1 million for the Department of Heath and Human Services emergency services for purchasing and distributing water, $850,000 for follow-up child services including lead testing and treatment, and $200,000 for plumbing inspections. $7.15 million of the $9.35 million is from the General Fund.

This bill has been approved by Governor Snyder and has taken effect.

posted by PAA Online , 10:30 AM
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Concealed Carry Law Passed Senate Panel

On Tuesday, the Senate Judiciary Committee reported a bill to end open carry and allow concealed carry firearms in gun-free zones such as schools, churches, and hospitals. The Committee reported on SB 442, but two bills were introduced. Senator Mike Green (R-Mayville) introduced SB 442 and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) introduced SB 561. SB 561 was introduced Tuesday and has been sent to committee. An amendment has been adopted to tie-bar these bills together. SB 442 creates the conceal carry change in the state’s handgun licensure law and SB 561 makes this change in the penal code.

If passed, this legislation will remove the gun-free zones established in the 2000 overhaul of the concealed pistol license law, signed by former Governor John Engler. As it is currently written, an individual cannot possess a firearm while in a church or other house of religious worship, a court, bar, financial institution, sports arena or stadium, day care center, theatre, hospital or schools.

The committee voted 4-1 on the bill with Senator Steve Bieda (D-Warren) opposing the measure. The committee allowed for approximately an hour of testimony during which several critics spoke. The superintendent of Ann Arbor Public schools and Don Wotruba, the executive director of the Michigan Association of School Boards, both spoke in opposition. Mr. Wotruba fears for the safety of students, but also is concerned about potential police action. Mr. Wotruba argued that allowing concealed carry in schools could make police response in mass shooting situations more difficult by not knowing who is or is not carrying a firearm, thus delaying the response.

Senator Green responded to critics maintaining that testimonies didn’t address the bill itself, just merely the gun issue. The Senator believes the remarks were focusing on people not wanting guns in the schools, not we have guns in the schools, let’s change the law.

Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge) moved the bill to a vote because of time constraints on some legislators. Several parties did not get a chance to testify.

Senator Meekhof is supportive of the legislation but is unsure of the Governor’s position. Governor Rick Snyder has previously been opposed to ending gun-free zones.

posted by PAA Online , 10:29 AM
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Road Funding Discussions Halt

Governor Rick Snyder cancelled Wednesday’s Legislative Quadrant meeting after declaring Tuesday’s strategy meeting left the quadrant at an impasse in attempting to raise the $1.2 billion funds for roads. These meetings include Governor Snyder along with quadrant members House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant), Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) and House Minority Leader Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills). Since the cancellation, Senator Meekhof and Representative Greimel have expressed a difference of opinion regarding a proposed tax relief in the proposed package.

The current Senate plan includes an income tax rollback that would include, in part, a gas tax hike. The rollback reduction would only be allowed if the revenue grows, but there would be no bottom rate for how far the income tax could fall. Unofficially, the road funding package is expected to receive $400 million from the gasoline tax, $400 million from other new revenues such as ending the depreciation on vehicle registration fees in the first years of ownership, and $400 million from the General Fund.

According to Senator Meekhof, the tax cut was part of the package from the beginning, and he is having trouble understanding why Representative Greimel is now disagreeing. In response, Katie Carey, the spokesperson for Representative Greimel, said the Representative feels the income tax will only aid the wealthier residents, and he also has some concerns about the hit to the General Fund.

Governor Snyder has announced that he has no plans to schedule meetings until the impasse has been solved. Both Senator Meekhof and Representative Greimel have requested the meetings continue. Speaker Cotter is also continuing negotiations with House Republicans to find a solution.

posted by PAA Online , 10:28 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Unemployment Still High in Some Cities

Michigan’s unemployment rate declined in September from 5.1 percent to 5 percent, just below the national average. Four cities in the state, however, are in double digit unemployment rates. Highland Park leads with 15.7 percent unemployment followed by Detroit with 12.7 percent, Pontiac with 11.6 percent, and Inkster at 11 percent. Georgetown Township and Northville Township had the lowest rates among cities and townships with 2.1 and 2.2 percent, respectively. Schoolcraft County has the highest unemployment rate for counties at 9.6 percent. 41 of 83 counties in Michigan have an unemployment rate below 5.1 percent, with Mackinac County being the lowest at 2.8 percent.

Powdered Alcohol Ban Passed Senate

The House on Tuesday passed SB 240, a bill to prohibit the sale, distribution, and possession of powdered alcohol. The bill passed with a vote of 102-3 with no changes to the version introduced by the Senate. With both chambers cleared, SB 240 will be presented to Governor Snyder where it will await his signature.

State Christmas Tree to Arrive Soon

The state’s Christmas tree this year will be a 66-foot spruce tree from Wakefield in the Upper Peninsula. This tree was donated by Florence Daniels in memory of her husband, Jim Daniels, a former teacher and coach. The tree will arrive in Lansing on October 31^st, but will remain unlit until the November 20^th Silver Bells in the City celebration.

posted by PAA Online , 10:26 AM
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