Senate Recap

Senate Looks to End Straight Ticket Voting: SB 13, a bill to eliminate straight ticket voting, cleared a Senate Committee Tuesday morning and the full Senate by that evening. Under this legislation, voters would be unable to vote for all the candidates of one party by a single selection.

The full chamber included additional language to place a $1 million appropriation from the General Fund to the Department of State. The appropriation will go towards assessing the impact of eliminating straight ticket voting, assist in ongoing compliance and electoral fraud prevention, and to conduct post-election audits in selected precincts following each election.

The money may also be used to provide follow-up with local election officials to correct any errors or issues, audit file maintenance by local election officials and provide equipment to facilitate the integrity of the election process. The inclusion of the appropriation also makes this legislation referendum-proof. Senate Democrats together with Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) and Senator Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) attempted to remove this appropriation.

Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope expressed concern over these changes creating confusion for voters, and a likely increased wait time. Mr. Swope also believes this could cause a problem for illiterate voters, who look at the vignette to understand who they’re voting for.

Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy) explains this bill does not eliminate straight ticket voting, rather it eliminates the box at the top of the ballot. SB 13 cleared the chamber 23-13.

Senate Prohibits Paid Union Release: The Senate passed SB 279 and SB 280, bills to prohibit computing the retirement allowance of public school employees based on employee organization professional services leave or release time, and prohibit public employer contracts that pay union officials for time used conducting union business.

Senator Marty Knollenberg (R-Troy), primary sponsor of the bills, said the purpose was to ensure taxpayers weren’t paying for union work. Democrats disagreed with that statement, stating the bills would force taxpayers to pay public sector management overtime for having to conduct union business outside of normal business hours.

According to an analysis by the Senate Fiscal Agency, SB 279 would cost the School Aid Fund $900,000, but SB 280 could see a total cost savings of $2.7 million.

SB 279 cleared the chamber 25-12 with Senate Democrats and Senator Tory Rocca (R-Sterling Heights) opposing. SB 280 cleared the chamber 20-17 with Senate Democrats and Senator Tory Rocca, Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), Senator Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), Senator Margaret O’Brien (R-Portage), and Senator Dale Zorn (R-Ida) all opposing. Senator Mike Nofs (R-Battle Creek) was absent from the votes.

Senate Changes Oakland County Executive Election: SB 110 changes the Oakland County executive election to gubernatorial election years. This bill will keep Southeast Michigan executive elections consistent, as Wayne and Macomb counties hold executive elections in those years.

Language in SB 110 requires the Oakland County Board of Commissioners to approve the legislation by April 1, 2016, with the deadline to file for the election of county executive 15 days later. For this, and a few other reasons, Senator Vincent Gregory (D-Southfield) strongly opposes this bill. He feels there has never been an issue with an Oakland County election previously, so he doesn’t understand the need for change.

If Oakland County makes the switch, the winner of the 2016 election would serve a two-year term, with the next election occurring in 2018 for a four-year term.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, November 13, 2015 9:50 AM
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House Panel Approves Credit Union Regulation Updates

The House Financial Services Committee reported a number of bills aimed at updating the way credit unions are being regulated. HB 5017, HB 5018, HB 5019, HB 5020, HB 5021, and HB 5022 were all reported unanimously from the committee. These bills reflect a compromise between the credit unions, the Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS), and banks. The most substantial change adopted via substitute was retaining the DIFS oversight of credit union bylaws. Other changes include credit unions being able to create charitable accounts, but notifying DIFS of said account. Credit unions will also be required to give DIFS a week’s notice if they move and will need to provide notice of emergency closures. DIFS will also be given oversight of loans to credit union officers and require a formal meeting of the institution’s board members to make decisions. Credit unions are supportive of the changes and will continue to pursue important regulatory reforms to reduce unnecessary burden on credit unions.

posted by PAA Online , 9:49 AM
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EPA to Audit Drinking Water Program

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it will conduct an audit of the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) drinking water program that was issued in response to the Flint water crisis.

Region 5 EPA Administrator Susan Hedman said the region will be examined for its implementation of the Safe Drinking Water Act and related rules. EPA staff will review state files on public water system compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and it will review DEQ oversight of public water systems. The audit is anticipated to take several months. Once completed, the EPA will prepare a report that will be publicly accessible.

Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) welcomed the audit but called for additional legislative hearings. Senator Ananich feels Senate oversight hearings will be a crucial part of getting all of the facts. U.S Representative Dan Kildee (D-Flint) also welcomed the audit, and hopes it will help uncover the facts and ensure the responsible parties are held accountable for this crisis.

Brad Wurfel, a spokesperson for the DEQ, told The Flint Journal the agency welcomes the audit and has pledged full cooperation with the EPA.

posted by PAA Online , 9:48 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Senator Casperson Announces Run for Congress

Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba) has officially announced his candidacy for the 1^st U.S. House District, becoming the first Republican candidate to do so. The seat is currently held by U.S. Representative Dan Benishek, (R-Crystal Falls), who is retiring at the end of the year. If Senator Casperson wins the election, he will forgo his remaining two years in the Michigan Senate.

Carl Announces for 33^rd District

Colleen Carl, a Republican from Macomb County, has announced her candidacy for the 33^rd House District. Ms. Carl, daughter of former Senator Doug Carl, runs a children’s music education business and is a Republican activist. The seat is currently held by Representative Ken Goike (R-Ray Township), who cannot seek reelection due to term limits.

Revenues Fall Short of Expectations

The Senate Fiscal Agency released figures Tuesday that show Michigan revenues from primary taxes $156 million below estimates for the 2014-2015 fiscal year. Growth was found in the personal income tax and Corporate Income Tax, but the sales tax fell short despite projections. Most specific taxes collected in October were down compared to last year. Final year-end numbers will be released at the state’s year-end book closing, which is likely to occur in December.

Medicaid Expands to Include MIChild

Starting January 1^st, MIChild, a program to provide health insurance to children of lower income households through Medicaid, will be considered a Medicaid expansion program, according to the Department of Health and Human Services. This change will mean no practical change in a child’s coverage other than all children receiving dental insurance from Delta Dental Plans. MIChild is not subjected to the same federal waiver requirement as Healthy Michigan. A letter will be sent to recipients explaining the changes.

posted by PAA Online , 9:47 AM
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