Senator Smith Pleads Guilty
Senator Virgil Smith
pleads guilty to a felony charge of malicious destruction of property as part
of a plea bargain from the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office following an
altercation Senator Smith had involving his ex-wife last May where Mr. Smith
allegedly shot up her vehicle. Senator Smith would resign from the Senate as
part of the plea bargain agreement. Wayne Circuit Judge Lawrence Talon has not
agreed to the deal, instead has scheduled a hearing on March 14 to determine if
the agreement is tough enough.
Schueller New Acuitas Legislative Director
Acuitas hired Matthew
Schueller as its new legislative director on Wednesday. Mr. Schueller was
previously a senior policy advisor in the House Republican Policy Office and a
private practice attorney. He has degrees from Seton Hall University School of
Law and the University of Michigan.
Schuette Settles for $470 Million
Attorney General Bill
Schuette settled with mortgage lender and servicer HSBC to receive a $470
million joint state-federal settlement for mortgage-related abuses. Michigan
borrowers are expected to receive more than $3.5 million. The money will
provide payments to aid in past foreclosure abuses, loan modifications and
other relief for borrowers. Eligible borrowers will be contacted directly.
Recall Petition Approved
The Board of State
Canvassers on Monday approved one of ten petitions to recall Governor Rick
Snyder marking the first petition to clear the canvassers after rejected
attempts. The petition was filed against Snyder not for his involvement in
Flint, rather because he created the State School/Redesign Office within the
Department of Management, Technology, and Budget. Recall supporters have a
60-day window to collect 789,133 signatures. The petition is valid for 180
days.
TED Receive Funding for Skilled Trades
The Department of
Talent and Economic Development would receive $1.1 billion in total ongoing
funding under the Governor’s budget proposal, with a $10 million to the Skilled
Trades Training program. This brings the total investment to $35.6 million.