Snyder Signs Campaign Finance Bill

Governor Rick Snyder signed on Wednesday SB 571 (PA 269, immediate effect), which alters existing campaign finance law. This decision has been cited as one of the more difficult signing decisions the governor has experienced.

This legislation prevents local units of government from distributing ballot information 60 days prior to an election. The bill also eliminates a February filing deadline for independent and political committees, and allows candidates to use contributions to pay down debts from previous election cycles. Amid concern, Governor Snyder released a signing letter following his signature insisting nothing would prevent an elected or appointed official from speaking on ballot proposals. In his statement he also called for the legislature to pass a trailer bill, ensuring the law does not infringe upon the expression of personal views by a public official or the use of resources or facilities in the ordinary course of business.

In response to the call for the trailer bill, House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) and Senator Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) said they will work with Mr. Snyder and the other chamber to address the governor’s concerns.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, January 8, 2016 10:30 AM
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Flint Water Under Investigation

The U.S. attorney in Detroit has confirmed an investigation into the Flint water crisis. Details regarding the investigation, including whether it is civil or criminal in nature, have not been released.

Various groups have called for an investigation into the decision to use the Flint River as its interim water source and how the city failed to use proper corrosion control treatment for the most corrosive river water. Flint declared a state of emergency on December 14^th. Governor Snyder formally declared Genesee County in a state of emergency on Monday following a request to do so by the Genesee County Board of Commissioners.

Emergency declarations bring the Department of State Police Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division together with the state’s emergency management center to coordinate and resolve the crisis. Federal assistance may also be a possibility from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security or the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

posted by PAA Online , 10:29 AM
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No Reason Absentee Voter Bill Up for Discussion

Governor Rick Snyder, upon signing a bill to repeal the straight ticket option on ballots (SB 13, PA 268, immediate effect), released a statement urging the Senate to pass HB 4724, a bill to allow no reason absentee voting. It is Mr. Snyder’s feeling that this bill is necessary to counteract the likely increase in poll time with the elimination of straight ticket voting.

The original tie bar between SB 13 and HB 4724 was broken in the Senate with Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Senator Dave Robertson (R-Grand Blanc), chair of the Elections and Government Reform Committee, both opposing an expansion of absentee voting. In the wake of Snyder’s statement, spokeswoman for the Majority Leader Amber McCann commented that a Republican caucus discussion is to be expected. Ms. McCann included that although Senators Meekhof and Robertson personally oppose the issue, there are members of the caucus who are interested in it. Majority Floor Leader Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) added HB 4724 should receive hearings and be put up for a vote. Mr. Kowall commented he hasn’t decided on the bill, but will keep an open mind.

Secretary of State Ruth Johnson is in support of no reason absentee voting and urged the Senate to pass the bill onto the governor. Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto), sponsor of the legislation, praised both Governor Snyder and Secretary of State Johnson on their support and hopes the Senate will soon join them in supporting HB 4724.

posted by PAA Online , 10:29 AM
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Snyder Announces PSC Lead

Governor Rick Snyder appointed Sally Talberg to chair the Public Service Commission. Current chair, John Quackenbush, plans to return to the private sector, but will continue in a commissioner position until March 31, 2016, to help ease the transition.

Ms. Talberg joined the commission in 2013, and was previously a senior consultant at Public Sector Consultants in Lansing, specializing as the firm’s energy and regulatory expert. She helped establish Michigan Saves, an energy waste reduction-financing program, and was recently appointed president of MISO States, a multi-state organization working on electric transmission issues. The Federal Communications Commission has also appointed Ms. Talberg to several federal-state boards.

posted by PAA Online , 10:28 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Circuit Court Upholds Tribe Ruling

The 6^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the Little River Band of Ottawa Indian’s decision to convict Norbert Kelsey, a member and elected official of the tribe and its council, for a crime committed off tribal land, but in a building the tribe owned. Kelsey v. Pope reversed a U.S. district court previously granting Mr. Kelsey habeas corpus.

Calley Seeking House Run

Julie Calley, chair of the Ionia County Board of Commissioners, has created a campaign committee to run in the 87^th House District. The seat is currently held by Representative Mike Callton (R-Nashville), who cannot seek reelection due to term limits. Ms. Calley has not formally filed for candidacy yet.

Muchmore to Honigman Firm

Dennis Muchmore has announced he will head the government relations and regulatory practice at the Honigman, Miller, Schwartz and Cohn law firm beginning February. Mr. Muchmore, the outgoing chief of staff to Governor Rick Snyder, announced last year his plans to leave the administration in 2016.

Court of Appeals Upholds Company in MBT Credits Case

The Court of Appeals upheld a company’s claim that the state misapplied carryforward credits under the old Michigan Business Tax (MBT). In a per curiam decision, Judge Michael Gadola, Judge Joel Hoekstra and Judge Michael Kelly upheld the company’s claim that the Department of Treasury incorrectly directed taxpayers on which credits to use. The Treasury issued a form instructing taxpayers that they take carryforward and brownfield rehabilitation tax credits before others, where the MBT law required certain credits, compensation credits, and investment tax credits be taken before other credits. The court ruled that the department can administer the tax and make some interpretations and explain those, but the forms do not have the effect of law and therefore the department’s interpretation could not stand. The state has decided not to appeal the decision in Ashley Capital v. Treasury.

posted by PAA Online , 10:27 AM
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