Flint

Governor Snyder last week testified in front of the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. The Governor was questioned for nearly four hours regarding the Flint Emergency Manager (EM) situation and the city’s water crisis.

Governor Snyder admitted in testimony that in the particular case in Flint, the EM system had failed. When asked if there were any need for changes to the law, Communications Director Ari Adler said the Governor continues to support a full investigation, but believes the root of the crisis was a failure of government at all levels. Governor Snyder’s task force believes the largest failure stems from the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) failing to use corrosion control treatment.

When asking their questions, committee members were relentless and did not hold back on criticizing Mr. Snyder. Representative Brendan Boyle (D-Pennsylvania) asked if Snyder believes he has a moral obligation to resign, to which he responded he is committed to fixing the problem. Representative Boyle was among several Congressmen on the committee who suggested Governor Snyder resign.

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Gina McCarthy was quick in her testimony to vilify the MDEQ, commenting they implied they were using corrosion control treatment when they were not. She commented the EPA did not receive the information regarding the water levels until July 21^st, and from there the agency told MDEQ “you do it or we’ll do it, [and] they said we’ll do it”. Ms. McCarthy was quick to say the state continually dragged their feet, to which Governor Snyder cited three EPA emails showing no sense of urgency to force the DEQ to intervene. Many committee members also suggested Ms. McCarthy should resign, or even be impeached.

Days following the hearing held much strategizing and movement forward. The Genesee County Board of Commissioners sent a letter requesting the state reimburse the county for costs related to the crisis. The amount requested is more than $1 million. Ari Adler responded that once the Governor receives the letter, it will be reviewed. The Governor meanwhile outlined a Flint action plan. The plan includes short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term goals addressing health care, education, infrastructure, and economic improvements. The goal does not include plans to replace piping; something Flint Mayor Karen Weaver is ready to dig ground on. As part of her “Fast Start” program, Ms. Weaver has identified the remaining 29 homes where service lines would be replaced by the end of the month. Despite these improvements, Ms. Weaver remains critical of the Governor for moving too slowly.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, March 25, 2016 10:04 AM
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Detroit Public Schools

The Senate Tuesday passed a package of bills re-establishing a locally elected school board and a Detroit Education Commission.

After two hours of discussion, the Senate reported SB 710, SB 711, and SB 819 through SB 822. These bills revise the state’s School Code to create a new community district and keep the current Detroit Public Schools in place to assume the district’s debts. It also establishes the Detroit Education Commission. The school board would be elected in August of this year, and returns local control to the district. The Commission will be in place for five years, with a possible extension of five years after that. The Commission will “grade” schools on a ranking of A-F, and schools with a ranking of F for three consecutive years, three out of four years, or three out of five years would close or be subject to intervention.

A Financial Review Commission will be in place to oversee the finances of the new district and the same commission would oversee the school district. The Financial Review Commission will include the superintendent and the school board president. The package of bills also allow for emergency lending to the district and a $300 million loan for the new community district.

SB 711 passed with a vote of 29-8, with the remaining bills passing with a vote of 21-16. Senator Patrick Colbeck (R-Canton Township) viewed the package as a bailout, something Senator David Knezek (D-Dearborn Heights) disagreed with.

The House will take up the bills following the legislative recess. Due to the legislative five-day rule, the House could not vote prior to the break.

posted by PAA Online , 10:04 AM
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Senate Passes Third Grade Reading

By a vote of 31-6, the Senate passed a modified version of the third grade-reading bill that cleared the Senate Education Committee earlier this week.

HB 4822 saw changes on General Orders that included adding “evidence-based” testing for comprehensive core reading programs and strategies for students. The bill also includes new language on public school academy use of an early literacy coach. Committee Chair Senator Phil Pavlov (R-St. Clair) commented there will be an appropriation to help fund districts, but is unsure of specifics.

The Senate version included exemptions allowing pupils to advance to fourth grade, even if they fail to meet one of the three criteria to do so. Students can show third grade reading levels on an alternative assessment approved by the Superintendent of Public Instruction or through a portfolio. This addition is the key difference between the House and Senate versions of the bill. Parents can also apply for a “good cause” exemption to the district’s superintendent or the principal. Reading teachers can also advance the student if they agree other evaluations of the pupil’s skills show he or she is academically prepared.

The newest version of the bill heads to the House so members can concur with the changes made.

posted by PAA Online , 10:03 AM
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New Member Committee Assignments

New House members Representative Gary Howell (R-North Branch), Representative David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids), and Representative Mary Whiteford (R-Casco Township) have received their committee assignments.

Representative Howell will replace Representative Jim Tedder (R-Clarkston) on the House Regulatory Reform Committee and Representative Chris Afendoulis (R-Grand Rapids Township) on the House Criminal Justice Committee. He has also been assigned to the House Workforce and Talent Development Committee.

Representative LaGrand will replace Representative Tom Cochran (D-Mason) on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and former Representative Derek Miller on the House Energy Committee. He is also replacing temporary committee member Representative Robert Kosowski (D-Westland) on the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.

Finally, Representative Whiteford is replacing Representative Holly Hughes (R-White River Township) on the House Agriculture Committee and Representative Ben Glardon (R-Owosso) on the House Military and Veterans Affairs Committee. She also is replacing Representative Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto) on the House Natural Resources Committee.

posted by PAA Online , 10:02 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Miller Running for Macomb Office

U.S. Representative Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township) announced she is running for the Macomb County Public Works Commissioner this November. In the run, Ms. Miller is up against longtime Democratic Public Works Commissioner Anthony Marrocco. Democratic Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel has endorsed Ms. Miller for the position.

Senate Panel Approves Secondary Alcohol Location Sales

The Senate Regulatory Reform Committee approved HB 4895, a bill that allows retailers to be issued a permit to sell alcohol from a secondary retail location rather than attempting to obtain a separate license. An amendment adopted tie-barred the bill to SB 344, which allows an applicant for a liquor license to sell on premises to apply for a license as an Specially Designated Merchant and as a Specially Designated Distributor. It also decreases the minimum distance between where gas is dispensed and where alcohol is sold.

Senate Panel OKs Repair Bill

The Senate Regulatory Reform Committee reported HB 4344, a bill that adjusts repair activities for certain cars. The bill codifies a number of administrative rules relating to automotive businesses and allows the Department of State to declare any rules to apply the law under the Administrative Procedures Act. It also codifies provisions allowing the department to issue declaratory rulings and take actions against a stockholder, officer, director or partner of a facility that is a corporation or partnership that violates certain provisions.

Unemployment Down in February

The unemployment rate was down to 4.8 percent in February, the lowest jobless rate in the state in more than a decade. This keeps Michigan below the national average of 4.9 percent. February revenues were lower than expected, however. The House Fiscal Agency and Senate Fiscal Agency both suspected it was due to lower business tax collections.

posted by PAA Online , 10:02 AM
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