AG Charges Three in Flint Water Crisis

Attorney General Bill Schuette charged two Department of Environmental Quality employees (DEQ) and one Flint official with combined charges of 13 felonies and 5 misdemeanors. Stephen Busch, DEQ District 8 Water Supervisor, is facing two possible 5-year sentences and $10,000 fine for felony charges of misconduct, two 4-year sentences and $10,000 fine for tampering with evidence, and one- year sentence and $5,000 fine for per-day treatment and monitoring violations under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act.

Michael Prysby, DEQ District 8 Water Engineer is facing two in-office misconduct charges, tampering with evidence, and treatment and monitoring violations under the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act.

Finally, Michael Glasgow, a City of Flint Laboratory and Water Quality Supervisor, is facing a 4-year sentence and $5,000 felony charge for tampering with evidence and a 1-year and $1,000 willful neglect of duty.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, April 22, 2016 12:51 PM
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New Flint Supplemental Approved

The Senate Appropriations committee reported a $147.5 million supplemental to Flint. SB 777, which allocates $105.46 million from General Fund and $42 million from federal funding, was approved Wednesday. Chairman Senator Dave Hildenbrand (R-Lowell) won four amendments to the bill. One included $1.3 million for the attorney general to cover costs associated with the investigation and another ensured Medicaid funding in the Department of Heath and Human Services appropriations.

Specifically, SB 777 gives the Department of Education $25.6 million gross for nutrition programs, childcare services, child care development fund reserve and lead communications to child care providers. The Department of Environmental Quality receives $33.35 million for utility infrastructure and filters, retaining Detroit City water, 4 Full Time Employees (FTE’)s, and other needs. The Department of Health and Human Services receives $29.15 million for a Medicaid waiver, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families reserve, behavioral therapy, home visits and nutrition support, food banks, and community education. The Department of Natural Resources gets $250,000 for its summer youth program, the School Aid Fund gets $9.2 million for Early On services, and the Department of Transportation, Management and Budget will have a $50 million reserve.

Governor Rick Snyder announced he would be drinking filtered Flint water for the next 30 days in an attempt to show Flint residents that it is safe to drink. After much distrust against the filters, Governor Snyder believes his actions will prove the filters function perfectly.

Michigan State University’s State of the State Survey shows Governor Snyder’s approval rating far down. MSU Economics Professor Charles Ballard attributes the Flint Water Crisis as a main reason. According to the survey, four out of seven Michigan residents place the majority of the blame for the crisis on the Governor, emergency manager Darnell Earley or state government generally. 44.1 percent of participants rated Governor Snyder’s performance as “poor,” 30.5 percent responded “fair,” and 20 percent said “good” with only 4.4 percent saying “excellent.”

In a fall 2015 survey, 64.2 percent of Republicans rated the Governor as “excellent” or “good,” however this number has dropped to 49.9 percent. Independents dropped from 44.8 percent to 24.3 percent, and Democrats from 20.5 percent to 6.9 percent.

posted by PAA Online , 12:51 PM
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Filing Deadline Passed

The deadline to file for a campaign has passed, and shows close races between Republicans and Democrats. Democrats are looking to pick up the nine seats needed to establish a majority in the House of Representatives.

Democrats have filed in the competitive 39^th and 41^st House District against current Representatives Klint Kesto (R-Commerce Township) and Martin Howrylak (R-Troy), respectively. Mike Stack, a Wolverine Lake city councilmember, is facing Representative Kesto. Mr. Stack is active in local community groups and has served on the council for 10 years, but has said he is not active in local Democratic politics. Cyndi Peltonen is running against Representative Howrylak in the 41^st. Ms. Peltonen is a former Clawson school board member.

Filed in the 62^nd is Representative John Bizon (R-Battle Creek) seeking re-election for his second term. The 62^nd has traditionally leaned Democratic, but Republicans are confident Representative Bizon’s ability to work the district will ensure his reelection.

Vulnerable Republican incumbents include the 56^th House District with Representative Jason Sheppard (R-Temperance), Representative Tom Barrett (R-Potterville) in the 71^st House District and Representative Holly Hughes (R-White River Township) in the 91^st. Former Representative Collene Lamonte of Montague will be challenging Representative Hughes, but Representative Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) believes she is “too liberal” for the 91^st.

Republicans have a three-way primary in the 108^th District, currently held by term-limited Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan). Candidate hopefuls include Alan Arcand of Iron River, Beau LaFave of Iron Mountain and Darryl Shann of Bark River. The Democratic nominee is likely to be Dickinson County Sheriff Scott Celello.

Diane Farrington is attempting to succeed her husband, Representative Jeff Farrington (R-Utica) in the 30^th House District. For the primary, Ms. Farrington faces Michael Shallal of Shelby Township, who previously ran in 2010 and 2012.

The 106^th House District will see a four-way primary to replace Representative Peter Pettalia (R-Presque Isle). Running is Cheboygan County Commissioner Sue Allor, Alpena Area Chamber of Commerce CEO Jackie Krawczak, First Congressional District Republican Committee Chair Jesse Osmer, and David Chandler of Whittemore. The Democratic opponent is likely to be elementary school teacher and Alpena Education Association president Erin Kieliszewski of Alpena.

In outgoing Speaker Kevin Cotter’s (R-Mount Pleasant) district, two Republican candidates have filed. Union Township Trustee Roger Hauck and realtor Robin Stressman will run against each other for the primary, and will face off with the Democratic winner between Democratic Union Township Trustee Bryan Mielke and Robert Corbett.

Several districts will see competitive races in the primary.

posted by PAA Online , 12:50 PM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Oral Chemotherapy Bill Approved

The Senate Insurance Committee unanimously approved SB 625, a bill that provides both oral and intravenous or injectable chemotherapy. The bill stipulates that beginning in 2018, the cost for oral chemotherapy will not exceed $100 for a 30-day supply, and annually this price would be adjusted. Financially, an insurance company would be prohibited from increasing financial requirements on a person.

Michigan Receives More Blight Aid

Michigan will receive an additional $188 million in federal blight removal funds under a grant requested by U.S. Senator Gary Peters, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow, and U.S. Representative Dan Kildee (D-Flint). The state has received $74.5 million in grants this fiscal year. Representative Kildee and Senator Stabenow believe Flint and Detroit will see the majority of this grant.

Ruff Returns as Advisor

Craig Ruff will return as education advisor on an interim basis, according to Governor Rick Snyder. Mr. Ruff retired in 2015 and was replaced by Karen McPhee, who left her position at the beginning of the month. He will officially retake his post on May 16, the day before the next State Board of Education meeting

posted by PAA Online , 12:49 PM
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