DPS Package to Snyder

The Senate approved a bailout package for the Detroit Public Schools (DPS) on Wednesday after much discussion.

The package has few changes from the House plan that passed last week. The bills would establish a new Detroit Community School District and return control to an elected school board. The new district can hire uncertified teachers and would not include a Detroit Education Commission. DPS would remain to pay down debts through the 18-mill property tax on non-homestead property.

The Senate Fiscal Agency analysis on Tuesday showed a potential shortage of $88 million for K-12 schools, over 10 years. An amendment provides that the General Fund would pick up any over run, of the School Aid Fund. HB 5384 was also amended to treat public schools and charter schools the same in terms of closure. The state school reform/redesign officer shall consider other public school options available to students in the grade levels offered by the public school academy (PSA) or site who live in the geographic area served by the PSA or site.

The Senate Republican Caucus held an almost 2-hour meeting over the House plan to gather the 19 minimum votes to pass the package. Following the caucus, which included a presentation from Governor Rick Snyder, the bills were passed within two hours. Senate Minority Floor Leader Morris Hood III (D-Detroit) voiced his opposition by calling Senate Republicans “cowards” for abandoning the Senate plan that passed earlier this year. Several Senate Democrats felt the House plan would effectively end a traditional public school district in Detroit. House Democrats also stood in opposition of the bills with Detroit Representatives being denied requests to speak.

All changes have been approved in both the House and the Senate and the package awaits Governor Snyder’s approval.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, June 10, 2016 11:19 AM
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Committee Approves Nurse Anesthetist Bill

The Senate Michigan Competitiveness Committee reported a bill expanding the scope of practice for nurse anesthetists to include the prescription and administration of pharmacological agents received by a patient.

SB 1019 allows a certified registered nurse anesthetist (CRNA) to administer pharmacological agents to be received by a patient as part of anesthesia and analgesia services within that scope. In addition, nurse anesthetists will be authorized to provide anesthesia and analgesia services as the sole and independent anesthesia provider if he or she were part of a patient centered care team.

CRNA’s will also be able to provide services for diagnostic, interventional, obstetric, or operative purposes during the preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative service period or the obstetrical service period. The bill does exclude chronic pain management services, but does allow a nurse anesthetist to perform such services under delegation as prescribed in the Public Health Code.

Senate Majority Floor Leader, and sponsor of the bill, Senator Mike Kowall (R-White Lake Township) told the committee this allows hospitals to not require certain paperwork to be filled out for nurse anesthetists to practice within the scope of their training. According to Mr. Kowall, some 40 states and the military have similar policies and will help fix the issue of anesthesiologists being unavailable.

Andrea Teitel, president of the Michigan Association of Nurse Anesthetists commended the committee on the passage. Ms. Teitel commented SB 1019 improves access to care for patients and ensures patients receive safe anesthesia care. Michigan Health and Hospital Association executive vice president and COO David Seaman also voiced his support for the legislation. Mr. Seaman added this bill allows hospitals the choice to determine their own policy based on their circumstances.

posted by PAA Online , 11:18 AM
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Auto Insurer Tax Credit

The Senate approved Wednesday a package of bills aimed at repealing $80 million in tax credit to certain automobile insurance companies while still allowing the companies to claim a portion of the credit through the current fiscal year.

HB 5457 and HB 5458 included an amendment that allows an insurance company to include in the calculation of a credit 35 percent of the amounts paid to the Michigan Automobile Insurance Placement Facility that are attributed to the assigned claims plan approved under statue. This applies to the 2016 tax year only. This change is technical, ensuring companies that planned on receiving and using the credit can still do so.

With no discussion, the Senate passed by a vote of 29-7 with Senator Ken Horn (R-Frankenmuth), Senator Joe Hune (R-Whitmore Lake), Senator Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), Senator Tonya Schuitmaker (R-Lawton), Senator Judy Emmons (R-Sheridan) and Senator Dale Zorn (R-Ida) voting no. The House concurred in the changes by a vote of 80-28.

posted by PAA Online , 11:18 AM
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2016-2017 FY Budget Passed

The House and Senate passed the 2016-17 fiscal year budget bills on Wednesday.

As is customary, the legislature divided the budget into two major omnibus bills; one for education and one for state departments and other areas. The education omnibus bill, SB 801, includes community colleges, K-12 schools and higher education and passed the House 74-34 and the Senate 20-17. The departmental omnibus bill, HB 5294, passed the House 71-37 and the Senate 26-11.

In the budget, nine universities and six community colleges receive authorization for major projects on campus pending construction authorization within two years of the end of the 2015-16 fiscal year. Almost $206 million in General Fund money will go toward supplemental purposes in the current fiscal year, focusing on Flint water aid. The budget also includes the state’s first matching funds for the Healthy Michigan Medicaid expansion. Additional funding will also go toward specialty drugs to treat Hepatitis C and Cystic Fibrosis in the Medicaid and Department of Corrections budgets.

The budget for the fiscal year beginning on October 1 now goes to Governor Rick Snyder for approval.

posted by PAA Online , 11:17 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

HICA Repeal Clears Senate

The Senate on Wednesday passed a package of bills that effectively repeals the health insurance claims assessment as a source for Medicaid, and replaces it with income tax revenue. Revenue from the use tax on the state’s Medicaid health maintenance organizations would replace the income tax revenues in the General Fund. SB 987 through SB 990 all passed with minimal discussion and no debate.

Recall Petitions Approved

The Board of State Canvassers approved a petition to recall Attorney General Bill Schuette on Thursday. Calvin Hodges petitioned for a recall on the basis of Mr. Schuette hiring Todd Flood, a campaign donor to both the attorney general and Governor Rick Snyder, as a special counsel to investigate the Flint water crisis. In order to face a recall, the petition will need to collect 790,000 signatures in 60 days. Mr. Hodges also had a recall petition approved against Governor Snyder.

Health Endowment Fund for Flint

The Senate Government Operations Committee reported SB 986 on Wednesday to allow the Health Endowment Fund to spend money to assist in the Flint Water Crisis. Specifically, the bill allows the board of the Health Endowment Fund to allocate money to areas facing a public health emergency. Former House Speaker Paul Hillegonds, president of the fund, has commented the fund has not had time to discuss a formal position on the bill.

House Approved Retail Property Tax Assessment Changes

The House on Wednesday approved HB 5578, a bill to end the “dark store” appraisal practice for big box stores for tax purposes. The bill requires the Tax Tribunal to consider the highest and best use and future and past income on such properties. The legislation passed 97-11, but has seen criticism from retailers. It goes to the Senate for consideration.

posted by PAA Online , 11:17 AM
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