Energy Agreement Reached

The state announced Monday an agreement has been reached between Cliffs Natural Resources and WEC Energy Group to provide the Upper Peninsula with long-term electric supply.

If approved, the agreement will provide 170 megawatts of new natural gas powered generation across two sites. The plans also allow for the retirement of the WEC’s Presque Isle Power Plant in Marquette by 2020. In January 2015, Governor Rick Snyder and Attorney General Bill Schuette reached several agreements with utility companies in the U.P. after a tariff was set by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

The establishment and operation of new generating facilities created by the agreement would resolve reliability concerns associated with the retirement of the Presque Isle Power Plan, and eliminates a need for unnecessary transmission costs by Michigan ratepayers. Pending approvals, the commercial operation of the facilities is expected to begin in 2019.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 19, 2016 10:35 AM
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Straight Ticket Voting

The 6^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Thursday to keep Michigan’s straight ticket voting option in place.

Denying Secretary of State Ruth Johnson’s request for an emergency stay of the U.S. District Court decision disallowing the straight-ticket law from taking effect was a three-judge panel. Attorney General Bill Schuette has filed for en banc hearing on the ruling, saying it is his duty to defend Michigan law and seeking a full 6^th U.S. Circuit Court ruling on the issue is a normal course of action.

The opportunity for an en banc hearing remains unlikely, regardless of the fact that the majority of the judges on the 6^th Circuit were appointed by Republican presidents. The three-panel judge on this decision included Justices that have all been appointed by Democratic presidents.

posted by PAA Online , 10:33 AM
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DPS School Closings Questioned

In a memo to transitioning manager Steven Rhodes, the Miller Canfield law firm stated the School Reform Office (SRO) shouldn’t be allowed to close schools in the new Detroit Public Schools Community District until the SRO exists for three consecutive years.

Legislation enacted earlier this year established the new Detroit district in July and gave the SRO power to close a school in the district on the priority schools list for three consecutive years with some exemptions. In the memo, however, it was interpreted the SRO has not operated any of the schools until July 1, 2016 and therefore cannot order a closure until July 1, 2019.

Written by Amanda VanDusen and Michelle Crockett, the memo added the primary purpose of the Detroit schools legislation was to address financial and academic distress. If priority schools are immediately closed, there could be a drop in per-pupil funding that would undermine any potential progress. Additionally, since the priority list is based on 2013 data, it cannot accurately reflect current academic performance.

Christyn Herman with the Department of Technology, Management and Budget commented they are working with the Department of Attorney General to draft a legal opinion stating the SRO can close before 2019.

posted by PAA Online , 10:32 AM
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911 Seeks more Revenue

The State 911 Committee met in June to discuss changing the 911 fee in Michigan and updating the state’s law to accommodate technological demands.

Committee Chair Tim Smith after the meeting reported to the legislature that changing the fee from $0.19 a month to $0.25 helps create an SNC-monitored fund to help with the expense of IP-based 911. In the annual report, all of the state’s 83 counties are delivering Enhanced 911 on both wireless and landline communications, and 23 counties provide text-to-911 services.

Michigan’s 911 fee has not seen a recommended change since a 2006 report. As digital technology is becoming the norm, all systems across the country are migrating to Next Generation 911, or digital IP-based 911 networks. Currently, only 17 counties are contracted with IP-based 911 provider Peninsula Fiber Network. There are 34 more counties under contract to migrate to PFN.

Along with an increased fee, the committee also recommended changes in the distribution of funding to counties, changes to auditing, and adjusting the weighted average in the prepaid percentage from 1.92 to 2.12.

posted by PAA Online , 10:32 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

O’Connell Denied Incumbent Bid

Court of Appeals Judge Peter O’Connell’s petition to run as an incumbent in the 4^th District judicial seat has been denied by Court of Claims Judge Cynthia Stephens. Mr. O’Connell’s term doesn’t expire until 2018, however he will exceed the age limit of 70 years old and will not be able to run again. Instead, Mr. O’Connell sought to run as an incumbent in the 4^th District, however Judge Stephens held the law is clear that Justice O’Connell is unable to run as an incumbent for a seat he does not currently hold. Judge O’Connell is appealing this decision.

Senate Advice and Consent Hearing for Grether

The Senate Natural Resources Committee announced they will hold an advice and consent hearing for the newly appointed Department of Environmental Quality Director Heidi Grether. Senator Tom Casperson (R-Escanaba), chair of the committee, commented that the September meeting will be for the remainder of the committee and the general public to get to know her.

Sygo Retires

Department of Environmental Quality Chief Deputy Jim Sygo will retire effective August 31. Mr. Sygo is a classified employee in the civil service, and has worked in public service for 34 years. Bob Wagner, a current program deputy director within the department, will replace him. Mr. Wagner has served as the Remediation and Redevelopment Division chief.

Granholm Named to Clinton Transition Team

Hillary Clinton named Former Governor Jennifer Granholm to the transition team on Tuesday. Ms. Granholm has been an enthusiastic supported of Ms. Clinton, and even gave a speech at the Democratic National Convention last month. The transition team is appointed to help prepare the transition should Ms. Clinton win the general election for presidency. Ms. Granholm has been named a co-chair, but her specific role on the transition team has not been released.

posted by PAA Online , 10:31 AM
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