Flint

Flint Mayor Karen Weaver announced on Friday the second phase of her FAST Start initiative, which includes the replacing of 200-250 service lines in the area over the next month.

Part of the initiative is being paid for with $2 million from the state. A total of $25 million has been appropriated to start the next phase of pipe removal once this phase is completed. The next phase will include pipe replacement in resident homes with water testing before and after the replacement. This will only occur where residents give permission, and service lines will not be replaced at vacant homes.

Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich (D-Flint) also introduced SB 979, a bill that would establish a municipal recovery and development authorities in certain local governments. With this legislation, he hopes to alleviate the local feeling in Flint that no major changes have occurred. Although grateful for the large amount of money allocated to the city, Senator Ananich feels it is difficult when an entire city is united to make sure every part is feeling a change.

SB 979, although still in development, will include a recovery authority that is likely to include some kind of local representation to invoke trust in the area.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, August 26, 2016 11:08 AM
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MSF Projects

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved various state projects on Tuesday. These projects are expected to generate nearly $88.5 million in investment and 222 jobs, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.

Among those approved was Inteva Products, LLC, an automotive supplier that has been awarded new automotive program contracts and plans to upgrade its Adrian facility. The company provides interior systems, roof systems, closure systems and motors and electronics. The state is investing $23 million and creating 77 jobs with the potential of up to 127 jobs. The company was awarded a $1.27 million economic assistance incentive.

The Grand Rapids Brownfield Redevelopment Authority received $727,525 in local and school tax capture for the Green Cane Property project for a new, mixed-use development, and more than $10.9 million in local and school tax capture for Market Avenue Place. The Market Avenue Place is projected to generate a total investment of $56.5 million and create 80 jobs.

Three contracts for services related to the Pure Michigan tourism campaign have also been approved. Weber Shandwick near Detroit was awarded public relations and social media contract and McCann Erickson in Detroit was awarded a business marketing and advertising contract as well as a Travel Michigan marketing and advertising contract.

The Council of Great Lakes Governors was also approved a one-year contract extension to allow the MEDC to continue to offer companies access to export development services in foreign markets.

posted by PAA Online , 11:07 AM
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MSP Alcohol Testing Mishap

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy, in a news release Monday, announced over 4,000 blood alcohol level tests processed by the Department of State Police Forensic Science Division involved an incorrect calibration model, resulting in faulty data.

The problem was initially discovered in a routine case review in April, with the range of error from -0.002 to +0.004 grams per deciliter. The errors did not affect cases regarding the 0.08 legal driving limit, however it did affect 18 cases involving the 0.17 blood alcohol level, which charges motorists with the state’s “super drunk” law. The Forensic Science Division notified the Prosecuting Attorneys Coordinating Council of the situation in letter June 30. County prosecutors were notified the following day.

The Toxicology Unit began using a new type of capillary column for alcohol testing in two devices back in June 2015, with a new calibration model for them. In April 2016, a scientist noticed one of the devices had been using the old calibration model since December 2015. After doing a series of retests, 2,007 of the 4,001 tests affected had been changed.

Defense attorney Neil Rockind criticized Ms. Worthy and the State Police of suppressing their mistakes, stating the information about the faulty tests should have been sent directly to the affected defendants’ attorneys and all courts and judges.

posted by PAA Online , 11:07 AM
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PAADVISORY BRIEFS

Farrington Tries to Remove Notte From Ballot

Republican nominee Diana Farrington in the 30^th House District filed a complaint Wednesday in the Michigan Court of Claims to remove her Democratic opponent Michael Notte from the November ballot. Ms. Farrington in her complaint alleged Mr. Notte did not move into the 30^th District at least 30 days prior to the filing deadline, which would render him ineligible to run.

Court Rejects Claim on Marijuana Signatures

The Court of Claims Wednesday held a law that requires petition signatures to be collected no more than 180 days prior to the petition being filed with the state is constitutional. This comes as a blow to pro-legalization of marijuana groups in the state as the Board of Canvassers has rejected a large portion of the group’s petition signatures because they were collected outside the 180 day window.

O’Connell Rejected

The Court of Appeals unanimously ruled Thursday that Judge Peter O’Connell cannot run as an incumbent for Judge Michael Gadola’s seat on the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals in their per curiam opinion upheld the Court of Claims ruling that only a judge holding the seat up for election can run as an incumbent for that seat.

Variant Flu

Eight people in the state have tested positive for influenza A H3N2. All eight were exposed to sick pigs in swine exhibits at county fairs in Muskegon, Cass, and Ingham counties. These are the first cases of the flu to appear in humans in Michigan since 2013. The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture and Rural Development are working together to protect the public and swine.

New Charter Schools in Fall

A charter school association announced only seven new schools will open for the 2016-17 academic school year, one of the lowest total of new charter schools to open in an academic year. The total number of charter schools in Michigan will remain around 300 because there are six schools closing, and one is merging into a second school.

posted by PAA Online , 11:05 AM
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