Detroit School Closures

Attorney General Bill Schuette in a formal opinion on Wednesday announced the newly created Detroit District can be closed by the School Reform/Redesign Office as early as this year.

Mr. Schuette’s opinion followed a conflicting opinion between the administration and the legislature. The Miller Canfield law firm released a memo stating the new district has not existed for three years, therefore the schools ranked lowest for three years cannot be closed until 2019. Governor Rick Snyder concurred with this memo, however House Speaker Kevin Cotter (R-Mount Pleasant) and Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) disagreed and believed the law was clear, that schools in the district that consistently fail should be closed.

In the confusion, Mr. Cotter and Mr. Meekhof requested the Attorney General issue an opinion, which is binding unless overturned by the courts. Mr. Schuette did so and commented that the Miller Canfield argument misread the text, structure and purposes of the package of bills passed by the Legislature.

It is speculation to say whether schools will be closed this year, but the Attorney General’s opinion will be reviewed.

posted by PAA Online , Friday, September 30, 2016 9:39 AM
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Fiat Chrysler Awarded Grant

The Michigan Strategic Fund on Tuesday awarded Fiat Chrysler a Michigan Business Development Program grant in the amount of $4.5 million to begin production on the next-generation Ram 1500 truck.

Back in July, Fiat Chrysler announced the company’s plan to invest $1.48 billion to retool and reconfigure the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. The company was awarded an exemption from the State Essential Services Assessment, and this investment retained roughly 1,300 employees at the plant. With the additional grant, Fiat Chrysler in exchange will create 700 new jobs.

The Michigan Business Development Program grant received will be cash based and completed by 2018.

posted by PAA Online , 9:38 AM
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MSF Projects

The Michigan Strategic Fund approved two projects for further development in Downtown Detroit on Tuesday.

The first project, known as Third and Grand, is a mixed-use retail and residential project located at Third Avenue and West Grand Boulevard. The $54.6 million development will feature 20,000 square feet of commercial space, parking and over 200 residential apartments. The project is receiving $2 million from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program and is expected to bring 55 new jobs related to retail and property management.

The second project will complete an infill development and rehabilitation of the Checker Cab building in the Corktown neighborhood, located across from the former Detroit Tigers baseball stadium. Trident Corktown LLC is planning to invest $43.8 million in this project to construct four mixed-use buildings with first floor retail space and upper floor residential. The project also plans on creating four multi-story townhome units. The project is also receiving $6.9 million from the Michigan Community Revitalization Program and is projected to generate a total capital investment of $43.8 million and create 50 jobs.

The MSF additionally approved grants for Saginaw to develop a farmers’ market downtown, for Grand Rapids to redevelop a property downtown, and two grants for the city of Owosso to establish a new animal feed mill facility and to rehabilitate a vacant and historic building for mixed-use purposes.

posted by PAA Online , 9:38 AM
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PAAdvisory Briefs

Oakland University President

The Oakland University Board of Trustees announced they are not renewing transitional President George Hynd’s contract and are searching for a new president in 2017. President Hynd has served the position for three years after Oakland’s long-time president Gary Russi retired suddenly. Board Chair Richard DeVore in a statement thanked Mr. Hynd for his work, and said the board is looking for an individual to move the university in the future, and is not considering internal candidates.

Tax Foundation Sets Michigan 12^th

The Tax Foundation in its most recent State Business Tax Climate Index announced Michigan has the 12^th most competitive tax code among states. The ranking analyzes five tax codes; corporate, individual income, sales, property, and unemployment insurance. Michigan ranked 8^th in corporate, 14^th in individual income, 9^th in sales, 25^th in property, 47^th in unemployment insurance, and 12^th overall.

First Responder Health Care

Governor Rick Snyder signed SB 218 on Tuesday. Under this bill, families of first responder members killed in the line of duty will receive five years of medical benefits and a one-time payment of $25,000. The bill was made retroactive to October 1, 2015 in order to provide benefits to the family of the Detroit Sargent Kenneth Steil, who was shot earlier this month.

Leonard Likely Leader

Representative Tom Leonard III (R-DeWitt) is set to lead the GOP caucus in the 2017-18 term after Representative Rob VerHeulen (R-Walker) conceded in an official announcement Tuesday. Mr. Leonard will be the next Speaker of the House, if Republicans retain majority following the election, or the Minority Leader.

Young Potential SCOTUS Nominee

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump released another list of his potential nominees to the U.S. Supreme Court if elected, and among them included Chief Justice Robert Young Jr. Justice Young has served on the Michigan Supreme Court for nearly two decades after serving on the Michigan Court of Appeals. Justice Joan Larsen is also being considered.

posted by PAA Online , 9:37 AM
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