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BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A state House panel has approved a plan to tie teachers' pay to student performance. Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle say they're worried the bill would strip away local control.
Bill supporters say just because someone has been teaching for a long time, that doesn't mean they're a great teacher. They say educators should be paid more if their students are making progress, and less if they're not. Eaton Intermediate School District Superintendent Christine Beardsley said they're already implementing a similar system. But she said not all schools can or should adopt the same policy.
"Why not allow us to then maybe lead the way and have others join as they determine their district is ready for this." Beardsley said.
The bill would only apply to teachers hired after the law goes into effect.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network Voters will decide the fate of a state law that allows wildlife officials to set wolf hunting seasons in the Upper Peninsula. As Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta reports the referendum has been approved for the November 2014 ballot.
A state elections board agreed the "Keep Michigan Wolves Protected" campaign gathered more than enough petition signatures to get the challenge on the ballot. That also suspends the law until voters decide. But the Legislature and Governor Rick Snyder also approved a second law. It circumvents the referendum and still allows the state to establish wolf seasons. Jill Fritz of "Keep Michigan Wolves Protected" said the campaign could attempt another referendum, or go to court.
"There could be some legal issues involved. We're still looking at all of the options." Fritz said.
Michigan's first wolf season is slated for this coming November. Supporters of the hunt say it's needed to help control wolf attacks on pets and livestock in the Upper Peninsula.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
There's a tentative budget deal between Governor Rick Snyder and the Legislature's Republican leaders. It puts more money into savings, schools, and roads. It also delays decisions on some of the governor's priorities. A budget windfall will allow the state to sock away more in savings, provide a boost to schools, and come up with enough money to qualify for federal matching funds to pay for some road repairs.
"However, that doesn't solve the full problem. We still need to find a solution to the full problem." Bolger said. That's House Speaker Jase Bolger, talking about the unresolved question of how to come up with an additional 1.2 billion dollars for roads. That's especially difficult with a Legislature that's been opposed to higher gas taxes and registration fees. Despite the governor's support for it, there's also a continued impasse on expanding the Medicaid program, mostly with money from the federal Affordable Care Act.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Judges in Michigan would see a pay bump, but other state elected officials are in for another salary freeze under recommendations adopted Tuesday by a state panel. The proposal now goes to the Legislature.
Lawmakers could vote on the recommendations or ignore them and allow them to expire. That's what happened in 2009, the last time the State Officers Compensation Commission recommended judicial pay increases.
Mick Middaugh is a former lawmaker who sits on the commission, and supported a 3 percent pay raise for judges.
"Does it clear everything up? Not necessarily. But it's a step in the right direction, and it gives the Legislature an opportunity to act." Middaugh said.
The Michigan Constitution in 2002 to require lawmakers to face voters before they and other state elected officials can collect a salary increase. There hasn't been one approved since then, although the Legislature voted for a pay cut in 2011.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A state salary commission is expected to recommend no pay raises for the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislators when it meets Tuesday. But, there could be a dust-up over judges' salaries.
Governor Rick Snyder and legislative leaders sent word to the State Officers Compensation Commission that they're not looking for pay raises. Some judges, though, have said they'd like a bump in their pay after 10 years without a raise.
"Why put something out there that's not going to go anywhere?" Meyer said. Larry Meyer is the commission chair. He said all the signals are any pay increase proposal would be rejected by lawmakers or simply ignored.
"That would not be an exercise I would want to be a part of." Meyer said.
The state constitution was amended in 2002 to require lawmakers to face voters 'after' making the decision on salaries for elected officials.
BY JAKE NEHER
The debate continues in Lansing over how the state should spend almost half a billion dollars in unexpected revenue this year.
Some advocacy groups said lawmakers should use it to restore tax credits for the working poor.
The state's Earned Income Tax Credit is less than a third of what it was a couple years ago. Michigan League for Public Policy President Gilda Jacobs said now there's money to restore the credit. She said at least part of the state's surplus should go back to the taxpayers that need it most.
"Part of balancing the budget was done on the backs of low-income people and seniors, and we can do something to fix that." Jacobs said.
A spokesperson for state House Democrats said they support the idea of using some of the money to restore the Earned Income Tax Credit. Governor Rick Snyder said a similar tax credit from the federal government does enough to help working poor families in Michigan. He wants to use the extra cash to fix roads.
BY JENNIFER WEINGART
Law makers are finding that the honor system isn't all it's cracked up to be, at least when it comes to people paying sales tax on items they purchase on the internet.
Now both federal and Michigan state government are searching for alternative ways to collect the lost revenue.
Jennifer Weingart takes a look at what new proposals may mean for consumers and for Michigan's economy.
Officials say requiring taxpayers to self-report is costing Michigan an estimated 450 million dollars a year, and that number is rising
"The Michigan Department of Treasury estimates that about 491 million dollars of lost revenue will occur in fiscal year 2014." Hallan said.
That was Bill Hallan, with the Michigan Retailers Association.
The 1992 US Supreme Court ruling on Quill v. North Dakota said that a state cannot charge sales tax unless a retailer has a physical presence in the state.
The two bills in the state legislature would re-define what constitutes a 'Physical Presence'.
"Do they have a network of affiliates in Michigan, do they have a subsidiary in Michigan, or a warehouse or a distribution center, if they meet any of those tests then they have a sufficient connection, or nexus if you will, with Michigan where they should be required to collect like any other brick and mortar that's already doing so." Hallan said.
Politicians from both parties support the internet bills, and Michigan isn't the only state with laws like these in the works.
Republican Representative Peter Pettalia from Presque Isle said he co-sponsored the legislation for two reasons
"Number one, it's not a new tax and the dollars that should be collected would help us with the short-falls that we have right now in bringing money back to our schools, local government, police and fires, and the likes. The other is it makes it fair for all businesses, whether you're a brick and mortar business or an internet business in the state of Michigan it makes the playing field level." Pettalia said.
Democrat Stacy Erwin Oakes from Saginaw is also a co-sponsor. She said that state action is not enough.
"Until the federal government passes some legislation there may be some other loopholes to prevent that. This legislation at least starts the conversation and makes sure people understand that we are trying to tie up into other sources to raise revenue other than the backs of the working poor." Oakes said.
The federal law would mandate that all retailers making more than one million dollars a year on remote sales collect the sales tax for each tax jurisdiction they sell to.
Tricia Kinley with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce says the Senate version would be enforceable across state lines but she also acknowledges potential challenges to it that could be raised in the U.S. House.
"The ideal approach would be that congress acts on this but knowing that congress might not there's certainly an interest across the country that states take matters into their own hands" Kinley said.
The bills in Lansing and in Washington have been nicknamed "Main Street Fairness" and "Marketplace Fairness" but just how fair are they?
Brick and mortar businesses located in Michigan charge sales tax on every taxable sale but those sales are made in the same place every time.
If the federal bill becomes law, an internet retailer would have to keep track of all the sales they make and charge sales tax accordingly.
That means an online business would have to count tax for forty-five different states that charge sales tax as well as the nearly seven thousand local tax jurisdictions across the country, something traditional brick and mortars don't have to worry about.
Opponents to the state law say if it passes, Michigan would be at a competitive disadvantage.
The state would charge tax on businesses that are physically present in Michigan, but states without an internet sales tax would not.
Ted O'Neil with The Mackinac Center for Public Policy says this would be detrimental to Michigan's economy.
"With e-commerce it might mean fewer internet type companies are willing to locate in Michigan, or build a warehouse or whatever, which could, in turn mean fewer jobs." O'Neil said.
Americans for Prosperity of Michigan is another organization that opposes the bill as written. It proposes that the bill be paired with another measure that would reduce income taxes, and as a result make the bills revenue neutral.
Scott Hagerstrom is the state director of Americans for Prosperity. "Politicians are looking for more revenue, and this is the reason they're pushing these bills, is for more revenue they're putting it under the guise of fairness and we don't need to be increasing the tax burden on working class people in this country and we don't need to be increasing the burden on small businesses and this will only result in job losses." Hagerstrom said.
The two bills in Lansing are under consideration on the house side.
The federal bill passed the Senate by a vote of 69 to 27, but has not yet been picked up by the House.
None of the people we talked to for this story would venture a guess as to the likelihood of any of these bills becoming law.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A pair of open government bills are up for an initial hearing this week in Lansing. The legislation is a response to local governments and state agencies charging sometimes thousands of dollars for people to see government records. Critics, including media organizations, say hefty fees are too often used as a way to shield records from the public. One of the bills would limit most charges for requests filed under the state's Freedom of Information Act to no more than 10 cents a page. Another would create a Michigan Open Government Commission to hear challenges to government denials of information requests. And the legislation would allow courts to award punitive damages of up to five thousand dollars if a government agency arbitrarily or capriciously denies a request for public records.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Lawmakers in Lansing are considering some changes to the Michigan's controversial new fireworks law.
A new bill would let local governments put limits on high-powered fireworks.
Democratic state Representative Harold Haugh sponsored a bill to legalize the sale of consumer-level aerial fireworks last year. He said he's received thousands of complaints from across the state since then. Haugh said the law has created jobs and helped improve the state's economy. But he admits many people haven't used the fireworks responsibly.
"And that's what we're doing this time in this fix, is regulating consumer usage, not the sale." Haugh said.
Haugh was speaking on Michigan Public Television's "Off the Record." His bill would let municipalities ban or limit the fireworks, except on and around national holidays. On those days they could restrict fireworks between midnight and eight AM.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Lawmakers in the state Senate say they hope to pass an overhaul of Michigan's public defense system in the coming weeks. They say they're close to reaching a deal on the bill.
The measure would create a commission that would set statewide standards for appointing defense attorneys to people who can't afford one. It would also crack down on judges who allegedly appoint attorneys for personal gain. Many Michigan counties fought similar legislation last year. They said it would punish counties that already do a good job. That bill stalled in a committee chaired by Senator Rick Jones. But Jones said it will likely be different this time around.
"Under this new plan, the counties that are doing the job properly won't be punished." Jones said.
Jones said the Michigan Association of Counties is close to supporting the bill. He said he hopes his committee will send the legislation to the full Senate this month.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
New teachers in Michigan would be paid based primarily on student growth under a bill in Lansing. But some lawmakers question whether now is the right time to take up the issue.
The state Legislature is still waiting on a report that will recommend a state-wide teacher evaluation system. Lawmakers like Representative David Knezek say they should wait to see what the report says before they switch to a merit-pay system for teachers.
"I don't know why we're jumping the gun on this. We should be waiting for what the commission comes back and says to us is the proper course of action," Knezek said.
Bill sponsor Pete Lund says the commission's recommendation could be more useful if they already have a system in place.
"I don't think the two necessarily, one has to be before the other," Lund said. Lund says tying educators' pay to their performance in the classroom would promote student growth and weed out bad teachers.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Gov. Rick Snyder has declared a state of disaster across much of Michigan due to storm- and flood-related damage. The proclamation makes state resources available to help the weather-stricken areas.
Snyder had to wait for flood waters to recede so local officials a chance could do preliminary damage assessments. The disaster proclamation covers the cities of Grand Rapids and Ionia in west Michigan, and 19 counties in the western Upper Peninsula, northern lower Michigan and southwest Michigan.
The damage was caused by storms and floods that lasted through most of April and into early May. The next step is for teams to visit the flood-stricken areas to conduct more detailed reviews, including discussions with renters, homeowners, and business owners who suffered damage. The governor has asked the Federal Emergency Management Agency to be part of those tours.
BY JENNIFER WEINGART
A new poll shows that most Americans trust local government more than those serving at the state or federal level.
The poll, done by Mason-Dixon for the League of Cities surveyed 1,000 registered voters. It found that 37% put most of their trust in local government.
That's higher than the 22 percent who said they trusted state government the most and the 12 percent who said they trust the federal government to represent their needs.
Greg Minchak with the League of Cities thinks people's trust in local government comes from their ability to participate in the process.
"Our people are folks they see in the grocery store everyday they can go to city council meeting and raise their complaints, talk to them about what's going on and I think there's a good general sense that they have the ability to give feedback into the process." Minchak said.
The poll showed trust in local government was the same across party lines with 32 percent of democrats, 39 percent of independents and 40 percent of republicans putting their trust in local government.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
In Lansing, state House Republican leaders are trying to round up votes for an overhaul of Michigan's no-fault auto insurance law. The measure is on the House calendar after it was approved by a committee last week on a party-line vote.
Governor Rick Snyder has made capping no-fault benefits a priority as a way of making insurance rates more affordable. Michigan is the only state that offers unlimited medical benefits to severely injured people, and that aspect is popular with voters. State Representative Pete Lund chairs the House Insurance Committee, and said he knows the bill is a tough sell.
"It is a very complicated and big bill. We're not trying to mitigate the problem by taking care of one part. We're trying to solve the whole problem here." Lund said.
"It stunk before and it still stinks because that million dollar cap, it comes really quickly." Segal said.
Representative Kate Segal is the ranking Democrat on the House Insurance Committee. Democrats have adopted a position to unanimously oppose the bill, meaning House Republicans will have to find all their votes within their caucus.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
One of Michigan's most well-known Republicans has some harsh words for the state House GOP leader. Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson appeared Friday on the Michigan Public Television show "Off the Record." Patterson said state House Speaker Jase Bolger has abused his power, and compared him to the leader of Nazi Germany.
"Adolf Bolger, you mean. He's really become quite arrogant, and he's really throwing his weight around up there, and I think he's embarrassing himself. If he thinks he's going to be a candidate for governor, he'd better learn how to control his temper, better learn how to work within the consensus in his own party. I think, sometimes, Adolf steps a little bit to the fringe, and he's embarrassing himself." Patterson said. Patterson also put a comb under his nose, emulating a Hitler mustache. There was no direct response from Bolger, but at least three Oakland County Republican lawmakers s have called on Patterson to apologize. Governor Rick Snyder has called on public officials to keep their rhetoric respectful following a string of dust-ups in Lansing this week.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A bill to overhaul Michigan's auto no-fault insurance system will not get a single "yes" vote from Democrats in the state House. That's according to Minority Leader Tim Greimel.
Several Republicans have also already come out publicly against the measure. So it's beginning to look like the bill may not have the support it would need to clear the state House. Democratic Leader Tim Greimel said the bill is another example of the governor and Republican legislative leaders favoring corporations over middle-class citizens.
"This time they're favoring insurance companies over victims of catastrophic accidents." Greimel said.
Opponents of the bill say it would leave people who've been severely injured in auto accidents without adequate medical coverage.
But the bill's sponsor said it's the only way to control the state's auto insurance costs.
BY ANTHONY RIZZO
May is Foster Care Month and House Republicans have introduced a package of bills aimed at improving the foster care process and creating a more efficient adoption process in Michigan.
The bill establishes 23 different rights to improve the foster care process and to create a more efficient adoption process overall.
The rights would provide parents access to the history of children, such as health issues, neglect or abuse the child may have suffered.
Officials say having access to each child's past is critical for parents in creating a stable home environment for them.
Republican representative Kevin Cotter is a co-sponsor of the legislation.
"We have some great families across the state. I have spoken to many of them who have opened up their homes to be foster parents, to bring in children and raise them in a stable and loving home environment; something, otherwise, they would not have access to." Cotter said.
The legislation has been introduced and is awaiting assignment for a committee hearing.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The state House has adopted a bill that would allow an Upper Peninsula wolf hunt to go ahead.
The bill would circumvent a ballot question on wolf hunting.
That's because the referendum would be on a law that was passed last year, not this piece of legislation. That referendum could be approved for the ballot later this month. Opponents say this measure is an end-run that would defy the right of voters to challenge laws they don't like. State Representative Ed McBroom is from the western UP. He said wolves are attacking pets and livestock in pockets of the UP. He said managing that problem should not be subject to a statewide vote.
"So this is an opportunity for us to take politics out of the situation." McBroom said.
Governor Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bill. There's nothing stopping opponents of a wolf hunt from launching another petition drive.
The state Natural Resources Commission could approve a plan for a wolf hunting season later this month.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A proposed overhaul of Michigan's no-fault auto insurance system has cleared its first legislative hurdle. A state House panel passed the bill Thursday on a party-line vote, with Democrats all voting "no". The committee made a number of changes to the bill. The legislation would end unlimited lifetime medical benefits for people severely injured in auto accidents. Under the bill, those benefits would be capped a million dollars.
The committee removed language that would limit the amount people could claim for home and vehicle modifications related to their injuries. But Committee Vice Chair Kate Segal said that and other changes are not enough to protect the severely injured.
"Does that help families a little bit? Yeah. Are they going to be able to take advantage of those? Probably not, because that million-dollar cap, it comes really quickly." Segal said.
The bill now goes to the floor of the state House.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The Michigan Supreme Court has declined to hear a challenge to the policy that allows live-in partners of state employees to be covered by their health coverage. The court's decision allows the policy to stand.
The benefit was negotiated as part of most state employee contracts. Attorney General Bill Schuette challenged the benefit. He says providing insurance for live-in partners violates the state's ban on recognition of same-sex marriage and civil unions. The amendment was approved by voters in 2004.
Schuette also said the policy discriminates against married couples. Lower courts dismissed Schuette's lawsuit. They said the policy does not make any distinction between people in same-sex relationships and male-female relationships. About 150 state employees currently have live-in partners and their children covered by their health plans.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder's early June deadline to finish the budget, come up with more money for roads, and expand the Medicaid program is fast approaching. Making that target could be hurt by political fights in the Legislature.
The fighting came to a head this week when Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger took the unprecedented step of stripping several Democrats of their committee assignments. The governor said he won't step in to try to resolve a dispute in a separate branch of government. But he also said the fighting does not help solve Michigan's problems.
"I don't believe in fighting. It's really a matter of saying, what's the problem we're trying to solve and let's try to solve that." Snyder said.
The governor said he's waiting, in particular, on Democrats to share some specific ideas on road funding. There aren't enough Republicans right now willing to support raising additional revenue. Democrats say they want some assurances first that the governor and Republican leaders won't pursue new anti-union measures.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Poor families could lose welfare benefits if they use drugs or their children miss school under bills passed Wednesday in the state House. The legislation has support on both sides of the aisle.
One bill would let the state cut cash assistance payments to families with kids who persistently miss school. The state Department of Human Services is already doing this, the bill would make the policy state law. Many Republicans and Democrats say it's a good way to promote school attendance in poor areas. But Democratic Representative Jeff Irwin is worried some abusive parents might be keeping their kids out of school to avoid getting turned in to the authorities.
"Now here comes the state Legislature applying a penalty to that whole family. And how do you think that parent is going to mete out that penalty on their kids, these same kids that they're already abusing." Irwin said. Another measure would allow suspicion-based drug testing of welfare recipients. Both bills now go to the state Senate.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state would not cut its film incentives under a budget bill adopted Tuesday in the state Senate. The measure would set aside 50 million dollars for the film industry.
Negotiations in Lansing over how much money should available for filmmakers will start with three very different numbers. Governor Rick Snyder wants to cut the incentives in half to 25 million dollars. The state House's budget would get rid of the incentives altogether. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said either of those plans would drive the industry out of the state.
"I just think that's it's really important that in order to sustain the industry today, 50 million dollars is, it's not the maximum to me, it's the minimum." Richardville said.
Richardville fought similar plans to cut the incentives last year. The House and Senate will negotiate a final amount in the coming weeks.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A state House committee has approved a measure that would change how hunting is managed in Michigan, and bypass a referendum on wolf hunting if it's on the ballot next year. Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta reports two questions dominated the hearing on the bill.
And that's whether hunting is an appropriate part of plans to manage wolves in the Upper Peninsula, and whether the Legislature should approve a new law to allow wolf hunts before the referendum. Ellie Mayes circulated petitions to put the referendum on the ballot.
"This is a subversion of democracy. The entire point of the bill is to do an end run around a referendum." Mayes said. "It is possible for a minority to be silenced. In this case, the minority is very isolated." McBroom said.
State Representative Ed McBroom is from the western UP. He said pets and livestock are endangered in pockets of the UP and how to manage that problem should not be a question that's voted on by the entire state.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
After fierce debate between Republicans and Democrats, two very different bills, that each have significant impacts on businesses, have passed into law.
To help businesses navigate both the Right to Work and Affordable Care Act, the Petoskey Chamber of Commerce will host two seminars, on each topic this week.
Laws can change quickly. And businesses and employees who don't keep up, could be faced with tax penalties or lost revenue.
Carlin Smith is the president for the Petoskey Chamber of Commerce. He said two upcoming seminars will act as a practical guide to help businesses adjust to Right to Work and the Affordable Care Act.
"The bottom line is both laws are in place and are moving forward, and businesses really need to know their role and responsibilities in regards to those laws. It's our job to shine light for the businesses and help them be prepared." Smith said.
"So they know and can stay ahead of the curb on what the law requires and what it means for the freedom of their employees." Fishman said.
That's Steven Fishman, the chair of the Workplace Law Group Bodman PLC. He'll be speaking on Right to Work. He said the most important thing an employer can do is stay informed.
"Employees will be asking lots of questions about this new law and employers should be prepared to answer those questions so employees can exercise their full freedoms under this new law." Fishman said.
Employers will also soon be answering questions about health care. Charles Russman, is an attorney at Bodman. He'll be speaking about the new Affordable Care Act as part two of the seminar.
Russman said he'll be concentrating on helping businesses prepare for the new law to avoid tax penalties.
"You have to give healthcare to your full time employees, which for the health care reform is 30 hours a week on average. And so if you have employees who may or may not be above that threshold it's very important to start keeping track of that and there's very specific ways that the regulation encourages you to do that." Russman said.
Russman said one concern with employees is that their health care coverage could change but Russman said, for the majority it will not, because of the type of coverage that employers are required to provide.
"You have to provide what the health care reform defines as essential health benefits, which is a list of most of the things you normally think of like pediatric care, newborn care, hospitalization, physicals, vaccinations, things like that." Russman said.
Chamber President Smith said whether or not you support Right to Work or the Affordable Care Act they are in place and Michigan businesses need to be prepared.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A plan to change Michigan's high school graduation requirements could be sent to the state House floor as early as next week.
Some Democrats are starting to embrace a few of the proposals.
Representative Ellen Lipton is the top Democrat on the House Education Committee. She said some changes are coming to one of the bills that could lead her to vote 'yes.' That bill is aimed promoting curricula designed for individual students. But she said she still can't support another bill in the package that would get rid of foreign language requirements and change math standards.
"To me, just to flat-out say, 'these are no longer requirements,' I think that that's way too drastic." Lipton said. Lipton said the state's current graduation requirements have led to higher student achievement and graduation rates. Many Republicans in Lansing say they push students away from art, music, and vocational training.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The Michigan Senate has approved legislation that would name the gray wolf and 38 other animals as game species in Michigan. The measure would also circumvent a referendum next year on wolf hunting in the Upper Peninsula.
The ballot campaign turned in more than 250 thousand petition signatures. If and when they're certified, the wolf hunting law will be suspended until after the November 2014 election. State Senator Tom Casperson said he respects the right of Michigan voters to challenge laws they don't like. But he said wildlife decisions, especially those that affect public safety, should be left to experts with the state Department of Natural Resources.
"Let's take it away from biology through referendum." Casperson said.
Opponents of wolf hunting said lawmakers should let voters decide, and not do an end run around their referendum on the earlier law. A budget expenditure that would make this new bill referendum-proof was removed just before the Senate's final vote.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A state House panel Wednesday approved a bill tying welfare benefits to children's school attendance records. Opponents say it's only meant to punish low-income families.
The bill would take an existing Michigan Department of Human Services policy and make it state law. If a child doesn't meet school attendance requirements, his or her family could lose their welfare cash assistance benefits. Opponents of the policy say the bill doesn't provide enough safeguards to make sure kids and their families are treated fairly.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
State House Republicans have dropped efforts to reduce funding to schools and local governments that adopted employee contracts that get around Michigan's new right-to-work law.
Budget bills at the state Capitol are moving forward without the sanctions. Contracts adopted before March 28th are not subject to the new law. That led to a -- scramble by many unions to negotiate contract extensions - agreeing to big concessions in some cases. State Representative Joe Haveman chairs the House Appropriations Committee.
"We decided this was the time to back off and say, let's let it go. We made our point. That's as much as we can do right now."
The effort to sanction public employers that agreed to contracts that skirt the right-to-work law failed to win the support of Governor Rick Snyder or most Senate G-O-P leaders. It did, however, dissuade some universities and schools from agreeing to the contracts.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers will start debating controversial changes to Michigan's no-fault auto insurance system this week. State House Insurance Committee Chair Pete Lund introduced the legislation Tuesday. He said he expects to hold several committee hearings on the issue to give lawmakers time to understand and discuss it.
"I don't know if in their time in Lansing they're ever going to have an issue that's quite as complicated as this. And there's so many different pieces involved that it's really going to take time for people to sit down, look it over, and figure it out." Lund said.
Michigan is the only state in the country that offers lifetime unlimited health benefits for people severely injured in auto-related accidents. The legislation would cap those benefits at a million dollars. It would also require auto insurance companies to reduce their premiums by 125-dollars in the first year.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State officials are weighing in on the immigration debate. Democrats in the state House Tuesday introduced a package of bills to change the way the Michigan treats immigrants.
Under the legislation, the state would offer in-state college tuition to some undocumented students. It would also create an office to coordinate resources and services for people hoping to become U.S. citizens. Representative Jeff Irwin said the legislation includes language he thinks Republican leaders in Lansing could support.
"There's a lot of agreement on this issue, and whether or not we can harness that agreement, capture it, and turn it into a positive change in public policy, that's remains to be seen." Irwin said.
Governor Rick Snyder has also called for making Michigan more welcoming to immigrants. He's urging Congress to lift caps on professional visas. He said immigrants are often job creators, and could play a key role in Michigan's economic recovery.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The state Senate is poised to vote on some hunting rights legislation. One measure would allow voters to amend the state constitution to guarantee hunting and fishing rights. Another would circumvent a referendum on a new law that allows wolf hunting.
The measure would let an appointed panel unilaterally create hunting seasons without waiting for a state law. Maggie Rich circulated petitions to challenge Michigan's new wolf-hunting law on next year's ballot. She showed up at a rally to oppose the legislation.
"I worked on the petition and it's sickening the way the whole process has been circumvented." Rich said.
The Senate bill could also render moot the 2006 referendum that outlawed hunting mourning doves. Supporters of the bill say state wildlife specialists should make decisions about hunting and wildlife management. And UP lawmakers say wolf incursions into cities and towns are a growing problem.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The debate over changing Michigan's no-fault auto insurance system is underway in Lansing. Governor Rick Snyder Thursday introduced his plan to end unlimited lifetime medical benefits for people severely injured in auto accidents.
The governor's plan would cap those benefits at a million dollars. Supporters like House Insurance Committee Chair Pete Lund say that's still far higher than any other state.
"Understand that right now, Michigan, when it comes to benefits, we are number one in the country. And if this bill passes, we will drop all the way to number one." Lund said.
Lund and Governor Snyder said the unlimited medical benefits are forcing insurance rates up for every driver in the state. But opponents of the changes say there's no guarantee rates will drop in the long run. They said it would just shift the costs to the Medicaid system and taxpayers. Lund introduced a bill to cap the no-fault benefits two years ago, but it never made it out of the House.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan would begin suspicion-based drug testing of welfare recipients under a bill approved Wednesday by a state House panel. The group made a number of changes to the plan. That wasn't enough to sway Democrats.
Under the most recent version of the bill, people who test positive for the first time could enroll in an addiction treatment program and still receive their benefits during that time. The drug testing would also go through a one-year trial period before being made permanent statewide. But former social worker and Democratic Representative Marcia Hover-Wright said the bill is still flawed.
"I don't think there's enough understanding on the other side of people with addictions and what's their course." Wright said.
Democrats unsuccessfully tried to add several amendments to the bill. Among other things, they would have exempted medical marijuana patients and seniors from the penalties. Supporters of the plan say the government should not be paying for people's drug habits.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers are taking up several bills that have animal rights groups either cheering or sneering. The groups are applauding a Senate panel's decision Tuesday to approve tougher penalties for animal abusers.
Animal rights lobbyists in Lansing have been busy lately. Under bills introduced recently, the worst animal abusers could get up to ten years in prison, and all convicted abusers would be put on a public registry. But lawmakers also passed a law that opens up the possibility of a wolf hunt in the U-P. That's something animal rights activists are trying to repeal with a statewide vote. Jill Fritz is with the Humane Society. She's not surprised at the amount of attention these issues are getting.
"Michiganders have made it very clear that they care a lot about animals in our state, and we want to be able to have a say in passing stronger laws to protect them." Fritz said.
The groups have been urging lawmakers to reject a measure that would make the wolf hunt immune to a voter referendum.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A state House committee is going to work on a 1.6 billion dollar plan to pay for road repair and maintenance.
Road experts say every day, three million dollars is added to the cost of restoring and maintaining Michigan's streets and highways.
State Representative Wayne Schmidt chairs the House Transportation Committee. He said fuel taxes are tough to sell, but fixing the roads has become an economic necessity.
"As our economy is starting to rebound, now is exactly the time to double down and get our transportation network going. That will, I think, speed up our progress here in Michigan." Schmidt said.
Although there would be a net increase in fuel taxes, part of the plan would exempt fuel from the six percent state sales tax. That money doesn't go to pay for roads. But the exemption would require lawmakers to replace a (b) billion dollars that would be lost to schools and local governments.
The Michigan Lottery's plan to expand instant gaming to the internet is facing some resistance from the state legislature.
The lottery has been planning on expanding to the internet since late last year.
So when legislation was introduced last week banning the lottery from doing just that, spokesperson Andi Brancato didn't have much to say.
"Certainly the members of the legislature have the prerogative to introduce bills as they see fit." Brancato said.
Brancato said offering games online makes sense for the lottery.
"Many many consumers are making a lot of their purchases over the internet. This is the way that commerce is moving in this state." Brancato said.
But critics, including State Representative Kevin Cotter, are concerned about the state getting involved with online gambling.
"While it may be available in illegal forms, online gambling is not currently allowed. So the state would really be blazing the trail on this." Cotter said.
Cotter's bill banning online lottery sales is pending before a state house committee, and has garnered a bipartisan group of co-sponsors.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
State officials say they don't expect they'll have to lay off employees due to the loss of 150 million dollars in federal funds this year and next. That's how much the state is expected to lose because of the budget standoff in Washington. That's what the state the latest estimate from the state budget office.
The state budget office said it has a plan that averts public employee layoffs. But Governor Rick Snyder said the state has no plans to replace the money lost because of sequestration, which amounts to about four-tenths of one percent of total state spending. Which is not to say the cuts won't have an impact. Most of the cuts will affect grants to schools and local governments. Among the programs that will be lost is the clothing allowance for 21 thousand low-income kids as they are about to start school.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A report said 14 percent of Lottery winners in Michigan live in households with someone on public assistance. A year-old law requires the state to match people who win more than a thousand dollars playing the Lottery against a list of people in some public assistance programs. Maura Corrigan is the director of the state Department of Human Services. She said that allowed to state to close more than 500 public assistance cases. But she said there are thousands more cases where people who won the Lottery can continue to collect. She said that's because federal laws don't permit the state to cut benefits in many cases.
"Personally, having looked at this, I think the best approach is the simplest. We ought to have a universal asset test for people." Corrigan said.
Corrigan said she will ask the Legislature to pass a law that would allow the state to recover money from Lottery winners who have some history of being on public assistance.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State House Democrats spent "tax day" pushing a plan to repeal several state tax policies. They say Republicans have put an unfair tax burden on Michigan families.
House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel said policies such as a new tax on pensions and the elimination of the $600 per-child deduction need to go.
"Tax day is never something people look forward to. And now in Michigan, it's something people look forward to even less." Greimel said.
Democrats introduced a package of bills as part of their budget priorities unveiled last week. The legislation would repeal the pension tax, raise the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, and restore deductions and other tax credits. Republicans say Democrats don't have a realistic way to pay for the plan. They say Republican policies have created a fairer tax system that promotes job growth in the state.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A bill in the state Legislature would bar Michigan law enforcement officials from assisting in the indefinite detention of U.S. citizens without trial.
The state House could vote on the bill as early as this week.
Conservative and liberal lawmakers are joining forces to denounce a provision in the National Defense Authorization Act. The federal law allows agents to arrest and hold terror suspects indefinitely, and without trial.
The bill would prohibit the Michigan National Guard and law enforcement officials from participating.
Representative Tom McMillin introduced the legislation.
"Standing up for freedom for people here in Michigan, I think, is just common sense." McMillin said.
The state Senate unanimously approved an identical bill last month.
President Obama has vowed his administration will not exercise the power.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
With the tax filing deadline right around the corner, Michigan Democrats are attacking what they call unfair Republican tax policies. They're especially targeting the state's new tax on pensions.
On their last day of session before April 15th, Senate Democrats unsuccessfully tried to force a vote to repeal the pension tax. They thought they had a shot, because a handful of Republicans also want to get rid of it. Democratic Senator Vincent Gregory said the tax burden is shifting from corporations to seniors and middle-class families.
"When Governor Snyder says he wants to cut taxes, he means for businesses, not people." Gregory said.
"Budgeting in the state of Michigan cannot be done one-sided." Kahn said.
Senate Appropriations Chair Roger Kahn said if Democrats want to repeal the pension tax, they need to come up with a way to pay for it. He says taxing pensions like most other types of retirement accounts is fairer than pushing the tax burden back onto businesses.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The campaign to block wolf hunting in Michigan was dealt a setback Thursday. As a state Senate panel approved a bill that would effectively circumvent a referendum on the law to allow wolf hunting in Michigan.
The bill would allow wolves and 38 other game species to be hunted. And it could not be challenged by a voter referendum.
Joyce Janicki circulated petitions to call a referendum on the wolf-hunting law. She said what lawmakers are trying to do is not fair.
"What I'm really concerned about is my rights being taken away. You know, democracy has really been stepped on today." Janicki said.
The petitions to put the wolf-hunting referendum on the November 2014 ballot are awaiting certification by elections officials. In the meantime, the state Natural Resources Commission is moving ahead with plans for a limited wolf hunt in the Upper Peninsula.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A set of bills was just introduced in the Legislature to begin the process of overhauling Michigan's public defender system. Michigan's system is considered one of the worst in the country.
That's because every county handles its own public defender appointments with no standards for training, paying lawyers, or managing caseloads. Marcella Westrate is with the Michigan Campaign for Justice. She said poorly trained and overburdened lawyers can lead to problems.
"So we do in Michigan end up with some people who end up serving a longer sentence than they actually should have." Westrate said.
Westrate says longer sentences mean higher corrections costs. Governor Rick Snyder has made improving indigent defense in Michigan a priority.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network The Michigan Department of Human Services would lose more than a thousand workers under a plan in the state House. Opponents say the cuts would put children and low-income families at risk.
The Department of Human Services handles things like child welfare, juvenile justice, and food assistance. Republicans on a state House budget panel say the proposed cuts reflect dropping DHS caseloads and new technologies that make the department more efficient. Representative Peter MacGregor chairs the subcommittee.
"There has to be some proportionate workforce reduction. And that's what I did. I tried to reduce the workforce comparable to the caseload." MacGregor said.
But Democrats and DHS officials say the cuts are extreme and would make it difficult for the department to do an adequate job. Although caseloads have dropped, they say the department was overburdened before. They say Governor Rick Snyder's proposal for lighter staff cuts is more appropriate.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
A new survey shows an overwhelming majority of Michiganders support increasing the minimum wage rate. The results come just after hundreds of New York fast food workers took to the street in protest of what they call unlivable wages.
The survey was conducted by Oakland County Commissioner David Woodward and an independent group known as Progress Michigan. The online survey showed 70 percent of respondents favored increasing Michigan's minimum wage to nine dollars and hour.
Zack Pohl, director of Progress Michigan, said increasing the minimum wage rate would help bring people out of poverty.
"People who work about 40 hours a week earning the state's current minimum wage only earns about 15 thousand a year before taxes." Pohl said.
Charlie Owens is the state director for the National Federation of Independent Business in Michigan. He said that's ok because it isn't the heads of households who make minimum wage.
"These are young adults that are working in jobs while they're in school, high school and college and still living at home." Owens said.
Pohl said a bill is expected to be introduced in the house that would increase the minimum wage next week.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State House Democrats say they want to spend an additional half-a-billion dollars on public education and cut taxes for middle-class families. They announced a set of budget priorities Monday that also include expanding Medicaid.
Lawmakers are in the middle of discussions about the next state budget. Rashida Tlaib is the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. She said the governor's budget continues a trend of Republican policies that hurt the state's middle-class.
"We cannot afford to continue spending taxpayer funds on huge tax breaks for big corporations. We need to focus on improving the lives of Michigan residents." Tlaib said.
The Democrats' plan calls for a billion-and-a-half dollars in new spending on education, tax cuts for middle-class residents and seniors, and small business investments. They say they would pay for that partly by eliminating government waste and cutting corporate tax breaks. Republican leaders say their fiscal policies have helped spur Michigan's economic recovery.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state Legislature is back in session this week after a two-week break. Some lawmakers are calling for action on proposed changes to the state's no-fault auto insurance system. Opponents of the changes say legislators need more information before discussions can begin.
Michigan is the only state that offers unlimited medical benefits for life to people injured in auto accidents. The agency that pays those benefits is facing a lawsuit, saying it should make public how it comes up with the annual fee to drivers that pays those medical bills. Attorney George Sinas represents the groups that filed the lawsuit.
"Why won't they produce this? And I think that the answer's simple, they've got something to hide." Sinas said.
The Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association said most of that information is already available. But the MCCA recently appealed a circuit court ruling that the agency is subject to the Freedom of Information Act.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers return from a two-week break next week. One of the most pressing issues they'll need to tackle is funding for roads. One proposal seems to be gaining some momentum.
The idea is to boost the state sales tax by a penny. House Appropriations Chair Joe Haveman said that'll be the easiest plan to sell to lawmakers and voters. He said it's important to reach an agreement as soon as possible.
"I hope we can get to a conclusion or consensus this week or next week to move forward and start putting a plan out there." Haveman said.
Lawmakers are trying to raise more than a billion dollars to pay for road projects and maintenance this year. Other ideas include boosting the state's gas tax and vehicle registration fees. A one-cent sales tax increase would have to be approved by voters.
With the recent passage of "Right-to-Work" legislation, a lot of people are questioning the future of labor unions in Michigan.
Central Michigan University will host a panel discussion on the next week.
The labor debate is part of the university's semiannual Griffin Policy Forum.
This time around, it's featuring some heavy hitters, including former Lt. Governor John Cherry, Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO Rich Studley, David Hecker with the American Federation of Teachers, and Vincent Vernuccio with the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.
Maxine Berman organized the forum.
"Hopefully in these kind of discussions, with four very intelligent and savvy people who feel very strongly, that people will come away with maybe some ah-ha moments." Berman said.
The forum is Monday evening at 7, in the Park Library Auditorium at CMU, and is open to the public.
BY STEVE CARMODY
Michigan has 90 new state police troopers.
The troopers were sworn in Friday in Lansing.
The new troopers join a Michigan State Police force that is at its lowest staffing levels since the 1960's.
Governor Rick Snyder promised the new troopers that will change.
"We didn't invest, largely over an 8 year period and we had a lot of attrition. But now we're changing that trend. The Michigan State Police is going to grow because of your role." Snyder said.
The new trooper class had experiences beyond the academy.
Members of the recruiting class were deployed to New Jersey in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy. They also assisted with security during an anti-Right to Work union rally in December.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
As spring arrives, many teens in Michigan are hitting tanning salons. State Representative Jim Townsend wants that to stop.
"Tanning beds and cigarettes have a lot more in common than you'd think. They both cause cancer and we shouldn't be allowing kids under the age of 18 to have access to either one." Townsend said.
Townsend has sponsored a bill that would require tanning salons in the state to check IDs and turn away minors. Michigan already requires tanning salon customers to sign informed consent forms.
Townsend hopes his bill gets a hearing after the Legislature returns from its spring break next week.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A new state law to fund harbor dredging is giving gay rights activists an unusual reason to celebrate.
Governor Rick Snyder this week signed into law a new loan program to maintain private marinas. The law states marinas are not eligible for the program if they discriminate against customers based on a number of factors like race and religious beliefs. That's pretty common. But this law also puts sexual orientation on the list. And that's very uncommon. It's only the third time sexual orientation is even mentioned in state law. The ACLU of Michigan's Shelli Weisberg said it sends a message to state lawmakers.
"That it's something that they can cover, they can put into bills, they can talk about protecting as a class, and the world is not going to fall in." Weisberg said.
But until the state's civil rights laws are changed, Weisberg said it will still be legal to discriminate based on sexual orientation in almost every setting.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Cell phone addicted kids will now have to curb their cravings if they want to get behind the wheel, or face a 100 dollar fine, starting yesterday.
The restriction known as Kelsey's Law prohibits teens with probationary licences from using a cell phone while driving.
The matter was brought to the attention of Republican State Senator Howard Walker, of Traverse City, by a mother who had lost her daughter in a cell phone caused crash in 2010.
"I really felt like it was common sense and something that parent's of new drivers would appreciate. I along with many others were really just one of Bonnie's helpers, she was the driving force." Walker said.
The law applies to probationary drivers with level 1 or 2 licenses.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan is officially a right-to-work state. That means, as existing union contracts expire, workers can opt out of paying dues and fees. Defenders and opponents of the law marked the day in different ways.
This was the state Capitol last December as the Legislature debated and voted on right-to-work.
"Kill the bill!" And this was the steps of the Capitol as the clock struck noon on the day the law took effect.
About 30 protesters, many with tape over their mouths, held a silent vigil. GM worker and union member Brett Brown was one of them. He said unions will use the courts and the ballot to try to get the law reversed.
"Right to work is temporary." Brown said.
Brown said right-to-work's not fair because people can opt out of paying union dues, but, by law, cannot be denied union protection. "Everyone is going to realize, wow, this really was good for the worker because it made unions stronger in the long run." Bowman said.
Terry Bowman of Union Conservatives said that's because unions will have to compete for workers' loyalty and dues.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan officially becomes a right-to-work state Thursday. There's still plenty of fights left over the new law that says employees cannot be required to pay union dues or fees.
Some Republicans are threatening budget sanctions for public employers that have signed extended labor bargains that would delay the effects of the law. Labor groups plan to mark the day with protests and vigils, including one at the state Capitol. Governor Rick Snyder said he's not concerned.
"Sometimes change is difficult for people and I appreciate that. But we need to keep moving forward and we're showing progress, and I think you're going to see a continuation of that progress." Snyder said.
"This is a sad day, but it's just another day in a continuing fight. This isn't over with." Pratt said.
That's Doug Pratt of the Michigan Education Association. There are at least three legal challenges to the law pending. And Democrats say right-to-work will be a big issue in elections next year.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder is applauding the Michigan House for approving legislation that would expand a state-run authority for struggling schools. The bill has been one of the governor's top priorities for months.
The state's Education Achievement Authority is designed to turn around the state's lowest-achieving schools.
Legislation to expand the EAA statewide were introduced late last year, but never moved out of committee. Democrats and Republicans both expressed doubt about letting the state take over schools in their districts.
Governor Snyder said the state can already take control of public schools.
"I think this is a good bill because it really provides better legislative oversight and get them participating in the process. So I view it as a continuous improvement step." Snyder said.
Democrats say parents and communities would have no control over local schools that are taken over under the measure.
The bill now goes to the state Senate.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A state-run authority would be able to take over struggling schools across the state under a bill approved by the state House Thursday.
Republican lawmakers want to expand the Education Achievement Authority statewide. It began overseeing 15 schools in Detroit last September. But Democratic Representative David Nathan of Detroit said it's too early to tell if the EAA is working.
"If you believe that this works, or this is something that we should do, let the data prove it." Nathan said.
Supporters of expanding the authority say it gives failing schools the resources they need to turn around. Republicans introduced a similar bill last year, but it stalled in the face of skepticism from Democrats and Republicans. The legislation now goes to the state Senate.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state House has approved more than 20 million dollars for emergency harbor dredging.
Governor Rick Snyder is asking for the money to address record-low water levels in the Great Lakes. He said ships and recreational boaters aren't able to get in and out of harbors. Ari Adler is a spokesperson for House Speaker Jase Bolger. He said it's important to pass the legislation quickly.
"When you're looking at industry and tourism and everything else that goes on involving lakes and harbors in Michigan, we need to take care of some of those." Adler said.
The legislation got overwhelming bi-partisan support in the state House. It now goes to the Senate for a final vote.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Yesterday we talked about the Michigan Department of Correction's decision to possibly reopen one of two currently closed prisons with a private contractor.
States are continuing to move toward privatization, and for-profit-prisons are building a reputation as a cost saver, but not without some criticism.
Ernesto Salinas is a guard at St. Louis Correctional Facility. He moved there after the Standish prison closed in 2009. He said low wages offered by private prisons result in a higher turnover rate. And a higher turnover rate, he said equates to less experienced guards.
"When there's new people coming in every week, if somebody comes in and attacks you or jumps you, or there's a three man fight and you have to break it up yourself because the guy next to you is either scared or inexperienced, it's not his fault, he just doesn't know what to do. We're trained from day one on how to deal with that." Salinas said.
"We think private prisons are dangerous, they're not good for the staff, they're not good for the prisoners." He said.
Mel Grieshaber is with the Michigan Corrections Organization. He represents the union of state corrections workers. He said inexperience is only one of the problems that come with high turnover rates.
"It's well known that there's a large number of staffing vacancies often in the private prisons, the pay is much lower, and that's probably why the turnover rate is so great. And you've got to remember that for correctional officers staffing equates to safety." Grieshaber said.
Self-reported industry statistics, show the average private prison turnover rate is 43 percent. Compared to 14 percent in public prisons. State Senator Darwin Booher represents Lake County, among others. He's vice chair of the Senate appropriations committee.
He said he hasn't seen the numbers showing there is a high turnover rate. But he said guards working in any Michigan prison will be adequately trained.
"Any contract the state would get into would get into with any private contractor, whether it be GEO or anyone else, they would keep them to the same standards they would to their own employees." Booher said.
The last relationship the state had with a private prison contractor ended in a lawsuit. A watchdog group filed suit against the former Michigan Youth Correctional Facility in Lake County.
The facility is still Michigan's only privately owned prison.It's one being considered for reopening.
Mark Cody is the legal director at Michigan and Advocacy Services. He helped file the suit against prison contractor, GEO Group.
Cody said he filed the suit to challenge the conditions and confinement of the youth at the facility.
"Our contention was the overuse of segregation, the isolation that resulted from that, keeping someone locked in a cell 23 hours a day, particularly a youth offender with emotional problems amounted to cruel and unusual punishment." Cody said.
The case was brought to court in 2005. It was settled six years later.
Senator Booher said he's confident if the prison were to reopen under private management the same mistakes would not be repeated.
"The state, in the contract, would have someone in there, who would be hired as a contract monitor and would be in the facility at all times." Booher said.
One state that apparently didn't keep a close eye on its private prison ended up being sued for human rights violations.
Jody Owens is the Mississippi State Director of the Southern Poverty Law Center. He assisted with the civil suit against GEO Group for misconduct in a juvenile facility.
"Routinely these individuals were allowed to fight, stab one another, have sexual interactions between the guards and the kids, young men in the facility. The drug paraphernalia in this facility was just amazing to think that the kids inside this facility could get more things inside then they could in the free world." Owens said.
Senator Booher said any prison, public or private can have problems.
"The number of lawsuits we have in our own prison system is kind of scary. In this current year's budget we have more than 15 million in settlement lawsuits in our own prison system so when you look at that you think, well hold on a minute, what are we doing?" Booher said.
GEO Group denied our requests for an interview but did state in an email that the problems associated with the Mississippi facility were inherited and GEO was not given adequate time to fix the problems before the lawsuit was filed.
Ultimately, Senator Booher said if something tragic were to happen in a prison, private or public, the state would be held responsible.
As of now the state of Michigan is accepting bids until April.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
The Department of Corrections is working to downsize its budget by reopening one of two currently closed prisons with private contractors.
The most recent Request for Proposal, or RFP, would have privatized food and health services statewide. It was turned down by the state for failing to meet the mandatory 5 percent savings.
The decision is laying ground for a larger debate over whether or not the RFP for private management contracts is fair.
The state has one of the largest corrections budgets in the nation, amounting to 1.6 billion last year.
The department of corrections is now looking to cut costs through privatizing services, from food to management.
Republican State Representative Greg MacMaster of Kewadin serves on the appropriations and corrections committees.
He said "overhead" costs are contributing to the state's large corrections budget.
"It's unfortunate that 82 and a half percent of our total budget goes to pensions, benefits and 401k's, 82 percent of our budget, that's absurd." MacMaster said.
The state is working to cut costs by reopening either the Standish or Lake County prison with private contractors. Bids are due in April but MacMaster said he doesn't believe that state will get any in.
"Some of the latest RFP's that have been put out have given a clear indication they have no intent on anybody winning the bid because if any business did they could go bankrupt and that's not fair to the people of Michigan and those that are paying their money to the state of Michigan in taxes, I want to make sure that the RFP process is fair and it is not fair." MacMaster said.
McMaster said another concern with the RFP is that it does not guarantee a private company will get any Michigan prisoners.
"They indicated that the Michigan Department of Corrections would not determine how many prisoners would go to the newly opened prisons. There was no guarantee that there would be any prisoners shifted over there, however if there was going to be a contractor who was going to win that bid, that they would have to fully staff the prison, with services before they could win that bid and again that might not be even fully realized." MacMaster said.
Russ Marlan, with the Department of Corrections, said the contractors would state in their bid how many state prisoners they would like to house.
"Our budget boilerplate language this year contains language that requires us to put this bid out. For custody beds it said that the department shall issue this request for proposal for up to 1,750 custody beds, it's something the legislature is requiring us to do and I think the reasoning is to benchmark our costs." Marlan said.
Marlan said the corrections department realizes the high costs of housing prisoners and are sincere in efforts to be more economical.
"One of the motivating factors for legislators that sit on our appropriations committees is just to see. They know what costs are for us, lets see what a private provider could come in and do it for. So I think it's to create that type of competition." Marlan said.
Curtis Hillman is the city manager of Standish is watching this process carefully. He said he's keeping his finger crossed that the state will reopen the prison in his town.
"It's good for our community in that it creates jobs, it creates maybe 300 or more jobs, I don't know, I haven't heard a number. But it'll bring people to our community, people to buy homes, we have a lot of homes right now that are for sale that people can't find buys. So I think it'd be a nice change to bring these jobs to our community." Hillman said.
But MacMaster said the jobs are still a pipe dream. He said he doesn't believe either of the prisons will be reopened under the current RFP.
Marlan said he's not worried about getting bids.
"We will get bids on it, we've heard from potential bidders, I don't think it'll be an issue, I think we will receive bids." Marlan said.
In the meantime the Michigan Corrections Organization; that's the corrections officers union is watching the issue closely. It said the biggest concern is the safety of prisons run by private management.
We'll hear more on that when our coverage continues tomorrow.
BY CONSUELO MCABOY
As Washington works toward federal legislation to combat gun violence in schools and public places, Michigan is addressing the issue at the state level.
A new bill aims to close what supporters of the measure say is a loophole in the state's gun law.
House Bill 4104 is meant to matching Michigan's concealed carry law and the open carry law.
Currently, individuals cannot carry a concealed weapon into any so-called "gun free zones" places like schools, malls and restaurants. Weapons under concealed carry must not be in public view.
However, that is not the case for those who open carry which allows someone to carry or "show" a firearm out in public.
Representative Andy Schor is the bill's sponsor.
"If you have a holstered gun on your belt and its shown, you can walk into a school and they can't do anything about it. They cannot tell you to leave because you have a gun, they can't tell you to take your gun off and put it in your car, they can't do anything about it so it's a loophole." Schor said.
Schor said he thinks changing the current legislation would ensure more safety in schools and keep the focus of educating students as primary.
BY JAKE NEHER
Governor Rick Snyder is standing by his choice to manage Detroit's finances. That's despite the fact that Kavyn Orr missed paying some taxes.
The city's new emergency financial manager said he didn't know about two tax liens against his Maryland home until The Detroit News reported it over the weekend. Kevyn Orr said he has since paid the taxes in full. Governor Snyder said his office did a good job vetting Orr before selecting him for the job.
"You can always improve the process, but we did a very thorough process. And he's a good person that has resolved the issue, and we're just going to move forward." Snyder said.
Snyder said the situation has not changed his opinion that Orr is the right person to turn around Detroit's finances. Orr said the taxes went unpaid because of an oversight by an accountant he hired.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio
A commission will spend six months studying the problem of human trafficking and child prostitution in Michigan. The task force will make recommendations on how to fight human trafficking, including new state laws.
Human trafficking can include forced prostitution, involuntary servitude, and forced labor. Human trafficking activity increases during big events like the Detroit auto show and periods where low-wage employers are looking for labor. Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette convened the task force.
"This modern-day form of bondage is one of the world's fastest-growing crimes." Schuette said.
Schuette said one of the issues that needs to be addressed is how little data there is on the scope of human trafficking in Michigan. Advocates have long sought a state law that protects victims of human trafficking from being charged with prostitution or some other crime if they seek help.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder will have final say on a bill that would let tourists handle and take pictures with bear cubs. The state Senate Tuesday approved changes made by the House last week.
The bill would let the public handle cubs up to 36 weeks old or less than 90 pounds. Some lawmakers worried the measure would lead to a surge of new bear petting zoos across the state looking to cash in on the experience. But lawmakers in the state House last week limited the bill so it would only apply to businesses already offering bear petting. Bill sponsor Senator Tom Casperson had opposed the change, but said it was necessary to get enough votes in the House.
"We thought we were being reasonable with those that might have objections that we're not running around trying to expand this operation. That was a big question that kept being asked." Casperson said.
Critics of the bill said the operations are not safe for humans or bears. Governor Rick Snyder vetoed similar legislation last year because it included other measures he opposed.
BY JESI MUNGUIA
A request for federal disaster assistance in Mecosta County, tied to severe flooding along the Muskegon River earlier this year, has been approved.
The disaster declaration covers Mecosta and neighboring counties.
That opens up funding from the U.S. Small Business Administration, to cover cleanup costs from the flood damage.
Nicole Lisabeth is a spokesperson with the Michigan State Police.
Officials with the Small Business Administration are currently in Mecosta County, and they're going to be there thru March 20. For residents to come out who were impacted and may be eligible.
Lisabeth said more than 25 homes and or businesses were affected by the flooding.
Individuals and businesses that think they may be eligible for financial assistance can apply online at sba.gov.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The top Democrat in the state House said Republican lawmakers are trying to bully schools and universities into rejecting new union contracts.
State House Minority Leader Tim Greimel is asking Republican leaders in Lansing to denounce what he calls "scare tactics." Any union contracts signed before the end of this month will not be subject to the state's new right-to-work law. Some Republican lawmakers say schools that negotiate long-term contracts before that time should not be eligible for state performance grant money. Greimel said schools should not be punished for doing something that's completely legal.
"Just like in a number of other areas, until laws come into effect, people don't have to comply with those laws either." Greimel said.
Republicans say long-term contracts would be bad for taxpayers and students. Professors at Ferris State University have filed a complaint against the school for rejecting a contract it had initially supported. They say the university likely feared losing state funding.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A Republican state lawmaker wants school officials to justify employee contracts that could be used to skirt Michigan's new right-to-work law. The right-to-work law takes effect March 28th but cannot supersede existing contracts. In some cases, those contracts will allow teachers' unions to continue collecting mandatory dues and fees for as long as 10 years. Schools have used the negotiations to get concessions on salaries and work rules.
State Representative Tom McMillin is calling school officials before his oversight committee. He said he wants them to prove taxpayers are getting their money's worth out of the contracts. Most recently, he called on Warren Consolidated Schools to appear.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Veteran U.S. Senator Carl Levin has announced he will not seek reelection next year.
Carl Levin, a Democrat, has served in the Senate since 1979. He announced his decision via an e-mail sent by his office.
Levin said his choice not to seek reelection will allow him to focus on some critical issues without the distraction of campaigning. The chairman of the Senate Armed Services Committee said one of those is shifting responsibility for security in Afghanistan to the Afghan military. Levin said he will also spend his final two years in the Senate working to help manufacturing, shut down the ways corporations avoid paying taxes, and closing ways that powerful special interests secretly finance political campaigns.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A decision on whether Michigan's gay marriage ban is constitutional will wait until this summer. A federal judge in Detroit says he wants to see how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on a pair of gay marriage cases before he makes his ruling.
This started out as a case on adoption rights for same-sex couples. Jayne Rouse and April DeBoer are raising three children together. But under the law, they don't share joint legal rights and responsibilities. An emotional April DeBoer said she's disappointed there was no ruling after the hearing, but she remains hopeful.
"We will wait til June and see what the Supreme Court has to say and that we will finally get the rights to our children." DeBoer said.
The state attorney general argued that marriage is not a basic right, and so changing laws about marriage and adoption should be left to the Legislature or voters.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder is pushing lawmakers to act soon on a plan to raise more than a billion dollars in new revenue for roads and transportation projects.
Governor Snyder wants a revenue package ready in time for projects to begin in the coming spring and summer construction season. A deal does not seem to be near, but lawmakers are discussing different ideas. The governor said that's promising.
"Obviously, there are pros and cons to any approach. There are no perfect answers, but there are good answers that should be possible out of this." Snyder said.
The governor said he's pleased there seems to general agreement that roads need to be fixed, even if there's no agreement yet on how to pay for it.
One proposal would raise the sales tax by a one percentage point. That would have to approved by voters. That idea would have to clear the Legislature this week to appear on the ballot in May.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Lawmakers in Lansing are beginning the months-long task of approving a budget for the next fiscal year. Almost as soon as Governor Rick Snyder released his proposed budget, legislators on both sides of the aisle started questioning a plan to add money to the state's savings account. A lot of people have a lot of other ideas on how to use that money.
Picture this. You've got a little bit of extra cash, and you're thinking about putting it in your savings account. You've got some debt, some bills to pay, things you've needed to take care of for a while. Money's been tight. Let's also assume that you have a family with other opinions about how to use that money. So this is sort of what's happening in Lansing right now. It's not a perfect comparison. Government is not a family. And you're not going to be voted out of your family for your ideas about what to do with the cash. But the point is, saving money isn't easy or fun for anyone. That brings us to Michigan's Budget Stabilization Fund, or as it's more commonly known, the "Rainy Day Fund." It's the state's savings account. Governor Rick Snyder wants to add 75 million dollars to it this year. There's about half-a-billion dollars in the fund right now. When Snyder took office, the account was almost empty. We're talking around two million dollars. According to economists, that's like having five dollars in your savings account. The governor has been trying to build up the fund. He said that would help improve the state's credit rating. Michigan would get better interest rates. And there would be money on hand to protect against huge budget cuts in case of an emergency. The state can add to the account or take money out of it for pretty much any reason if the governor and lawmakers can agree on it. And that's where things get tricky.
"It's been raining in our schools ever since this governor took office, and we have a responsibility to put that money in our schools now." Snyder said.
That's Democratic state Representative Brandon Dillon. He and many other Democrats said the money should be put back into education. Some of the more conservative Republicans in the Legislature like Tom McMillin have a different idea.
"I mean, if we've got extra money sitting around, I'd prefer to pull up an upcoming tax cut three months earlier or six months earlier and get it out." McMillin said.
McMillin said government has a responsibility to return money it doesn't spend on programs to taxpayers.
"It's a matter of whether the money should be sitting in a bank or sitting in our citizens pockets." McMillin said.
And then there's another plan backed by Republicans like state Senator Geoff Hansen.
"We need to transfer funds from the Budget Stabilization Fund into a dredging grants program." Hansen said.
With Great Lakes water levels at an all-time low, Hansen said the state's shipping industry faces an emergency. He said the state needs 30 million dollars to dredge harbors so ships can get in and out. His plan would take most or all of that money from the Rainy Day Fund. But Governor Snyder's budget chief, John Nixon, said that money should not come out of the state's savings.
"A lot of these issues that are being talked about, while they're valid to bring up, we feel that there's really an opportunity to address some of those in other areas in the budget, and that we really should be protecting that rainy day fund for real structurally unsustainable situations." Nixon said. Mitch Bean is an economist and former director of the nonpartisan state House Fiscal Agency. He said it's typically a challenge for governors to keep or add dollars to the "rainy day" fund.
"When you get a pot of money and there's, honestly, a bunch of politicians, everybody and their brother thinks there's these wonderful things it just absolutely has to be spent for." Bean said.
Bean points to the last year-and-a-half of Governor John Engler's administration in the early 2000s. He said a relatively light recession forced the state to spend over three billion dollars in surpluses in 18 months.
Now remember, with Governor Snyder's budget proposal, the Rainy Day Fund would be worth less than 700-million dollars.
Bean said that won't go far at all if there's a budget crisis.
"As we've seen, you can blow through a billion dollars in no time. And we've cut a lot of services already. And next go around if we've got to cut a billion dollars, it's going to be even harder." Bean said.
And Bean said a lot could be riding on how politicians in Washington handle the possibility of sequestration. Michigan could lose a lot of money if across-the-board spending cuts become a reality.
Bean and John Nixon said that's the sort of financial crisis that would justify raiding the state's piggy bank.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A bill to accept federal money for a healthcare exchange in Michigan is on its way to the state Senate. The House passed the legislation Thursday with bi-partisan support.
The state would form a partnership with the federal government to create and run a website people could use to buy health insurance under the Affordable Care Act. The legislation would allow the state to accept more than 30 million dollars from Washington to set up the exchange. Republican state Representative Bob Genetski voted against the bill. He says there are too many unanswered questions about what the healthcare law will mean for Michigan.
"Until the feds can tell us how all this is going to work or what it's going to look like, I'm apprehensive to go along with them on much of anything."
Republican House leaders say a federal partnership is the state's only choice if it wants to keep some control over the exchange. The bill now goes to the state Senate.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
 Governor Rick Snyder has named a circuit judge from Macomb County to fill a vacancy on the state Supreme Court.
David Viviano is Macomb County's chief judge. He ran once as a Republican for county prosecutor. As a candidate, Viviano opposed abortion and same-sex marriage and favored the death penalty. He said those questions did not come up when he interviewed for the job of state Supreme Court justice.
"This position, I find professionally to be very challenging and hopefully also to be very rewarding." Viviano said.
Viviano said he wants to update court technology so it's easier for people to interact with the legal system.
He will have to run for the job next year in an election. He replaces Justice Diane Hathaway, who resigned last month in a scandal.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The state Senate has approved legislation that would outlaw consensual sexual relationships between school personnel and students who are between the ages of 18 and 20.
Relationships between teachers and students who are younger than 18 are already illegal. Republican state Senator Rick Jones said in a school setting, the age of the student should not make a difference.
"When you have power and authority over somebody, you cannot have a consensual relationship." Jones said. "Criminalizing sex between consenting adults puts us in a whole other trajectory that we'd have to look at legally." Weisber said.
Shelli Weisberg of the American Civil Liberties Union said teacher-student sexual relationships may be wrong, but making them illegal may be going too far. She said school personnel can be fired for inappropriate relationships with students regardless of their age.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A Detroit lawmaker has left the Democratic Party to form a one-person independent caucus in the state Legislature. State Representative John Olumba said his decision allows him to negotiate directly with Republicans instead of going through Democratic leaders. He said Democrats take Detroit and African American support for granted.
"The Democratic Party has to start recognizing its most-loyal constituency which is the African Americans and the people of Detroit, which in every election, we voted 99 percent Democratic."Olumba said.
Olumba is ranked as one of the Legislature's most liberal lawmakers.
State House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel said he has reached out to Olumba and other Detroit lawmakers. Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger said he did nothing to encourage Olumba to break with Democrats.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A bill to expand the state's public sex offender registry is a step closer to becoming law. It passed the state House Tuesday with overwhelming bi-partisan support.
The measure would add people who've been convicted of crimes that involve minors, such as indecent exposure and possession of child pornography. It passed unanimously in the state Senate. Only three lawmakers voted against the bill in the House. Representative Kevin Cotter said people should have any information that will help them protect children.
"These are the types of charges that have a propensity to lead to greater crimes." Cotter said.
Opponents of the measure say it would add people to the registry that should not be there. They said that would water down the list and make it less effective in promoting public safety. The bill now goes back to the state Senate for a final vote.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state's "rainy day" savings fund could get tapped to pay for emergency harbor dredging. That's if a group of Republican state Senators has its way.
With water levels at record lows, the group says the Great Lakes could use a rainy day. It wants to open 30 million dollars in state savings for emergency dredging.
The Senators say the fund is meant for emergencies, and low water levels are clearly causing one for the state's shipping industry.
State Senator John Pappageorge said barges carrying fuel to Michigan aren't able to bring full loads.
"That means more trips and higher gas prices. All of us have a stake in doing something about our dredging issue." Pappageorge said.
Governor Rick Snyder included more than 20 million dollars for emergency harbor dredging in his proposed budget. That money would not come from the state's savings account.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said he'll be ready to move ahead with a state takeover of Detroit city hall, depending on the results of a financial review that should wrap within several days. The governor spoke Monday with Detroit-area business leaders.
The deadline for the state-appointed review team to wrap up the job is early next week, although it could ask for an extension. But the governor said he expects to see recommendations soon.
"I don't want to unduly make them feel pressured because the important thing is the quality of their work product, not me pushing on them to get it done quicker." Snyder said.
Governor Snyder said he's already talked to prospective emergency managers in case a state takeover is called for. But he said the fact that he has a short list of candidates does not mean he's made up his mind.
The governor said he does want decisive action, though, because Detroit's troubles have persisted and built over decades and it's time to lay them to rest.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
There's a fight underway over who will lead the Michigan Democratic Party for the next two years. And it's largely a fight among unions for influence in the party.
That this fight broke out into the open is a bit of a surprise. Michigan's union leaders typically like to keep their spats out of the public eye.
"One of the biggest things about the union movement is it stresses solidarity." Maynard said.
Micki Maynard is a journalist and a visiting professor at Central Michigan University who has long followed politics and organized labor.
"'Solidarity Forever,' that's the famous song and if you're in the union movement, you feel that you have brothers and sisters in the movement, and so unions don't like to make their squabbles public because that frays the perception that everyone is on the same side." Maynard said.
Well, too late. Unions are lining up on both sides of the race for Democratic Party chair. The United Auto Workers and its president, Bob King, want long-time chair Mark Brewer out. One reason: A lot of Democrats said their party should have done better in 2012, when President Obama won the state by more than nine points.
"I'm frustrated that the gains we've continuously made at the national level are not being made at the state level." Johnson said.
Meet Lon Johnson, who is challenging Brewer. He's not well known by the general public, but is quite well-known in Michigan Democratic circles. He's worked on presidential, Senate, and congressional campaigns, knows how to fundraise, and came close to winning a Republican-held state House seat in northern Michigan last year.
Johnson said he's the guy to raise the Democrats' game in Michigan. "These are modern campaigns. They're professionally developed. They're professionally executed. And they're run very well and, obviously, voters receive these messages and they win. Obviously, that's not so at the state level." He said.
That's the complaint, that Democrats keep winning national campaigns in Michigan: six presidential victories in row, U-S Senate races, and often by big margins. But those margins don't hold further down the ticket in legislative races. And that's cost labor big.
Last year was not a good one for unions. A ballot bid to put a host of union rights into the state constitution took a shellacking in November, and then Republicans used their controlling position in Lansing to push through a right-to-work law.
"We are!!" "The union!!"
Unions yelled, protesters filled the Capitol, but they couldn't stop it.
A lot of Democrats said their party and organized labor would have been better served by focusing more on state House races than an ill-fated ballot question.
"When Republicans have control of the governor's office, the Legislature, and the Supreme Court, you don't have much option. If you want to affect policy change, that's the option." Brewer said.
Mark Brewer said that's because Republicans drew the legislative district maps to the benefit of GOP candidates. So how does Brewer want to fix that? Another ballot question. He wants to put a question before voters in 2014 to change how districts are drawn.
No one can say Brewer lacks know-how and experience. He's has been the state Democratic Party chair for 18 years.
"And I'm doing what I do every two years when I'm running for reelection, which is I go out and I make the case. Here's what I've done. Here are my plans for the next two years, and I'm very content to let the voters at our state convention in late February make the decision on whether I get another term or not." Brewer said.
That's from Brewer's appearance on WNMU TV in Marquette.
Brewer has the support of the Michigan Education Association and a lot of local party chairs. Democrats have to make big strategic choices as the decline in union membership is expected to accelerate now that Michigan is a right-to-work state. The Detroit party convention could be a classic political rumble with floor fights, and battles over rules and credentialing delegates. Democrats and union leaders hope to avoid that sort of spectacle, but for now, solidarity will have to wait.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Immigrant rights groups are cheering Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's decision to allow people brought to the U.S. as children to get a driver's license. The change in policy reflects new federal guidelines that grant this group status as temporary residents of the U.S..
Areli Garcia was brought to the U.S. 20 years ago when she was three. Her parents were not legal residents at the time. Garcia grew up in metro Detroit and recently graduated from college with a degree in business administration. She was getting ready to move to Chicago. Now she said she'll look for a job closer to home with the car she got as a graduation gift.
"So it's just a car, sitting in the driveway, that I couldn't really drive. Now I will. I'll use it to take my sister to school, to work." Garcia said.
Garcia said she'd like next to become a citizen of the country she's lived in almost her entire life, instead of worrying about what happens if and when her legal status changes.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Thousands of children of illegal immigrants in Michigan are now eligible for a driver's license or official state ID. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson Friday reversed a policy that denied them licenses despite their status as legal residents.
The American Civil Liberties Union went to court to demand a change in Michigan's policy. The state was one of just a handful that said illegal immigrants' children who were not born in the U.S. could not get a license. These are people who were brought to the U.S. when they were 16 years old or younger. They range in age from 15 to 31. Last year, U.S. immigration policy was changed to allow this group temporary legal residency. And this was supposed to allow these young people to lead normal lives, go to school, get a job. Johnson said a review of new federal guidelines convinced her to change the policy. The temporary licenses will expire after two years.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
For the third time in four months, the state Senate has approved a plan to overhaul the state's largest health insurer. Senators voted unanimously in favor of the measure Thursday.
Letting Blue Cross become a non-profit mutual company was a top priority for Governor Rick Snyder late last year. But he says he was forced to veto the legislation because lawmakers tacked on a controversial abortion provision at the last minute.
Now that language is gone, and the bills seem to have more support in the Legislature than ever. Bill sponsor Senator Joe Hune said even he wasn't expecting it to pass unanimously in his chamber.
"It was an absolute shock. And it's good for Michigan, it's good for consumers, and it was the right thing to do." Hune said.
The bills will probably lose some momentum in the state House, which has more than two-dozen new members. Some critics of the plan say it could lead to higher insurance rates, especially for some seniors on Medicare.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
We can remove state Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer from the list of potential challengers to Republican Governor Rick Snyder next year.
Senator Whitmer was widely seen as a likely prospect to take on Governor Snyder. She's been one of his most frequent and vocal critics. But in an e-mail blast, and a video posted on her Facebook page, Whitmer said a hard-fought campaign would take too much time and attention away from her two young daughters.
"The commitment to mount a successful gubernatorial campaign is going to require the time and energy like none we've ever seen before." Whitmer said,
Whitmer said she remains committed to helping Democrats next year, including the party's gubernatorial nominee. There is still plenty of time to choose one. The Democratic and Republican primaries are not until August of next year. Governor Snyder has said he intends to seek another term.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A group of Michigan clergy wants state lawmakers to drop a number of pro-gun bills. Faith leaders held a prayer service Tuesday at the state Capitol to protest the measures. Clergy members sang hymns as they marched to the Capitol. Each held a yellow card with the name of a child from their community killed by gun violence. Ken Boykins is a pastor in Flint.
"We're going to fill the heavens, the atmosphere with prayers. We mean business. We're not going to back off. And something has to be done." Boykins said.
The group said it's most worried lawmakers will again take up legislation that would allow concealed weapons in places like churches and schools.
Governor Snyder vetoed the measure late last year. But lawmakers could reintroduce similar legislation as early as this week. Supporters say it would make communities safer.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
No immediate changes are planned to a state policy that denies driver's licenses to people who were brought to the U.S. as young children by illegal immigrants. That's despite a recent change to federal rules that said they are here legally and entitled to drive.
Secretary of State Ruth Johnson's office said Michigan's policy is under review, but there's no timeline on when that will be completed. Gisge Gendreau is Johnson's spokeswoman.
"We're having discussions with our attorneys and we will move as quickly as we can." Gendreau said.
"This policy is depriving thousands of children of immigrants in this state from driving to work and driving to school." She said.
Kary Moss of the American Civil Liberties Union said the new federal guidelines are clear. The ACLU has filed a lawsuit demanding that Michigan start issuing the driver's licenses right away.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Low-income drivers who've lost their licenses because they owe hundreds or thousands of dollars in fees could soon be allowed to work off their debt.
There are no numbers on how many people may be driving without licenses because they can't pay driver responsibility fees. The Legislature repealed the surcharges last year for driving with no license, or no proof of insurance. But people ticketed before last year for those offenses may still owe hundreds or thousands of dollars, and that effects their ability to hold a job, said Republican state Senator Bruce Caswell.
"And many of these are working poor, if you will, working 8, 9, 10 bucks an hour, and we've got to give them a way to get out from underneath this thing, I think, and get their lives set back up again." Caswell said.
Caswell wants to allow them to perform community service instead. His proposal would not apply to fees charged for more-serious offenses like drunk driving.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The first bill to pass a chamber of the state Legislature this year is one of several dealing with firearms. The state Senate approved the legislation Thursday.
The bill would change the state's definition of a "federally-licensed firearms dealer." It's a technical fix, according to supporters of the measure. They say state law isn't in sync with federal regulations. That means some gun dealers can't sell certain weapons because of a technicality. But a handful of Democrats voted against the bill. State Senator Rebekah Warren said it's really meant to increase the number of gun dealers in Michigan.
"I think it's a shameful action for us to expand the number of authorized sellers of guns in our state when we haven't done anything to address the question of citizen safety." Warren said. The bill now goes to the state House. Other gun bills in Lansing include one to exempt some firearms from federal regulations.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A bill that would shield some guns in Michigan from federal regulations is going to the floor of the state Senate. A panel of state lawmakers Wednesday passed the bill along with other gun-related measures.
The federal government would not be able to regulate guns made and sold in Michigan, as long as they don't cross state lines. It's a response to recent Obama administration gun control recommendations. Republican state Senator Phil Pavlov said the federal proposals could threaten both the Second Amendment and states' rights.
"What we're saying with this bill is, let the state of Michigan and our citizens and our rule-making ability determine what's important for our gun owners."
Some members of the panel questioned whether the bill would be constitutional, including Republican state Senator Tonya Schuitmaker. She later voted "yes." The committee also approved a bill to make certain information about guns and their owners immune from public information requests.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A state board approved incentives Wednesday to win 14 business projects and thousands of jobs for Michigan. But Governor Rick Snyder said Michigan is using fewer taxpayer dollars to lure jobs than it has in the past.
The deals promise a billion dollars in new investment and 46 hundred new jobs all across the state, although that's a small fraction the 413 thousand jobseekers out of work in Michigan. The state offers businesses grants now, instead of tax credits, and they're not as generous as they once were. But Governor Snyder said they're also not as necessary as the economy improves.
"In terms of the incentives being offered, I think there's significantly less than in the past. It's a dramatic improvement because we've created a much-better climate." Snyder said.
The governor said Michigan becoming a right-to-work state did not play a role in these projects, which were in the works before the law as signed last year.
Governor Rick Snyder took questions from around the state last night in a virtual town hall meeting.
The governor used the opportunity to call for better connectivity between the Upper and Lower Peninsulas.
Specifically, the governor wants to see better electrical and broadband internet connections between the two peninsulas.
He said he was surprised to learn that reliable electricity is a luxury in some parts of the UP.
"The Lower Peninsula, we pretty much get all our power just coming in from the south, and the UP is getting all theirs pretty much from Wisconsin. And wouldn't it be bright at some point if we actually say 'let's complete a much more relaible circuit,' because in the northern parts of the Lower Peninsula and in the UP, they actually occasionally have brownout or other issues because of quality of power." Snyder said.
Snyder also said an expansion of broadband internet in the UP would be good for business.
"You can do great business or great economic development work or great creative work anywhere in the country, if you've got enough bandwidth to do that." He said.
Snyder said a key step is getting high capacity internet lines over the Straits of Mackinac, and he said he's interested in hearing new ideas about how to expand that broadband across the UP.
Governor Rick Snyder took questions from around the state last night in a virtual town hall meeting.
One of the issues the governor addressed was violent crime in Saginaw and Flint.
Snyder said much more needs to be done to combat crime in Michigan, pointing out that the state is home to four of the ten most violent cities in the United States.
Some work has already been done, including boosting the ranks of the Michigan State Police, and encouraging more cooperation between city, county and state police agencies.
But the governor said creating jobs will help even more.
"The best crime prevention you can have, in my view, is if someone has a job and a family, they're not going to be out committing crime." Snyder said.
The governor also wants to see increased use of speciality courts, including those for drugs, the mentally ill and veterans, saying prison is not necessarily the answer.
"The easy answer is not just simply locking them up in a penitentiary, it's to get them treated in some fashion, and hopefully get them on a more positive path for society, dealing with them appropriately, but getting a better outcome there." He said.
The governor spoke before a live audience in Lansing, and took questions via video conference from Saginaw, Traverse City and Houghton.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Certain information about guns and their owners could not be made public under a bill in the state Senate. It's a reaction to an article published recently by a New York state newspaper.
The paper gave information about gun owners in the area, including their names and addresses. It sparked outrage, leading New York lawmakers to pass similar legislation. The bill would exempt some materials from Freedom of Information Act requests. They include pistol license applications and information from a database that tracks pistol histories. Mike Cavender is with the Radio-Television Digital News Association. He says the measure would be an attack on the First Amendment.
"It's the beginning of the opportunity for more and more records, of all types, to be closed."
The bill was one of a handful of gun-related measures introduced in Lansing this week. Another would exempt guns and ammunition made, sold, and kept in Michigan from federal regulations.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
If an animal welfare group gathers enough signatures over the next few weeks, a law opening Michigan to a wolf hunt will be put up for referendum. A state board approved the group's petitions Thursday.
The new law makes the gray wolf a game species in Michigan. That means state wildlife officials could choose to declare a hunting season.
The group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected will have to gather more than 160 thousand signatures in less than six weeks to put the issue on the November 2014 ballot.
Michael Hodge is their attorney. He said wolf populations are fragile and pose no threats to people, pets, or livestock.
"There really isn't very much in terms of even anecdotal evidence to suggest that there's a problem with the wolves." Hodge said.
Supporters of the law say a managed hunt is the best way to prevent future problems.
Governor Rick Snyder delivers his annual State of the State address tomorrow Wednesday.
He is expected to address jobs and road maintenance, among other things.
Republican State Representative Peter Petalia said those are issues that he is very interested in.
"We're all anxious about the potential budget up and coming, and the things that are important to Michigan: jobs jobs jobs, but we also need to work on our infrastructure, the roads and bridges. I'm interested to see what's going to come up for funding for education this year." Rep. Petalia said.
Snyder delivers the State of the State Address Wednesday night at the State Capitol in Lansing.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The top Democrat in the state House said Governor Rick Snyder will be dishonest if he said the state is turning around during his State of the State address Wednesday night.
After a year that saw state Republicans push through a right-to-work bill, an emergency manager re-write, and a number of other controversial measures, Democrats said the state is heading in the wrong direction.
House Minority Leader Tim Greimel made that clear during a speech he called "the real state of the state."
"From our roads to our schools, from our workplaces to our homes, Michiganders are feeling the effects of this governor's broken promises." Greimel said.
Greimel said the state has given too many breaks to corporations at the expense of middle-class families. State Republicans call the message "insulting." They say new policies are turning around the state's economy.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder delivers his third State of the State address Wednesday night.
Governor Snyder won't say if there will be any mention of the controversies of 2012, especially right to work. During a walk through the North American International Auto Show, the governor cheered Michigan's steady growth following the Great Recession.
"And Michigan's one of the most-competitive states in the nation today and I'm proud of that. And we're just going to keep going." Snyder said.
The governor will try to sell state lawmakers and the public on the need to raise a lot more money for roads, bridges, and rail. That idea failed to clear the Legislature last year. The governor said he will also talk about job training and connecting skilled workers to available positions, and about Great Lakes protection and the economic possibilities that come with being surrounded by the world's largest supply of fresh water.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A petition drive launches this week to reverse the new law that allows the state to establish a wolf hunting season in the Upper Peninsula. The first step is an appearance this week before a state elections panel.
Keep Michigan Wolves Protected will start collecting signatures once the petition is OK'd by the Board of State Canvassers. Its goal is 225 thousand signatures by the end of March. That would put the referendum on the November 2014 ballot, and suspend the law until after the election. Jill Fritz is the Michigan director for the Humane Society and leads the petition drive. She said the gray wolf was only recently removed from the endangered species list, and there are only several hundred wolves in the U.P.
"We owe wolves better than that." Fritz said.
State wildlife officials said limited hunts could help address issues with wolves before they become bigger problems.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said he's not a fan of a controversial ad tying the Pure Michigan brand to the state's right-to-work law.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation recently ran the ad in the Wall Street Journal. It touts the controversial new law alongside a logo for the state's popular tourism campaign. Governor Snyder said he would not have singled out right-to-work. Instead, he said he hoped the ad would highlight a broad range of new economic policies.
"I would have not been emphasizing one issue the way it was issued in that ad if I was to do it. But again, they're professionals. I respect that." Snyder said.
Other critics of the ad have been less forgiving. They said it politicizes a campaign that all Michiganders should be able to take pride in. The MEDC does marketing work for the state using both public and private funds. It has stood by the ad, saying it's one of many policy promotions over the last two years using the Pure Michigan brand.
BY ANTHONY RIZZO
Governor Rick Snyder has announced that the state has successfully eliminated one thousand administrative rules in Michigan.
The Governor created the Office of Regulatory Reinvention in part, to review Michigan's administrative rules.
Before the ORR was established in April 2011, there were over nineteen thousand rules. Today, there are just over eighteen thousand.
Officials said they are making great strides in streamlining Michigan's regulations, while ensuring health, safety and consumer protection.
Rob Nederhood is the Deputy Director of the ORR.
"We want to make sure that Michigan's regulatory environment is simple, fair, efficient, and conducive to business growth and job-creation in the state. There are studies out there, including one from NYU, which show that about 20 percent of the national economy is regulated by state-administrative rules." Nederhood said.
Nederhood said the state's regulatory environment has a big impact on Michigan's economic turnaround.
He said the ORR is trying to get rid of the rules that are becoming more and more obsolete.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
 Governor Rick Snyder said he'll outline a new plan to fund road improvements during his State of the State address on Wednesday. The plan could include higher vehicle registration fees to pay for road projects and maintenance.
Advocates for more state road funding say spending has not kept up with costs. State lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have said Michigan's road system needs more help. But they have not been able to agree on ways to pay for maintenance and improvements. The Legislature could again consider a plan that would raise the state sales tax by one-percent to pay for roads. It would get rid of the state's gas tax. Supporters of the plan said the sales tax would be a more stable source of funds as people drive fewer miles and buy more fuel-efficient cars and trucks. Governor Snyder never embraced the plan because it would take a state-wide vote to increase the sales tax.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers are already sorting through bills introduced on the first day of their new session. They include ones that would boost funding for roads and make public information requests cheaper.
Another aims to effectively get rid of so-called "lame duck" sessions.
The resolution seeks to bar lawmakers from meeting on even-numbered years between November elections and the end of the term. They could meet to act on emergency bills, but only after a supermajority vote of the Legislature.
Democrats have criticized Republican lawmakers for pushing through a number of controversial bills during last month's lame duck. They include the state's new "right to work" and emergency manager laws.
Democratic state Senator Glenn Anderson introduced the resolution.
"Lame duck has really laid some bad eggs over the last few years, and this year was one of the worst." Senator Anderson said.
Anderson said lame duck allows out-going lawmakers to act without being accountable to their constituents. The resolution would change the state's constitution, and would have to be approved by Michigan voters.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Union groups say they won't stop shouting over the state's new "right-to-work" law any time soon.
More than 200 people lined walkways around the state Capitol Monday on the first day of the new legislative session.
The union-backed demonstration was small compared to anti-right-to-work protests last month that drew thousands. But participants said they're trying the slow-and-steady approach this year. Unionized construction worker Oscar Ramos said he expects to be back regularly until he sees positive change in Lansing.
"We're going to be here until they throw us out of here. We want to stay, and we'll keep on coming back as much as we have to." Ramos said.
The protesters booed Republicans and cheered Democrats as they walked into the Capitol on the first day of the new session. Union groups say they're considering ways to repeal the "right-to-work" law.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The 97th session of the Legislature opened Wednesday at the state Capitol. The formality of swearing in new lawmakers, choosing leaders, and picking seats played out as protesters picketed outside. They vowed to make sure people don't forget December's fiery "lame duck" session when Republicans muscled through legislation to make Michigan a right-to-work state. Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta was there.
"Hey, hey! Ho, ho! Right to work has got to go!"
First thing in the morning, a few hundred protesters, union members, activists, surrounded the Capitol to greet lawmakers as they walked in. Democrats got cheers. The demonstrators also hoisted big pictures of every Republican who voted for a right-to-work law during last year's lame duck session. Here's what happened when Representative Bruce Rendon, one of those Republicans, walked by.
"Shame! Shame!"
"Shame. It's their walk of shame."
Lyle Birchman is an auto worker for General Motors here in Lansing.
"I'm here for working families. I'm very concerned about the future. The line of nonsense that the Republicans are peddling is not true. The things that they did last year are just plain wrong."
Birchman said the fact that GM opened two new car plants here in the Lansing area before Michigan became a right-to-work state shows the law was not necessary, and just created tensions and hard feelings. By noon, the action had pretty much moved.
Inside the Capitol, lawmakers went through the formalities of opening day. One of those was re-electing Republican Jase Bolger as speaker of the House. Two years ago, Bolger used his opening day address to call for a discussion on making Michigan a right-to-work state. This year, Bolger called for fewer regulations, better schools, more access to pre-school, making it easier for families to adopt children, and coming up with a better way to pay for roads. Bolger also said it's time to set aside any lingering bitterness from last year.
"Throughout all of the work awaiting us this session, we should seek to build and rebuild relationships. This past year has strained relationships. However, we can and should leave that past behind us." Bolger said. House Democratic Leader Tim Greimel seconded Bolger's nomination as speaker, but said that does not mean his caucus will ignore what happened last year.
"Today is the first opportunity to move forward and to do what this Legislature owes it the people of the state of Michigan to do and that is to do better than it did last term." Greimel said.
There was some concern among Republicans that Democrats would break with the traditional display of unity on opening day by denying Bolger a unanimous, or at least, unopposed vote for speaker. And two Democrats, Representatives Doug Geiss and Diane Slavens, could not bring themselves to vote for their nemesis, and so when the time came, they pushed the red buttons on their desks.
BY SCOTT POHL
The city of Lansing has announced a one-point-five-million dollar grant from a program started by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to establish a financial empowerment center. Starting in March, the center will offer free one-on-one counseling to low-income residents aimed at helping them achieve financial stability. Counseling will run for three years. Lansing is the smallest of five cities to get grants from Bloomberg Philanthropies, but City Treasurer Amy Kraus describes the city as "a well, already primed".
"We had a great foundation for putting assets in the field, making sure that through our asset independence coalition and the voluntary income tax assistance program, that we were trying to help our participants graduate, graduate out of our programs, graduate into self-sufficiency." Kraus said.
Lansing's Financial Empowerment Center will be housed at Capital Area Community Services and at four satellite locations.
U.S. Representative Dave Camp of Midland delivered the first national republican address of 2013 over the weekend.
He called for more spending cuts as part of a deficit reduction package, and for an overhaul of the country's tax system.
Camp used the address to tout the tax cuts that were made permanent last week for about 98 percent of Americans.
But, he said much more needs to be done to trim the nation's debt, and that congress will hold the president to a quote "balanced approach."
"That means cutting wasteful spending, strengthening programs like Medicare and Social Security, so that they're there when Americans need them. And creating a tax code that creates a healthy economy." Camp said.
President Obama also used his weekly address to call for changes to America's tax code. In particular, he wants to eliminate loopholes used mainly by the rich.
"The wealthiest individuals, and the biggest corporations, shouldn't be able to take advantage to loopholes and deductions that aren't available to most Americans." Obama said.
Congress and the president are now preparing for the next big battle: the upcoming debt ceiling, and a round of automatic spending cuts.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers start their new session this week. Some of the first bills likely to come up would ease restrictions on owning and breeding large carnivores like tigers and bears.
Similar bills passed the state House and Senate last month. But Governor Rick Snyder vetoed them. Part of the legislation would have eased breeding restrictions and changed some licensing requirements for zoos. The governor said the language would compromise public safety. Snyder said he does support a measure letting the public interact with bear cubs up to 36-weeks-old at petting zoos. Right now, the cubs can't be older than 20 weeks. Republican state Senator Tom Casperson said he'll reintroduce that language as a stand-alone bill.
"So we're going to re-do what we've got. I think the governor will support my part of it, and that's what we're hoping. So we're going to re-do it." Casperson said.
Lawmakers also plan to reintroduce the breeding and licensing bill separately.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
It's probably going to be a while before we know whether wolf hunts will be allowed in the state. As Michigan Public Radio's Jake Neher reports, a decision could be months away.
Governor Rick Snyder recently signed a bill that makes the gray wolf a game species in Michigan. But a hunt is still not a sure thing. The state Natural Resources Commission will have to consider things like wolf populations and possible effects on other species. Ed Golder is a spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources.
"We haven't had wolf hunting in the state in many, many decades. So to begin that process is going to involve a lot of information gathering at the very beginning." Golder said.
Any hunt would likely be limited to an area of the western UP. Locals there have complained about wolves attacking livestock. Opponents say the population is too fragile to hunt.
BY CONSUELO MCABOY
Michigan residents interested in researching their family tree now have access to some lost "branches" from the late 1800s.
State census records for the years 1884 and 1894 have been recovered after being "lost" for a period of time.
Many of Michigan's census records have been difficult to recover because they have been lost over the years or destroyed in a state office building fire in 1951.
The Archives of Michigan now has more than 62,000 of the records for 1884 and 1894.
Archivist Jessica Miller said the records will help family history researchers track important data, like more extensive information about women and children.
"These records are interesting because 1884 and 1894 were the first years that Michigan state census collected information about everybody in the community. Prior to that, the state conducted censuses but they only collected information about men so there were counts of women and children, but they were never given names or any other information."
Miller said the records will tell the person's name, their occupation, and the number of years they've lived in Michigan and the United States.
She said the records will help fill gaps in Michigan's and personal family's histories
BY JAKE NEHER
A proposed overhaul to Michigan's public defense system will have to wait until next year for action by the state Legislature.
State lawmakers passed a flurry of bills in their "lame duck" session. But there were a number of high-profile bills that didn't move at all. One of those would change the way the state appoints lawyers to people who can't afford one. Michigan's public defense system is considered one of the worst in the country. Republican state Representative Tom McMillin said some of his GOP colleagues simply aren't familiar enough with the problem.
"I think they're going to come to the table, they kind of seemed like they were interested here towards the end, it just kind of ran out of time." Rep. McMillin said.
Critics of the plan said it would burden cash-strapped county governments, and doesn't lay out specific standards they would have to meet.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder has signed a tax overhaul that he says will encourage more mining in northern Michigan.
The new tax will be based on how much iron, nickel, copper and other metals are pulled from the ground and will replace a complicated hodgepodge of local taxes. Humboldt Township Supervisor Joseph Derosha said his region will benefit from a mining tax that's simple and easy to understand.
"This tax will create new jobs across the Upper Peninsula and the state of Michigan." Derosha said.
Humboldt Township near Marquette is home to a closed iron mine that's about to re-open. The UP has a six-point-eight percent jobless rate, and 10 thousand people looking for work. Most of the tax will stay with local governments. But part of it will go to a rural development fund that will help find new job opportunities after mines close.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder has signed legislation that will phase out the tax on industrial and business equipment. The next step is for voters to approve a way to replace the money local governments would otherwise lose.
The question will appear on the 2014 statewide ballot. It would guarantee no cuts to schools or emergency services. Also, that local governments would get most, but not necessarily all, of the money for other services replaced. The governor said getting rid of Michigan's one-of-a-kind tax on factory equipment was one of his top priorities.
"Another problem solved, moving ahead. That's the kind of way we like to operate." Snyder said.
The governor's signature on the legislation follows news that Michigan's unemployment rate declined slightly last month, even though the state actually lost jobs. That's because thousands of people gave up looking for work, and are no longer measured as part of the workforce.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
Many bills have been making their way to the Governor's desk this week, including one that would promote sexual abuse awareness in schools.
State Senator Judy Emmons is the bill's sponsor. She said sexual abuse affects 25 percent of girls and one out of every seven boys.
Emmons said the legislation, known as Erin's Law, would create a task force to develop a curriculum centered around sexual abuse.
"Schools will not be impacted with an additional expense, it will be provided for them. And the other piece is a parental opt out piece, for parents who are somewhat uncomfortable with things being discussed with their child if their not there." Emmons said. Emmons said timing may be an issue for some schools, since teachers will have to carve out classroom time to teach the curriculum.
The bill is currently awaiting the Governor's signature.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan residents applying for cash assistance will have to get through a new three-week assessment and training period. The state Department of Human Services unveiled the program Wednesday.
DHS officials said the PATH program is meant to make sure people are prepared to re-enter the workforce. They said many welfare recipients can't find or keep jobs because of they can't find adequate child care or transportation. Judy Putnam is with the advocacy group the Michigan League for Public Policy. She said the program has great goals, but the length of the assessment could be a problem for people who urgently need help.
"Three weeks is a really long time if you don't have a place to live, or you're hungry, or other problems." Putnam said.
Putnam also worries PATH won't have enough funding to make a dent in the problem. The new program kicks in January First.
BY AMY ROBINSON/AMANDA HARRISON
Michigan is reacting to Gov. Rick Snyder's veto yesterday of a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons in schools, churches, stadiums, and other places where they previously were not allowed.
Adults carrying concealed weapons in those facilities would have been required to complete additional training, in addition to the normal training required of concealed weapons carriers.
Here's a sampling of reactions from around the state:
State Rep. Jase Bolger, Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives "As the father of two children, I cannot begin to imagine the heartbreak and horror for those in Connecticut. The sad truth is that signing or vetoing Senate Bill 59 would have had no impact on that tragedy."
"With regard to this specific legislation, it is unfortunate a compromise was not reached that the governor could support, and I understand the governor exercising his authority. It also is unfortunate that this veto does not make Michigan citizens safer in gun-free zones. Neither the governor's approval nor his veto will stop evil from preying on innocent people. With this veto, however, open-carry still exists in schools, churches and other public areas, and we know that criminals do not respect gun-free zones. For these reasons, we will continue to work with the governor to best protect our law-abiding citizens' Second Amendment rights, as well as the safety and security of all of our citizens."
State Rep. Tim Greimel, House Democratic Leader-Elect "Our policies should focus on improving the safety of our children and the quality of their schools, including the provision of mental health care to our kids who need it," said House Democratic Leader-Elect Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills). "Our schools must be fully funded if they are to provide the kind of care and instruction our kids deserve. We look forward to creating genuine solutions for our kids and their schools, and ask legislative Republicans to join us in that task."
Denise Sloan, Executive Director of the Michigan Chapter of the American Association of Pediatrics "We don't believe that guns should be anywhere near children. There's not a good setting where children are playing or learning or whatever that a gun should be stored. Whether it's a school or a daycare center or playground, or anywhere. We just don't feel um it's safe for children to be around guns."
Al White, School Liaison Officer to Clare Public Schools for the Clare Police Department "I agree we shouldn't have guns around kids, but the people who wish to do children harm don't care about that. And ah, sometimes we have to do what we have to do."
State Rep. Joel Johnson "I think that there will continue to be work on this and you know, we'll try to come up with some system that hopefully everyone will understand that will allow people who have extra training to be able to defend others and themselves in these pistol-free zones."
"I'm really concerned, because I'm afraid that a lot of people forget that criminals don't care about the law and they're going to have the guns wherever at any time. And they do seem to particularly like those pistol-free zones, where they don't have to worry about somebody else having a gun to stop them."
Jim Gabehart, parent of students at Gainiard Elementary in Mount Pleasant "I don't think that in under any circumstances, other than professional police officers or trained military personnel there should be fire arms in the school."
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A coalition of Michigan clergy members is applauding Governor Rick Snyder's veto of a controversial gun bill. The measure would have allowed people with concealed pistol permits to carry weapons into "gun-free" zones like schools and places of worship. The group was in Lansing Tuesday to urge the governor to veto the bill. Organizer Luke Allen said he's pleased with Snyder's decision. But he said there's more work to be done.
"Obviously, it's hard to feel too celebratory with what happened on Friday in Connecticut. And I think that this should be the start of a conversation between the people of faith of Michigan and the governor about how to reduce gun violence across our state." Allen said.
State House Speaker Jase Bolger said in a statement the governor's veto will not make people safer in "gun-free" zones.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder has vetoed legislation that would have allowed people with concealed pistol permits to carry their guns in school buildings.
The bill would have eliminated gun-free zones, such as schools and daycare centers, for people with concealed pistol permits and some enhanced training. The sponsors say allowing concealed weapons would make those places safer. Governor Snyder said he never bought into that argument, and that schools ought to be able to ban guns.
He said the Connecticut school shooting reinforced his thinking.
"Even before this terrible tragedy, I had serious issues with this bill." Snyder said.
Michigan allows people to openly carry firearms in public places where they are not expressly forbidden. Principals and administrators do still have wide authority to control who and what is allowed in a school building.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan's delegates to the Electoral College have cast their 16 votes for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. Delegates Monday also took time to take shots at state Republican lawmakers.
"President Barack Obama received all 16 votes from the state of Michigan" Whitmer said.
The scene in the state Senate chambers was very different than it was a week ago. This time, it was filled with cheering Democrats. Besides casting their votes, delegates also passed a resolution to condemn the Republican-led state Legislature for some controversial actions during the "lame duck" session. Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer said it was a good day at the state Capitol.
"In contrast to what happened in this building the last two weeks, where legislation was rushed through, while the building was closed, without committee hearings." Brewer said.
Brewer said Democrats are still considering their options on issues like "right-to-work" and the state's new emergency manager law.
Community colleges may soon be able to offer four different four-year degrees to their students if the governor signs off on a bill passed during last week's marathon lame-duck legislative session.
The bill allows community colleges to offer baccalaureate degrees in cement technology, maritime technology, energy production technology and culinary arts.
State Representative Ray Franz co-sponsored the legislation. He said it is good for students, although he had hoped one additional degree would be included.
"The only disappointment was the law that was passed did not include the nursing programs. I was disappointed, we were hoping to have that and I hope that somewhere down the line that we can include it. I think there's a tremendous demand for it throughout my district." Franz said.
The legislation must still be approved by the governor.
BY AMY ROBINSON
Michigan's legislative landscape may look considerably different in 2013 than it does today. Political pundits said the number of bills passed in the recently concluded lame duck session was "unprecedented" both in number and in importance.
Lawmakers approved measures to make Michigan a Right to Work state, expand the state's concealed weapons law, and make it harder to recall state legislators.
Bill Ballenger is Editor and publisher of Inside Michigan Politics. He said although the lame duck bills may have received a hasty legislative approval, many had already received hearings, and publicity throughout the year.
"You know, the idea that sheer quantity necessarily means that the legislation is going to be either better than we'd ordinarily expect or worse than we'd ordinarily expect, I think that isn't really a practical assessment either. It wasn't as though they simply introduced a whole bunch of bills this past week that nobody had ever heard of and within 72 hours got them entirely through the legislature. That didn't happen."
Governor Snyder has 14 days from after a bill has been presented to him to sign or veto it. If he does neither, the bill becomes law.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Now that the Legislature's lame duck session is over, Governor Rick Snyder has to make decisions on controversial legislation dealing with abortion and where people may carry concealed guns.
Governor Snyder has said he prefers to stay away from divisive issues, but any efforts toward that end certainly failed in the lame duck session. The governor must decide whether to sign new restrictions on clinics that perform abortions, and to allow concealed pistols in churches, daycare centers, and public schools. The governor said the elementary school shootings in Connecticut will play a role in his thinking.
"It does strike you as something that will really cause me to reflect even more on this bill." "Will you veto it?" Finley said.
That question came from Detroit News editorial writer Nolan Finley. The governor said he has not decided yet. His administration was officially neutral on the bills when they were voted on by the Legislature last week.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
One of the final actions of the lame duck state Legislature was to adopt bills that would allow concealed guns in public schools and other places that are "no carry" zones. Governor Rick Snyder said he will review the bills, and has not made a decision on signing them. The administration was officially neutral when the bills were before the Legislature. Jessica Tramontana is with Progress Michigan. She said the governor should veto the bills.
"This is legislation that allows guns in schools, churches, and daycares in our state. We really think it's time to rethink that decision." Tramontana said.
The state's largest teachers' union has also called on the governor to veto the legislation.
Advocates for the legislation said a law can't keep guns out of schools, but can allow a bystander with a legal, concealed pistol to step in and end a violent situation.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The Legislature has sent a bill to Governor Rick Snyder that will enact a new emergency manager law to replace the law rejected by voters in November.
As Michigan Public Radio's Rick Pluta reports, the new measure will give local governments some options when they face a fiscal crisis.
The options include negotiating a settlement with the state, accepting emergency management, or being pushed into federal bankruptcy court.
State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said there are still cities and school districts in a fiscal crisis.
"You can remove the financial manager from the situation, but you can't remove the financial emergency."
Senate Democratic leader Gretchen Whitmer said it's been just five weeks since voters said "no" to emergency managers.
"And now these guys are quick to un-do what they did just did at the election and, on top of it, to include money in the new act so the people won't have another right of referendum."
That's because putting an expenditure in the measure means it can't be challenged on the ballot.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state's tax on industrial and business equipment is a step closer to being phased out. State lawmakers Thursday sent the measure to Governor Rick Snyder's desk.
The personal property tax repeal was one of Governor Snyder and Republican state leaders' top priorities for the lame duck session. They said it discourages investment in the state and kills jobs. Supporters of the plan said it will reimburse local communities for most or all of the revenue they would lose for services like schools, police, and fire. Ari Adler is a spokesperson for state House Speaker Jase Bolger.
"Many communities rely on the revenue that comes from this tax, and we did not want to leave them in a lurch." Adler said.
Opponents of the plan said communities statewide could still lose hundreds of millions of dollars, even with the reimbursement plan.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said the Detroit mayor and city council are operating under some tight deadlines if they want to avoid a state takeover. A formal state Treasury review of the city's finances is underway.
Governor Snyder's been critical of the slow pace and infighting that have delayed Detroit's compliance with a consent agreement with the state. Mayor Dave Bing and the city council took some actions this week, but the governor says things need to move more quickly.
"There is a 30-day clock going where this review will take place, and coming out of that review, there will be a report on the financial condition of Detroit that decisions will be made on." Snyder said.
The governor and Treasurer Andy Dillon are acting under the emergency financial manager law that preceded Public Act Four. That's the emergency manager law rejected last month by voters.
There are court challenges to the state using the old law. The governor and the Legislature are working on a replacement.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers are a step closer to adding restrictions for abortion providers. The state Senate passed the measure Wednesday.
The legislation has been the subject of passionate debate at the state Capitol for several months.
Proponents say new licensing and insurance requirements will protect women's safety.
Republican state Senator Rick Jones is one of the most outspoken advocates of the measure in the Senate.
"This bill provides that abortion clinics will be safe, they will be inspected, they will be licensed. This is so important to the safety of women in the state of Michigan." Senator Jones said.
Opponents of the legislation say it will make abortions more expensive and harder to get. They say more women are likely to turn to illegal and unsafe methods of abortion. The Senate recently passed other abortion-related bills. They include one that allows doctors, medical facilities, and insurers to deny care based on moral objections.
Copyright 2012, MPRN
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state Senate is likely to vote Thursday on a replacement of the emergency manager law that was repealed in the November election.
Supporters of the measure say it gives local governments and schools more choices than Public Act Four. That law was rejected by voters last month. The options now would include coming to a consent agreement with the state, mediation, an emergency manager, or bankruptcy.
Republican state Representative Al Pscholka sponsored the original emergency manager law.
"It is a significant difference from Public Act 4, because it allows the local elected officials to have a choice." Pscholka said.
But Democrats said none of the choices are good ones. They also say it's wrong for the legislature to make this emergency manager law immune to a voter referendum.
BY RICK PLUTA
At the state Capitol, Democrats are preparing their last-ditch effort to slow or stop legislation that would make Michigan the 24th so called "right-to-work" state. Republicans in the state House are expected to send the legislation to Governor Rick Snyder Tuesday.
Thousands of demonstrators are expected to turn out at the Capitol. Democrats in the Legislature say if "right-to-work" is such a good idea, it should be put up for a hearing or a public vote. They say it's wrong to take up such a controversial issue after the election and before the new Legislature is sworn in next year.
State Representative Tim Greimel is the new House Democratic leader.
"The Republicans know if they wait until next year, they won't have the votes to pass this thing." Greimel said
"They clearly will do anything they can to slow this down because they want to stop it." Bolger said.
Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger said the issue has been talked about for years, so no hearings are necessary, and neither is a statewide vote.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Police officers from across the state are in Lansing preparing for protests as lawmakers get ready to vote on so-called "right-to-work" bills.
Dozens of State Police have gathered in a hallway in the Capitol's lower level, cordoned off by blue curtains. This is their base of operations in the building this week as hundreds, maybe thousands, of protesters are expected to fill the upper levels.
In one closet, police have stashed helmets and other riot gear.
Capitol Facilities Director Steve Benkovsky hopes the demonstrations will stay peaceful.
"Everybody has a right to come in here and voice their opinion. And we'll deal with it the best we can and let them voice their opinion." Benkovsky said.
State and local police plan to close a number of streets around the state Capitol. They will also limit the number of people allowed in the building. Some Democrats said the moves are meant to keep protesters away.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
There's plenty of drama expected this week in Lansing as Republicans in the Legislature appear ready to send to Governor Rick Snyder bills that would make Michigan a so-called "right to work" state.
The next chapter in this drama will open this morning with a conference call between a judge and the litigants in a lawsuit that's trying to stop or at least slow down the "right to work" momentum in Lansing. Union activist Robert Davis filed the lawsuit late last week against the state House of Representatives. He wants the judge to rule the Legislature violated the state's open meetings law last Thursday when it continued to meet and vote as the Capitol was closed for several hours to keep out demonstrators.
"And that any and all votes taken shall be invalidated, and for the courts to declare that individuals cannot be denied entry into an open and public meeting." Davis said.
Davis hopes the judge will grant an emergency hearing on his lawsuit today or early tomorrow. He said if his House lawsuit succeeds, he'll sue the state Senate. Davis said his ultimate goal is to buy enough time to stop legislation with an overtly partisan purpose.
"It's only to destroy the unions and try to destroy the Democratic Party, who are in large part supported by the unions and their members." He said.
"The thing for them is, nothing has to change."
Scott Hagerstrom is with the Michigan chapter of Americans for Prosperity, which supports "right to work." He appeared over the weekend on the Michigan Public Television show "Off The Record."
"They can continue to belong to the union, continue to collectively bargain, and if the unions do a good job, if they offer a good service to their customers, to the people they represent, people will continue to pay dues." Hagerstrom said.
The fact is union membership has typically dropped off in the other 23 states that have adopted "right to work" laws. Unions are already organizing protests, beginning today and lasting through whenever the Legislature votes. The Legislature's next meeting is tomorrow.
Union leaders and Democrats say they're not operating under any illusions about their chances when it comes to stopping a right to work law from going to Governor Snyder's desk, or stopping him from signing it.
"We know this is a longshot." Said Schauer.
Mark Schauer is a union activist and a former Democratic legislator and congressman.
He said the protests are designed in part to prod the Legislature to make a "right-to-work" law subject to voter approval by either putting it directly on the ballot, or at least removing an appropriation that would make the law referendum-proof. It's a tactic Republicans in Lansing have used on other controversial laws over the past two years to make sure voters cannot reject them the way they toppled the state's emergency manager law last month.
"That's the least that this Legislature could do and a message that this governor could send is that, if they feel this is good policy, let the public have its say on it." He said.
Schauer now works for a labor-employer training cooperative. He says unions in Michigan do a lot more than negotiate contracts, and he says they are a big part of Michigan's economy in ways people don't see. For example, Schauer said his group helps train the skilled workers the governor says Michigan badly needs right now. He's sitting inside a mobile training center, it's a very big trailer with space for desks and laptop computers. He said it's used for training and to do worksite safety testing required by the federal government, and the businesses he works with appreciate that. "They're very concerned about just what this will mean to our ability to fund our apprenticeship and training programs." He said.
The trailer is parked in front of the state Capitol, where Schauer and other union activists press their case to whoever walks by. It's quiet right now. It won't be tomorrow. President Obama visits Michigan today. The trip to a Daimler factory in Redford Township near Detroit was scheduled before the "right-to-work' controversy took off. Governor Snyder is expected to greet the president upon his arrival. The Democratic president is on record opposing Right to Work laws, and just might have something to say about it when Snyder greets him today as he steps off Air Force One.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network Michigan is on a path to become the next so-called "right-to-work" state. The Legislature started voting on measures just hours after Republican Governor Rick Snyder endorsed the idea. And it sparked demonstrations that jammed the state Capitol in Lansing with protesters for much of the day.
There were some arrests as protesters tried to rush the state Senate chamber. Michigan's Capitol was closed for several hours to keep out demonstrators until a judge ordered the doors re-opened because the Legislature was meeting and the public had a right to be there.
"Kill the bill! Kill the bill!" Said the protestors.
The pushback was furious as it became evident the legislation is on a fast track to become law. That would make Michigan the 24th state to say workers cannot be forced to pay union dues even if they work for a business or government employer with union representation.
"Union-busting is disgusting!" They said.
Conservatives call it "right to work" or "freedom to work." Liberals and Democrats call it "right to work for less." No matter what you call it, this kind of legislation seemed almost unthinkable in Michigan even as neighboring Wisconsin and Indiana approved versions of the laws. Governor Rick Snyder was considered a Republican moderate who disdained the political warfare with unions embraced by other Republican governors. When asked over the last couple of years, Snyder would simply say right to work was not in his agenda; too controversial when there was other work to get done.
All that changed yesterday morning, when Snyder appeared with Republican leaders to announce he would sign a right to work measure.
"It is a divisive issue. It's an issue where you can see what's going on outside, that people have strong feelings on this topic, but we've come to a point over the last few weeks and the last month or two where that issue was on the table whether I wanted it to be there or not."
His decision was to allow Michigan to become a right-to-work state. If things go as planned, it could all be wrapped up as soon as next week.
Ford worker and United Auto Workers member Terry Bowman said he'd welcome the law, and hopes unions will compete for the right to represent him.
"It's like having a restaurant where you have no competition. Will that restaurant have good service, great food at a great price? No. If there's no competition, it doesn't work that way. It's the same thing with unions in Michigan right now." Bowman said.
Unions and Democrats said so-called "right-to-work" laws are actually designed to shrink or even eliminate unions. They said it effectively encourages employees to not pay dues for the services provided by a union.
"What we have today is a declaration of war..."
Democratic state Representative Woodrow Stanley argued against the legislation when it came up for a vote in the state House.
"...war on labor unions. That's what it is." Rep. Stanley said.
Stanley comes from Flint, where sit-down strikes in the 1930s that launched the UAW as a bargaining force are still celebrated and helped launch Michigan as the cradle of the labor movement. The 76th anniversary of the Flint sit-down strikes comes at the end of this month.
This story has been updated. Please see below for the latest updates.
LANSING -- Gov. Rick Snyder has asked the Michigan legislature to act on "workplace fairness and equality" legislation, commonly known as "right-to-work," and says he will sign such a bill should it make it to his desk.
Legislative leaders indicated at a news conference this morning that the legislature could vote on such a measure as soon as this afternoon.
According to the governor, the legislation would exempt only police officers and firefighters.
Update 11:35am: From MPRN's Rick Pluta: The right-to-work legislation up for a vote as soon as today will be immune to a voter referendum. The state constitution does not allow voters to challenge a law that includes an appropriation of money.
Stay with CMU Public Radio and WCMU.org for more on this developing story.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The question hanging over the state Capitol is whether the Legislature will take up a so-called "right-to-work" bill during its lame duck session. Activists on both sides of the issue showed up in force to lobby lawmakers.
A growing chorus of conservatives says this is the moment for Michigan to join 23 other states that have enacted laws to end the closed shop and allow workers to opt out of paying union dues.
Scott Hagerstrom is with the group Americans for Prosperity, one of the champions of right-to-work.
"I think this is the best opportunity I've ever seen for this to pass." Hagerstrom said.
He said that's because neighboring Indiana just became a right-to-work state earlier this year. And because Michigan voters rejected Proposal Two last month. That's the ballot question that would have scrapped many labor relations laws and preempted a right-to-work fight by guaranteeing collective bargaining rights in the state constitution.
Hagerstrom said word that right-to-work 'might' be taken up was enough to get a bunch of his group's members out to press for action.
"Is right-to-work down? Is right-to-work up? Is it going to happen? Is it not going to happen? We want to make sure the citizens of Michigan, our activists, have their voices heard today..." He said.
So, Hagerstrom, members of his group and other tea party groups crowded into the halls and lobbies of the House and Senate, working shoulder to shoulder with union activists like Katie Kelley, who is a member of a public transit workers union.
"We don't believe it would be good for the Michigan economy. We believe the economy is still at a very fragile point in Michigan. And we do not believe that right to work is the way to bring the economy back."
Whether Governor Rick Snyder agrees is still a bit of an unknown. His position is the right-to-work issue is not on his agenda, but he won't say publicly what he'd do if a bill reaches his desk.
There's also no decision on what a right-to-work bill might encompass. It could be a sweeping measure that covers every workplace. It could only cover public employee unions. It could do that, but exempt police officers and firefighters. No one has yet formally introduced a bill. Republican state Representative Mike Shirkey said he'd like to, but is mum on details.
"We're going to let the legislative process run its course, and I'm optimistic. You're not going to get anything more than that from me, sir." Shirkey said.
"Freedom. Choice. We cherish it. And there's a plan to protect our freedom in Michigan."
The Michigan Freedom Fund has paid for an ad to air statewide in an effort to generate phone calls and e-mails to legislators' offices supporting right to work. An organizer said the group will continue pushing for action until the final day of the Legislature's session. Grover Norquist, of "no tax" pledge" fame, has sent a letter to every Michigan lawmaker.
There would be a political price to pay if Republicans go down that road. Democrats and unions say it would essentially be a declaration of war on labor. They're threatening recalls and other actions if it comes to that. The issue would certainly be used by both sides to organize for the 2014 statewide elections. But Republican leaders are also using the mere prospect of right to work as a negotiating tool on other issues. For example, they are pressing Democrats to cooperate on drafting a new emergency manager law to that would replace the one just rejected by voters. That would be part their price for not making Michigan the nation's 24th right-to-work state.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder and legislative leaders are talking about a possible replacement to the emergency manager law that was rejected by voters nearly a month ago. The governor said he'd like to see it done before the Legislature wraps up its "lame duck" session.
Governor Snyder said a new law would have to respect voters' decision that the old emergency manager law was too sweeping. Under one version being discussed, local governments in financial trouble could ask the state for an emergency manager, otherwise, they would face the prospect of federal bankruptcy. The governor said he's still working out details with Republican leaders in the Legislature.
"I'm not sure when I would expect to see something passed. I would think it could be possible to see what the legislation looks like sometime in the next week."
Despite the referendum, eight cities and school districts remain under state management. That's being challenged in court.
BY JAKE NEHER
Patients might have to pay out of their own pockets for medical marijuana if lawmakers pass two bills in the State House.
One bill would let insurance companies deny coverage of medical marijuana. The other would let employers to refuse to compensate workers for the treatment. Republican state Senator Rick Jones is sponsoring the measures.
"What we're trying to do is to make sure that the insurance company does not have to provide it, it is their option."
Opponents of the bills said the policy would keep some patients from receiving proper and legal medical treatment. But some medical marijuana advocates support the measures. They said when Michigan voters approved the drug, they never meant to force insurers to cover it.
The State Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass the bills in May.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio NetworkA group of state lawmakers wants to make it harder to recall elected officials. Bills introduced in the state House Wednesday would put limits on the process. Three democrats and three republicans from Macomb County are sponsoring the legislation. They said it's a response to recent recall efforts, a number of which targeted officials from Macomb County. Republican state Representative Anthony Forlini said it's too easy for special interest groups to abuse the process. "We saw a year ago where attorneys were getting involved, special interests were being involved, and voters were being disenfranchised." One of the six bills would only allow recall elections in May or November. Another would require all language in recall filings to be factually accurate. Bill sponsors said they're confident state lawmakers will pass the bills before the end of the year. Copyright 2012, MPRN
On Monday, state lawmakers canceled a vote on legislation that would have allowed people to claim a fetus as a dependent as early as 12 weeks along in development.
Opponents had said they viewed the proposed bill as a "backhanded attack on access to abortions."
Women's rights organizations are now expressing the same concern over bill pending before the state Senate, saying that it too could limit access to abortions in Michigan.
The bill, HB 5711, would impose new regulations on abortion clinics, said Mary Pollock with the Michigan chapter of the National Organization for Women...
"It would close all but one clinic in Michigan, because it would require all abortions to be performed, medical abortions or surgical abortions, to be performed in a free-standing, outpatient facility."
Supporters of the legislation said they're trying to protect women by making abortion facilities safer.
Opponents are reiterating their position that it is "more proof that women's rights are at stake" as the legislature returns to Lansing this week.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder and Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley want the Legislature to enact a major tax overhaul before its current session ends in two or three weeks. It would phase out Michigan's tax on business and industrial equipment.
It's widely agreed the tax discourages investment and is a particularly large burden on manufacturers. The phase-out would take 10 years, with smaller businesses benefiting first. Lieutenant Governor Calley said Michigan's economy is still rooted in manufacturing.
"Eliminating this disincentive to invest will help improve our climate for job growth. Our whole state will benefit." Said Calley.
The holdup has come from local governments and school districts, which rely on that revenue. The plan would guarantee money for police, fire and other emergency services, but only if voters approve the plan in a statewide election. Other services could face cuts.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State lawmakers are not likely to move this year on a proposal to let people claim a fetus as a dependent on state taxes. A state House panel cancelled a vote on the legislation Monday.
The agenda for this year's lame duck session includes a number of contentious bills. But it looks like one of the most controversial issues has been scrapped, at least until next year. The bills would allow a fetus at least 12 weeks along to qualify as a dependent. Opponents of the legislation say it's a backhanded attack on access to abortions.
Jud Gilbert sponsored one of the bills and chairs the House Tax Policy Committee.
"I think the fact of the matter is how contentious it was, and there's enough contentious things running around. I think that was primarily the motivation." Said Gilbert.
Any bills not passed this year will die. But lawmakers could re-introduce them next year.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio NetworkThe Board of State Canvassers Monday has officially adopted the vote totals for the November elections, including the presidential race. The official count is almost two-point-six million votes for President Obama; two-point-one million for Mitt Romney. But there's still one more step before Michigan's 16 electoral votes officially go to President Obama. Chris Thomas is the director of the Michigan Bureau of Elections. "The electors, who were actually elected, when voters vote for president, they're actually voting for the presidential electors, they will convene at the state Capitol on December 17th to vote for president." Thomas said voter turnout in November was down slightly from what it was in 2008. Copyright 2012, MPRN
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder is in Canada Monday to talk trade and regional cooperation.
Governor Snyder is in Toronto to attend a conference on public-private partnerships. The former business executive and investor relies heavily on agreements with the private sector to meet his goals.
The governor is expected to announce an agreement with other Great Lakes states on a Canadian trade office. Canada is Michigan's biggest international trading partner. The governor's economic plans envision a thriving Chicago-to-Montreal trade zone with Michigan as a center-point. The governor will also meet with his Ontario counterpart, Premier Dalton McGuinty. The subject of a new Detroit-Windsor bridge will be part of their discussion. Michigan voters just rejected a ballot question that could have hindered the project.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio NetworkState lawmakers are gearing up for an end-of-the-year rush of legislating that starts next week following a break for deer season and Thanksgiving. Republican leaders in the Legislature and Governor Rick Snyder would like to see an overhaul of Blue Cross-Blue Shield wrapped up by the end of December. That would set up the state's largest health insurer for the new federal healthcare law. They'd also like to come up with a plan to scrap the property tax on industrial and business equipment. They're trying to figure out how to do that without costing local governments that rely on that revenue to provide services. Lawmakers could also try to craft a new version of the emergency manager law that was rejected by voters on November sixth. There's a court fight underway about the authority now held by the managers running eight cities and school districts. Copyright 2012, MPRN
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Expecting families could claim a fetus as a dependent under legislation before the state House. The House Tax Policy Committee heard testimony on the measure Tuesday.
The legislation would let people claim a fetus at least 12 weeks along as a dependent. Supporters say it would give expecting families extra cash that could be used for prenatal care and other costs related to pregnancy.
"They have added expenses as their family is growing, and this will help offset some of those expenses."
But opponents of the measure say it's actually a step toward so-called "fetal personhood," which could further restrict or even eliminate abortions. They say adding rights for fetuses in tax law could lead to more rights in other legal areas. The nonpartisan House Fiscal Agency estimates the bills would cost the state between five and ten million dollars a year in lost revenue.
Michigan Public Radio Network
A new poll shows local government leaders in Michigan are leery of proposals to do away with Michigan's personal property tax.
Republican state lawmakers want to repeal or greatly change the tax. Possibly before the end of this year.
Businesses complain the personal property tax is cumbersome and discourages investment.
Thomas Ivacko is the program manager for the Center for Local, State and Urban Policy at U of M. The center polled hundreds of county, city and other local government officials.
Ivacko said the poll shows local leaders support doing away with the tax, but they worry about the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue.
"67% of local government leaders do not trust that the state would continue to provide that replacement revenue if it wasn't guaranteed in the constitution."
Legislation repealing the personal property tax already passed in the state Senate, but the legislation has sat in state House since last Spring.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Hearings continue Monday at the state Capitol on overhauling Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan. The discussion will focus on how Blue Cross has used its market power to keep its costs lower than its competitors.
Today's hearing will focus on contract clauses that require hospitals to give Blue Cross a better deal than they offer other insurers. Health care providers could not say "no" because Blue Cross is by far the state's largest health insurer. Other insurance companies say Blue Cross should not be allowed to use its leverage to gain that kind of advantage. State Attorney General Bill Schuette and the U.S. Justice Department sued Blue Cross.
The state insurance commissioner reined in that practice last year, forbidding what's called "most-favored nation" clauses without his prior approval. But Blue Cross's competitors want a ban written into the law that will overhaul Blue Cross. Governor Rick Snyder and legislative leaders want that wrapped up before the end of the year so Blue Cross is able to operate under the new federal healthcare law.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan's longest-serving first lady, Helen Milliken, has died. She was 89.
Helen Milliken was Michigan's first lady from 1969 to 1983, that's 14 years. Her husband William Milliken was the lieutenant governor when Governor George Romney resigned to become part of President Nixon's cabinet. Helen Milliken established a reputation in her own right as an advocate for environmental causes and women's rights. Her positions, like those of her husband, sometimes put her at odds with the Republican Party's more conservative wing. Helen Milliken's activism continued after she and her husband retired. An annual environmental award is named for both of them. The Milliken family told various news services that she died at her home in Traverse City following a battle with ovarian cancer.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Some state lawmakers want to put limits on using paid petition circulators to get questions onto statewide ballots.
A bill in the state House would ban campaigns from paying for petition signatures.
The bill was introduced in the state House just a couple days after Michigan voters shot down all six proposals on the November ballot.
The measure aims to keep campaigns from paying circulators for every individual signature they collect. Supporters say that gives circulators an incentive to mislead voters. Republican state Representative Ken Horn said it also gives any campaign with enough money the chance to change the state's constitution.
"We want to make sure that we're not going to open up our constitution every time California waves a hundred-dollar bill under our nose."
Campaigns could still pay petition circulators by the hour under the bill. But circulators would have to disclose who's paying them to anyone who asks.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
There's a new plan to help Michigan's struggling horse tracks with a new way to make money. It would allow people to bet on races that have already been run.
Players would place bets on a machine, which would randomly select a race from the past. The machine would then play video of the race on a screen. Republican state Representative Kevin Daley said the measure would not expand gambling in the state.
"It's basically just an extension of what they're already doing at race tracks, in my opinion. They're already using horse racing, they're already betting on horse racing, and they're just doing this through a machine."
Daley admits some casinos in the state might be uneasy about video betting at horse tracks, as the machines look similar to slot machines. But Daley said the experience is very different.
The state House passed the bill last week with bi-partisan support.
BY LINDA STEPHAN
Organizers of a successful voter repeal of the state's emergency manager law say the fight is not over.
Amy Hardin in Williamsburg said she suspects state Treasurer Andy Dillon may already have new legislation in the works.
"He probably has some laws in the hopper for Governor Snyder to review. And I did read that Governor Snyder said that he is not opposed to passing some new legislation to replace the old law."
The governor said in a press conference that he is open to new legislation, though he said he would likely avoid the most controversial provisions of the emergency manager law. Michigan courts must now also decide whether or not the state has any authority to install an emergency financial manager in a local school district or city.
Repeal organizers say not.
The governor said, if that's the case, the state can do very little to help financially struggling school districts and local governments.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said he'd like to avoid re-visiting contentious issues like right-to-work and local government takeovers now that the 2012 election is over. Tuesday night was a split decision for the governor.
Voters rejected the emergency manager law, but they also said no to putting union protections in the state constitution. The governor said he warned union leaders against going to the ballot, but he doesn't want to pick a new fight now that the 2012 election is in the history books.
"I think I've been pretty consistent that I don't put right-to-work on my agenda. I don't spend time dealing with right-to-work and my preference is not to deal with divisive issues."
But the governor still won't rule out signing a right-to-work bill if it's sent to him. The governor said he's also adopting a wait-and-see attitude about enacting a new emergencv manager law now that voters have rejected the one he signed last year. He said an earlier version of the law is in effect, but that's being challenged in court.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
It looks like Republicans will hold an eight-seat majority in the state House. At least one analyst said Democrats blew an opportunity to win a majority in the chamber.
Inside Michigan Politics Editor Bill Ballenger said Democrats spent too much money trying to unseat state House Speaker Jase Bolger, who ultimately won his bid for reelection. Ballenger said they spent at least half-a-million dollars in that race, money that could have gone to other candidates in less conservative districts. But House Democratic Campaign Chair Jeff Irwin said it was the right decision.
"We knew that we had a shot at that race, so I'm glad that we invested in a race where we had a chance of picking up a seat."
Bolger defeated Democratic opponent Bill Farmer by a narrow margin. The race became competitive after the speaker's role in an election rigging scandal in May.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
With the 2012 campaign coming to an end, state-wide candidates are making one last push to get out the vote.
Both parties held rallies across the state Monday
At a rally in East Lansing, Democrats urged supporters to show up and stick with their ballot to the very last question. Senator Debbie Stabenow has a significant lead over her opponent in the polls. But she said it's important not to take anything for granted this close to the election.
"We've got, what, about 30 more hours to go? If we're not going to sleep, we don't want you to sleep either! Put on the Coffee! Let's go!" Said Stabenow.
Republicans have also been on a state-wide bus tour over the last few days. Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney sent his son, Matt Romney, to speak to volunteers in Lansing. He told them Republicans can win Michigan, and urged them to keep up the effort one more day.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said he'd like to see some changes in the rules for how petition drives put proposals on the ballot. The governor is particularly critical of paying petition circulators for signatures.
Ballot campaigns spent at least nine-point-six million dollars on signature collection alone this year. Governor Snyder says that circumvents the idea of ballot campaigns as grassroots initiatives. He opposes the five proposed amendments to the state constitution. The governor said he might call for an overhaul of the rules for petition drives after this election campaign is over.
"There's a list of several things, but the paid petition circulators, the bounty, is an issue is a fair one I think we should have a public discussion on."
The governor said he already has people looking into what other states do to limit payments for petition signatures. He says there appears to be a patchwork of rules across the country. Snyder said he wouldn't be surprised to see court challenges to whatever Michigan does.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder sets off on a statewide tour Monday to talk about the November ballot. He'll be urging people to vote "yes" on Proposal One and "no" on the other five ballot questions.
If passed, Proposal One would uphold the governor's emergency manager law. He said approving the other proposals would threaten the state's economic future. Snyder spokesperson Sara Wurfel said the 12-city tour is meant to spread that message before Michiganders hit the polls next week.
"We look forward to talking about what these ballot measures mean for Michigan and how they could stop our comeback. And we need to overcome that."
Supporters of some of the proposals say Snyder is trying to scare voters with inflated claims about their possible economic impact.
Snyder will make his way through northern Michigan and the UP this week before making stops in mid- and southeast Michigan. The tour kicks off today in Grand Rapids.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said Proposal Two should not be viewed as a referendum on whether Michigan becomes a right-to-work state that outlaws compulsory union membership. The question would guarantee collective bargaining rights in the state constitution.
Governor Snyder opposes Proposal Two. He said it not only guarantees collective bargaining, but would be a sweeping re-write of labor laws as they deal with public employees.
"Proposal Two could be devastating, in my view, of what it could do to the economic recovery in Michigan, but people need to make their own assessment of how to vote."
But he said rejecting the proposal would not convince him Michigan is ready to become a right-to-work state.
"I don't view it as just a green light to go ahead..."
The governor has asked the Legislature to stay away from the right-to-work debate because it's too divisive. But he has not said what he would do if the Legislature sent a bill to his desk. One of the leading proponents of right to work in the Legislature says he won't push the issue until he has the governor's support.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
A new bill signed into law this month gives disabled veterans free hunting and fishing licences.
House Representative Wayne Schmidt said the move will make it easier for the vets to enjoy Michigan's outdoors.
"For people who have made a significant sacrifice to this country it's a small token of appreciation for protecting our nation and our freedoms."
This is just a nice way to say thanks to them for their great services and making it a bit easier because they do have some challenges when they go out and enjoy our great outdoors." Schmidt said.
The bill will takes effect March 1st 2013.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A rule banning Michigan bar and restaurants from displaying campaign signs faces a legal challenge from the American Civil Liberties Union.
The ACLU has filed a lawsuit against the state Liquor Control Commission, saying the rule violates free speech rights. The policy said any business with a liquor license can have signs dealing with ballot initiatives. But owners are banned from having any signs that endorse a political party or candidate on the premises. The ACLU's Michael Steinberg said the policy is archaic.
"The rule is a blatant violation of the free speech rights of bar owners. And it's our hope that the rule will be suspended."
Steinberg said he hopes that will happen before the November election.
The Michigan Liquor Control Commission won't comment on the lawsuit.
BY AMANDA HARRISON
A package of bills we told you about earlier this week that would update child pornography laws, has passed unanimously in the state senate.
Attorney General Bill Schuette praised the senate for passing the bills that target those who create and distribute child pornography.
The bills now go to the state house for consideration.
The bills would prevent an accuser from keeping offensive material. They would also expand the definition of producing or making pornographys to include making copies.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Interest groups are spending unprecedented amounts of money on TV ads supporting or opposing initiatives to amend the state constitution. That's according to a report from the Michigan Campaign Finance Network.
Since August, groups have poured about 30 million dollars into TV ads. That's far more than what's being spent on individual candidates, including those running for president or U.S. Senate.
Supporters and opponents of a proposal to enshrine collective bargaining rights in the state constitution have spent the most money. Ads for and against Proposal Two have cost a total of about 13 million dollars.
Report author Rich Robinson said unions have shifted their financial support away from individual politicians to try to get the initiative passed.
"I think the perceived threat to organized labor was such that they felt they had to do this." Robinson said he expects more ads for state Supreme Court candidates to start running soon. But he said there's little doubt 2012 will be remembered as "the year of the ballot initiatives."
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Testimony has begun in the case of two staffers of former Congressman Thaddeus McCotter accused of ballot petition fraud. McCotter was in court Thursday to testify at the preliminary hearing.
It was McCotter's first public appearance since news of the scandal broke. The former U.S. Representative said he was shocked when the Secretary of State told him only a small fraction of signatures on his nominating petitions were valid. He claims he believed at the time his staff was doing a responsible job collecting the signatures David Ottenwess is McCotter's attorney.
"He is cooperating, he has always cooperated with the Attorney General's office in this investigation."
McCotter admits many signatures clearly appear to be invalid. Four former campaign staffers face felony and misdemeanor charges for alleged petition fraud. One pleaded no-contest to five misdemeanor counts last month.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state is well on its way to meeting its obligations to foster children and families. That's according to testimony Wednesday by the Michigan Department of Human Services.
Director of Children's Services for the DHS Steve Yager gave a progress report to a state Senate panel. He said the department has been able to hire more caseworkers, improve resources and technology, and better address complaints. He also said children and families have more and better resources available to them.
But they say there's plenty of room for improvement still.
"Having the right kinds of services so we can meet the unique needs of families, we really have to do some more work there."
In 2008, the state settled a lawsuit with the group Children's Rights, which claimed Michigan wasn't living up to its responsibility to foster youth and families. The settlement came with a number of benchmarks the state had to meet.
Yager said, compared to years past, the state has been moving at lightning speed toward meeting those requirements this year.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
There will be no citizenship check box on applications to vote at the polls this November. Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said she will not challenge a federal judge's ruling that asking people to affirm their citizenship is unconstitutional.
Ruth Johnson said she does not agree with the ruling, and she might resume the battle for a citizenship checkbox after November. But she said local clerks need to finalize their ballots and get ready for November sixth.
"It's too close to the election to keep up this fight."
Some local clerks had already refused to put the check box on ballot applications after Governor Rick Snyder vetoed a bill that would require it. Johnson said she could order the question onto ballots anyway. Johnson said she will continue to press the federal government for immigration records that would help clear the voter rolls of non-citizens. A poll done for the Gongwer News Service suggested a majority of Michiganders support a citizenship question on ballot applications.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A ballot campaign has filed an elections complaint against Governor Rick Snyder. It said he's using his official website and other state resources illegally to campaign against the proposal.
Matt Davis is an attorney for the Proposal 5 campaign. That's the one to require super-majority votes for the Legislature to raise taxes. Davis said Governor Snyder has posted videos to his official webpage, used staff time, and other public resources to campaign against the ballot question.
"If this were his opponent and this were a gubernatorial race, and he were using the state website, he'd get the same kind of complaint. It would be the same kind of clear violation."
The complaint was filed with the Michigan Secretary of State. A violation is punishable by a fine of a thousand dollars or a year in jail.
Governor Snyder, who is a licensed attorney, said he's on solid legal ground, and will continue to campaign for the emergency manager law and against the five proposed amendments to the state constitution on the November ballot.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Unions are betting big on ballot proposals in Michigan this election.
Voters in California and Alabama will also decide ballot questions dealing with unions, but neither of those measures is as sweeping as Michigan's. It would enshrine collective bargaining rights in the state constitution. That could potentially reverse as many as 170 Michigan labor laws that limit union bargaining power and fundraising.
Emboldened by a ballot victory last year in Ohio, union leaders and Democrats in neighboring Michigan sensed an opportunity. They want to build a firewall to stop Republican efforts to curtail unions' workplace activities. Labor's top goal is to make sure the state Legislature cannot pass a so-called right-to-work law that outlaws compulsory union membership. Business groups are pushing back.
"Vote 'no' on Proposal 2. We can't take the risk."
Michigan is saturated with political ads in no small part because there are six proposals on the November ballot. Half of them were put on the ballot with big union backing and are now the subject of fierce campaigning on both sides.
"Proposal 2 could prohibit schools from removing employees with criminal records. That's dangerous for kids and terrifying for parents..." This TV ad has been criticized for going too far, but it has taken a big bite out of support for the measure. It speaks to one of the ballot proposal's effects. And that's that it would throw into doubt many laws about how unions and employers deal with each other.
"This would be unprecedented in the country that it would really disallow our legislature to deal with issues of labor law."
Rob Fowler is the president of a small business association. He said that's why business groups are pouring a fortune into opposing Proposal 2 and other union-backed ballot questions.
"The essence of Proposal 2, in particular, said if it can be bargained, then it can't be legislated. It will take off the table a huge amount of what is traditional labor law in most states.
Fowler said that would create a sense of uncertainty that would threaten Michigan's economic recovery. Unions are also trying to repeal a very controversial law that gives state-appointed managers sweeping authority over nearly bankrupt local governments. Among other things, the managers can and have scrapped contracts with public employee unions. Seven Michigan cities and school districts have been taken over. And another question would allow home health assistants who are paid by Medicaid to organize into a union.
All of these make the November ballot the next flashpoint in the long-simmering battle in Michigan between Republicans in the Legislature and labor. And unions are putting in both money and boots on the ground.
"My name is Todd. I'm volunteering on behalf of Protect Working Families, knocking on doors in the community to seek support for Proposal 2, the collective bargaining amendment..."
Todd McCastle is a union carpenter who said he's hit hundreds of doors to get people to support the ballot question.
"Thank you for your support."
"Appreciate it."
"Have a good day."
"Bye-bye. You, too."
"Those are the doors we like."
McCastle said he's been getting a good reception here in mid-Michigan in neighborhoods where generations have worked in nearby auto plants.
"They've either grown up in a culture where they've either worked and been effected by collective bargaining directly or their families have. I think that they recognize the services that we have with police and fire and the assets that our teachers are. I think when they can personalize it, that grows the support."
The stakes are big. If voters adopt Proposal 2, bargaining rights are locked into the state constitution. If voters reject it, that could give the go-ahead to Republicans in the Legislature who want to make Michigan, like Indiana did earlier this year, a right-to-work state. That would be a huge culture change for a state here in the heartland of organized labor.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The state Senate Judiciary Committee opens hearings Tuesday on a plan to fix Michigan's public defender system. The committee chair said he has to be convinced there is a problem in the state with people not getting fair representation.
Senate Judiciary Committee chair Rick Jones said he never saw a problem with public defense in his experience as a sheriff in mid-Michigan. But he said that doesn't mean there aren't problems in some parts of the state with ensuring defendants are adequately represented, regardless of their ability to pay.
"I'm not prepared to say at this time that the system is broken, but I'm willing to listen and hear from both sides before I make a final decision."
Advocates for public defense reform say there is no county in Michigan that does everything necessary to ensure an adequate defense for everyone charged with a crime. Independent reports rank Michigan's system among the worst in the country. Among other things, they've found too many public defenders are untrained, inexperienced, and overworked.
By RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Republican U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra says he traveled to Israel recently to make use of his contacts and experience to assess recent events in the Middle East, and report back to Michigan. Hoekstra chaired the House Intelligence Committee when he served in Congress.
"I've always had the approach that it's good to go and get your boots on the ground and talk to the people that are closest to the problem and the situation. And so that's why I went to Israel."
Hoekstra said the trip highlights the foreign policy experience he would bring to the job of U.S. senator. Hoekstra said President Obama is mis-managing the Middle East situation, and incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow is making a mistake by supporting the president. Stabenow said President Obama is doing a good job, and her campaign will focus on employment and trade.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
A liberal advocacy group is attacking state House Speaker Jase Bolger's business record in attempt to damage his shot at re-election. The attack comes while Bolger is in the midst of a separate election fraud investigation.
The group Progress Michigan said Bolger's company avoided paying taxes over the course of three years.
Progress Michigan released documents with information dating between 1997 and the year 2000. They include liens from the state and the IRS demanding Bolger's Summit Credit Service fork over more than 100-thousand dollars in unpaid taxes and fees. The documents also show Wachovia Bank sued Bolger and his company for embezzlement and fraud. Ari Adler is a spokesperson for the Speaker.
"There is no situation being faced by the speaker or his partners that isn't faced by many small businesses in Michigan that struggle during their first few years."
Adler said Summit has long since paid all the money owed to the government. He also said Wachovia dropped their lawsuit after Summit showed documents proving they never embezzled money or failed to pay their fair share to the bank.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
Eight Michigan mayors are urging the state Legislature to reject a measure that would make it easier for people to buy handguns.
The coalition of mayors sent a letter this week to Senate and House leadership and to Governor Rick Snyder. It said a package of bills making its way through the Legislature would add to the difficulties of police trying to protect communities. The group includes the mayors of Detroit, Flint, Ann Arbor, and Dearborn. The legislation would no longer require a person to license a handgun before buying or carrying it. It would also get rid of a registry keeping track of the criminal backgrounds of handgun owners. Critics of the proposal say there should be background checks on people who buy firearms gun shows, over the internet, or from private individuals. They say those account for nearly half of all guns purchased in the state. The House passed the bills in June. It's not clear whether the Senate will take it up this year.
BY RICK PLUTA Capital Bureau Chief, Michigan Public Radio Network
A group opposed to local emergency managers filed a lawsuit against the state today, challenging the governor's appointment of emergency financial managers to oversee seven cities and school districts around the state.
The lawsuit claims Gov. Rick Snyder has no authority to name local managers now that Public Act Four, the so-called Emergency Manager Law, is suspended pending a voter referendum in November. But the governor claims he still has authority to appoint emergency financial managers under the law that proceeded Public Act Four.
The lawsuit says there is no enforceable emergency manager law now that the referendum is on the ballot.
© 2012 Michigan Public Radio Network.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state legislature could soon make it easier and cheaper to file request for public information. A state House committee opened hearings Tuesday on the measure.
The bills would put strict limits on how much public agencies could charge to process Freedom of Information Act requests. They would also create a commission to handle complaints about agencies that fail to provide the documents.
But some local government officials say the legislation would cost them big. Bill Anderson is with the Michigan Townships Association.
"You have to bring in attorneys to go through each and every document to make sure that we are not releasing information that may be very critical to somebody else."
Anderson said local governments often can't recoup that money if the attorneys are not city employees. The committee chair said he hopes to hold a vote on the measure before the end of the year.
Call it a "four strikes" law for repeat offenders.
The State Legislature has signed off on new mandatory sentencing guidelines for certain repeat criminals.
The legislation imposes a 25-year minimum sentence for certain repeat criminals who have committed four felonies while progressing to more violent crimes.
Attorney General Bill Schutte is a supporter of the bill. Joy Yearout is his spokesperson...
"Over the last several years, there have been many cases of violent criminals who are repeatedly terrorizing communities, and they're not seeing any real jail time as a result of their crime."
Some people, however, are unhappy with the legislation, including James Samuels. He's a defense attorney in Big Rapids, and is president of the Criminal Defense Attorneys of Michigan...
"We have more than adequate laws on the books in the State of Michigan to deal with serious offenders, serious crimes and habitual offenders. And the judges currently have the discretion, in a habitual offender, fourth offense situation, to sentence someone to significant jail time. So it's just really an unnecessary law."
The bill was approved by the legislature with bipartisan support. It's now awaiting the governor's signature or veto.
When the AARP surveyed voters over 50 in Michigan and around the nation, many seniors voiced concern about Medicare and Social Security.
In response, the organization has prepared a non-partisan Voter's Guide that covers how the candidates will address those issues.
AARP Senior Vice President John Hishta said many voters are not happy with the current political atmosphere...
"They're sick and tired of the partisan bickering, and they want folks to come together, and they want to have an open conversation."
Hishta said most older voters don't think the candidates have done a good job explaining their plans for programs like Social Security.
So the AARP used candidates' responses and publicly available information, both for the presidential and state congressional races.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The investigation into former Congressman Thad McCotter's reelection campaign has cost the state 27 thousand dollars.
Attorney General Bill Schuette's office said the money has been well-spent. Four McCotter staffers are facing charges related to a petition forging scandal. Schuette said he's seen no evidence to suggest McCotter committed any crimes himself. But Attorney General spokesperson Joy Yearout says the investigation is still ongoing.
"As new evidence comes in, we're reviewing it, and if we find anything that dictates the filing of additional charges, we won't hesitate to do so."
Schuette said the 27 thousand dollar price tag reflects more than 400 hours of staff time spent on the case.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
The state Attorney General has stalled a plan to overhaul Michigan's public defense system. Supporters were hoping the bill would pass in a committee hearing Thursday.
Almost everyone agrees Michigan needs to improve its system for providing defense attorneys to those who can't afford one. The state is consistently ranked as one of the worst in the country. But Bill Schuette's legislative relations director Alan Cropsey came to the hearing with a long list of concerns about the bill. He said it would open the state to lawsuits, and doesn't provide enough oversight. Cropsey's testimony ate up a big chunk of the hearing, which was forced to adjourn without a vote. Republican Representative John Walsh chairs the House Judiciary Committee. He scolded Cropsey and the Attorney General for not bringing their criticisms forward sooner.
"Your card indicates neutrality. There was nothing in your presentation that would indicate neutrality."
Supporters of the bill hope to have another hearing this month.
BY JAKE NEHER Michigan Public Radio Network
State Lawmakers failed to move a bill Wednesday that offers a possible solution to serious public lighting problems in Detroit and other cities. Supporters of the bill are pointing fingers at each other.
The package of bills would have created an independent lighting authority in Detroit and other communities as a way to help them light their streets. But Senate Majority leader Randy Richardville said not enough members of Detroit's delegation were willing to sign off on the legislation.
"When you have a majority of the people that represent the city of Detroit saying they don't like the idea, but in several months haven't come up with another idea, it gets a little bit frustrating." But Democratic supporters say they had a deal in place, and they had enough support to pass the bill in the Senate. Richardville said he doesn't plan any more hearings this year on the issue.
Michigan News Connection
According to a new study, voters who've heard that low-income Michiganders don't pay taxes are not hearing the whole story.
The report by the Michigan League for Human Services, finds that low-income Michiganders are paying their share of taxes.
Gilda Z. Jacobs, President of the Michigan League for Human Services, said everyone who buys things in Michigan contributes through the sales tax...
"A third of the taxes that are collected in Michigan come from sales and excise tax. So any time somebody goes and buys a pair of shoes for their kids, buys a pair of jeans, they are all contributing to the sales tax in our state."
The Michigan League for Human Services estimates that when Michigan's newest round of tax changes are fully implemented in fiscal year 2013, business income tax revenues will be cut by 83 percent.
At the same time, individual taxes will go up by 23 percent, with lowest-income Michiganders getting hit the hardest.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A one-judge grand jury will look into whether there was any illegal activity involved in the party-switching plot between state Representative Roy Schmidt and state House Speaker Jase Bolger.
A majority of judges on the Ingham County circuit court determined there is probable cause to go forward with a criminal investigation. Judge Rosemary Aqualina was selected by a blind draw to lead the inquiry. Schmidt and Bolger plotted the Grand Rapids lawmaker's switch to the Republican Party, and recruited a fake Democrat to appear on the ballot so Schmidt would avoid a reelection fight. The Kent County prosecutor has already determined no laws were broken, although he called the episode shameful and forwarded the case to the Secretary of State to investigate possible campaign finance violations. Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer and state Democratic Party chair Mark Brewer called for the grand jury because the State Police investigation was halted before all the subpoenas were served.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Michigan's landmark civil rights law was celebrated as a legal milestone in a ceremony Tuesday at the state Capitol.
The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act was enacted 36 years ago.
"The ceremony in the Capitol rotunda re-united the co-authors of the legislation. State Representative Daisy Elliott was a Democrat from Detroit. State Representative Mel Larsen was a Republican from Oakland County. The Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act protects against discrimination based on race, religion, gender; national origin, or marital status."
Larsen said he's pleased with how the law has worked, but he said it's time to at least consider adding protections against discrimination for gay and lesbian Michiganders. "I would like to see the public debate on gays and lesbians, I really do. I haven't taken a position on it, but I think it's long overdue." There has been legislation introduced in the Legislature to add sexual orientation to the protections in the civil rights law. There are no hearings planned on the bills. Larsen said it was a lot of work to build the bipartisan coalition to enact the civil rights law. He's not sure the same thing could happen today in the era of legislative term limits and hyper-partisanship.
Opponents of a proposal that would make it much more difficult to increase taxes in Michigan are taking steps to keep it off the November ballot.
The proposal would prevent state taxes from being raised unless the increase is approved by a two-thirds majority in both the state house and senate.
Gilda Jacobs is the President and CEO of the Michigan League for Human Services.
She said if passed, the proposal would, in her words, "tie the legislature's hands..."
"What this proposal does, is it would make it nearly impossible to raise any kind of state taxes, for example the gas tax for road and bridge repairs. Or to reenact taxes that have sunsetted or expired, for example, the Medicaid claims tax."
Jacobs said the Michigan constitution requires ballot proposals to explain to voters how it would impact existing laws, something she said the two-thirds tax proposal does not do.
It is up to the Board of State Canvassers to decide if the proposal will be on the November ballot. They meet next on Monday.
BY KAITLYN CAMILLERI
The governor has signed off on legislation that could ultimately lift the cap on how much land the state Department of Natural Resources is allowed to own. The cap was created by the legislature earlier this year. The new law allows the cap to be lifted, if the department creates a long-term land management plan. The plan would have to be approved by the legislature for the cap to be lifted. State Sen. John Moolenaar sponsored the legislation. "We just want to know what the long term plan is for the DNR to own land in Michigan, it's important that we have public land and that it's managed prudently, and we are able to maximize the resources that our state has to offer our citizens," said Moolenaar. Moolenaar said under the new law, residents will know how much land the state owns, and exactly what the state plans to do with that land.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
An ad hoc state House workgroup will review Michigan's new fireworks law and could recommend some changes. The law allows licensed retailers to sell high-powered fireworks.
The law also forbids local governments from banning fireworks on the day before, the day of, and the day after a national holiday. State Representative Harold Haugh is the author of the law and co-chairs the workgroup. Haugh said he's open to tweaks in the law, but considers it a success, by and large. Haugh said some of the complaints he's heard about the law exaggerate its effects.
"The child injuries went up 300 percent, that was from two to six! And of the six that were injured, three of them were utilizing sparklers. Now, those were legal last year."
Haugh said local governments can already enforce noise ordinances, even on the 30 days a year when fireworks cannot be banned. At least one state lawmaker has called for allowing local governments to ban selling or shooting high-powered fireworks.
BY DAVID NICHOLAS
Governor Snyder's ceremonial signing of Public Act 251 yesterday was the final step in what supporters say is the protection of night sky.
The Dark Sky Coast Bill will cover nearly 23,000 contiguous acres of land in northwest Emmet County.
Mary Adams is the Dark Sky Park Program Director, I spoke with her yesterday as she was on her way to the event with the governor in Petoskey...
The ordinance signed by the governor does not place requirements on land owners. It does require that any lighting on included public lands be directed downward so as not to create glare which interferes with the view of the night sky.
Adams notes that the area is already a tourist destination, the Dark Sky designation she said is drawing even more visitors to just the 7th such park in the United States.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The referendum to challenge Michigan's emergency manager law is officially on the November ballot, and the law is suspended until after the election. Now, there's a new fight brewing over whether the old emergency financial manager law now takes over.
Cheers broke out as the Board of State Canvassers ended a deadlock and complying with instructions from the Michigan Supreme Court, put the question on the ballot. The court rejected a technical challenge to the font size on part of the petition. Herb Sanders is the attorney for the referendum campaign.
"We were disappointed that justice was delayed, but we are ecstatic that we're on the course to restoring democracy to local communities in Michigan." Opponents of the law say it robs voters of their right to local control. Sanders did not rule out a return to court to oppose Governor Rick Snyder re-instating or naming replacements under the old law to run seven cities and school districts taken over by the state for financial mismanagement.
Several sitting state representatives survived challenges from within their own party in yesterday's primary election.
One thumb-area lawmaker was not so lucky...
State Representative Kurt Damrow, who has been plagued by allegations of wrongdoing over the last two years, will not be returning to the house next year.
He was defeated last night in his race for the 84th district GOP nomination by Dan Grimshaw, 44 to 36 percent.
Grimshaw will face off against democrat Terry Brown in November. Brown previously served in the state house, but was narrowly defeated in 2010.
Three other republican lawmakers, all in west or northwest Michigan, fought off primary opponents last night.
State Representatives John Bumstead, Bruce Rendon and Wayne Schmidt will all go on to defend their seats against democratic challengers in November.
State Representative Jim Stamas of Midland also fended off a challenge for the 98th district GOP nomination.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Attorney General Bill Schuette said if Michigan's emergency manager law is rejected by voters in November then the old law takes over, and that still allows the governor to name a financial manager to run a city or school district. Schuette's official opinion said that's also true while the law is suspended until after the voting in November.
Public Act Four of 2011 is a souped-up version of Michigan's old local government takeover law, and the attorney general said that old law is back in effect once the referendum is officially put on the ballot. Schuette said the referendum challenges the entire law and not just the concept of emergency managers. Part of the new law specifically repealed the older law. That clears the way for the state to appoint or re-appoint managers running seven cities and school districts. They will be operating with diminished authority. Governor Snyder will also ask the Legislature to make some adjustments to the old law. The referendum campaign is crying foul, and said the governor and the attorney general are writing their own rules to get what they want. They say the governor can expect a legal fight each time he tries to re-appoint a local government manager.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
State Treasurer Andy Dillon said the emergency managers running four cities in Michigan will be quickly re-appointed to serve as emergency financial managers under the former law, with one exception.
"That option is not available for the city of Flint because the current EM served as mayor and under Public Act 72 he would not be eligible to serve as an EFM. He served as mayor in the last five years, which is why he is not eligible to be an EFM." Dillon said emergency manager Michael Brown has agreed to serve as an advisor to ease the transition to his successor. The emergency managers running three school districts are also expected to be re-appointed under the old law. Governor Rick Snyder is also expected to ask the Legislature to adopt a stop-gap law that will govern how cities and school districts under state oversight are run until after the referendum vote in November.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Three Republicans running for their party's U.S. Senate nomination appeared together Thursday in their only televised debate of this primary season.
The candidates agreed on gun control, school reform, requiring super-majorities for tax hikes and opposing federal money for a new international bridge in Detroit. But former Congressman Pete Hoekstra and charter school executive Clark Durant still found plenty to argue about. "I balanced the budget." "No, you didn't..."
The sparring prompted former judge and fellow candidate Randy Hekman to chime in...
"This is like two people wrestling in a little row boat heading over the Niagara Falls."
The debate was heated at times, but all three candidates agreed to support the winner of Tuesday's GOP primary, who will go on to face incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow in November. A fourth Republican, Gary Glenn, will also appear on the primary ballot even though he dropped out and endorsed Durant.
BY KAITLYN CAMILLERI
Governor Rick Snyder honored volunteers and associations from around the state with the Governor's Service Awards last week. One of those associations is the Family Literacy Center in Lapeer.
The center received the Outstanding Volunteer Program Award. The center offers one-on-one tutoring to improve basic skills like reading and writing.
Mary Shelton-Wiese is the Executive Director for the Family Literacy Center.
"Well one of the most amazing accomplishments that I can point to is that in 2011, 43 of our students were able to successfully complete their GED test. And it's really life-changing when someone is able to do that."
The center has over one-hundred volunteers along with four employees.
In the past year, The Center has been able to teach workshops to over 16-hundred people, and tutor over five-hundred adults and 58 children.
LeeAnn Ludwig of Mount Pleasant also received the Mentor of the year award, however she was unavailable for comment.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
State House Speaker Jase Bolger and state Representative Roy Schmidt have a little less than three weeks to respond to complaints they broke campaign finance laws. The complaints are related to a plot to keep a real Democrat off the ballot after Schmidt jumped to the Republican Party.
One of the complaints is from the Kent County prosecutor. It said Representative Schmidt plotted to use his campaign fund to pay off a fake Democrat to be on the ballot. The idea was to avoid a serious re-election challenge after he switched parties. The other complaint is against Schmidt and Speaker Bolger. It said they used staff time, cell phones, and other public resources for a political purpose. It was filed by Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. "This whole scheme involved improper use of taxpayer resources."
The Secretary of State sent letters to Bolger and Schmidt last week. A Bolger spokesman said no laws were broken. But the speaker does support legislation that would make what he and Schmidt tried to pull off impossible to do in the future.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Opponents of a proposal to allow eight new casinos in Michigan will ask the state Court of Appeals to order the question off the November ballot.
The Protect MI Vote coalition is made up of business groups, the three Detroit casinos, and three tribal casinos. The coalition said it's found a fatal flaw in the proposal, that it seeks to both amend the state constitution and the state's casino gaming law that was enacted by voters in 1996. Protect MI Vote's John Truscott said a ballot question cannot be both.
"It's just a straightforward violation of the constitution that we have in place in Michigan today."
"We feel confident our language is good to go for November."
Emily Gerkin Palsrok is with the pro-casino campaign. She said the proposal was carefully drafted by constitutional lawyers. She said the existing casinos are using every avenue they can to stop any new competition.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The $650,000 dollar special primary to replace Congressman Thad McCotter will go ahead. None of the five Republicans who filed to represent the 11th Congressional District withdrew by today's 4 P.M. deadline.
The 11th District Republican chair said he spent the weekend trying without success to get four of the five GOP candidates to drop out. That would have allowed the state to cancel the special primary and save taxpayers that money. Instead, a state elections board finalized the September fifth special primary ballot, which also has one Democrat on it. State Elections Director said Chris Thomas said that's the final word.
"They're on, yeah. We're off to the races."
The special primary in Wayne and Oakland counties cannot be coordinated with the regular August primary because McCotter resigned too late. The special general election between the Democratic and the Republican nominees will occur on the same date as the regular November election. The winner will serve no more than six weeks.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A state elections board will meet Monday to finalize the September fifth special primary that will narrow the field of candidates running to complete the term of Congressman Thad McCotter.
The Livonia Republican resigned suddenly on July sixth.
The board will also make decisions about half a dozen petition drives that turned in signatures to put questions on the November ballot.
The four-person, bipartisan Board of State Canvassers will set deadlines for people and groups to file any objections to the proposed ballot questions. The proposed amendments to the state constitution deal with energy policy, union rights, taxes, casinos, and a new international bridge in Detroit.
The board has until September to act on any challenges to the questions.
One thing the board will not do is deal with a lower court order to place referendum on the November ballot. The measure seeks to repeal the state's emergency manager law.
The issue must first be dealt with by the state Supreme Court, which holds a hearing this week on whether a dispute about type size on a petition is enough to keep the question off the ballot.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said local governments in the 11th Congressional District should not expect the state to help cover the costs of a special primary to replace Congressman Thad McCotter. The cost is pegged at about 650 thousand dollars.
The state set the special primary for September 5th, almost a month following the regular primary date of August 7th. That's because McCotter resigned too late to have coordinated elections. Even though that replacement will serve no more than a few weeks, state officials say election laws, the U.S. Constitution and a court ruling left them no choice but to fill the seat. Governor Snyder said the timing is unfortunate, but the state budget is done and does not include money for special elections.
"It created a difficult environment. I think it could be difficult for the state to look at that as an issue because, again, that would be an appropriation."
And that would require the approval of the Legislature which is scheduled to meet just one day between now and the special primary. The governor said local governments should also not look to the state to *reimburse* them for their expenses.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
The Legislature's only session day in July was a magnet that drew protesters to Lansing.
There were demonstrations to support the right of women to breast feed infants in public, and to commemorate the second anniversary of the Enbridge Energy oil spill into the Kalamazoo River. The biggest protest was about 150 people who showed up to oppose new limits on abortion providers that cleared the state House last month and are now before the state Senate. Megan Groen of Planned Parenthood credits the protests with slowing down the bills. "What happens when we show up is our voices are being heard."
Singing and dancing broke out in the state House gallery by demonstrators who want to keep alive the controversy over the one-day silencing of two Democrats for comments made during a floor debate. State Representative Barb Byrum led a group to the House Republican leader's office to demand an apology. Which was not forthcoming.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Some state lawmakers are already discussing possible changes to Michigan's new fireworks law. It allows consumers to buy more powerful fireworks than they could before this summer, and has been the subject of a lot of complaints.
Complaints about explosions, whistles, and other noises going late into the night have flooded phones and e-mail inboxes of state officials since the law was changed. Complaints spiked in the days before and after July Fourth. Governor Rick Snyder's constituent office reports at least two thousand complaints. Geralyn Lasher is the governor's communications director. She said local governments don't have to wait for the state to act to enact their own limits on fireworks. "There's still some confusion, I think, at the local levels of what they can do to address some of the issues, some of the noise issues." Those ordinances cannot ban the fireworks on the day before, the day of, or the day after a national holiday. The next national holiday is Labor Day at the beginning of September.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Taxpayers might be able dodge the 650 thousand dollar cost of a special primary to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Congressman Thad McCotter. But only if the election is cancelled due to a lack of candidates.
State elections officials say they could cancel the primary, and save on the cost, if only one candidate, or no candidates at all, file for either race. It does not look like there will be a Democratic primary. But two Republicans, former state Senator Nancy Cassis and Tea Party supporter Kerry Bentivolio, both say they're circulating petitions to get on the ballot to serve the last few weeks of McCotter's term in Congress.
Both candidates are also running for the new term that will begin in January. Bentivolio is already on the ballot. Cassis launched a write-in bid for the Republican nomination when McCotter filed hundreds of fake petition signatures.
State officials considered not holding an election because McCotter's term is close to finished. But they say state election law, the U-S Constitution, and a federal court decision left no choice.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Governor Rick Snyder said he's open to re-visiting three controversial elections bills he vetoed recently.
Democrats cheered and Republicans fumed when Governor Snyder vetoed legislation to require people to show a state-issued ID and affirm their U.S. citizenship to get an absentee ballot. The governor also vetoed a measure to require state training for anyone who wants to register voters. Geralyn Lasher is the governor's communications director.
"There were some specific items that he just felt needed to be corrected and, if they stood as they were, he wouldn't be able to sign the bills."
But Lasher said he is open to re-fashioning the legislation.
Republican leaders in the Legislature say they're looking to see if they can craft new legislation that the Governor would support. Democrats and progressive groups say they wish the governor would let his vetoes stand as his final word on the matter.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
A coalition of business groups will urge voters to say "no" to every question that appears on the November ballot.
Rich Studley is with the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and a coalition leader. He said the ballot questions are constitutional amendments that deal with labor issues, energy policy, casinos, a Detroit border crossing, and taxation. There is also a proposed challenge to the state's emergency manager law. He said these are policy questions that should be dealt with by the Legislature, and tweaked by lawmakers when it becomes it becomes necessary. He said putting them into the state constitution would mean it would take another amendment, and another ballot campaign, to make changes.
"There's a real concern about cementing some of these changes into the state constitution."
Most of the ballot campaigns say they launched petition drives in response to the Legislature's failure to act.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
Monday is the deadline for ballot campaigns to submit petition signatures to get their questions in front of voters this fall. There could be half a dozen or more questions on the November ballot. Two of the questions deal with collective bargaining rights. One would require two-thirds super-majorities for the Legislature to approve a tax increase. And one would forbid state resources, including employee time, from helping build a new international bridge in Detroit. There are also efforts to allow eight privately owned non-tribal casinos across the state, and to put renewable energy targets in the state constitution. A petition to outlaw a gas drilling process called "fracking" could also file today. The petition signatures still need to be vetted and approved by state elections officials before they make the ballot. There is also a proposed referendum on the state's emergency manager law. That measure faces a legal challenge to the size of the type used on the petition. The challenge failed in the state Court of Appeals, but now the case is before the Michigan Supreme Court.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING -- A commission appointed by Governor Rick Snyder to look at how Michigan ensures everyone accused of a crime gets a decent legal defense has made its recommendations.
The complaints about Michigan -and the state's system is considered one of the nation's worst - are that public defenders are inexperienced, over-worked, and underpaid. The Michigan Indigent Defense Advisory Commission says an independent agency should serve as a watchdog over public defense. Judge James Fisher chaired the commission. He says the agency would set standards for every county to follow "...so that we can ensure that people have attorneys representing them who are capable, and adequately compensated, qualified, experienced, so forth."
And the state should step in, he says, when counties don't live up to the rules. Now, it's up to the Legislature and Governor Snyder to enact the recommendations. Hearings could begin this summer. Fixing public defense in Michigan could cost taxpayers $50 million.
BY DAN LOYD Michigan Public Radio Network
DETROIT -- A committee that wants voter approval of new international crossings says it has enough signatures to place the issue on Michigan's November ballot.
The ballot question would ask voters if they want a constitutional amendment requiring all new international border crossings to be approved by a statewide vote. Ballot committee director Mike Blashfield says Michigan voters want to have a choice on border issues.
"The signature count continues to grow day by day...and are internal tracking polls show a decisive majority want to have a vote on the future of the border and that these signatures ensure that the people will have a vote in November," Blashfield said.
Gov. Rick Snyder says the international bridge agreement already signed with Canadian officials is binding, and will not be affected by any future constitutional amendment.
Blashfield says despite having more signatures than necessary, the committee will continue to collect signatures until the July 9 deadline.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING -- A coalition of business organizations has asked Secretary of State Ruth Johnson to block a measure from the November ballot. The union-backed amendment would preempt a right-to-work law in Michigan, and reverse many Republican efforts to limit
The business group sent a letter to Secretary of State Ruth Johnson. It says an amendment should be narrow and focused, and this one is sweeping and complex. It could affect dozens of laws and sections of the state constitution -- and people don't know that, says attorney Jim Holcomb of Citizens to Protect Michigan's Constitution.
"The public deserves to be properly informed on not only what they're asked to sign on a petition, but also what they're asked to vote on," Holcomb said.
Dan Lijana of Protect Our Jobs says the ballot campaign has a simple purpose.
"Nearly 700 thousand Michigan voters signed a petition in support of protecting a fundamental right of collective bargaining," he said.
State elections officials say the request to keep the question off the ballot is under review.
BY RICK PLUTA Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING -- A drive to allow eight new privately owned casinos in Michigan says it's gathered more than enough signatures to qualify for the November ballot.
Michigan already has two dozen tribal casinos and three privately owned casinos in Detroit. Emily Gerkin Palsrok is with Citizens for Michigan Jobs. She says there's room for more casinos, which would bring more jobs and tax revenue.
"Our signature collection has gone very well. We've had a very positive response," she said. "We're going to have well more than the 322 thousand - which was the minimum requirement that we need, and we're going to be wrapping up our process in the next couple of weeks."
The amendment is opposed by the existing casino operators. A spokesman for the "vote no" campaign says people should not be allowed to buy a business opportunity by amending the state constitution.
So far, campaigns to reverse Michigan's emergency manager law and to preempt a right-to-work law are the only ones to file petitions to qualify for the ballot.
By David Nicholas
Governor Rick Snyder was in Mt Pleasant for two fund raising events today, one for the Fourth District re-election campaign of Congressman Dave Camp, the other for State Representative Kevin Cotter's bid for another term in Michigan's 99th District.
On Friday, the governor held a press conference with Canadian Prime Minister Brian Harper to announce an agreement in kind for a second international bridge between Detroit and Windsor.
On the same day in Lansing, Democrat lawmakers were censured on the House floor during heated debate over the abortion issue.
The governor sat down with CMU Public Radio's David Nicholas to comment on both, first more reaction to the bridge proposal...
By Rick Pluta
The state Legislature has sent an election year tax rollback to Governor Rick Snyder's desk. It was one of lawmakers' final actions before beginning their summer recess.
State House members, Republicans and most Democrats, will be able to run for re-election this year on a tax cut after a rollback in the income tax rate was delayed last year. The measures on their way to Governor Snyder would accelerate the date of a rate reduction, as well as an increase in the personal exemption.
The House also approved a measure to continue the tax rate rollback through 2018.
Republican state Representative Nancy Jenkins.
"We're helping taxpayers over a period of six years and that's good for Michigan."
"The numbers don't work."
Representative Vicki Barnett was one of a handful of Democrats to vote "no." She said the plan is short-sighted, and could force more cuts down the road to schools and public safety.
By Rick Pluta
Barely a week ago, California voters approved changes to the state's term limits law. California will now allow state lawmakers to serve up to a dozen years in one chamber before they are forced out of office. A Republican legislator in Michigan hopes this state will follow California's example.
California's old term limits law was similar to the one in Michigan that allows lawmakers no more than six years in the House and eight years in the Senate. Republican state Senator John Pappageorge said Michigan has suffered because state lawmakers are inexperienced and never learn to work together. Pappageorge said the idea of tweaking term limits is popular with Michigan voters. But he said politicians are reluctant to change them.
"The bean counters on the Democrat side say, 'This will help the Republicans.' The bean counters on the Republican side say, 'This will help the Democrats.' That's what I've been trying to overcome."
Pappageorge said he still hopes to amend term limits in Michigan before he is termed out of office in 2014.
By Rick Pluta A Democratic state lawmaker has been stripped of his committee assignments because of an outburst this week on the House floor. This is the second time state Representative Harvey Santana has been disciplined for an angry confrontation on the House floor. He lost his seat on the House Agriculture Committee for lunging at a fellow Detroit Democrat during an argument last December. This time, House security had to intervene as Santana went nose to nose with Democratic Leader Rick Hammell in an argument related to legislation to create a lighting authority for the city of Detroit. Hammell requested the disciplinary action by Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger. The Speaker said in a statement that Santana's behavior shows a lack of respect for his colleagues and the decorum of the House. Santana took to his Facebook page to strike back, calling his fellow Democrats, "A bunch of government Judas's every one of them." Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Rick Pluta The group trying to recall Governor Rick Snyder said it's giving up. Michigan Rising released a statement Thursday saying the failed effort to recall Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker shows how hard it is to remove a governor mid-term. It's actually tougher in Michigan to get a recall question on the ballot than it is in Wisconsin. Michigan Rising had already failed once before to gather enough signatures to prompt a recall question. The group said it's not hitting the benchmarks it needs to succeed in this petition drive. Governor Snyder has said he's not been focused on efforts to remove him, but did have short, happy answer when he was asked about the recall campaign hanging it up. "Well that's nice..." Leaders of Michigan Rising say they will now turn their attention to creating a liberal research group to counter the influence of conservative think tanks. Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Republican Congressman Thad McCotter has been officially removed from the August primary ballot by a state elections board. The board ratified a finding that the McCotter campaign submitted hundreds of faked, photo-copied on nominating petitions. The determination was made by state elections officials, and is not being contested by Congressman McCotter. This will bring to an end his 10-year congressional career. Only last year, McCotter made a brief run at the Republican presidential nomination. State Elections Director Chris Thomas said the case and the petitions will be turned over to the Michigan attorney general's office, which is conducting a criminal investigation. "We've done our part. We've reviewed the petitions and found them to be insufficient." There's no word on when the criminal inquiry might wrap up. McCotter said he will cooperate with it. Meanwhile, Republican leaders in the 11th Congressional District are trying to coalesce behind a write-in candidate to challenge a Tea Party candidate who qualified for the primary ballot. Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Rick Pluta
Congressman Thaddeus McCotter has ended his bid to win re-election as a write-in candidate after failing to file enough petition signatures to qualify for the primary ballot.
The Republican has represented a suburban Detroit district for a decade. A lot of people questioned his decision to launch a write-in bid after failing in one of the most basic responsibilities of a political candidate. Other candidates are making plans to enter the race with their own write-in challenges to a Tea Party supporter who is the only Republican who will appear on the August primary ballot. McCotter would also be running in a re-drawn district that's largely new to him.
In a statement, McCotter said dropping his write-in effort will allow him to focus on his official responsibilities as he winds up his congressional career. He said it will also allow him to cooperate with the criminal investigation into how hundreds of faked, photo-copied signatures were submitted to state elections officials.
By Rick Pluta The formal investigation into possible petition fraud by Congressman Thaddeus McCotter's reelection campaign will wait until after an elections board meets next week. The Board of State Canvassers has to officially reject the petitions before they can be turned over to investigators. Elections officials in the Secretary of State's office say it looks like hundreds of signatures were faked by photo-copying them onto petitions. That left McCotter short of what he needs to qualify for the ballot. He said he intends to run a write-in campaign. Meanwhile, Attorney General Bill Schuette said his legal staff is waiting to get hold of the petitions and other paperwork. "When we do, we'll review it thoroughly, do our job in a comprehensive way." Schuette said his office and the Secretary of State have been sharing information prior to the launch of a formal inquiry into what happened. Congressman McCotter is among those who've called for an investigation. Copyright 2012, MPRN
NEWBERRY -- The Duck Lake Fire has destroyed at least 97 structures since it began Wednesday, according to figures released late Sunday night by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
The losses include 34 homes and cabins, 22 garages, 22 sheds and outbuildings and 17 campers. A store and a motel were also destroyed.
The DNR says there are 134 properties within the perimeter of the fire. Of those, 99 have been inspected. Inspections are ongoing, and the DNR says the entire fire has not yet been inventoried.
Of the 99 properties inspected so far, 39 have suffered losses. Some properties had multiple structures lost.
The Duck Lake Fire, burning in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County, has consumed 22,204 acres since it was sparked by a lightning strike Wednesday afternoon. Strong winds fueled the blaze, allowing it to burn 11 miles north of its origin to the Lake Superior shoreline.
The area of most concern is along the eastern flank of the fire, which remains largely uncontrolled. Firefighters have been defending structures in the area from both the ground and air.
The DNR says 214 personnel are fighting the blaze. Forty-five of those are tied to air operations. Resources have come from eight volunteer fire departments, the Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin DNRs, the U-S Fish and Wildlife Service, several law enforcement agencies, the Red Cross and the Salvation Army.
DNR offers escorted site visits for property owners Property owners can now register for escorted site visits to their properties. Upper Peninsula residents can dial 211. All others can call (800) 338-1119.
Property owners can use the same number to register for updates about the property assessment process.
The DNR says property escorts will depend on fire conditions and operations at the time. Permanent residents whose homes are within the fire line will be given priority. Only individuals who own property will be allowed within the fire perimeter.
An evacuation order remains in effect from Pike Lake east to County Road 500, and north to Little Lake Harbor.
On the Web
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
NEWBERRY (DNR) -- The Duck Lake Fire burning in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County is now 48 percent contained, although officials remain very concerned about the fire's potential to blow up again.
New GPS data show that the fire is now estimated to cover 20,255 acres. Forty-eight percent of the fire area is contained. The south end of the fire is 14 miles north of Newberry and 7 miles west from Tahquamenon Falls State Park campgrounds. The fire is long and narrow and stretches 11 miles to the north to Lake Superior. There are currently 40 miles of fire line. Of that fire line, 6 miles is Lake Superior shoreline, 13 miles is completed line (includes County Road 500), and 21 miles is uncontained fire line. Access is very difficult with few roads. Saturday, firefighters made progress on securing portions of the fire perimeter especially along the northwest flank from Lake Superior south to County Road 414 and at the south end of the fire. North of Pike Lake the fire has extended east to County Road 500, with the fire crossing the road in two locations. Fire lines in this area are currently holding.
PDF: Most recent fire map (as of 11pm Saturday): 5-27map.pdf South of Pike Lake the fire is well west of County Road 500. Air water drops have knocked down hot spots from Little Lake Harbor south to Culhane Lake. Structure protection is high priority and is being closely monitored from the air. The entire east side of the fire, from Little Lake Harbor south, is active and with expected westerly/northwesterly winds, extreme fire conditions persist. Flame lengths within the fire perimeter are still 10 to 15 feet. Potential for blow-up conditions continue. During the night, three VFD fire engines patrolled the lines and continued suppression of hot spots. Today's incident objectives are: -- To provide for public and firefighter safety -- To provide for structure protection -- To keep the fire north of M-123 -- To keep fire in vicinity of County Rd. 500 -- To hold fire inside constructed dozer line on northwest flank -- To hold the fire inside burnout operations on the northeast flank -- To continue gathering GPS data on completed line. Today's fire suppression activities will focus on holding existing secure line, fortifying established line put in yesterday, and extending fire lines north from the fire heel along both the east and west flanks. A burn out operation yesterday to create black line along Co. Rd. 500 on the northeast flank will be monitored and mopped up where needed to secure this portion of the flank. Air operations will be focusing efforts on the east and south west flanks and structure protection. An evacuation order is in effect for the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500 and north to Little Lake Harbor. Residents are advised to be vigilant and evacuate. County Road 414 east from the intersection with County Road 410, and County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor are closed. Please do not enter the area.
Property Information: UP Residents: 211 Non-UP Residents: (800) 338-1119
A number of structures have been damaged or lost. The Luce County Emergency Management Team, DNR conservation officers, and firefighters will continue to assess damage. Concerned parties should phone 211 (Upper Peninsula residents) and 1-800-338-1119 (all others) to register their structure location and contact information. As the structure inventory and damage assessment are completed, the involved parties will be contacted by the DNR and informed of the status of their property. The Tahquamenon Falls State Park's lower falls campground, upper falls viewing area, and visitor center have been closed due to smoke concerns. A total of 229 personnel (of which 40 are overhead personnel) are involved with fire suppression efforts. Agencies, people and equipment involved include: • Three DNR Conservation Officers on duty around the clock. • Volunteer fire departments: Bay Mills, Garfield Township, Columbus Township, Portage Township, Whitefish Township, Superior Township, Village of Newberry, Seney Township, and Kinross Township. • 13 DNR fire engines, 10 volunteer fire department engines, 2 VFD fire department water tankers, 3 Wisconsin DNR engines. • 12 Michigan DNR and 2 Wisconsin DNR bulldozers • 1 US Fish & Wildlife Service Helicopter • 2 Minnesota DNR Air Tankers • 4 Michigan National Guard aircraft and ground support. Cooperating Agencies include the Michigan State Police, Luce County Sherriff's Department, Red Cross, Michigan State Police Emergency Management, Luce County Emergency Management, Michigan National Guard, Wisconsin DNR, Minnesota DNR, Chippewa County Sheriff Department, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. A warm front moving through this morning and may bring some rain on the fire area which is expected to clear by noon. Temperatures in the low 70s and a relative humidity of 50 percent or greater are expected. It is essential that the public realize and respect the extreme danger this fire poses to especially areas east of the entire 10 mile long east flank. The rain and the predicted weather for today will aid progress in constructing additional fire control lines and securing existing line. The Duck Lake Fire staff and DNR would like to express their gratitude for the outpouring of support from Newberry, Luce County and the entire region. The numerous citizens lining the streets of Newberry to welcome the fire crews back after a long hard day of fighting fire on the lines is very much appreciated. In addition, the Red Cross has been inundated with donations of food, clothes, Gatorade, and water for both the evacuees and fire staff. The firefighters would especially like to thank all of the Tahquamenon Area Girl Scout Troops for donating $300 from their newspaper and magazine recycling project to provide snacks and goodies for the fire staff while they are out on the fire line. A special thanks also to Snyder Drugs for working with the troops to provide the snacks to the firefighters.
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
NEWBERRY -- A public meeting will be held Sunday to update people forced from their homes by the Duck Lake Fire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County.
The meeting is being hosted by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Speakers include Rich Ahnen, the DNR's on-site incident commander, and his deputies, and officials from Luce County's Emergency Management department and the State Police.
The meeting is Sunday, May 27 at 2pm, at the McMillan Township Hall. The hall is located at the corner of M-123 and Truman in Newberry.
Officials will brief residents on general fire information, and provide an update about structure losses.
DNR creates registration system to update property owners
Property owners are being asked to register by telephone so they can receive further updates about their properties. Upper Peninsula residents can do this by calling 211. Non-Upper Peninsula residents can call (800) 338-1119.
Callers will be asked to provide their names, fire number/address, general location of their structures, and current contact information where they can be reached.
NEWBERRY (1pm 5/26/12) -- The Duck Lake Fire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County grew to 21,114 acres overnight, and remains largely out of control.
Firefighters are concentrating today on fire lines along the east and west flanks of the fire, including those protecting structures around Little Lake Harbor and Pike Lake.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the fire is 14 miles north of Newberry, seven miles west of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park campground, and stretches 11 miles north to Lake Superior. It's border includes 29.5 miles of unconfined fire line, and six miles of Lake Superior shoreline.
Access to the fire remains difficult, as there are few roads in the area.
Residents in the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500, and north to Little Lake Harbor, have been ordered to evacuate. County Road 414 to County Road 410 is closed to traffic, as is County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor.
North of Pike Lake, the fire has crossed County Road 500. Officials with the DNR say fire lines are currently holding in this area.
South of Pike Lake, the fire is well west of County Road 500. Air water drops have knocked down hot spots from Little Lake Harbor south to Culhane Lake. The entire east flank from Little Lake Harbor south is active, and extreme fire conditions persist. Flame lengths within the perimeter are still 10 feet to 15 feet, and the potential for blow-up conditions continues.
Seven volunteer fire departments and a DNR fire engine worked throughout the night to protect and monitor structures. Emergency management officials and Michigan Conservation Officers also worked through the night to assess damage to private structures.
Officials with the DNR say the area east of the fire is of the most concern. They fear a return of strong winds from the west could push the fire into denser fuels, and more homes and cabins.
MORE INFORMATION: DNR toll-free information line: (855) 440-6424
The number of firefighters on the scene grew to 101 today, up from 91 yesterday. Equipment includes a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service helicopter, two Minnesota DNR Air Tankers, and fire engines from the Michigan DNR, seven volunteer fire departments and the Wisconsin DNR.
Four Michigan National Guard aircraft are also expected to arrive today, following Gov. Rick Snyder's order yesterday activating the National Guard in Schoolcraft and Luce counties.
Today's forecast calls for calmer winds, which officials hope will aid in the securing of additional fire control lines.
An outdoor burning ban remains in effect for much of central and northern Michigan. See below for a complete list.
On the Web
Counties under an outdoor burning ban Alcona Alger Alpena Antrim Arenac Baraga Bay Benzie Charlevoix Cheboygan Chippewa Clare Crawford Delta Dickinson Emmet Gladwin Gogebic Grand Traverse Houghton Iosco Iron Isabella Kalkaska Keweenaw Lake Leelanau Luce Mackinac Manistee Marquette Mason Mecosta Menominee Midland Missaukee Montmorency Muskegon Newaygo Oceana Ogemaw Ontonagon Osceola Oscoda Otsego Presque Isle Roscommon Schoolcraft Wexford
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
NEWBERRY (11:30PM 5/25/12) -- A wildfire in the Upper Peninsula's Luce County remained out of control Friday evening, threatening numerous homes and Tahquamenon Falls State Park.
As of 4 p.m. Friday, nearly 18,000 acres had been consumed by the Duck Lake Fire. The fire was sparked Wednesday afternoon by a lightning strike.
The highest danger area is to the east of the fire, and officials fear the fire could quickly push to the east if winds were to increase.
Residents in the area from Pike Lake east to County Road 500, and north to Little Lake Harbor, have been ordered to evacuate. County Road 414 to County Road 410 is closed to traffic, as is County Road 500 from M-123 north to Little Lake Harbor.
According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the long and narrow fire is 14 miles north of Newberry, and seven miles west of Tahquamenon Falls State Park. From north to south, the fire is 11 miles long, and includes six miles of Lake Superior shoreline. In all, there are 29.5 miles of unconfined fire line, and the fire is active along its entire eastern flank.
Emergency management officials say numerous structures have been lost or damaged. Luce County's Emergency Management Team will begin assessing property damage when conditions permit.
A statewide toll-free information line has been set up for people affected by the wildfires. The number is 855-440-6424.
As of Friday evening, 91 firefighters were on the scene of the fire. They include 49 DNR firefighters and 24 from area volunteer fire departments. There are 17 fire engines on the scene, two water tankers, 10 bulldozers, one U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Helicopter and two Minnesota DNR air tankers.
Also Friday, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of disaster in Luce and Schoolcraft counties because of ongoing fire conditions. The governor's order bans outdoor burning and the sale and use of fireworks in the area affected by the wildfire.
The governor also activated the Michigan National Guard to assist with the wildfire, and granted emergency managers the authority to order and compel evacuations.
Snyder has also banned outdoor burning in 49 Michigan counties. A list is below.
The DNR is strongly encouraging all residents and visitors across the state to avoid open burning and the use of any fireworks this weekend, to minimize the possibility of more wildfires.
On the Web
Counties where outdoor burning is banned Alcona Alger Alpena Antrim Arenac Baraga Bay Benzie Charlevoix Cheboygan Chippewa Clare Crawford Delta Dickinson Emmet Gladwin Gogebic Grand Traverse Houghton Iosco Iron Isabella Kalkaska Keweenaw Lake Leelanau Luce Mackinac Manistee Marquette Mason Mecosta Menominee Midland Missaukee Montmorency Muskegon Newaygo Oceana Ogemaw Ontonagon Osceola Oscoda Otsego Presque Isle Roscommon Schoolcraft Wexford
Photo courtesy Michigan Department of Natural Resources.
By Rick Pluta
The
state Department of Corrections plans a shakeup of its network of prisons and
holding facilities to add space for alleged parole violators. The last
remaining prison within Detroit's city limits will close, and be converted to a
holding facility for people accused of parole violators. A prisoner re-entry
facility in the Thumb will also close, while a shuttered prison in Muskegon
will re-open.
Russ
Marlan is with the state Department of Corrections. He said the department has
few alternatives right now when dealing with parole absconders, either ship
them to the state prison complex in Jackson or let them go free. He said this
will add 10 million dollars to the corrections budget, but other options
cost even more.
"So it is additional cost, but
this is really the most cost-effective configuration to get what you need."
Some
Detroit lawmakers complain the move will make it harder for some families to
visit inmates and weaken the support system for prisoners once they're
released.
Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Rick Pluta
The Michigan Republican Party holds its convention in Detroit Saturday. The state GOP is choosing delegates to the party's national convention in Tampa, Florida this summer.
Supporters of Ron Paul say they were denied delegates they deserved.
Ron Paul failed to win a single committed delegate in Michigan's February 28th presidential primary. But Paul supporters hoped to lay claim to a large share of the state's officially uncommitted delegates. They got six out of 30 voting delegates headed to Tampa. But Paul supporter John Ettinger of Linden in Genesee County said they deserved more.
"It was a completely rigged numbers game no matter what."
Matt Frendeway is the Michigan Republican Party spokesman. He said Paul supporters simply failed to win enough delegates to the state convention to get what they want.
"That's what campaigns are about."
Frendeway said the party followed long-established rules for allocating national convention delegates. Most of Michigan's delegates went to Mitt Romney, who won the state's G-O-P primary.
By Rick Pluta
A Michigan Republican Party Convention in Detroit shook up the state's GOP leadership Saturday. The convention ousted the state's two representatives on the Republican National Committee.
A tea party insurgency at the convention helped the effort to broom out veteran GOP activist and former party chair Saul Anuzis and state Representative Holly Hughes. Anuzis was unseated by state Representative Dave Agema, who promised to push Republicans in a more conservative direction.
"I'll work hard to make this party what it should be, a conservative party to the right."
Agema has been ranked as the most conservative lawmaker in the state House. He is particularly active on immigration issues.
State Representative Holly Hughes lost her national committee post to former Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. She said Republicans are looking for new faces to set the direction of the GOP, and determine a strategy for winning in November.
A bill is working its way through the state legislature that would require the posting of information about state government spending in a searchable, online database. Currently, state government expense reports are not easily accessible by the public, said Republican State Representative Kevin Cotter of Mt Pleasant... "It's to no fault of the people. Where are they to find the information? And so it lead me to this idea about a bill to require that all state spending be placed online, in a free, publicly accessible website, where the people that are paying the tab for state spending can go online to find out where the money goes." Cotter's bill requires departments to post information about all financial transactions, including where the funding came from and a description of the expenditure. It's been approved by a house committee, and is now being considered by the full house.
By Rick Pluta
Governor
Rick Snyder said he won't work for just a dollar in 2012. That was the
governor's net salary from 2011 after he donated the rest back to the state.
Governor
Snyder points out he cannot refuse his state salary.
"Well,
it's required by law that I take a salary, so I don't have an option on that."
But in
2011, the governor returned pretty much his entire salary to reflect the
state's budget troubles, and the sacrifices he was calling on many people to
make to fix Michigan's finances. The governor could afford to do that. He is
independently wealthy from his years as an investor and a tech company CEO.
He said now that the state is no longer running a deficit, he intends to keep
his 159-thosuand dollar a year salary. But he said a lot of it will go to
charitable donations. Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Rick Pluta
State
Representative Roy Schmidt took his seat Wednesday on the Republican side of
the state House chamber for the first time since he stunned Democrats by
switching parties without warning.
This is
the first time since the 1990s that a sitting lawmaker has switched parties.
And Democrats say the whole thing seems designed to swing a competitive seat
with a strong incumbent to the Republican column.
Schmidt, who has had some harsh things to say in the past about the Republican
direction in Lansing, said the crossover is simply a reflection of his
moderate politics.
"The
only thing that was promised to me was that I'd have a seat at the table."
Republicans
in the Legislature re-drew Schmidt's Grand Rapids area House seat to be more
friendly to a GOP candidate. A little-known candidate who is a friend of
Schmidt's nephew did file as a Democrat just before Tuesday's filing deadline.
Schmidt said he had nothing to do with that. Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Kaitlyn Camilleri
Federal, State, and local officials are headed to Genesee County this week to assess the damage from recent flooding.
Governor Rick Snyder declared a state of emergency in that county last week, after heavy rain flooded homes and businesses.
Nicole Lisabeth is with the Michigan State Police's Emergency Management and Homeland Security Division...
The preliminary damage assessment is the initial step to help state officials determine whether a federal declaration may be available. So the teams out this week are going and meeting with business owners and home owners, based on damage that was submitted to the county to help determine the extent of the damage.
State officials should know in the next week if Genesse County is eligible for federal aid.
Tuesday is the deadline for U-S Senate candidates in Michigan to file their petition signatures with the Secretary of State to get on the August primary ballot. Democratic incumbent Debbie Stabenow is seeking reelection. A large crowd of Republican candidates is expected to be on the primary ballot. Former west Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra filed his petition signatures last month. Republican candidate Clark Durant filed his petitions Monday. The charter schools advocate said Michigan voters are ready to reject career politicians. "People are tired of career politicians whether they be Republicans or Democrats." Durant has been actively involved with Republican politics for three decades....including previous unsuccessful runs for U-S Senate and the Michigan Supreme Court. Copyright 2012, MPRN
By Rick Pluta
Governor Rick Snyder is asking Congress to adopt a federal plan to help states collect sales taxes on Internet purchases. The governor has endorsed a U-S Senate bill that would allow Michigan to collect the six percent sales tax from online retailers located in other states.
It's estimated Michigan loses about 900 million dollars a year in revenue that it should be getting from Internet sales to consumers in the state. Brick-and-mortar retailers say it's hard to compete when they have to collect the six percent sales tax and dot-com-only retailers don't. Sara Wurfel is Governor Snyder's press secretary. She said the federal government should step in rather than forcing each state to craft its own solution.
"It would affect everyone evenly and fairly and help address this issue in the best way possible."
State law said people are supposed to keep track of their online purchases and remit the tax directly to the state. But few people do, and the requirement is almost impossible to enforce.
By Rick Pluta
The state Senate voted Thursday to phase out a tax on most industrial and business property in Michigan. The tax is a big revenue generator for school districts and local governments.
Senate Republicans amended their original plan so it now provides some assurances it won't force big cuts to education and other services. Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said the tax on industrial equipment, in particular, is so unique it drives investment elsewhere.
"And other states in the Midwest and, in fact, around the country don't do that and so, in order to be competitive, we have to eliminate this."
Republicans rejected efforts by Democrats like state Senator Steve Bieda to link the rollback to job creation targets.
"If these tax breaks are meant to create jobs, then we should be making sure that jobs are created."
Democrats say the rollback is part of a pattern in Lansing of shifting the tax burden from businesses to individuals.
By Mike Horace
A bi-partisan package of bills has been introduced in Lansing to help prevent the sexual abuse of Michigan children.
The bills are titled "Erin's Law," after sexual abuse survivor Erin Merryn. She got the legislature in her home state of Illinois to pass a similar law last year.
State Senator Judy Emmons is co-sponsoring the bills. She said the goal is to teach children how to respond to inappropriate situations...
"The purpose of this law is to make sure they are educated. If a situation arises, what they do, what recourse they have as children, and let them know that they are not the ones that are at fault here."
The legislation requires schools to adopt sexual abuse policies, including an instructional model for elementary-age students about what do if abuse happens.
It would also create a statewide task force to examine sexual abuse issues, and recommend goals and policies that would prevent sexual abuse.
By Rick Pluta
A Republican state lawmaker has proposed a measure to legalize medical marijuana dispensaries. Right now, the future of dispensaries is waiting on a ruling from the state Supreme Court.
State Representative Mike Callton said he did not support the medical marijuana law adopted by voters in 2008.
"I think what voters passed is nuts, just crazy insane." Callton said the voter-approved law has too many loopholes that create questions and problems.
"Obviously, 62 percent of voters, whatever, wanted some form of compassionate care for people, but I think the people who put that referendum together really did a disservice to the people of this state.
Callton wants to legalize dispensaries and he wants to allow them to buy growers' surplus marijuana and keep it off the black market. The bill would ban felons from running dispensaries; and would allow communities to license the facilities and decide where they could be located.
By Rick Pluta
A state Senate panel voted along party lines for a plan to phase out Michigan's tax on most industrial equipment. The full Senate is expected to debate and vote on the proposal in the next week or two.
The stage is now set for a partisan battle that pits Republicans against Democrats and local governments against manufacturers.
State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said phasing out the tax on industrial equipment will encourage more manufacturers to grow or locate in Michigan. "I'm excited about it because that is, I think, one of the last punitive taxes that Michigan has that most other states, especially those in the Midwest, don't have."
"People will pick up the tab for this business tax cut."
Summer Minnick of the Michigan Municipal League said that's because people will see increases in their city, township, county or school district tax bills to make up for the loss of revenue. She wants an amendment that would guarantee the revenue is replaced, Republicans say that's not an option.
By Rick Pluta
Thousands of families in Michigan cut off from welfare benefits will get a notice soon in the mail telling them they may still qualify for cash assistance.
The letter said families that lost benefits because they hit a five-year federal limit can re-apply because they might still qualify under state law. That's according to a judge's ruling last month after welfare advocates sued the state. Unlike, the federal time limit, Michigan's does not count months where an adult stayed home to care for a disabled child, parent, or some other family member. David Ackerly is with the state Department of Human Services.
"Roughly 13 thousand is the number of cases we're talking about and all those people will get a letter and if, somehow, the letter misses them, we are using other sources of information to comply with that court order."
Ackerly said that includes a posting on the department's website and legal notices in newspapers across the state. At the same time, the state is appealing the judge's ruling.
By Rick Pluta
The state Senate has adopted a budget amendment that would effectively lift Michigan's ban on smoking at some charity events.
Specifically, the amendment would allow people to smoke at a charity cigar dinner held every year near Traverse City without worrying about the risk of a citation. Republican state Senator Howard Walker sponsored the budget amendment.
"...That money goes to the needy in the community and I think it's a very worthwhile fundraiser."
The amendment would also exempt other cigar dinner fundraisers that have been around 10 years or more. Detroit's casinos, tribal land, cigar bars, and smoke shops have all been exempt from the ban since it was enacted in 2010. Anti-smoking groups say they'll put up a fight to get the amendment stripped from the budget.
By Rick Pluta Governor Rick Snyder is outlining his vision for the future of Detroit, He delivered an address Monday to business leaders in the city. Governor Snyder said plans to stabilize finances and improve city have to pave the way for neighborhoods that will attract young families. He said young adults between the ages of 25 and 29 and children between five and nine fled the city in bigger numbers than any other group over the past decade, according to the US Census. The governor said there's been a lot of progress, he's still not satisfied with the sense of urgency among city's political and business leaders. "We are not staying even on a day where nothing happens. The city is still declining." A revitalized Detroit is a key element of the governor's vision for Michigan's economic future. He wants the state and its largest city to be the central point of a North American trade zone that stretches from Saint Louis to Montreal. Copyright 2010, MPRN
Occupations recommended for deregulation:
Acupuncturist
Auctioneers
Community Planner
Consumer Financial Services
Dieticians & Nutritionists
Forensic Polygraph Examiner
Forester
Immigration Clerical Assistant
Insurance Solicitor
Interior Designer
Landscape Architect
Professional Employer Organizations
Proprietary School Solicitors
Respiratory Care
Security Alarm Contractors
Speech Pathologist
Vehicle Protections Product Warrantor
Occupational boards recommended for elimination
Board of Auctioneers
Board of Carnivals & Amusement Rides
Board of Dietetics & Nutrition
Board of Occupational Therapy
Board of Respiratory Care
Board of Speech and Language Pathology
Osteopathic Medicine Advisory Board
Ski Area Safety Board
By Consuelo McAboy
Michigan's program for cleaning up leaking underground storage tanks has been at the center of debate between legislators, business owners and environmentalists for the last generation.
As a result, Michigan has more than 9,000 contaminated storage tank sites with no liable parties.
Now, the clean up program may face an overhaul with a package of new Senate bills.
Currently, state law requires owners of underground storage tank sites to hire consultants.
The consultants perform audits throughout the process of site clean up and submit reports to the state.
Throughout the years, businesses have complained that the current regulations lack a clear guideline to follow.
Charlie Owens is with the National Federation of Independent Business, the NFIB. He opposes the current legislation.
He said regulations from the Department of Environmental Quality are vague.
"The DEQ over a number of years has had a lack of specificity in following any clear guidelines in when a site is considered clean enough and the issue is when you're a small business and you're spending money and you're trying to clean up a tank or remediate a site, every time you think you're done, they move the line further over and say well that's great but now you have to do this."
Owens said property owners end up abandoning the sites and taxpayers get stuck with the clean up bill.
The NFIB supports Senate Bills 528 through 533. Owens said the bills would amend the current legislation by creating specific standards and procedures for declaring when a site is closed and clean.
"In concept the major change is that the Department would no longer be able to continue to add requests, add tests, add conditions, to giving a business or an individual or a unit of government, a clean bill of health on a tank clean up."
Owens said the new bills also lay out the DEQ's specific authority to audit a site only in its final stage.
James Clift is with the Michigan Environmental Council, the MEC. He said the new proposal still needs some work.
"We still have some concerns with the legislation. The largest of those is we think that the state isn't doing enough to make sure that they have proper oversight of these clean up sites. We think maybe the pendulum is swinging a little too far and they're giving too much discretion to the contamination site owner in evaluating what gets cleaned up and how much it gets cleaned up." State Representative, Frank Foster said the House acknowledges the MEC's concerns.
"We worked with the MEC, we weren't able to get them on support but we acknowledge a lot of their concerns throughout the process. The fact of the matter is, each site in Michigan because of the bureaucracy and red tape costs nearly $400,000 to clean up and by our estimates, the average state has about 120,000 to clean up a site so through the regulatory environment that this state has, we needed to create something in statute so that we could lower that cost and do this more efficiently."
Foster said the bills have passed the Senate and the House of Natural Resources Committee and are being voted on this week for final action.
He said the bills are expected to pass and will be sent to the governor's office to become state law.
By Rick Pluta The first hearing will be held Wednesday on a Republican plan to phase out taxes on most industrial equipment in Michigan. Local governments collect about 400 million dollars in revenue a year from the industrial property tax. Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley helped design the plan to get rid of the tax over the next several years. He said Michigan is unique in how it taxes industrial property and he said it's driving investments to other states and countries. "So at the end of the day, it's about jobs and removing the penalty for investing in Michigan." But local leaders say the way the phaseout is drafted now, it would force disinvestment in schools, and city services. That's because it does not replace all the revenue lost to local governments. The communities that would be most affected are the ones with the most factories. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta This week's tax filing deadline has sparked a new round of arguing between Democrats and Republicans about taxes with an eye toward elections later this year. Democrats hope to use the issue of taxes to their advantage in the November elections. State House Democrats called attention to Michigan's new tax on pension income and the loss of deductions and credits for charitable donations, raising children, and low-income households. Representative Mark Meadows said some of those tax breaks should be restored and funded with a projected budget surplus. "I think what's fair is to return that money right now to them that we've shown we do not need it." "We're moving toward a system where everyone is going to be paying more fairly and more equally across the board." Ari Adler is the spokesman for state House Republicans. He said the tax overhaul is more fair because it treats all income the same, and that a tax cut to many businesses is already spurring new jobs. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Democrats in Lansing plan to use this week's tax-filing deadline to re-open the debate about last year's tax overhaul at the state Capitol. Democrats think the tax issue will help them in elections this year. Seniors born after 1946 have their pensions taxed for the first time. Deductions and tax breaks for many charitable donations will be gone when state taxpayers file next year. At the same time, taxes were lowered for many businesses. Democrats intend to remind voters of that as they try to win an additional nine seats in November to take control of the state House. They say more than a dozen swing districts will be the target of fierce campaigning on the issue of taxes. Republicans said there are elements of the tax overhaul that were unpopular, but necessary to streamline and simplify tax filing and to make Michigan a more business-friendly state. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta The campaigns for President Obama and presumptive Republican candidate Mitt Romney say Michigan will be a battleground state in the months leading up to the November election. Michigan have not picked a Republican in the presidential race since 1988. State Attorney General Bill Schuette is Romney's Michigan campaign chairman. He said Romney family connections to Michigan put the state in play. "Fundamentally, with Mitt Romney as a Michigan guy with deep Michigan roots and the Romney family's commitment to service, I think that is etched into the electorate here in our state." Romney's father served as governor of Michigan in the 1960s; his mother and a former sister-in-law both ran for the U-S Senate; and his brother served on the Michigan State University Board of Trustees. President Obama will visit Michigan next week. His campaign press secretary also said Michigan will be hard-fought. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Mike Horace
Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette has ordered a Flint-based cyber casino to close.
According to the Attorney General, the Flint Business Center is operating in violation of Michigan law.
The facility allows customers to purchase sweepstakes entries, and then use a casino-style computer game to reveal whether the entries are winners or losers.
Joy Yearout is a spokesperson for the Attorney General. She said the Flint Business Center has two weeks to comply with state law...
"Certainly if the location refuses to alter its operations so that they follow state law, they could face both civil or criminal penalties. And that's a decision we'll make in the next 14 days based on how they respond."
Yearout said customers are at a greater risk gambling in unlicensed facilities, because they have no recourse if they lose or are scammed.
By Rick Pluta
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has filed its first legal action under an order that outlaws some species of exotic swine. This is the first legal action taken by the Michigan D-N-R since the state started enforcing the order on April first.
The D-N-R has filed a legal action in Cheboygan County against the Renegade Ranch Hunting Preserve for refusing entry to state inspectors and harboring prohibited species. In a statement, D-N-R Director Rodney Stokes said the order declaring dozens of exotic swine strains as invasive species was necessary to protect Michigan's woods, fields, and farms from damage by feral hogs. In most cases, he said ranch operators have submitted to inspections.
The owner of the Renegade Hunting Ranch said all his swine are legal, but that, on the advice of his attorney, he told a D-N-R inspector the D-N-R needed a search warrant. Ronald McKendrick said he has filed a trespassing complaint against the D-N-R officer.
By Tracy SamiltonThe Washtenaw County Elections Commission has approved the language on recall petitions against Governor Snyder. One member of the commission argued that the first sentence on the petition is unclear. The sentence reads, "Governor Snyder has abused the children of Michigan." The petition then lists things like cuts to school funding and food aid. Attorney Andrea Hansen, on behalf of the Governor, argued the language should not be approved. "Well, It's offensive, but for this purpose, it's ambiguous." Recall organizer Marion Townsend says the Governor broke campaign promises not to raise taxes or cut school funding. "So it's hurting, his policies are hurting Michigan residents." Recall organizers have 180 days to get about 807-thousand valid signatures to get the recall on the November ballot. A previous recall drive fell far short of getting enough signatures. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Opponents of the effort to put a referendum on Michigan's emergency manager law on the November ballot filed a challenge Mon to the petitions turned in last month. The group Michigan Forward turned in almost 237 thousand petition signatures to state elections officials last month. Michigan Forward opted not to get its petition pre-approved by state elections officials. And now opponents of the referendum drive say they've found what they're calling a "fatal error" on the petitions. The group Citizens for Fiscal Responsibility said the petition itself is printed in the wrong type size, which is contrary to state law. The group will ask a bipartisan state elections panel to throw out all the petitions at a hearing expected to be held later this month. Michigan Forward said it stands by its petitions, and calls the challenge part of an effort to block voters from deciding the fate of the emergency manager law. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta A group that wants to oust Governor Rick Snyder will launch its second effort to collect enough signatures to put a recall question on the November ballot. It will go before an election commission this Monday looking for permission to let the petition drive go forward. The group Michigan Rising gathered half a million signatures last year, but that was well short of the 800 thousand names of registered voters needed to put a recall question on the ballot. The group will ask an elections panel in Washtenaw County. where the governor lives, to approve its petition. By law, the panel may only rule on whether the petition clearly states the reasons for the recall. Michigan Rising cites the state's emergency manager law and cuts to school funding as the reasons to recall the governor. If the petition is approved, the recall campaign will have six months to gather signatures. Governor Snyder's spokesman said he is focused on his on his job and expects this recall effort, like the one before it, will fail because people will see he is making tough-but-necessary choices. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber
A consent agreement has been reached between Detroit City Council and a state-appointed financial review team. That deal was approved by Governor Rick Snyder.
The consent agreement immediately avoids the appointment of an emergency manager. But many residents still think a consent agreement is a bad deal for Detroit. Saundra Hines told members of the financial review team, most of whom are also Detroit residents, that she feels they were bamboozled by state officials.
"I mean what did it take for you to sell us out the way that you're doing?"
Members of the review team say they are very proud of the agreement... adding that it will help turn Detroit around. But, State Treasurer Andy Dillon says financial stability won't happen overnight.
"It's going to take a long time. The city didn't get here over night, so it's going to take awhile to get her back on her feet."
Governor Snyder applauded city and state officials for reaching the deal. He is expected to sign the agreement.
The state legislature may be on Spring Break, but work on the 2013 budget continues.
State Representative Bruce Rendon is calling for a disciplined approach to the budget process.
That means maintaining funding for existing programs, while increasing funding to select areas...
"We're going to try to maintain all the areas of the budget, at least at
last year's rate. But maybe some of this surplus that is being
projected can make it to the classroom, where it can really affect our
children."
State officials estimate there will be a 400-million dollar budget
surplus for the current fiscal year, which can be carried over to next
year.
G-O-P lawmakers are hoping to complete the 2013 budget June 1.
By Mark Bashore Supporters of casino expansion in Michigan are moving ahead with efforts to put the issue before voters this November. The State Board of Canvassers Tuesday approved ballot language for the initiative. With enough signatures, voters would decide whether to amend the Michigan Constitution and pave the way for up to eight new private establishments across the state. Attorney Michael Hodge represents the 'Committee for More Michigan Jobs,' the group spearheading the effort. "People in Michigan don't seem to be able to get enough of casinos. And each time one is developed, it is well-attended. Our assumption is that these will be very popular with the voters." The group claims the eight new casinos could create a thousand new jobs and 300 million dollars for municipalities and schools. A spokesperson representing some existing casinos said the current 25 establishments are enough given recent population declines. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber Lawmakers at the state Capitol begin a two week Spring break Monday. The break comes as state budget negotiations are ramping up for the coming fiscal year. Ari Adler is press secretary for Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger. Adler said there will be a lot of work to do when lawmakers return. "Well the primary focus when we return will be to continue work on the budget. The Speaker has said he wants to see us complete the budget by June 1st again, just like we did last year. We've proven we can do it, so there's no reason we shouldn't be able to accomplish that again." Michigan House and Senate panels have approved some preliminary spending proposals. There appear to be differences among lawmakers and Governor Rick Snyder on how money should be allocated for higher education, K-through-12 schools, and the state's film incentive program. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Governor Rick Snyder said a legally enforceable consent agreement is still the best way for Detroit to avoid an emergency manager. The governor faces a deadline next week on whether to order a state takeover of Detroit. A state-appointed review team has declared Detroit in a fiscal crisis. The city is expected to run out of money as soon as next month. State approval is needed for a plan that would allow the city to borrow money to meet its cash crisis. But city leaders continue to resist the options of an emergency takeover or a consent agreement. Governor Snyder said time is growing short and tough decisions must be made soon. "I would hope it would get done this week because the sooner we can get it done, the sooner we can go to work on implementation because that's what really matters to the citizens is better services." The governor said financial stability would lead to better services, and that would lure more people to live and work in Detroit. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta The state Senate plans to vote Wednesday to repeal Michigan's motorcycle helmet requirement for riders who are 21 and older. The Senate vote would likely send the measure to Governor Rick Snyder to sign or veto. Repealing the helmet law is a very popular idea in the Republican-led Legislature, but the measure has not moved in many months because Governor Snyder linked the issue to making changes to Michigan's no-fault insurance law. Those changes would limit medical benefits to injured people, and have proved to be controversial. State Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville said repealing the helmet law should not get caught in that stalemate. "It didn't seem right to be penalizing a group that's been waiting for a long time and now, especially with the weather and the way that it's been changing. People are out on their bikes already, and I'm thinking this would be a good way to celebrate the new riding season." But Governor Snyder remains non-committal on what he'd do if and when it reaches his desk. He only said he'd review it. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta A political fight between Republicans and Democrats at the state Capitol has landed in court. Democrats in the state House say Republicans in the majority are violating the Michigan Constitution. The lawsuit says the House G-O-P majority refuses to hold recorded votes on a procedure that requires super-majorities to pass. It allows bills to become effective upon being signed by the governor. Otherwise, bills cannot become law until 90 days after the end of a legislative session. The minority party often uses that to slow down controversial measures. House Democratic Leader Rick Hammell. "We feel the constitution's been violated over the past year plus and we have not been allowed to have immediate effect votes." A judge has ordered Republicans to show up in court on Monday to explain why they won't hold recorded votes on the procedure. Democrats will ask the judge to order record roll call votes. Republican leaders say they have complied with the constitution. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Amy Robinson
The question of same sex marriage has found its way to a northern Michigan Indian Tribe.
The Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians' tribal council will vote on the on whether or not to approve same sex marriage at the request of two tribal members.
In 2007, the tribal council had voted unanimously that marriage is only between a man and a woman. But Tribal Legislative Leader Mel Kiogima said politically a lot has changed since then.
Well we have a different tribal chairman right now, and there are only two remaining council members from January 2007, so we have kind of a whole new make up of tribal council right now.
Kiogima said the proposal has been posted to the tribe's legislative calendar. The soonest the tribal council can vote on the measure, he said, is at its April 22 meeting.
Flint's mayor said he may be back in charge of his city as early as Wednesday. Yesterday a judge reinstated the mayor and Flint city council after deciding the panel that recommended the appointment of an emergency manager violated Michigan's open meetings law. Lawrence Roehrig is with the city union that brought the lawsuit. "I think the judge made the appropriate ruling. That things that are done in a dark room have no place in our society.' The governor's office is expected to ask the Court of Appeals to overrule Tuesday's decision, and allow Flint's emergency manager to return to work. Flint faces an estimated 20 million dollar deficit. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Governor Rick Snyder's administration will appeal a judge's ruling that would delay any deal between the state and Detroit on a plan to fix the city's fiscal crisis. A state financial review panel will also meet Wednesday to review its options. The judge ordered the state and the city to not make any agreements before a hearing on March 29th. Geralyn Lasher is the governor's communications director. She said the governor is still sticking with his deadline of March 26th for a deal with Detroit to avoid a state takeover. "This would really delay that process. We know that the city of Detroit has told they are going to be running out of money. We know that Moody's has downgraded their credit rating. We know that time is of the essence to fix the financial situation in Detroit." Lasher said the city and the state need to continue negotiations regardless of what's happening in court. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing and the city council are in the process of drafting their counter-offer to Governor Snyder's proposed consent agreement. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta A pair of measures that would strengthen collective bargaining rights took a small step today toward being on the November ballot. A bipartisan state elections panel ruled the petitions comply with the law. Ballot campaigns don't have to get an official ruling from the state on whether petitions are printed on the right-sized paper with the proper type and layout before they start to collect signatures. Republicans in the Legislature want to make it a requirement. And that could have forced the union-led ballot campaigns to start over weeks or months into their efforts. Todd Cook is with the Protect Our Jobs campaign. "While not required, it seemed to be prudent." The Protect Our Jobs amendment would to preempt a right-to-work law in Michigan and block other restrictions on union organizing and fundraising. Another proposed amendment would guarantee the rights of home assisted living workers to collectively bargain with the state. Both campaigns have until July 9th to collect the names 320 thousand registered voters. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Mike Horace
The State House has voted to ban the use of campaign funds for legal defense purposes.
Such a ban could have an impact on candidates statewide...
The legislation would put an end to campaign funds being used for the
legal defense of public officials, and would instead require them to
create separate legal defense funds.
Republican State Representative Marty Knollenberg said former Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is the poster child for the bill...
"We know what's happened with Kwame Kilpatrick, and how he was using his
campaign account to defend his personal matters. That's just simply
wrong. These accounts should not be used as a slush fund for personal
matters."
Kilpatrick came under fire two years ago for using campaign funds to
defend himself against perjury and public corruption charges.
The legislation applies to all candidates for state-level office, and all judicial offices.
By Rick Pluta A union-led effort to amend the Michigan Constitution to guarantee labor bargaining rights will go before a state elections panel Monday. The Protect Our Jobs campaign will ask the Board of State Canvassers to pre-approve its petition to get on the November ballot. The proposed amendment would foil Republican efforts to make Michigan a right-to-work state, and block dozens of other G-O-P-proposed restrictions on union organizing and fundraising. The organizers had not planned to get elections officials to sign off on the petition to make sure the forms are technically correct as printed. But a Republican bill in the Legislature threatens to force the campaign to throw out signatures it's already gathered and start over unless it gets that approval. Another ballot question that would require corporations to report their political spending has folded its efforts to get in the November ballot less than two weeks after it launched. Organizers of that proposed amendment say they are aiming now for the 2014 election. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Governor Rick Snyder leaves Saturday morning for a week-long trade mission to Italy and Germany. Governor Snyder's focus will be on automotive and alternative energy companies on his first official business trip to Europe. Transportation equipment and chemicals account for more than half of Michigan's six billion dollars in annual exports to Europe. The governor will start out in Turin-Italy, meeting with executives at Fiat and other companies. Fiat is the parent company of Chrysler. From there, the governor heads to Stuttgart-Germany, where his itinerary includes a presentation on Michigan's chemical industry and advanced power storage systems, as well as meetings with executives at B-A-S-F, Bosch, and Daimler. The governor made a trade swing through Asia in September. He returns to Michigan on March 24th. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta The state House has approved a measure to require groups that want to amend the constitution or go to the ballot to pass a law to get their petitions approved in advance by a government panel. The measure passed on a party-line vote. "This bill would not allow a ballot question to be evaluated on the content of the proposal. Rather, it guarantees that all the efforts that a group puts into gathering signatures will not be wasted because of a technical mistake." The measure could force three current petitions drives to stop gathering signatures, get state approval, and start over. Democrats voted against the bill. They say it's an effort by Republicans to sink petition drives they don't like with just four months before the deadline to get on the November ballot. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta A ballot campaign is trying to amend the state constitution to require businesses to tell the public when they run their own political ads. A petition drive will try to put the question to voters on the November ballot. The amendment takes aim at the 2010 Citizens United U-S Supreme Court decision that allows unlimited political expenditures by corporations as a long as they are not coordinated with a candidate's campaign. The ballot drive is led by elections law professor Jocelyn Benson. She was also the Democrats' 2010 candidate for Michigan secretary of state. Benson said lawmakers could have enacted disclosure laws following the court decision, but didn't. "This is a significant problem and the citizens have to do something about it because reform is not coming from the state or from Congress." The amendment would require businesses to report political expenditures within 24 hours and identify themselves on their ads. Unions are specifically excluded. Benson said labor organizations are bound by other disclosure laws. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber Detroit Mayor Dave Bing gave his annual State of the City address Wednesday. He assured city residents that he and Governor Rick Snyder have reached an agreement that a state-appointed emergency manager is "not the best approach" for Detroit. Mayor Bing said the city will need Governor Snyder and the state Legislature's support to avoid an emergency state takeover. He called on state officials to allow the city to execute tentative labor agreements. He also asked for "financial and operational support" from the state. Bing's sentiments were received well by city officials. "I don't want and will not support an emergency manager for the city of Detroit." But the mayor gave few specifics on what a consent agreement between the city and the state's financial review team to avoid an emergency manager might look like. Mayor Bing also used his speech to discuss public safety and effective mass transit in the city, but offered few details on any future plans. Bing did say he won't close any of Detroit's Recreation Centers. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Chris McCarus
Yesterday, church leaders and trade unionists got closer to repealing Michigan's emergency manager law. It's called Public Act #4. About 300 people held a rally inside Central United Methodist Church across from the capitol in Lansing. Then they carried boxes of 226,000 signatures to the secretary of state's office. That's enough for the issue to be voted on during the November election.
Their goal is to repeal Public Act #4, the Emergency Manager law that was enacted a year ago. It allows the governor to appoint a person who can cancel contracts with unions and strip power from elected officials. Benton Harbor and Flint have emergency managers now. Governor Snyder might send one to Detroit too.
Rev David Bullock is a pastor in Highland Park...
"We have to make it known that this is not a black effort, it's not a white effort, it's not a labor effort, this is the right effort, and we are all here today to say that Michigan has come together to stand up for democracy. Traverse City, Bay City, Port Huron, Highland Park, Detroit, Benton Harbor, Saginaw, the U.P., we are standing up for democracy."
Brandon Jessup spent 8 months organizing the repeal campaign...
"Everything that we know is under attack, if it's not our public parks, it's our public paychecks. If it's not our water system and our taxes going up, it's our pensions. If it's not our children living in a threat of violence, and unsafe communities, it's the threat of our schools closing. So this petition, the thousands of petitions you guys have collected, this ain't about me at all, it's never about one person, it's about the movement."
The secretary of state has 60 days to respond. But petition organizers believe that they'll all decide on exact ballot language much sooner than that.
Michigan has almost 7 million eligible voters.
If the November election brings out a typical 51% of registered voters, those who go to the polls, approximately 1.5 million votes would be needed to overturn the law.
By Rick Pluta The campaign to challenge Michigan's local emergency manager law has filed petitions seeking to put the question on the ballot. Opponents say the state takeover law is an affront to voters' rights to choose their local elected officials. People sang and chanted as they marched to the Michigan Bureau of Elections with 49 boxes of petitions to put Public Act 4, Michigan's emergency manager law, to a referendum. Elections officials have 60 days to determine if the campaign collected enough signatures. If so, the law is suspended until the vote in November. Brandon Jessup said he hopes the Legislature won't do anything to extend the managers' emergency powers during that period. "We want to encourage our Legislature to respect our petitions that we just filed to the tune of 226 thousand 637 voters that said Public Act 4 deserves to be put on the ballot in November." But Republican leaders said they think that might be necessary to ensure stability in financially distressed communities that have been taken over by state-appointed managers. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber A lawmaker from the Upper Peninsula said every region in the state could benefit from a strong and vibrant Detroit. Republican state Senator Tom Casperson has become an unlikely advocate for a regional transit system in southeast Michigan that would connect Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Washtenaw counties. Casperson's district in the U-P would not benefit directly from the transit system. The U-P could benefit long term from newfound political ties to Detroit. As last year's legislative session drew to a close, a handful of senators stood to make their remarks about the year that was 2011. But only one floor speech drew reverent silence. "Being a Michigander, there is a special place in my heart, for Detroit." That's state Senator Tom Casperson, a Republican from Escanaba... very far away from Detroit. Casperson told his colleagues about a trip he took to Detroit to see how effective the city's bus system is, and what needs to be improved. He said the trip opened his eyes to the beauty and plight of Detroit, and taught him something about his own district as well. "The Upper Peninsula has struggled, and I would hate to think that my downstate colleagues would turn their back on us, give us the cold shoulder and make us face those difficulties alone. I am not going to turn my back on those below the bridge." "Tom's speech was so good that he made me sit down because I just didn't want to be, I didn't want to end on a negative note." That's Democratic state Senator Bert Johnson from Detroit. Johnson had planned to make a speech the same day as Casperson, to denounce the Republican policies of 2011. But he decided to stay quiet. Johnson was Casperson's host on his trip to Detroit and they rode the bus system together. Johnson said his working relationship with Casperson began with a simple conversation about transportation. "He said, 'Well what's it like to be on a bus in Detroit?' and I said 'Why don't you come down and try out?' and he did." Senator Tom Casperson. "I could not believe how beautiful the buildings were and the history and everything that's there. And I walked away that day just convinced that we're not doing ourselves any favors if we just keep talking about the bad things." But the connection between lawmakers from Detroit and the U-P goes back far before Casperson and Johnson's bus ride that day. "It's been a longstanding tradition in Michigan." That's Bill Rustem, a key advisor to Governor Rick Snyder, and a former advisor to Governor Bill Milliken in the 1970s. Rustem said the alliance between lawmakers from the U-P and Detroit faded away because of term limits. But he said forty years ago lawmakers from the two regions bonded over shared hardships - declining population, withering coal and automotive industries, and increased urban and rural poverty. "The fact that these two geographic areas of Michigan were in a position of economic decline, and how to figure out how to make them both work and working together, they were able to accomplish some things that were very important to either Detroit or the Upper Peninsula." Rustem said cooperation between the two regions centered around the then-chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, Dominic Jacobetti from the U-P, and another member of the committee, Morris Hood, Jr. from Detroit. Here's Hood's son, Morris Hood the third. "When Mr. Jacobetti passed away, my dad was crying... And he told me the U.P. was just like Detroit." Morris Hood the third followed in his dad's political footsteps and is now a state Senator. He said his father and Jacobetti worked closely together for so long that they had an understanding with each other and about the needs of each other's communities. "Those are the types of things that we don't have any more because of term limits. You don't really have a chance to get to know someone." Coincidentally, Morris Hood the third's office at the state Capitol is next door to that of Senator Tom Casperson from the U-P. They both say having offices next to each other has made their working relationship stronger and built up trust between them. In Casperson's office, the U-P lawmaker sits at a wooden meeting table with a boldly stained inlay of the Upper Peninsula. He said after the day he spent in Detroit with Senator Bert Johnson, he invited Johnson to swap districts with him for one week. Casperson said now that he has begun to see the unique beauty and needs of Detroit, he hopes Johnson will see the unique beauty and needs up north. "The hope is is that some of those walls will start dropping, and who knows, we might start agreeing on more things than we thought we could." Senator Bert Johnson. "He's a Republican, I'm a Democrat - we don't agree on everything politically. But for some reason he was able to sort of put aside political ideology, and say, 'Look, I'd like to do something substantial to help Detroit, and maybe this regional transit conversation is the way to start.'" Senator Casperson is the chair of the Senate Transportation Committee, and his bill to create a regional transit authority in southeast Michigan has Johnson's full endorsement and support. Both lawmakers say they hope to collaborate on more legislation in the future. "He's got a lot going on up there that I don't have going on down here, and vice versa. It would give us a genuine understanding of both the politics and the degree to which politics influence our own policy making when we show up in the Capitol." "Mr. Jacobetti took my father up under his wing and was teaching him the appropriations process." "On the particular day when we went and rode the buses, we went and experienced Detroit, and that was the part for me that opened my eyes wide open. And what I found was a very beautiful city. We never hear that. I come from northern Michigan, no one talks about 'beautiful Detroit.'" Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Republican U-S Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra is altering his ad strategy following a storm of criticism over a spot deemed by many as insulting to Asians. The Hoekstra campaign is rotating a new T-V ad into a statewide media purchase that will air instead. The first ad immediately became the target of criticism, nationwide attention and jokes. It depicts a young Chinese woman speaking in broken English. "Debbie spend so much American money..." The new Hoekstra ad also takes aim at incumbent Senator Debbie Stabenow, as well as the coverage and criticism of the China ad... "In spite of what the media said, this race is really about the chance to tell Washington to spend it not..." The new ad makes no mention of China. The Hoekstra campaign also pulled down a website associated with the China ad. Hoekstra's rivals for the Republican nomination have seized the moment, though. Clark Durant condemned the China ad. "It demeans people." Durant also moved up the launch of his campaign's first T-V ad buy Copyright 2010, MPRN
House Republicans are following through on their pledge to eliminate outdated regulations from state government.
The house voted Tuesday to strike regulations affecting cherry processors from the books...
Current law requires cherry processors to file annual reports with the Secretary of State about where their cherries come from, and how many were harvested.
They're also required to pay an assessment to fund Michigan's Cherry Commission.
The problem, said State Representative Bruce Rendon, is that the Cherry Commission hasn't existed for some time. He said it's time for rules pertaining to that commission to be struck from the books...
"We're trying to streamline government so we can be accountable, and be customer friendly to our constituents."
Lawmakers also voted to rescind outdated rules regarding the Upper Peninsula State Fair, the now-defunct State Apple Commission, and inspection laws for tomatoes, gladiolas and Dutch Elms.
By Rick Pluta Republican U-S Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra is defending a campaign ad against accusations it is anti-Asian and plays on racial tensions. The ad takes aim at incumbent U-S Senator Debbie Stabenow and U-S economic policy. The ad shows a young Asian woman on a bike next to a rice paddy. She speaks in broken English. "Thank you, Michigan Senator Debbie Spend-It-Now" Hoekstra said the ad uses humor to make the point that spending and debt weakens America and strengthens China. "Your economy get very weak. Ours get very good." "Debbie is for spending and Pete is not. I don't see anything nasty in this ad at all." But critics. Democrats certainly, but also some Republicans, as well as ministers and diversity groups say the ad goes beyond humor to play on racial tensions. Stabenow said: "I think it's embarrassing for him and it's very divisive." The ad does not mention Hoekstra's Republican primary opponents. They said the ad ignores Hoekstra's votes for more spending when he served in Congress. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber State House Democrats say it's time to beef up Michigan's campaign finance and political ethics laws. Critics say the Democratic proposals single out corporations and protect labor unions. House Democrats unveiled a set of proposals that include a constitutional amendment that would require corporations to disclose political and lobbying activity, and a measure that would prevent state lawmakers from being lobbyists in the state for two years after a political term. State House Democratic Floor Leader Kate Segal. "Every year that goes by that we have not passed meaningful reform is another year that the bad actors in the state are allowed to spend money to influence public opinion with little or no accountability." Republican critics say the proposals specifically exempt labor unions, which are historically major contributors to Democratic campaigns. Segal said unions are already required to disclose their financial contributions under federal law. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta A Republican-led state House panel approved a package of bills Tuesday that includes tougher penalties for public employees who go on strike or threaten to strike, and would make it easier for business owners to get an injunction against picketers. It would also make it harder for unions to automatically collect dues from their members. The measures are supported by business groups and opposed by organized labor. The stage is now set for a partisan fight when the measures come up for votes on the House floor. Republican state Representative Earl Poleski said his bill to require union members to re-authorize payroll deductions every year empowers employees to hold labor leaders accountable for how their dues are spent. "I would consider it a pro-employee bill, pro-consumer." "It's not at all about protecting union members' rights, they couldn't give a rip about that." That's Tim Hughes with the United Auto Workers. He said the measure is really meant to undermine labor's ability to organize, and advocate for things like pension rights and better unemployment benefits. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta A Republican on the Michigan Supreme Court said a legal challenge to the state's emergency manager law is dragging on too long. Justice Steven Markman is part of a four-judge Republican majority on the court. Markman said the state's highest court should take over the case and make a decision. The Michigan Supreme Court has yet to rule on Governor Rick Snyder's request to bypass lower courts and make a decision on whether the emergency manager law violates the state constitution. That request was made last summer. Opponents of the law say it robs local voters of the right to choose their leaders and violates nine clauses of the Michigan Constitution. If that's true, said Justice Markman in a sharply worded dissent to a procedural order, the law needs to be struck down, and quickly. But, he said if the law is constitutional and necessary to ensure local governments remain solvent, that authority needs to be affirmed. There are two school districts and four cities in Michigan being run by emergency managers with sweeping authority under the year-old law. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber Voters may soon be asked to decide whether the state should no longer prohibit recreational marijuana use. The state Board of Canvassers has approved the language of a petition that calls for the end of marijuana prohibition for anyone aged 21 years or older. Matthew Abel is director of Committee for a Safer Michigan, which is leading the petition drive. He said campaign volunteers are incensed by state officials who want to add regulations to the voter-approved medical marijuana law. "The attorney general and the courts of Michigan have failed to uphold and respect the Michigan medical marijuana law, and that has energized our base immeasurably." Abel said he thinks ending marijuana prohibition would be just as popular with voters as the medical marijuana law. First the petition drive must collect more than 300-thousand valid signatures to get the question on the ballot. If the question is approved, marijuana would still be illegal under federal law. Copyright 2010, MPRN
Following last night's State of the State Address, we asked several mid-Michigan lawmakers to grade Governor Rick Snyder's first year in office.
As you can imagine, their grades reflected their party.
Republican State Senator Roger Kahn gave Snyder a passing grade.
"At least a B+, and I'm not a particularly easy grader either. And the reason for that, of course, is related to getting the budget done, right sizing the state economy. As part of doing that, reforming some of our long-term liabilities, getting a better tax structure from the point of view of job growth."
Democratic State Representative Stacy Erwin Oakes wasn't as willing to give Snyder high marks for his first year in office.
"I would have to give him an "I," and that would be an incomplete. We have seen a tax rate that has been reduced beyond measure, and that was able to happen by filling a gap in the budget with school aid funds. What we didn't see is venture capitalists and jobs coming to the state in any record numbers. That, in itself, said to me that even those individuals who can create jobs and can look to create jobs, have looked at this budget as one that they're not real comfortable with. Will this be something that is sustainable? Is it even believable?
Erwin Oakes said she is hopeful the state will begin to turn around this year, but she said the jury is still out on the policies approved over the last year.
Rick Pluta New numbers from the state Department of Technology, Management and Budget show Michigan's unemployment rate dropped significantly faster than the national average in 2010. Michigan's December rate was nine-point-three percent, the lowest it's been in three and a half years. That's still high, the average was one in 10 people in Michigan officially unemployed in 2011, but Michigan's improvement outpaced the nation last year. And University of Michigan economist George Fulton said many of the new jobs are well-paid positions in business and manufacturing. "So it turns out to be inaccurate to attribute Michigan's current recovery to increases in local french fry production." But much of the drop in December and throughout 2011 was also due to people who quit looking for jobs and left the workforce. Michigan's rate of unemployment and under-employment in 2011 averaged 18-point-eight percent. as a mistake last year to cut school and university funding. She wishes the governor would have acknowledged a Democratic proposal to ensure all kids who graduate from high school in Michigan receive tuition grants from the state. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Governor Rick Snyder used his 2012 State of the State speech tonight Wednesday to strike an optimistic tone about Michigan's future, and to refocus attention on what he said is unfinished business from last year. In his second State of the State address, Governor Snyder got to start off with some good news. Michigan's unemployment rate fell in the final month of 2011 to the lowest it's been in over three years. "Unemployment in the last 12 months has dropped from 11-point-one percent to nine-point-three percent. And Snyder said that's evidence his strategy of "relentless positive action" he used his trademark phrase twice in the speech, is working. Now a fair amount of that drop is because so many people have quit looking for jobs that they've dropped out of the workforce. Adding those people, as well as those who are working part-time but wishing for full-time jobs puts Michigan's rate of unemployment and under-employment closer to 19 percent. But, despite lingering challenges, the governor said things are moving in the right direction: Michigan's finances are looking up, and he said 2012 should be a time to build on the successes of 2011. "We are on that path. We're getting it right. We are getting it done." The former C-E-O said reducing regulation and better "customer service" remain priorities. Governor Snyder focused largely on unfinished business from 2011, including starting work on an international bridge in Detroit. The governor said that would place Michigan in the center of a trade zone stretching from Kansas City to Montreal that accounts for a third of North America's economic activity. He said more money, over a billion dollars, is desperately needed for roads and bridges. Snyder called on the Legislature to create health care exchanges required under federal law for people to comparison shop online for health insurance; and for insurance companies to cover treatments for autism. These are all areas where the governor's opposition has come primarily from Republicans in the Legislature. But G-O-P House Speaker Jase Bolger said there is room for compromise. "Tonight's speech was a good mix of looking back, accounting for what was done, accounting for what was not yet completed as well as looking forward and making sure that we set the tone for working forward." Democrats say that tone was often bitter in 2011, and they fought the governor and legislative Republicans on a wide variety of issues. House Democratic Leader Rick Hammel said he would like to see more bipartisanship in 20-12. "We're willing to work with them on things that make some sense, but we're certainly not going to sit back when we see some things that are going to harm middle class families." The governor defended his controversial tax overhaul, and he said the state's tough new emergency manager law is helping struggling cities and schools districts dig out from deficits. "But the long-term answer is not about simply about cutting costs. It's how to create a financially solid foundation so growth can occur again." He called for stronger ethics and campaign finance laws in a speech that otherwise called for few new initiatives. The governor said he will outline plans for improved public safety and energy and the environment later this year. Copyright 2010, MPRN
Northern Michigan lawmakers are looking forward to Governor Rick Snyder's second State of the State address this evening.
Republican State Representative Peter Petalia said 2011 was a busy year in Lansing and he's looking forward to hearing the governor's plans for this year.
"The amounts of things that have changed here in Michigan, I'd like to see where his forecast is, and what we're looking forward to this year."
You can hear live coverage of Governor Snyder's State of the State Address beginning at 7pm, right here on CMU Public Radio.
By Laura Weber About a thousand protesters marched on Governor Rick Snyder's residential neighborhood in Ann Arbor this Monday They marched to ask Governor Snyder to repeal the state's controversial emergency manager law. The rally started at on the eastern edge of Ann Arbor, and about a mile-and-a-half from Governor Snyder's house. Protesters marched, chanted and sang, hoisted signs and lit candles. They wound in a long line through the tree-lined neighborhood of gently rolling hills spotted with the occasional large house. They were greeted outside of Snyder's gated community by the governor's chief of staff, Dennis Muchmore. Reverend Charles Williams II of Detroit's King Solomon Baptist Church told Muchmore to tell the governor that the law negates the will of voters in struggling communities. "And we need democracy here, in Detroit, Benton Harbor, Inkster, Ecorse and Flint." "Will do." "Thank you." "We'll do that. Thank you very much." Muchmore said the governor wants to work with people living in financially strained communities, but that the cities must also be protected from insolvency. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta Governor Rick Snyder will outline his plans for 2012 later this week when he delivers his second State of the State address. Last year, Governor Snyder won legislative approval of a lot of new initiatives, a tax overhaul; toughening the state's local emergency manager law; and ending the requirement that stores put a price tag on every retail item. Other efforts, such as a new international bridge in Detroit, stalled in the face of Republican opposition. The governor said his State of the State speech will be a frank accounting of his first year, but will also reflect his optimistic approach to governing. "We're going to keep moving forward with relentless positive action." The former C-E-O intends to focus more this year on implementing policies and his plans for managing the executive branch than putting new initiatives before the Legislature. The governor said he will continue to push to make Michigan more business-friendly. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Laura Weber State union leaders say lawmakers should focus on creating more jobs in Michigan with more support for education and public services. And they say lawmakers should not try to make Michigan a right-to-work state. Karla Swift is president of the Michigan chapter of A-F-L-C-I-O. She said most people in Michigan still support unions and collective bargaining rights, and would not want Michigan to be a right-to-work state. And she said Governor Rick Snyder has signaled he does not favor a right-to-work law, either. "The governor's made his position clear that he wants to do the work of rebuilding Michigan's economy and creating jobs, and not spend time on right-to-work." Swift said right-to-work laws have not proven effective in many states with high unemployment rates. Supporters of right-to-work say it would help Michigan attract new businesses. Copyright 2010, MPRN
By Rick Pluta The Michigan Supreme Court heard its first arguments Thursday on cases that could help decide how far police and prosecutors can go to enforce the state's medical marijuana law. The law was approved by Michigan voters in 2008. Defense attorney Shawn Patrick Smith told the state Supreme Court that police and prosecutors are being too zealous in pursuing charges against medical marijuana users and caregivers. "These people are not simply being prosecuted. They're being persecuted." Not so, said Thomas Grden. He's an assistant Oakland County prosecutor. He said law enforcement recognizes the law says marijuana is only for people with terminal or painful chronic conditions, and should be strictly regulated. "If we're going to treat marijuana as a medical tool, it should be taken seriously." In one case, a grower was charged because did not keep his plants in an enclosed, locked place. In another, a patient wants a possession charged dismissed because he got a medical marijuana card after he was arrested. Copyright 2010, MPRN
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