Articles of Interest 3-8-06
House Ways & Means committee Chairman Thomas's retirement means that Michigan Congressman Dave Camp will be moving up the seniority ladder again in the next Congress on the powerful Ways and Means committee. While already a subcommittee chairman on the tax writing committee, his added seniority will only benefit Michigan.
I had several meetings in St. Joseph and Union Pier yesterday. We checked out a possible location for a Victory Center in St. Joseph. Getting out the vote of every Republican and Independent in southwest Michigan will be critical. Efforts are on their way to identify voters, organize volunteers and getting ready to get out the vote.
Senator Debbie Stabenow seems to be one of those members of Congress who takes advantage of “corporate” perks to fly in private jets and only reimburse for a “first class ticket” while on political trips. Lobbyist get to travel with her…having private conversations? So now both Stabenow and Granholm have a culture of taking corporate perks and the voters don’t have an idea of what deals are cut behind the scenes???
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060307/NEWS06/603070385
Some deciding factors
The debate over Michigan's Single Business Tax focuses on the role of the tax in discouraging businesses from coming to, staying in or expanding in Michigan. But the SBT is only one of many factors -- and not necessarily the most important.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2006-03-06-congress-flights-cover_x.htm
How Congress benefits from corporate flights
By Jim Drinkard, USA TODAY
WASHINGTON — It was a busy weekend last November for the flight crew of BellSouth's corporate jet. Over three days, they crisscrossed the Southeast, ferrying six U.S. senators, two of their wives, a trio of political consultants and two of the company's Washington lobbyists to Republican and Democratic fundraising events…
…BellSouth has flown federal government officials on such political trips about 100 times…
…Stabenow….Bell South lobbyist….purpose: campaign events…
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060307/OPINION01/603070309/1008
Bad drivers socked with hidden taxes
Driver responsibility law pumps millions to treasury
The good news is that the long-term trend for auto crash deaths and injuries in Michigan is down. But the Michigan Driver Responsibility law doesn't seem to have much to do with that fact.
Instead, the act seems primarily designed as a fund-raising device. As such, it is a form of selective taxation.
Michigan schools must change or perish
Tom Watkins /
T he late 1970s were a dark time for the U.S. auto industry as foreign companies were producing higher-quality cars at a lower price. American factories were being shut down and workers were being laid off. Families were fleeing the state.
Fast forward a quarter of a century and, as Yogi Berra said, it is "déjÀ vu" all over again.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060307/AUTO01/603070401/1148
GM to revamp pensions, sells most of Suzuki stake
Automaker expected to freeze benefit payouts for U.S. salaried workers and introduce new plan.
Bill Vlasic / The Detroit News
General Motors Corp. is expected to detail plans today to freeze pension benefits accrued by its 36,000 U.S. salaried employees and introduce a new retirement plan that doesn't guarantee specific monthly payouts.
http://www.chaldeannews.com/php/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=29&Itemid=2
Entrepreneurs seek opportunities out of state
By Vanessa Denha-Garmo
“Show me the money!” When Cuba Gooding uttered those words on the big screen in the movie Jerry McGuire, it became the new national catchphrase. Now, it seems that famous phrase is more on the minds of Michigan residents than ever before, including Chaldeans in the Metro Detroit area. They are subliminally shouting, “Show me the jobs. Show me the opportunity to make money. Show me a reason to stay!”
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060307/NEWS11/60307010
Governor pushes $400 million plan for road funding
Gov. Jennifer Granholm today touted a plan to speed up $400 million in road funding available to counties, cities and other local governments to speed up transportation and road construction projects and create thousands of jobs this year and in 2007.
To fund the program, the state would float bonds to be paid back with federal road money the state expects to receive in the next three years, Granholm said in outlining the proposal, part of which still requires approval by the Legislature.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-28/114174644683130.xml&coll=6
New school rules may smart a bit
By Jennifer Ackerman-Haywood
The Grand Rapids Press
KENTWOOD -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm discussed her plan to beef up the state's high school curriculum with parents, students, teachers and administrators Monday at Pinewood Middle School.
"We want to make it tougher for you in high school," Granholm told the two middle-schoolers at the table, explaining she wants future graduates to be equipped for college and the job force as a means to strengthen the state economy.
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1141729857106920.xml&coll=1
Analysis: SBT repeal offers potential, peril
LANSING -- L. Brooks Patterson's petition to repeal Michigan's main business tax hits the streets this week, an audacious move to force change in Michigan's struggling economic climate.
http://www.mlive.com/news/bctimes/index.ssf?/base/news-6/1141748128159580.xml&coll=4
Stabenow visits Saginaw, calls for federal help to save area jobs
By BARRIE BARBER
Delphi Corp.'s survival and its pressure to cut wages by more than half represents a bellwether in the fight to preserve the American middle class, says U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow.
http://www.heritage.org/Research/RussiaandEurasia/wm1007.cfm
U.S. Should Warn Russia Over Its "Soviet" Middle East Policy
by Ariel Cohen
In recent weeks, Russia has distanced itself from positions on the Middle East that it once held in common with the U.S. and the European Union. In February, Russia negotiated with Iran to establish a joint uranium-enrichment venture to supply nuclear reactor fuel to the Islamic Republic. As well, it is selling anti-aircraft missiles to Syria. And on March 3, a high ranking delegation of the Hamas terrorist organization visited Moscow at Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invitation.
Cheney: Iran Faces 'Meaningful Consequences' if It Doesn't Curb Nuclear Program
By Fred Barbash and Daniela Deane
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, March 7, 2006; 1:57 PM
Vice President Cheney threatened Iran today with "meaningful consequences" if it fails to cooperate with international efforts to curb its nuclear program.
"For our part, the United States is keeping all options on the table in addressing the irresponsible conduct of the regime," Cheney said in a speech to the pro-Israel lobby group, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/01/AR2006030102193.html
Democrats Struggle To Seize Opportunity
Amid GOP Troubles, No Unified Message
By Shailagh Murray and Charles Babington
Washington Post Staff Writers
Tuesday, March 7, 2006; Page A01
News about GOP political corruption, inept hurricane response and chaos in Iraq has lifted Democrats' hopes of winning control of Congress this fall. But seizing the opportunity has not been easy, as they found when they tried to unveil an agenda of their own.
Democratic leaders had set a goal of issuing their legislative manifesto by November 2005 to give voters a full year to digest their proposals. But some Democrats protested that the release date was too early, so they put it off until January. The new date slipped twice again, and now House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) says the document will be unveiled in "a matter of weeks."
http://www.worldmag.com/articles/11447
What women want
Hours before Supreme Court nominee Samuel Alito's confirmation hearings began Jan. 9 on Capitol Hill, Myra Myers sought a hearing of her own on the steps of the Supreme Court. She carried her message on a dark blue sign that read: "My abortion hurt me."
Every woman but two elected to Congress in 1992, dubbed "Year of the Woman," surfed into office on waves of cash from groups like Emily's List, a liberal organization dedicated to funding the election campaigns of pro-abortion women. That year, Ms. Dannenfelser and others formed SBA. In 1997, she teamed with Jane Abraham, wife of then-Sen. Spencer Abraham (R-Mich.), who helped expand SBA's mission into voter education and mobilization, and grassroots lobbying. The group spun off a political action committee, the SBA List Candidate Fund, with the goal of squaring off against Emily's List.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/NEWS05/603080344/1007
Granholm's plan for roads means more jobs for state
The state -- for the first time ever -- will help cash-strapped Michigan cities and counties pay their share of road construction contracts as a way to restart stalled work and create thousands of needed jobs, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Tuesday.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/OPINION01/603080314/1008
High taxes and low skills dim state's high-tech dream
WMU survey finds execs don't think much of Mich.
Michigan is seeking to create new-economy jobs with $1 billion in seed money it hopes will attract life sciences and biotechnology companies.
But a new survey suggests the state is putting the cart before the horse. It hasn't created the tax and education climate that new-economy job creators value.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/METRO05/603080361/1003/METRO
State frees up $400M for road repairs
Delayed fixes on fast track now that Michigan finds the cash for strapped communities.
Gary Heinlein / The Detroit News
LANSING-- The state will help cities and counties speed up $400 million worth of road projects that had been delayed because local governments were pinched for money. More roads will get fixed faster and the program will create jobs for 7,100 additional construction workers this summer and in 2007, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said. Michigan is struggling with one of the nation's highest unemployment rates.
http://www.blackamericaweb.com/site.aspx/bawnews/goptraining308
Republicans Seeking to Train Black Candidates in How to Run Campaigns
Republican leaders, preparing a strategy for several critical elections this year, are expanding their outreach efforts to black voters by offering an unprecedented training session for minorities interested in running for public office, becoming political advisors or facilitating GOP campaigns.
In Michigan, Keith Butler, pastor of the Detroit mega-church Word of Faith, is running for the U.S. Senate
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006603080417
Bouchard aims to fix error
Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard appears to have used his county campaign funds for purchases leading up to his official entry into the U.S. Senate race, a technical violation of state and federal campaign finance laws.
But campaigns have until their next filing deadline to rectify the matter, said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. In Bouchard's case, he has until next year's county filing deadline in February to repay his county account from his Senate campaign fund, which reported a balance of more than $750,000 at the end of 2005.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/NEWS06/603080414/1008
Jabs traded over tax fight
Oakland's Patterson scorns official who complained about campaign
Since Feb. 8, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has been pushing a proposal to end the Single Business Tax.
He's sent news releases on county letterhead and held news conferences in his county office.
A link to the SBT repeal campaign Web site is on Oakland County's Web site.
Oakland County Commissioner David Woodward of Royal Oak, who is also the chairman of the county Democratic Party, said Tuesday that the use of county resources to advocate a political position violates the law.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/politics/08nsa.html?_r=1&oref=slogin
G.O.P. Senators Say Accord Is Set on Wiretapping
WASHINGTON, March 7 — Moving to tamp down Democratic calls for an investigation of the administration's domestic eavesdropping program, Republicans on the Senate Intelligence Committee said Tuesday that they had reached agreement with the White House on proposed bills to impose new oversight but allow wiretapping without warrants for up to 45 days.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/politics/08ports.html
G.O.P. Leaders Vowing to Block Ports Agreement
WASHINGTON, March 7 — Defying President Bush, House Republican leaders said Tuesday that they would take immediate steps to scuttle a deal giving a Dubai company control of some major seaport operations without awaiting the outcome of a 45-day review of potential security risks.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/national/08delay.html
DeLay Handily Defeats 3 Rivals in Texas G.O.P. Primary
HOUSTON, March 7 — Representative Tom DeLay survived a challenge to his renomination for Congress Tuesday night, outpacing three Republican primary rivals seeking to capitalize on the criminal charges and ethics citations against him.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/politics/08patriot.html
Patriot Act Revisions Pass House, Sending Measure to President
WASHINGTON, March 7 — The House passed revisions to the broad antiterrorism law known as the USA Patriot Act on Tuesday, clearing the way for President Bush to sign legislation making permanent most of the major provisions of the original 2001 law.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/08/nyregion/08hillary.html
Clinton Says New York, but Money Hints at '08
WASHINGTON, March 7 — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton is locking up some of the Democratic Party's top fund-raisers, in a move that party officials and strategists say seems intended to complicate the efforts of any potential rivals in the 2008 presidential contest.
http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/NEWS04/603080356/1005/news04
Bill allows more time to verify criminal list
Senate measure gives school districts 6 weeks
School districts would have more time to verify information before releasing the names of workers with criminal records under legislation approved unanimously Tuesday by the Michigan Senate.
Despite opposition from critics, the Senate also required that only the names of employees who have committed felonies or certain misdemeanors involving sex or violence be made available to the public.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030701860.html
Democrats' Data Mining Stirs an Intraparty Battle
With Private Effort on Voter Information, Ickes and Soros Challenge Dean and DNC
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Page A01
A group of well-connected Democrats led by a former top aide to Bill Clinton is raising millions of dollars to start a private firm that plans to compile huge amounts of data on Americans to identify Democratic voters and blunt what has been a clear Republican lead in using technology for political advantage.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030701768.html
On 'Feeling Thermometer,' Giuliani Is the Hottest
By Michael Powell and Zachary A. Goldfarb
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Page A04
The political artist formerly known as Hizzoner -- the sometimes wrathful Rudolph W. Giuliani -- is the politician about whom the most Americans feel warm and cuddly, according to a new national "thermometer" poll.
Quinnipiac University asked 1,900 voters to rate the warmth of their feelings about a dozen political leaders-- a "feeling thermometer" the pollsters called it. Fully 63.5 percent of Americans report feeling warmly about Giuliani, who ruled New York as mayor from 1994 to 2001. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) evokes warm feelings in 59.9 percent of respondents, while Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) gets 59.7 percent.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030701509.html
Ex-Aide to Conyers Refiles Ethics Complaint
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Page A04
A former aide to Rep. John Conyers Jr. (D-Mich.) has renewed a complaint to the House's ethics committee alleging that the congressman compelled his staff to work in election campaigns and to do personal errands for him.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/03/07/AR2006030701201.html
Professors of Pretense
Wednesday, March 8, 2006; Page A19
The institutional vanity and intellectual slovenliness of America's campus-based intelligentsia have made academia more peripheral to civic life than at any time since the 19th century. On Monday its place at the periphery was underscored as the Supreme Court unanimously gave short shrift to some law professors who insisted that their First Amendment rights to free speech and association were violated by the law requiring that military recruiters be allowed to speak to the professors' students if the professors' schools receive federal money.
http://www.opinionjournal.com/editorial/feature.html?id=110008059
Saddam's Lidice
The dictator's trial reveals a telling historical parallel.
In the late spring of 1942, the world learned the name Lidice. Czech resistance had assassinated deputy SS chief Reinhard Heydrich in Prague, and Adolf Hitler ordered Heydrich's successor to "wade through blood" to find the killers. Nearly 2,000 innocent civilians were murdered by the Nazis without turning up the culprits. So the decision was made to obliterate an entire village, so that the world would know the price of Nazi blood.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2006603080339
42,000 at GM to have their pensions cut
Automaker says huge loss in 2005 forced changes
After decades of giving its U.S. salaried employees generous pensions, General Motors Corp. announced a sweeping change in direction Tuesday that will place more of the burden on workers to save for their retirement.
The changes are the latest hit to benefits for GM's 42,000 salaried workers who have already been forced to pay more for health care while losing other perks such as tuition reimbursement.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/AUTO02/603080392
Daniel Howes
Auto suppliers rocked
Bankruptcies ripple throughout industry in transformation that will separate weak from strong.
T he auto supply industry is transforming with breathtaking speed, opening a new front of scary change for Detroit and its automakers.
The bankruptcies of Delphi Corp., Tower Automotive, Collins & Aikman Corp. and, last week, Dana Corp. are not the end of a long, painful shakeout. They're the beginning of an upheaval that will separate the weak from the strong, endanger more jobs, usher more private capital into town and potentially destabilize the intricate web connecting suppliers to Detroit's automakers.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/BIZ/603080393
Hurtin' at the car wash
Owners feel pinch as slow economy keeps drivers away
Nick Bunkley / The Detroit News
The Motor City has a new favorite car color: a salty, dusty, grimy gray that makes car wash owners cringe.
With the economy sluggish, gas prices soaring and snowfall sparse this winter, Metro Detroiters are scrimping on car washes to save a few extra bucks -- risking not only the finish of their car but the financial stability of car wash owners in the industry's most competitive market.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/AUTO01/603080394
GM saves $420M by freezing pensions
Firm joins the growing ranks of major U.S. employers shifting financial risks of retirement to workers.
Bill Vlasic / The Detroit News
The cost-cutting ax at General Motors Corp. fell on salaried workers Tuesday with the announcement that GM will freeze pension benefits for 36,000 U.S. employees and move toward so-called "defined-contribution" plans in the future.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/POLITICS/603080387/1022
New rifts open in U.S. abortion debate
Deep divisions on strategy develop in opposing camps as South Dakota passes its ban on the procedure.
Stephanie Simon / Los Angeles Times
South Dakota's ban on nearly all abortions has opened deep rifts within the anti-abortion and the abortion-rights movements, as the two camps struggle to frame the issue to their political advantage.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060308/OPINION03/603080311/1267
Thomas Bray
Supreme Court rules law schools don't know the law
T he U.S. Supreme Court, in a unanimous 8-0 decision, told the faculties of 36 prominent law schools on Monday that they didn't seem to know much about the law.
The court ruled that the government has every right to deny funding to schools that refuse to allow military recruiters the same access to campus as any other job recruiters.
Hotline 3-7-06
33 |
|
NRSC: Sticking To The Game Plan |
The Hill's Savodnik reports NRSC chair Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) said Senate GOPers face a stormy "atmosphere" but will "retain a strong Republican majority" in 11/06. "Dole repeatedly noted that despite the political climate" GOP challengers are mounting viable bids in MI, WV and elsewhere. "But she acknowledged that President Bush could have done a better job handling the Dubai ports deal," and that his poll numbers are less than optimal. Dole: "it's still a long way, light-years away, from the election. But the bottom line is races are really run and won at the local and state levels."
While GOPers "have privately voiced concerns about NRSC fundraising," Dole "was quick to point out" that GOPers outpaced Dems in 1/06. "Dole added that GOP senators are being asked to pitch in to campaigns more than in previous cycles. She conceded" that Dems "have been more successful at getting their members to help struggling Senate campaigns."
"Dole stressed that the NRSC does not take sides" in primaries "but did single out" Oakland Co. Sheriff Mike Bouchard (R-MI) and ex-Ameritrade COO Pete Ricketts (R-NE). She "also praised media mogul John Raese (R-WV)" and "sought to play up the roles played by liberal interest groups and bloggers such as MoveOn.org and DailyKos in boosting" Dem candidates. She said the NRSC is trolling for female donors, particularly in the business world, who might run for office themselves one day.
She "suggested that the NRSC would be following the campaign strategy mapped out earlier" by WH Dep. CoS Karl Rove and RNC chair Ken Mehlman regarding Dems' vulnerability on nat'l security. She "declined to make any predictions about how the balance of power might shift after the elections." Dole: "I don't really put any numbers down, but let me put it this way. When I came into this position, I knew that midterms are tougher. There is no question that midterms are tougher" (3/7).
MIRS Capitol Capsule, Tuesday, March 7, 2006
GOP Gives Accelerated Road Program Cool Reception
Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM today announced her plans to ask lawmakers to approve a plan to spend $80 million in state road dollars to accelerate some $400 million in local government road projects — a plan that almost immediately earned a chilly GOP response.
"[It's] Act 3 of her reelection effort. Acts 1 and 2 where her State of the State and budget messages,” said House Appropriations Chair Scott HUMMEL (R-DeWitt).
The governor's plan was rolled out in a morning press conference where the governor crowed the initiative would generate an additional 7,100 jobs over the next two years.
“Last year we said we were going to accelerate $3 billion in infrastructure [spending]. Today we're adding to that,” Granholm said.
The plan essentially uses state trunkline dollars to provide the 20 percent match that local units of government must come up with to secure federal funding for locally “earmarked” projects outlined in the new federal road bill. That $80 million investment will net $320 million in federal funds.
While the federal funds were already there, local units had told the state that they might have trouble providing the match dollars — with that hurdle solved by the new program the projects can go forward.
According to Kirk STEUDLE, the new director of the Department of Transportation, the program will be limited to projects that are already queued up and ready to go — minimizing some of the politics that could be generated with a traditional "wish list" of projects.
“We're not looking for designs, we want to see dirt flying in 2006 and 2007,” Steudle said.
At the outset, it appears the biggest problem for the Granholm local road plan is who will be determining what projects get done. While the Granholm administration is asking lawmakers to amend Public 51 of 1951, the state's primary statute governing road spending, to allow the plan to proceed, it will be the County Road Association of Michigan, the Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Public Transit Association – not lawmakers – who decide which projects get funded.
Granholm stressed that the project list must not be politicized.
“We want to make sure these projects are spread equally across the state,” Granholm said. “That this is done in a way that isn't based on politics, but is based on need.”
When asked about whether she sought the input of House Speaker Craig DeROCHE (R-Novi) and Senate Majority Leader Ken SIKKEMA (R-Wyoming), she responded that she was “certain, like any legislator, they want to make sure the process is thoughtful.
“I'm sure the local legislators will be interested in supporting it, given so many local units have been clamoring for assistance,” she said.
Reaction from Republican leaders showed the lack of legislative input would be a rubbing point.
Hummel said he finds it ironic that the Speaker of the House can't get an audience with the governor to work on other road construction issues, but yet the governor moves unilaterally to launch her own effort that she predicted would have bi-partisan legislative support.
Ari ADLER spokesperson for Senate Majority Leader Ken SIKKEMA (R-Wyoming) said it looks like she does not want any legislative oversight over the spending of federal road dollars.
“That doesn't play very well in Lansing,” he suggested.
Adler said the Senate will look at the concept and Hummel said he will too, but he added, “We have to see what we are giving up. I'm not sure this is good public policy. She wants to dump a bunch of money into local projects, I hope the local taxpayers see through it," as an election year effort.
The plan calls for legislation, to be introduced by Sen. Michael PRUSI (D-Ispheming) that would amend state law to allow the state to issue bonds for the local transportation grants and loans. That legislation would allow:
- Under the Local Federal Fund Program, $80 million in state trunkline funds to be used to provide the 20 percent match for the local projects required for federal funding.
- Under the Advanced Construct Local Loan Program, the state will issue short-term notes backed by the STF to accelerate the use of federal transportation dollars by creating a pool of funds locals can borrow from to construct federally eligible or designed local projects. The loans will be paid back with expected federal revenues coming to the state for local projects over the next three years. Local units of government will be responsible for paying back interest on the short-term loans. Cities, counties, and local transit agencies must be able to identify sufficient total funding to complete the projects and bear any additional costs, including overruns.
- Grants to provide match dollars on local transit projects — equal to 20 percent of federal match requirement — will be made out of available Comprehensive Transportation Fund money.
The administration said priority will be given to:
- Locally selected projects specifically identified in SAFETEA-LU (the new federal road funding bill) that are ready to be constructed in 2006 or 2007
- Locally selected federal aid projects scheduled for construction in 2007 that can be advanced to construction in 2006
- Locally selected federal aid projects scheduled for construction in 2008 that can be advanced to 2007
- Locally selected transit construction projects such as passenger facilities and bus maintenance garages specifically identified for funding in federal legislation.
Interest groups such as the Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) as well as the County Road Association of Michigan and local units of government were quick to applaud the effort.
“It's not often in the past few years we can talk about more resources coming down to our local governments,” said East Lansing Mayor Sam SINGH.
(Senior Capitol Correspondent Tim SKUBICK contributed to this report.)
Senate Changes Employee Offender List
The Senate made several changes today to a bill that would revise the school employee list before unanimously passing it out of the chamber.
The changes were to HB 5675, sponsored by Rep. Rick BAXTER (R-Concord), a bill that would require the Michigan Department of State Police (MDSP) and the Department of Education (MDE) to ensure that the list of school personnel criminal convictions are accurate before being released to schools and the public.
The first amendment was offered by Sen. Ron JELINEK (R-Three Oaks) and would make certain misdemeanor convictions subject to the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), rather than allowing all misdemeanor convictions to be subject to FOIA requests.
According to the amendment, the district would still get the full list of misdemeanors but could decide if certain misdemeanors, such as minor in possession, needed to be attached to names rather than being vaguely listed as in, "three employees have misdemeanor offenses," Jelinek said.
Before the amendment passed, all convictions were subject to FOIA requests. Those in favor of the amendment argued that it would still follow FOIA guidelines but would also protect the rights of teachers in the school system.
"The amendment gives the public the right to know if the employee is convicted of an offense that would affect their child but also protects the employee's privacy," said Sen. Alan CROPSEY (R-DeWitt).
Those opposed to the amendment argued that even though the minor convictions that wouldn't be subject to FOIA won't necessarily put the children at risk, it allows the MDSP and the MDE to "scrub" the list, which wasn't the intention of the original bill.
"It has to be public information if it means the person is subject to being fired," said Sen. Patty BIRKHOLZ (R-Saugatuck Twp.). "FOIA requires full disclosure and that should be open."
Birkholz was one of five who opposed the amendment. Sens. Tony STAMAS (R-Midland), Laura TOY (R-Livonia), Bev. HAMMERSTROM (R-Temperance) and Gerald VAN WOERKOM (R-Norton Shores) also voted against the amendment.
This amendment caused some commotion on the floor. Before session Republicans caucused for a few hours about the bill and potential amendments. When Jelinek's amendment was up for a vote, no one discussed the amendment. Hammerstrom had to call for a recount because many people thought they were preparing to vote for a different amendment.
"This turned into a much larger hornets' nest than we ever expected," Birkholz said about the bill.
Jelinek offered another amendment that would prevent retired or former employees from ending up on the list. Apparently the list has been tossing out names of people who no longer work with school district. This bill passed unanimously.
Sen. Mike BISHOP introduced a bill that would make the list exempt from FOIA for 15 business days. Baxter's bill would allow the exemption for 14 days including non-business days. Bishop's amendment passed unanimously.
Sen. Mickey SWITALSKI (D-Roseville) offered an amendment that would exclude certain misdemeanors from making the list. According to the Switalski amendment, the state would only disclose offenses listed in the Michigan Revised School Code, which includes misdemeanors involving physical or sexual abuse or any felony.
Many who supported Jelinek's amendment drew the line at Switalski's amendment because they felt it included too many exemptions.
"There's so many misdemeanors (on the list) that it becomes very difficult to sort and chose which misdemeanors to use," Cropsey said.
Instead, the Legislature should stick to Jelinek's amendment because it excluded fewer misdemeanors.
For example, according to Jelinek's amendment, the school district could determine if a drunk driving conviction, which happened years and years ago, was pertinent to the list, Cropsey said. Under Switalski's amendment, the district wouldn't have a choice about whether the conviction was pertinent because it wouldn't make the list.
Switalski said that if someone had a drunk driving conviction that was pertinent, he or she wouldn't have a license and that their job would already be in jeopardy because the school would have already known about it.
That reasoning isn't necessarily true and schools should be able to look at the misdemeanors on a case-by-case basis to determine if the name needs to be released, Cropsey said.
This amendment passed 20-14 but the bill as a whole passed unanimously. The bill will go back to the House.
DOC Investigation Continues
Department of Corrections Director Patricia CARUSO today told members of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Corrections an investigation is continuing into causes that resulted in a parolee being released who later, along with his girlfriend, killed three people.
“I have no new information. The investigation continues,” Caruso said about the wrongful release of Patrick SELEPAK from prison (See “DOC Launching Investigation Into Parole Release,” 2/28/06).
The head of the state's prison system did say a new Department of Corrections (DOC) policy has been issued clearly explaining a Michigan Supreme Court decision that the department is not required to release a prisoner if a parole hearing has not been held within 45 days.
“That is now a policy directive in our department,” Caruso said. “It is crystal clear in our policy.”
As to any communication breakdowns between the DOC and other law enforcement agencies, Caruso said that investigation continues. “When we talk to people, information leads to other people,” she said.
Rep. Daniel ACCIAVATTI (R-New Baltimore) zeroed in on the communications issue.
Acciavatti said present technology allows us to conduct business around the globe, but communication breakdowns seem to be common between all law enforcement agencies in Michigan.
Caruso agreed, saying that aside from this individual problem there needs to be a global concern, which is part of a bigger analysis. She added, however, that the department has been working diligently at linking local enforcement agencies into the DOC's database over the past two years.
Subcommittee Chair Rep. John PASTOR (R-Livonia) said while communication is one thing, the committee also needs to look at other areas.
“We need to make sure prison guards are safe, courtrooms are safe and the people are safe,” he said.
Acciavatti requested the department keep the committee informed on where the communications holes are now and what needs to be done to plug those holes.
“There is no reason why we shouldn't be able to fix those communications problems,” he said.
Where There's Smoke, There Are Ads?
With her opponent up and running his TV commercials, can the media campaign of Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM be far behind?
Unconfirmed speculation at first hinted the spots would start last Monday. They did not. Some feel they could start next week.
Here's what is known via a source at Comcast cable. The Granholm campaign has inquired about the cost of running cable commercials using the so-called “On Demand” option.
This option allows would-be-users to pin point specific programs during which the commercials would air.
This source indicates that no purchase has been made as o