Every session day, Sen. Scott has gotten up and given a speech, urging the majority party to move her bills. It went without saying that the plea included a committee hearing with testimony from the people hurt by redlining and an honest debate.
That didn't happen, and the bill was discharged from committee Wednesday with no hearing or advance notice just to be defeated. The following is Sen. Scott's statement following the devastating vote.
The Republican defeat of my bill to prohibit the use of territories when setting auto and homeowner insurance rates is a slap in the face to all the hard-working citizens of Michigan who pay unfair, exorbitant insurance rates.
For years now I have been asking for action and hearings on my bills to reform auto and homeowner insurance rates in Michigan. Today the Senate Republicans decided to discharge my bill to ban rate setting by territories to the Senate floor only to then vote against this bill that would have made insurance rates fair for citizens across Michigan. This kind of game-playing has no place in the debate on this very important 'pocketbook' issue for Michigan citizens.
Senate Republicans discharged Senate Bill 166 after I rose to give my daily statement on insurance issues in which I referenced an October 14 Grand Rapids Press editorial that spoke out against the insurance industry's use of credit scores to determine a person's auto insurance rates. SB 166 would ban the practice of using where a person lives to determine how much their insurance would cost. Senate Republicans defeated an amendment that would have given everyone an immediate 20 percent cut in their rates, a provision that addressed Republican concerns that lower rates for citizens living in metro/urban areas would drive up rates for citizens living in other areas of the state.
If we are going to require that every driver carry auto insurance then we need to make sure that the rates they are charged are fair, and right now these rates are anything but fair. Insurance rates should be based on the car a person drives, that person's driving record, and the distance that person regularly drives. If we adopted these common sense changes to our auto insurance laws then we would no longer pay the 12th highest rates in the country, and our citizens living in our metro/urban areas would no longer pay the highest rates in the country.
The insurance industry argues that one reason for setting rates by territory is because of the high rate of accidents or auto thefts in some areas of the state. However, the Michigan Auto Theft Prevention Authority reported in February that auto thefts in Detroit fell 14.2 percent from 2006 to 2007. Statewide, vehicle thefts have plummeted 42 percent since 1986. Yet insurance rates have not gone down.
Senate Republicans did a great injustice this week to all the hard-working Michigan families who are trying to survive in a very tough economy. My bill deserved thoughtful consideration: a committee hearing so that people could come in and testify followed by debate on the Senate floor. Instead the Republican voted my bill to the Senate floor so that they could defeat it and deny Michigan citizens fair and affordable auto insurance rates. My bill may have gone down to defeat but I will continue calling for auto insurance reform and fair rates for everyone.
It's crunch time. The Nov. 3 Special Election for the vacant seat in the 19th State Senate District is less than a week away, and Michigan and Rep. Martin Griffin, D-Jackson, need our help.
The campaign is gearing up for the all important "get-out-the-vote," and special elections are won by the candidate who gets his people to the polls. The Republicans are spending money like a drunken sailor to win the race, and as a former drunken sailor, I know of what I speak.
They are paying for volunteers, and you can't turn on a Lansing or Jackson TV station and not see a TV commercial from the GOP opponent. He has at least two different commercials, and all are complete lies. He's floating the lie that the new Michigan State Police building had something to do with the layoff of state Troopers. Expect that lie to be used next November, too. He's also pushing the Cobo Hall tale, and he's even trying to acciuse Griffin of voting for federal legislation.
The Griffin campaing is asking people to volunteer beginning on Friday to Election Day on Tuesday. They need people to go door-to-door, make phone calls or any other task needed.
Governor Granholm and Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop met today to discuss the budget, or lack thereof. Senator Bishop, in classic narcissistic style, said it was all a matter of trust between him and the Governor (Billy Joel, anyone?).
Which begs the question: what isn't to trust? Granholm flat out said she was going to line item veto aspects of the budget to protect her and Michigan's priorities.
She didn't just lie to you, she made you a promise.
See, Senator Bishop doesn't understand the concept of a promise, that's why he wants to cut them (re: Michigan Promise Grant).
Bishop's idea of a promise is to forego his constitutional duty to deliver a balanced budget to Governor Granholm while protecting the long and short term interests of Michigan and instead sit on his crap covered hands and say the sh*t on wall wasn't him.
If Senator Mike Bishop gets his way, we should ditch the "Pure Michigan" ads and replace them all with this:
In a bit of great news, former State Representative Doug Spade, D-Adrian, formally announced today he is a candidate for the 16th District State Senate District that covers Lenawee, Hillsdale, Branch and St. Joseph Counties.
"With two government shut-downs in the past three years, a seeming inability to act on pressing matters in a timely fashion, and a 'my way or the highway' attitude of inflexibility exhibited by all too many elected officials, it's no surprise the public has lost confidence in state government," Spade said in a press release announcing his candidacy.
The 16h District Senate seat is currently occupied by rightwing Republican Cameron Brown, but he is term limited and running for Michigan Secretary of State. But winning in a conservative district is nothing new to Spade. When he was elected to the first of his three terms in the House in 1998 he was the first Democrat to serve Lenawee County in the House since 1914.
I have met Doug Spade a few times, and I had the same impressions as everybody else: he's a class act, and they think they already know him from listening to the radio show he hosted on WLEN Adrian for 25 years.
I first met him when I was working for my first newspaper, the mom and pop weekly Blissfield Advance. He and I were the "celebrity" guests at a diner hosted by a Girl Scout troop in Blissfield. All I can tell you is that his seeing eye dog was much more popular than both of us.
Spade was the operations manager at WLEN, and for 25 years he hosted a call-in show called "Party Line." It was not your conventional talk show. The show began at noon, and people just called in to talk about anything they wanted. He made the show about the callers, and they could talk about anything under the sun; from their garden to current affairs. I would listen to see what people were talking about.
I ran across him again when I went to work for the Adrian Daily Telegram. I had only been there a few months when the 1996 election occurred. Doug Spade made his first run at the state House against then incumbent extremist right-winger Tim Walberg, and Walberg kept his seat by just a few votes after a recount. When he retired in 1998, Doug won the seat handily; now held by his brother, Dudley Spade.
Rep. Marty Griffin, D-Jackson, is looking for volunteers to march in the annual Harvest Festival Parade that steps off at 10 a.m. Saturday in Parma.
Griffin is running in a special election set for November for the 19th District that represents Calhoun and Jackson counties that was vacated with the election of Sen. Mark Schauer, D-Battle Creek, to the U.S. House last November. This is the first step in taking back the Senate like we did the House in 2006.
The Republicans enjoy a thin 21-16 lead with the vacant seat, and they are pulling out all the stops to win it back. They see it as the first step in keeping control of the Senate in 2010. More people voted for Senate Democrats in 2006, but they gerrymandered the districts so badly, they kept control.
The budget process has shown how important control of the Senate really is. Senate Republicans are pushing an irresponsible budget proposal that mortgages Michigan's future just so they can stay in power.
The Senate Democrats have presented an alternative budget proposal that still includes some painful cuts, but uses reforms to protect the things that will make our state competitive in the future. The Senate Democrat's budget proposal would maintain funding for many important programs and looks to other funding sources to soften the cuts to other state programs. But, the Senate majority refuses to even consider it because at least five in the Republican Caucus are running for statewide office next year, and they want to be seen as cutting taxes.
The Republicans are throwing money around in this race like it's candy, and they are practically paying volunteers. This is from the state party web site:
"For your help and support at these events, the Michigan Republican Party will take care of all transportation to and from events down in the 19th Senate District along with all hotel accommodations." It doesn't say if the accommodations are 4-star, but it's sad that they are so bankrupt of ideas they have to bribe volunteers. When you are out of ideas, spend lots of money.
This is what we are up against, so we need you Saturday, as well as on other days to knock on doors and to phone bank.
The gathering point for Saturday's parade is the corner of Elizabeth Street and Grove Street in Parma, 49269. You can RSVP by calling (810) 623-3198 or visit the Facebook page. The campaign is trying to set up car pools for the parade.
In Michigan, the Republican-controlled State Senate has two major functions: (1) obstruct everything proposed by our governor and the Democratic-controlled State House; and (2) test-drive every right-wing hobby horse that arrives in Lansing.
The latest such hobby horse is the Tenth Amendment, a favorite of the "Don't Tread on Me" crowd that voted for Ron Paul and shows up at anti-government tea parties.
(Welcome back Senator Anderson! - promoted by wizardkitten)
(Today, October 15th, bloggers around the web will unite to speak to one single important issue. That issue is the environment. Every blogger will post about the environment in their own way, relating it to their own individual causes. The purpose of this day is to focus on one topic with everyone participating in ideas on building a better future.)
Michigan made national headlines this past week when presidential candidate, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson to the alarm of Michiganders, suggested a national water policy that included the Great Lakes States "sharing" water with drier states. Like all states, Michigan's economy and quality of life depend on those natural resources. Water is a fundamental part of our most important industries--agriculture, tourism, utilities, and manufacturing--shipping that water away would be short sighted, economically and environmentally.
In Michigan, we are blessed by an abundance of lakes, rivers and groundwater, and we take our responsibility to manage our water seriously. While we are literally surrounded by water, we cannot take it for granted. The Great Lakes hold 95 % of the nation's freshwater supply, and 20% of the world's freshwater supply. If we don't take steps to manage our water, then other thirsty states, and even other countries, will manage it for us. As population growth continues in the West and the South, their political clout will only increase, as will their demand for water.
Water has always been thought of as a renewable resource. We have always operated from the idea that for every gallon we took, another gallon would be there to replace it. However, the magnitude of water that the drier parts of the country would take from us is not replaceable. This would result in huge economic losses and environmental catastrophe. But that is not what Richardson and others are proposing.
In 2001, Michigan signed the Great Lakes Charter and the 2001 Annex, which is an agreement between Michigan and the other Great Lakes states and provinces to create water withdrawal legislation. The charter contains an agreement on registration requirements for use of more than 100,000 gallons per day and permitting requirements for withdrawals greater than two million gallons per day. This would be a crucial first step toward better water resource management.
This is just my catch-all post for budget stuff tonight. I'm not following the stream tonight, I'm just going to post updates here as I get them.
The House is moving through a series of bills that extend the sunset on a variety of fees, such as air quality permits and criminal records checks. The nutters like Hoogendyk and DeRoche voted against them. I think it's just a habit of theirs to block the passage of legislation.
One thing you should notice in that compilation is how hard Governor Granholm has worked at delivering a budget solution. Any shutdown to come can be put squarely at the feet of the legislature.
Rep Hoogendyk reports from the floor (I think) that there has been a letter passed out to legislators tonight:
"it is not inconsistent with with mainstream Republican principles to embrace higher revenues as part of a broad based compromise agenda...our party has a long and proud history of stepping up to the plate..."
Keyword being "mainstream." Of which Hoogendyk is not.
It's signed by several former Republican legislators.
7:49pm: Can someone tell me if this - S.B. 511 - is the $1 billion in cuts that was part of the 4.3% income tax offer mentioned here? (hat tip Washington Gardner)
If so, Bishop is taking a huge personal risk by "putting Michigan first" ... (snark, see previous link)
8:20: 0511 pass the Senate, mostly on party-lines. (1 GOP defector, I think) It won't become law. The Governor said she could only give up another $300 million; 0511 far exceeds that. So it won't get past the House & Governor both. 0622 passed on party lines; it provides for contracting with third parties for corrections mental health services for prisoners. This is Roger Kahn's bill.
Senate also passed HB 4799 which ends the double dipping for retired school employees. This was sent to the Senate education committee in May. They could have easily taken this one up long ago. This will probably become law; it passed easily with bipartisan support.
8:37: The zero budget appropriations bill passed the Senate. My understanding is that this means that there is zero budget cost attached to each item. Someone who can explain it better should jump into the comments. If any of you care to de-lurk? I will share a muffin with you.
Senator Clarke introduced legislation that would amend the Constitution and allow the Auditor General to audit school districts and all local governmental units. The Senator expects this type of audit would help determine whether a government agency is spending its money efficiently and effectively.
Total school district and local government spending is $16.1 billion this fiscal year. That is 57 percent of the non-federal spending in the state budget. Senator Clarke believes that conducting performance audits of school districts and local governmental units is a way to address the state's structural budget deficit and could save and better spend perhaps a billion dollars of taxpayer money. Since the legislature funds school districts and local governmental units, the legislature should be able to determine how the money is being spent. Currently, thirty-three states give their state auditor power to audit local school districts.
This is bi-partisan legislation and includes support from Senators Allen and Cropsey.
The Michigan League for Human Services has issued an announcement regarding the decline in state services that would be realized if the 'early out retirement' bill is passed.
Senate Bill 689 would cause an estimated 9,000 workers to retire at a saving of $192 million, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency. That's a 12.8 percent reduction in total state employees after one in every four workers is replaced.
MLHS is particularly concerned about the Department of Human Services, which would have 21 percent fewer employees after retiring workers are replaced. "Case workers are already above national standards with too many children to oversee when it comes to abuse, neglect, foster care and adoption."
Additionally, early out programs cost more than can be anticipated. For example, after a similar retirement plan in 1996, Michigan's food stamp error increased to the point that Michigan lost millions in federal aid due to penalties.
Today House Democrats called for a vote on a ballot initiative that would allow Michigan citizens to choose if they wanted to move the state's sales tax from 6 percent to 7 percent. House Republicans failed to produce enough votes to pass the measure.
"Today's refusal to act is irresponsible and will drive us closer to government shutdown," Dillon said. "It takes both parties working together to move Michigan forward through this unprecedented budget crisis," Dillon said. "The time for political posturing is over. For the sake of our state, I call on my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to put aside partisan politics to craft a bipartisan solution to avert government shutdown."
After the House Republicans refused to act, Dillon called on the Senate to act. He also pointed out that the House has moved several reforms and cuts, that are now sitting idle in the Senate. This legislation will help solve the current fiscal crisis.
Dillon said the House will continue to move forward by acting on legislation this Friday.
"Our children, our grandparents, our neighbors and our co-workers all across the state are counting on us to do the right thing. We cannot let them down."
The right thing; not the right-wing thing. So, step up, Republicans.
Michigan Speaker of the House Andy Dillon joined Michigan's First Gentleman on The Dan Mulhern Show, a daily radio show on leadership. You can listen to The Dan Mulhern show Monday - Friday, 6pm (EST) on 1240AM, WJIM. The Dan Mulhern Show also streams live at wjimam.com
Highlights:
(on becoming Speaker) "We're faced with no business tax, a $900 million deficit for current year, and a $1.8 billion for next year, so it's been very challenging"
(on tuition) "Recent tuition hikes are on top of tuition going up 40% in last 4 years already ... this is a massive increase"
"We're dealing with problems that have been around for 20-30 years, republicans have been in total control for years, but all of a sudden now they're talking about reform. (To Republicans) What were you doing when you were in control of everything?"
"At the end of the day there has to be a revenue increase, the sooner people acknowledge that, the better"
But my favorite part is where the Speaker lists the reforms passed in the House:
asked House wages to be cut 5%
ended lifetime health benefits to House members
capped pay to school employees
ended double dipping at education and state level
made it easier for local governments to consolidate services
All of these reforms are sitting in the Senate, waiting for action.
By the way, here is the list of Senate reforms:
changed premiums for pension plans
So ... I don't think the House Dems will be taking any advice from Mike Bishop on passing reforms ...
If you've been watching, you've likely noticed that the Senate is refusing to move on revenues. Essentially Mike Bishop is trying to force the House to go first.
Today the Senate Democrats introduced legislation that gives the Senate another option.
"Today I introduced a package of bills that will help us solve this budget crisis in a swift and responsible manner," said Liz Brater (D-Ann Arbor), lead sponsor of the legislation. "These bills allow us to come together in the Senate to enact a long-term, comprehensive fix that will protect critical services and allow us to invest in our people. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues to move forward and meet our responsibilities to the people of Michigan."
The bills make a number of technical changes to the income, sales, and use tax acts and can be amended to provide needed revenue for critical state services. Senate Republicans have argued that the House must act first on a revenue solution, but these bills provide additional options.
Senator John Gleason (D-Flushing) is a co-sponsor, and Senator Mickey Switalski (D-Roseville) is on record as supporting the bill. Senator Switalski is the lead Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Today the Senate Appropriations Committee met to discuss a Republican budget proposal based on $1 billion in cuts. You can view a list of the cuts in Wizardkitten's diary. The cuts are designed to force the Michigan House to initiate a tax increase. As subscription only MIRS noted recently, Bishop needs political cover ... he can't support a tax increase unless he can lie about it to his constituents.
Subscription only Gongwer is reporting that Mike Bishop has vowed to push a vote on all of these cuts "if I have to to prevent a shutdown."
Too bad Bishop didn't have this work ethic earlier this year. If you recall, he pushed for a party-line vote that changed the Senate rules, so that the Democrats couldn't force the Senate Republicans back to work from their July vacation.
When you monitor something like the Michigan budget crisis for as long as we have, weird little things start to nag at you. Those little details that you pick up, that you know are significant, but you don't why ... they creep into your mind and taint everything, leaving you with a constant feeling that you're missing something big.
Actually, I felt that way all the time in college chem, but this isn't about that.
The activity in the House on Wednesday and Thursday was a shining example of how bad things are in Lansing.
And the reason this really bugged me was not that I expect things to be good in Lansing, but that Dillon is always saying that he and Bishop are having productive talks. Things are moving along. Progress is being made.
Last month, Sen. John Gleason (D-Flushing) led the successful bipartisan effort to pass legislation that restores funding for the Secretary of State offices across the State of Michigan, including the Fenton branch.
Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land recently announced that she plans to close several Secretary of State offices, including the Fenton branch. The closing would be the second in Genesee County in just a few short years. In 2005, Genesee County lost a branch in Flint. Bipartisan resolution ensures that all Secretary of State offices will remain open.
When Sec. Land first took office the State Department had a budget of $182 million, which has since increased nearly 10%. However, the Department has claimed that the resources to keep these offices open do not exist.
Do Senate Republicans hate Michigan's workers, or are they really just this stupid?
Last week, in a marathon 3 hour and 15 minute session, Senate Republicans pushed through SB 687 to a third reading. Under Michigan law, the third reading of a bill is the final step of consideration before the Senate votes. (Alternatively, the Senate can exercise an option to delay the vote, but that's not going to happen here)
SB 687 is a business tax liability deduction. Analysis of the bill states that "The total loss in revenue over this 10-year or longer period of time, which would begin in FY 2012-13, would total an estimated $1.0 billion to $1.5 billion. This loss in revenue would reduce the revenue going to the General Fund/General Purpose budget."
The bill will be phased in over two years and could affect about 628,000 Michigan taxpayers beginning January 2008. Beginning in January 2009, qualified taxpayers can claim up to 20% of the federal credit as a state credit for the tax year 2008.
According to Patrick LaPine, league governmental affairs vice president, the federal income tax benefits alone can be as great as $4,200 for individuals for families with two children, and higher when paired with state credits.
