March 25, 1994

Legislative Week in Review

• House Republicans pushed forward with hearings on a range of school reform measures that critics claim are revenge for education groups’ opposition to Ballot Proposal A, which won a sweeping popular endorsement in last week’s statewide voting. GOP-backed measures to fine striking teachers, permit privatizing of noninstructional school services, and bid out school employee health insurance are decried by the Michigan Education Association as thinly veiled retribution against the MEA for its expensive losing battle against Proposal A. House Republicans counter that they are merely following up, as promised, with post-"A" school cost-containment options.
• Background checks of prospective teachers got a House nod this week with passage of HB 4872, which permits school administrators to require prospective employees to be fingerprinted. This would allow out-of-state criminal background checks in addition to the currently mandated in-state crime record check. In a related measure, HB 5252 expands the list of felony convictions for which teacher certification would be revoked. At present, only sex and drug offenses are included. The proposed new law would add murder, assault, robbery, and controlled substance possession to the list.
• The Department of Military Affairs budget is the first 1994–95 appropriation bill passed by both chambers. HB 5262 received the Senate’s nod with its $82.6 million funding intact. The House Appropriations Committee announced its intention to complete action on remaining budget bills before breaking for a two-week recess.
• Much-discussed state parks funding bills passed the Senate this week despite a now-familiar objection from Democrats over the propriety of the funding source. Proceeds from the sale of the Accident Fund would be earmarked for a state parks endowment fund in a six-bill package approved by the upper chamber. While a recent Ingham County Circuit Court ruling contests the legislature’s authority to distribute Accident Fund sale proceeds, a 20-16 Senate majority relied instead on a statute authorizing the sale of the Fund next month.
• Both legislative chambers began their spring recess this week, with the Senate and House scheduled to return on April 11 and 12, respectively. Reflecting this hiatus, the next issue of Roundup will appear on April 14.

Political News

• A referendum petition seeking to overturn imminent auto insurance reforms was filed this week with the Board of State Canvassers. After months of contention and one failed ballot initiative, legislation passed last year revamped the state’s auto insurance provisions by temporarily reducing premiums and capping medical benefits. Opponents of the change, which is scheduled to go into effect April 1, claim to have gathered 240,000 signatures on petitions to put the question on the November ballot. The issue is headed for court and a determination whether the petition filing will have the effect of blocking implementation of the new law.
• Pencils ready? This week’s entrants in the November election sweepstakes include the following: For the U.S. Senate, former state representative and Michigan Business Ombudsman Judith Miller of Birmingham becomes the fourth GOP candidate to enter the race. For the 51st House District, Republican David Robertson hopes to oust incumbent Candace Curtis (D-Swartz Creek), who ousted him in 1992. For the 68th House District in Ingham County—where everyone not yet running for office lives next to someone who is—county clerk Lingg Brewer and Lansing police lieutenant Mike Trierwieler have both declared their Democratic candidacy for the seat vacated by Rep. Dianne Byrum (D-Holt). Byrum hopes to replace Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing), who hopes to survive a crowded primary and replace Gov. John Engler.

Erratum: The increase in Michigan’s cigarette tax under Ballot Proposal A was incorrectly reported last week. As any smoker knows, the per pack tax will jump from 25 to 75 cents on May 1.