May 5, 1995

Legislative & Political News in Review

• Fred’s a definite maybe, but Betsy and Joe are going to pass. In GOP preelection maneuvers to unseat U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, Congressman Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) recently indicated his "50 percent interest" in challenging the three-term incumbent; his final decision will come this summer. Meanwhile, two others who had given serious thought to entering the race—Michigan Republican National Committee member Betsy DeVos and Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R-Bloomfield Hills)—will sit this one out.
• With bated breath, House District 109 GOP candidates Margaret Edge and Philip White watched Board of State Canvassers chair Mike Pyne draw Ms. Edge’s name out of the proverbial hat. The two candidates had each garnered the same vote total in the recent primary. As a result of Pyne’s plucking, Edge won the right to challenge Democrat Michael Prusi in the race to succeed the late Dominic Jacobetti. The Upper Peninsula special election will take place on May 16th.
• The legislature passed HB 4662 authorizing the state to boost the amount of money it can pay to lucky lottery winners. The bill changes the lottery payout from a maximum of 45 percent of ticket sales to a minimum of 45 percent of sales. The school aid fund can expect to receive a lower percentage of ticket revenue but a higher total dollar amount according to Lottery Bureau officials. Cognizant of past lottery/school aid fund concerns, the Senate added a January 1, 1999, sunset provision.
• Michigan’s five-year tax battle against the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) over potential tax liability incurred by the Michigan Educational Trust (MET) ended with a $70 million boost to the fund ($54 million in previously collected taxes and $16 million in interest). The IRS finally agreed with the state—and a federal court of appeals ruling—that Michigan’s prepaid college tuition program is an integral part of state government and, as such, exempt from federal taxes. State Treasurer and MET chair (as well as MET contract holder) Doug Roberts indicates future options for the fund—including reopening enrollment—are being explored.
• In the wake of the Michigan Democratic State Central Committee’s recently affirmed support of a closed presidential primary system for its party members, House Local Committee Chair Bob Brackenridge, R-St. Joseph) canceled a committee hearing scheduled to address a bill mandating open primaries (HB 4435). Brackenridge reasoned that adoption of such a law would have forced Michigan Democrats into employing a caucus system—one not administered or paid for by the state—an even more unacceptable alternative.
• After years of capitol corridor discussions about its potential usefulness, composition, and mission, a 19-member sentencing guidelines commission has been established. Charged with developing overarching criminal sentence recommendations to the legislature—due in July 1996—the commission is made up of representatives from the following groups: prosecutors, defense attorneys, law enforcement officials, judges, crime victims, Department of Corrections, alternative incarceration advocates, legislators, and members of the general public.
• Pain management—not assisted suicide—will be the main focus of a newly created advisory committee to the House Health Policy Committee. The Michigan Council on Pain will be directed by Dr. Joel Saper. Health Policy Committee Chair John Jamian (R-Bloomfield Hills) believes that more light needs to be shed on the issues and benefits of pain management. The council is to report back by the end of summer on ways to ensure access to and acceptance of pain management techniques.