May 2, 1997

Legislative & Political Week in Review

• Seeking to mitigate political campaign finance abuse, the House has approved a resolution (HCR 34) to create a bipartisan, bicameral commission to develop campaign finance reforms in Michigan. Philosophical disagreement over the composition of the proposed panel, however, was manifest in committee and on the floor. As it stands, HCR 34, sponsored by Trenton Democrat George Mans, dictates that all eight members will be legislators; a Republican amendment to allow members of the public to serve on the special committee was voted down.
• Last December, changes watering down the scope of the state’s Freedom of Information Act were approved by bleary-eyed legislators near the end of a 24-hour, last-session-day marathon. The Senate this week unanimously approved and gave immediate effect to a corrective measure undoing the action of five months ago; HB 4339 restores the language that had been stripped from the act.
• The governor and leaders of both chambers finally made it to Washington to meet with Michigan’s congressional delegation, U.S. Secretary of Transportation Rodney Slater, and other key players. They sought to apprise federal politicos and bureaucrats of the need to change the funding formula under which states now receive federal transportation monies. Speaker Hertel describes the meetings as "productive," but cautions that the federal transportation appropriations process is a long and winding road.
• Public school academy advocates attempted to impart a few lessons to legislators Wednesday. They rallied on the steps of the capitol building in support of lifting the cap on the number of charter schools allowed under law and in protest of HB 4395— proposed regulations requiring additional charter school oversight. Meanwhile, Governor Engler tapped David Winters, an Okemos attorney and former director of the Michigan State Employees Association, to be his special advisor for charter school development; Winters replaces Mary Kay Shields.
• Personnel shifts also occurred in two state agencies this week. State Treasurer Doug Roberts unveiled an updated organization configuration that he believes will address the additional responsibilities taken on by that agency in the last few years and also the effect of early retirements. Roberts also named Legislative Deputy Madhu Anderson as chief deputy treasurer; the former chief deputy, Nick Khouri (now a vice president at Public Sector Consultants), resigned at the beginning of the year. Attorney General Frank Kelley’s shop announced that Deputy Attorney General Joe Sutton will assume responsibility for day-to-day office operations, legislative liaison functions will be handled by Assistant Attorney General Thomas Boyd, and, come June 2, Assistant Attorney General Theodore Hughes will coordinate attorney general opinions.
• Under legislation (HB 4230) passed this week by the House, law enforcement officials exposed to the blood or body fluids of a person they are lawfully arresting can request that HIV and hepatitis B and C testing be administered to the suspect.
• The lower chamber also approved HB 4472, a bill to allow local units of government to pass on to the debtor the cost of delinquent tax collection.
• Downward trend in voting? Make it more convenient and accessible for Michigan residents, says Rep. Agnes Dobronski (D-Dearborn.) The House agreed, unanimously approving her "no excuse needed" absentee ballot legislation (HB 4448). The bill will allow qualified electors to obtain an absent voter ballot—for any reason, not just the six currently allowed by law—and cast their vote by mail.
• Legislators and other fans of Muhammad Ali had ringside seats Thursday as the former boxing champ came out swinging against child abuse and neglect. During appearances before both chambers and two committees, Ali urged lawmakers to adopt recommendations made by Richard Bearup, the state’s Children’s Ombudsman. Later in the day, the Senate unanimously approved a measure (SB 342) to up the sanction against stalking a minor from a misdemeanor to a felony.