Business & Economy

Right-to-Work Bills Spark Controversy

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Some have described it as a ‘game changer’ while others have declared it a travesty for Michigan workers. Either way, in a matter days, a GOP majority quickly moved right-to-work legislation through a lame duck session in both the House and Senate. “In the space of 72 hours it went from ‘not on my agenda’ to ‘it’s going be a law in a couple of weeks,’ and that’s a pretty dramatic transition,” said Rick Pluta of Michigan Radio who has been following Lansing politics for more than two decades. It’s a move that marks the end of decades long “closed shop” laws in the state, meaning workers would now no longer be required to join union or pay union dues. For most of his term Gov. Rick Snyder has made it a point to steer clear of such divisive issues.

Government

Bid for online sales tax likely doomed again

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By LAUREN GIBBONS
Capital News Service
LANSING — The fight to impose a sales tax on online businesses is fizzling once again with the end of legislative session. The likely doomed legislation, sponsored by Reps. Eileen Kowall, R-White Lake Township, and Jim Ananich, D-Flint, would amend the sales tax law to include online businesses. The bills were an attempt to hold the booming online sales industry to the same tax-collecting standards as its brick-and-mortar counterparts. But with the end of the legislative session rapidly approaching, hopes of continuing the discussion about an online sales tax, let alone getting the legislation through the lame duck House and Senate, grow increasingly slim.

Government

'Supermajority' proposal pumps up super debate

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By SILU GUO
Capital News Service
LANSING – It would be tougher for lawmakers to raise or alter the mix of state taxes if Michigan joins a minority of other states in requiring approved by a legislative “supermajority” to approve. A November ballot issue would require a two-thirds vote in the Legislature or a statewide vote to approve additional taxes. Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said the “supermajority” proposal will force a higher level of consensus among lawmakers before raising taxes. He is honorary chair of the Michigan Alliance for Prosperity, a coalition that supports Proposal 5. “They need to make decisions to raise taxes after they have done everything else possible first,” Bouchard said.

Government

Bill would end tax spike when cottages handed down

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By LAUREN GIBBONS
Capital News Service
LANSING — A widely-supported bill that would prevent property tax increases for owners who transfer family-owned land has a high chance of becoming law before the end of the year, according to the sponsor, Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle. The bill would primarily benefit families who own cottages or lakefront property, Pettalia said. Current law decrees that the taxable value of a home cannot increase from one year to the next by more than 5 percent or the increase in the consumer price index. When property is sold or transferred, however, the restriction doesn’t apply, and property taxes generally increase to reflect the value of the property. That law can put families planning to pass on their cottages or waterfront property in a bind, Pettalia said.

Government

Emergency manager law fate on November ballot

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By YANJIE WANG
Capital News Service
LANSING — Voters are poised the fate of Public Act 4, better known as Michigan’s controversial Emergency Manager Law. Among the six ballot proposals to be decided in November, Proposal 1 asks voters to approve the law that authorizes the governor to appoint an emergency manager to make decisions for financially distressed school districts and local governments. The Legislature passed Public Act 4 last year but it has been suspended pending the results of the Nov. 6 election. Supporters of the law argue that the measure is essential to assist hard-pressed communities avoid financial ruin by temporarily superseding the authority of local elected officials.

Business & Economy

New legislation would allow out-of-state competition in the state energy market

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By SAODAT ASANOVA-TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING – Should Michigan allow more out-of-state energy companies to enter its energy market? While some lawmakers agree that it’s necessary to provide alternative choices for customers, industry groups counter that it might jeopardize Michigan’s ability to generate sufficient power in the future. The legislation would overturn the current 10 percent ceiling on the energy market served by out-of-state utilities. A 2008 law that replaced competition with government-controlled rate setting caps electric competition at 10 percent. Rep. Mike Shirkey, R–Clarklake, the primary sponsor of the bill, said one of the fastest-growing expenses for Michigan is energy, and the state must eliminate obstacles to fair competition.

Business & Economy

Bio-industry seeks federal, state boost

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By XINJUAN DENG
Capital News Service
LANSING – Bio-based industry would get a better chance to prosper under a proposal to expand throughout the state in ways that would grow agriculture and reduce dependence on oil, according to an industry group. U.S Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Lansing, who chairs the Agriculture Committee, has called for a “Grow it Here, Make it Here” policy to advance Michigan’s bio-based manufacturing industry. Stabenow said, “We are at the forefront of bio-based manufacturing, and my initiatives will help businesses who want to invest and create new jobs here in America.”
Stabenow’s plan includes more labeling of bio-based products to encourage government purchases and increasing customers’ awareness. More than 540 products made by 90 Michigan companies already have such labels. She also called for resources to spur the commercialization of agricultural innovations, increase access to bio-based manufacturers and give a 30 percent tax credit for Michigan bio-companies that invest in new facilities.

Elections & Politics

Senate approves changes for voter registration

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By JON GASKELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Legislation that would place new restrictions on voter registration has passed the Senate. The bills, aimed at stopping potential voter fraud, would require a photo ID or birth certificate to register to vote. It would also create rules for groups that register voters. Senate Republicans say the measure is necessary to combat voter fraud, but Democrats and some advocacy groups argue it could block voters’ access to the polls. “There is a concern about voter fraud and registration issues,” said Erika Farley, chief of staff to Grand Blanc Republican Sen. David Robertson.

Government

Southeast Michigan Transit Authority proposed — for the 24th time

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By PATRICK LYONS
Capital News Service
LANSING – Legislators are working to create an authority to oversee the development and operation of public transit in four Southeast Michigan counties. The legislation by Rep. Jim Townsend, D-Royal Oak, would create the Southeast Michigan Transit Authority. The authority would oversee all mass transit service in Oakland, Wayne, Macomb and Washtenaw counties, including Detroit. Townsend said that the goal is to unite Southeast Michigan and improve the economy in the process. “It is one regional economy,” Townsend said.