Mich. Legislature Fall Agenda Goes Beyond Economy
LANSING (AP) - Proposals aimed at improving the state's business climate won't be the only order of business this fall in the Michigan Legislature.
Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville of Monroe and House Speaker Jase Bolger of Marshall, both Republicans, say legislation aimed at improving Michigan's business climate and sparking job creation remains the top priority. The state's jobless rate, 11.2 percent in August, was third-highest in the nation behind Nevada and California
But the GOP-led Legislature will address social issues in upcoming months as well, including proposals to clarify the state's medical marijuana law and final votes for a state-level ban on a procedure opponents call "partial-birth" abortion.
"Believe it or not, the Legislature can do more than one thing at a time," Richardville said when asked whether lawmakers should be focused solely on the economy.
The upcoming legislative agenda could prompt some give and take with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who generally is more interested in proposals aimed at improving Michigan's business climate than social issues.
The first-year governor and the Legislature combined this spring to pass a new state budget, which takes effect Oct. 1, at the fastest pace in at least 30 years. They've cooperated to change the state's teacher tenure system and to give state-appointed emergency financial managers more power over the local governments and schools they're assigned to run. Legislation that would require many local government and school employees to pay a bigger share of their health insurance coverage awaits Snyder's signature.
But lawmakers have not rushed to embrace some of Snyder's other priorities such as a new international bridge and proposals aimed at improving the health of Michigan residents.
Snyder doesn't seem overly concerned about the lack of quick endorsements. The governor said it's typical for lawmakers and the state's executive branch to have to learn more about each other's initiatives before jumping on board.
"I view that as just the normal process we go through in many cases," Snyder said. "It's about having a good discussion."
Snyder and many businesses support building a new bridge connecting Detroit and Canada to aid passenger and commercial traffic. Lawmakers are holding hearings on the proposal but are in no rush to vote on it, continuing a stalemate that's lasted the past few years. The New International Trade Crossing proposal is fiercely opposed by the owners of the nearby Ambassador Bridge, who want to build their own second span.
The flip side: Snyder is not fired up about some proposals coming from Republican lawmakers, such as possible right-to-work legislation that would affect only teachers represented by labor unions. Spokeswoman Sara Wurfel has said Snyder is unlikely to back the right-to-teach proposal if it ever got to his desk.
Snyder appears more receptive to other proposals pending in the Legislature.
Republican lawmakers are expected to finish votes that would put a state-level ban on a procedure opponents call "partial-birth" abortion. Snyder is supportive of a ban and will likely sign the legislation once it reaches his desk, depending on the specific content and provided it's consistent with federal law.
Lawmakers will attempt to modify the 2008, voter-approved law allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. The vague law has sparked confusion among judges, police departments and even with patients who are unsure about what's legal and what isn't. Lawmakers want stricter rules for patient-doctor relationships before medical marijuana can be authorized. Medical marijuana advocates are worried lawmakers will make it tougher for them to get the drug. Wurfel said Snyder "looks forward" to reviewing what the Legislature might send to his desk.
Republicans want to get rid of a personal property tax paid by businesses on equipment. But it's not clear how or if the more than $1 billion raised by the tax, which goes to local governments and schools, might be replaced.
Republicans say they want to improve the state's roads and bridges, but there's no consensus on how to raise the money to do it.
And lawmakers are considering bills aimed at providing families with more choice in public schools. Students could transfer to other schools more easily and have a broader choice of charter schools and online learning, similar to proposals backed by Snyder in a special education message to lawmakers earlier this year.
Democrats, outnumbered in both chambers of the Legislature, say they want Republicans to focus on economy-related proposals.
Senate Democratic Leader Gretchen Whitmer of East Lansing said Republicans are working on "a divisive and ill-conceived social agenda that again will do nothing to help get people back to work."
Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
