The Michigan House of Representatives

by: matt

Sun Oct 23, 2005 at 20:50:43 PM EDT

Under Article IV, § 54 of the Michigan Constitution (1992), state Representatives may not serve more than three terms.

Click on any district or the text links below for more information and discussion about each Representative/district.

Bills will make state-appointed emergency financial managers virtual dictators

by: kjbas58

Mon Feb 14, 2011 at 13:48:09 PM EST

Michigan House Republicans are debating legislation they introduced last month that could lead to earlier intervention by the state in financially troubled communities school districts and almost dictatorial like powers for state-appointed emergency financial managers.

Rep. Al Pscholka, Rstevensville, sponsored House Bills 4214-4218. The EFM law already takes the power and authority out of the hands of the people legally elected by the voters and places it in the hands of a person appointed by the governor ad the Legislature.

The new package of bills repeals the current law governing emergency financial managers, Public Act 72. The new proposal will make it easier to appoint an emergency financial manager with several more triggers that allow the state to review local finances, including missed paydays, a creditor with an undisputed claim or simply a resolution from a simple majority in the Michigan Legislature.

The bill also gives the financial manager much more broader powers, and that may be the reason it is so popular with Republicans; it allows the manger to terminate contracts negotiated with labor unions in good faith. It also gives emergency financial managers the ability to appoint people to committees and exclude elected officials from city business.

It also allows them to make academic decisions in the case of school districts taken over by the state.

Currently, only the Detroit Public Schools and the cities of Benton Harbor, Ecorse and Pontiac have emergency financial managers in place, but with the constant reductions of revenue sharing to municipalities and the lower threshold there will be more.

It appears Gov. Rick Snyder wants to trash the constitution and be a dictator. There is a huge push in Lansing, as well as nationwide, to bust public sector unions, and this is just one more attempt.

The bills are currently in the House Local, Intergovernmental and Regional Affairs Committee, and they are up for a hearing on both Tuesday and Wednesday, Feb. 15 and 16. The committee meets at 2 p.m. in room 519 in the House Office Building, 121 N. Capitol on both days, and the meetings are open to the public.

2010 Recap Part II: Michigan State House

by: pbratt

Tue Nov 23, 2010 at 10:21:41 AM EST

Perhaps the biggest surprise on late hours of November 2 was the enormity of the Democratic defeat in the Michigan State House. While many had predicted that the Democrats' margin of 67 to 43 would be reduced, few predicted that they would lose control of the lower chamber (myself included) and end up with 47 seats, a humiliating 20 seat loss. Indeed, Democratic numbers in the State House and Senate have not been this low since 1954, a time when Michigan's legislature in the legislature was malapportioned prior to the 1964 Constitution. Just for reference, Table 1 below shows partisan control of the Michigan State House and Senate from 1955 to the present.

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_IM4e5b7O...
Table 1: Michigan Legislative Control, 1948-2012

Weaving and Ducking in Michigan

by: muskegonrivergirl

Tue Sep 14, 2010 at 09:16:20 AM EDT

Michigan State House and Senate: September 2010

by: pbratt

Mon Sep 06, 2010 at 11:03:45 AM EDT

(photo by Tom Gill of beautiful Lake Michigan)

As we celebrate a beautiful Labor Day weekend, we can also rejoice in the unofficial start date of the 2010 campaign season. While many voters were bombarded with attention from campaigns over the past few months during primary season, the general election season will be upon us now with full vigor. Labor Day weekend also nicely coincides with the post-primary filing date for Michigan's legislative campaigns. Candidates must report the amount of money they have raised and spent between July 18 and August 23, and must also declare their cash on hand at the end of the reporting period.

Thus we can see the financial condition of candidates entering to the last 61 days before Election Day in the contours of Michigan's political landscape. As in previous analysis of the State House and Senate candidates, I have collected the reported financial data that can be obtained through a subscription. Please feel free to contact me at peterbratt@gmail.com.  

Ivan's Fiancée to DHS: It's Cruel to Send Him to Russia

by: americasvoice

Thu Aug 19, 2010 at 17:39:45 PM EDT

Yesterday afternoon, local and national advocates held a media call to highlight Ivan Nikolov's struggle to remain in the country he knows as home, and call on DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and Immigration and Customs Enforcement chief John Morton to prevent his deportation.

Ivan Nikolov's story is compelling. He has been held in a detention center since May and is facing imminent deportation to Russia, despite the fact that he didn't even know he was undocumented until he was 15, and he barely speaks Russian. His only "crime" was having missed a court date ten years ago - when he was only 12 years old. His mother has already been deported, despite being married (legitimately) to a US Citizen.

Free Press editorial: Dillon, Bishop should relinquish leadership posts

by: Bootsy

Thu May 13, 2010 at 07:49:47 AM EDT

It's time for Democratic House Speaker Andy Dillon and Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, both of whom are increasingly distracted by campaigns for statewide office, to relinquish their critical leadership posts to legislators who are not so encumbered.

This week's candidate filing deadline seems an appropriate time for both leaders either to withdraw from their races or hand the ball to others who can focus full-time on the already critically delinquent work of fiscal reform.

Under Dillon and Bishop's leadership, the Legislature has already blown several important opportunities to reduce spending. Last month's legal deadline for rescinding a budget-busting 3% pay increase for state employees passed while lawmakers were on spring vacation. They've also failed to act on Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to lure about 35,000 teachers and state employees into early retirement, diminishing the savings the state might have realized by finalizing the terms of a retirement deal in a more timely way.

Dillon and Bishop like to say they have a good working relationship, but so far all they have to show for it is a bipartisan nothing-burger.

Each man has made notable efforts to jump-start the budget negotiation process. But neither has been able to rally his caucus behind what virtually everyone outside the Legislature agrees will be needed to fix Michigan's structural budget imbalance: a combination of spending cuts and the elimination of loopholes that currently exempt much of Michigan's economic activity from taxation.

Every day the standoff lingers is a day Michigan goes deeper into the hole. Taxpayers deserve a new legislative leadership team that is focused fully on the budgetary crisis at hand.

Race to the Top with the Michigan Promise

by: mrivard

Fri Dec 04, 2009 at 10:57:25 AM EST

Next week, the House is expected to take up Race to the Top legislation (it has to be passed by the end of the year). It's time to take action.

Call Speaker Dillon and the House leadership team and let them know: Michigan can't "race to the top" without the Michigan Promise Scholarship. Restoring the Michigan Promise should be included in any Race to the Top education reform legislation next week, to increase the number of Michigan college graduates and enhance our state's chances in the Race to the Top competition.

Call and email TODAY -- and spread the word:

Speaker of the House Andy Dillon (D-Redford Twp)
517-373-0857
andydillon@house.mi.gov

Speaker Pro Tempore Pam Byrnes (D-Lyndon Twp)
517-373-0828
pambyrnes@house.mi.gov

Majority Floor Leader Kathy Angerer (D-Dundee)
517-373-1792
kathyangerer@house.mi.gov

Don't forget to tell MSU's own State Representative, Mark Meadows, that he has this chance to make up for his vote against the Michigan Promise in October - call him too!

Rep Mark Meadows (D-East Lansing)
517-373-1786
markmeadows@house.mi.gov

December State Senate and State House Candidate Filings

by: pbratt

Tue Dec 01, 2009 at 17:22:08 PM EST

With the last month of 2009 upon us, it is time to take stock at recent candidate filings for the State House and State Senate. It will be interesting to see the financial numbers released by campaigns once 2010 begins, but for now we'll have to do with rumors and potential candidacies.  

State Senate

District 18 (Status: Safe Democratic)
As long suspected by many, State Representative Pam Byrnes has filed to run for the 18th State Senate District (11/25/2009). Byrnes' entrance into the race creates a primary between her and fellow Representative Rebekah Warren. This race has been covered ably by the Ann Arbor Chronicle. While this will be a primary to watch, the winner will be heavily favored in the November election in this safe Democratic district. While Ann Arbor locals might have a better idea of the current odds on favorite for this race, my guess is that Byrnes strong support of Andy Dillon's agenda will throw organized labor into Warren's camp, a sure plus in a heavily Democratic district.

District 29 (Status: Swing)
While Hildenbrand's entrance (11/10/2009) into the 29th District (Grand Rapids and Kentwood) race was covered earlier, another recent story in the Grand Rapids Press provides further details on the race.

No other Republican candidates have announced, although perennial Republican candidate Dan Tietema might run in the GOP primary. While at the moment no Democratic candidates have filed, State Representative Robert Dean has announced to supporters that he will run, while Grand Rapids City Commissioner David LaGrand and former State Representative Michael Sak are other potential Democratic candidates. Regardless of whether Sak enters the race, I consider LaGrand to be the front-runner in the Democratic primary.  

District 30 (Status: Safe Republican)
This safe Republican seat covering Ottawa County is being vacated by Senator Wayne Kuipers, and as expected, State Representative Arlan Meekhof has filed to replace him (11/23/2009). No word yet on potential GOP rivals, although Wayne Huizinga might consider leaving the 2nd Congressional District GOP primary to run for this seat. No Democratic candidates have yet surfaced.

District 31 (Status: Swing)
State Representative Jeff Mayes (96th District covering part of Bay County) has filed to replace Jim Barcia, who is term-limited from running for this district covering Arenac, Bay, Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties (11/20/2009). Mayes's filing is covered in the Bay City News. While this is a swing seat, Mayes does not yet face Democratic or Republican opposition. It is expected that former Republican Representatives Steve Ehardt and Mike Green will run for the seat.  

November State Senate and State House candidate filings

by: pbratt

Thu Nov 12, 2009 at 18:58:22 PM EST

Can you believe that we are two weeks from Thanksgiving? On that note, here is the November State Senate and State House candidate update, that you can talk about with your relatives around the dinner table when you are tired of watching the Lions lose.

State Senate

District 2 (Status: Safe Democratic)

With Martha Scott term-limited, this safe Democratic seat is open and waiting for candidates. Olivia Boykins (10/28/2009), director of the Michigan Coalition for Human Rights, is the first candidate to file for the seat. Expect numerous other candidates to also file, including Representatives Lemmons and Johnson. Although this seat is the most conservative of the Detroit districts (largely because of the Grosse Point suburbs are included in this northeastern Detroit seat), don't expect a Republican to win this seat.

District 8 (Status: Safe Democratic)

Covering working-class suburbs in southern Wayne County, this safe Democratic seat is currently represented by term-limited Raymond Basham. Former State Representative Hong Yung Hopgood (10/23/2009) is the first to file, and will likely be facing a Democratic primary.

District 14 (Status: Safe Democratic)

Another solidly Democratic seat (covering southeastern Oakland County), this race has attracted two Democratic candidates to replace term-limited Gilda Jacobs. Oakland County Commissioner Dave Coulter (10/13/2009) and Representative Vince Gregory (10/15/2009), who current serves the 35th State House District, both have filed for this seat. With the only competitive contest for this seat coming in the Democratic primary, expect more Democrats to eye this seat.

Candidate Filings Michigan State Senate and House (October 6 2009 Edition)

by: pbratt

Tue Oct 06, 2009 at 11:07:45 AM EDT

A month has past since the previous story on filings for State Senate and State House seats, and it is time for another update. Here is a brief synopsis on the various races:

State Senate:

District 7 (Status: Swing)
No filings since early September for State Senate races expect in this swing seat being vacated by term-limited Senator Bruce Patterson. Democratic Michael Kheibari (09/18/2009) has filed, and joins Democratic candidate John Stewart (a former Republican) in the race. Expect more people to join this race.  

Autism Legislation

by: Representative Barb Byrum

Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 16:34:24 PM EDT

Autism was first identified during the Second World War and has since become America's fastest-growing development disorder.  The rates of this disorder are spiking to such a degree that autism is often described as an epidemic.

There is currently no cure for autism, but experts do know this: early diagnosis and treatment is crucial for an autistic child to reach his or her full potential. Yet most health insurance companies only cover screening for the disorder, which leaves families raising children with autism to bear the high costs of treatment on their own.

My colleagues in the House and I held a press conference today demanding that insurance companies cover autism, a very treatable disease. The first piece of legislation that we introduced would require health insurance companies to cover the treatment of autism. The plan, which has received strong bi-partisan support, will ensure that autistic children receive the quality care they need to help them grow and develop, while scaling back the health care costs associated with autism.

As more and more children across our state are being diagnosed with autism, an increasing number of Michigan families are struggling to keep up with the high costs of treatment - sometimes costing a single family $50,000 or more a year.

Wrap-up of Michigan State House Races

by: pbratt

Tue Nov 11, 2008 at 12:06:09 PM EST

http://i303.photobucket.com/al...

And a world of hurt is what the Republicans woke up to on November 5.  The GOP lost nine open seats, reducing their numbers from 52 to 43.  As Map One shows, five of these seats were concentrated in metropolitan Detroit, with Districts 1, 21, 24, 32, and the ever elusive 39 finally falling in the Democrats hands after four election cycles.  A historic observer will note that Democrats have not had this sort of margin in the State House since 1976, which ushered an era of party domination in the chamber that lasted until 1992.  The loss of five GOP seats in metro Detroit leaves the Republican Party with just one seat (District 19-Livonia) in Wayne County, while losing one seat in Oakland County and two in Macomb County.  The reverse of this gain this that the Michigan Democratic Party is even more dominated by its southeastern membership, a situation that the GOP never ceases reminding the rest of state voters about.  

Part III: State of the House Districts 61-110

by: pbratt

Wed Sep 24, 2008 at 10:16:18 AM EDT

Before I go further, let me encourage readers to head over to West Michigan Rising to get a great analysis of the current state of house races in this part of the state.  My analysis here is largely built on Phil's work, so it is better to see the original sources.    

The State of The Michigan State House: September 2008 (Part I)

by: pbratt

Mon Sep 22, 2008 at 20:15:27 PM EDT

With the recent release of the post-primary filing reports for Michigan State House candidates, we can better understand the finances and status of races 45 days prior to November 5 (I have linked this table as a Google document).  My prior analysis of Michigan State House races looked at the history and current political landscape within the 110 districts across the state.  This report adds the latest financial data to better understand which districts are the ones to watch over the next two months, and where outside players (such as the Michigan Democratic and Republicans Parties and 527 groups) will attempt to add their weight to existing efforts.  

Youtube ad shows why Brandana is the best candidate for the 22nd District

by: kjbas58

Fri Aug 01, 2008 at 16:06:04 PM EDT

I walked for Jill Brandana , one of the Democratic candidates for the open seat in the 22nd District that represents the Downriver cites of Romolus and Taylor. She is a solid Democrat who will represent the district well.

She holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Michigan, and she is currently serving as the Chairwoman Pro-Tem of the Taylor City Council. She is running against fellow Taylor City Councilman Doug Geiss for the Democratic nomination. Now, Geiss seems to have all of the qualifications for the job, but I believe Brandana  is the best candidate. A recent statement he made regarding the controversial new runway proposed for Detroit Metropolitan Airport makes my decision easier.

It's obviously a hot issue for Romulus residents, as well as Taylor residents, but a master improvement plan that includes a 10,000-foot landing strip will displace business, schools and up to 800 homes in Romulus.

There have been numerous town hall meetings on the issue, and at a meeting in Romulus on March 3, in response to a question from a Romulus on whether Taylor would provide financial help to fight the expansion,  Geiss said yes, to loud applause from the crowd.

Just a month later at a Taylor City Council meeting, a resident objected to Taylor tax dollars being spent in Romulus, and Geiss said that would not happen and then said that  he never made the remark on March 3.

The Brandana campaign has put an excellent ad together on it that can be seen on Youtube. Some might call this a negative ad, but I find it hard to call pointing out someone's own inconstancies to them a negative ad. Now, if you were to compare Geiss to Brittany Spears or Paris Hilton, that's another story.

Vote for Jill Brandana on Tuesday and in November.

Young Dems Voter Forum at UM-Flint

by: kmccree

Sun Jul 27, 2008 at 23:52:08 PM EDT

In this fiscal crisis, Michigan must not abandon its foster children

by: CateMcClure

Mon Jun 23, 2008 at 16:08:18 PM EDT

State officials acknowledge the problems but claim the state does not have resources to implement the changes needed to make the system viable. In fact, despite funding increases for foster care programs instituted by Gov. Jennifer Granholm last year, experts estimate that an additional $130 to $150 million is needed in the upcoming fiscal year to initiate the changes demanded in settlement talks. With analysts now projecting a $472 million budget deficit for next year, such spending increases are practically impossible.

Although the state's dire financial condition imposes significant limitations, the studies of Michigan's foster care shortcomings suggest that some essential administrative and managerial reforms can be instituted without additional funds, and may result in increased federal funding for the state program. Bills introduced in the state legislature in May would facilitate such reforms by creating a state foster care advisory board to propose improvements. The bills would also provide a vehicle for encouraging private sector financial support for the system, which will be essential in the coming years.

MI House: Live Blog

by: JPowers155

Mon Oct 29, 2007 at 19:37:07 PM EDT

I'm having that deja vu feeling all over again.  Time to live blog!  I'm watching via the feeds, so if any MichLib contributors are lurking down in the House... please feel free to chime in via the comments. 

9:26 p.m.  The House is ADJOURNED til Tuesday. The Countdown to Shutdown commences again!

We would lose if the '08 Election were today.

by: zbeta

Mon Oct 01, 2007 at 17:42:54 PM EDT

Jennifer Granholm is an easy target, as she is likely the best known politician in the state, even though between her, the House, and the Senate, she probably deserves the least amount of blame.  The old narratives about tax and spend liberals will be flayed out at the expense of our candidates once again.

All of this would have happened anyway, but because of a series of blunders by House leadership, the narratives will be much, much worse.