FOCUS:
Michigan Fiscal Crisis Update
At the annual Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce meeting on
Mackinac Island, talk largely centered around the state’s current
budget crisis. Governor Granholm continues to advocate for a mix of government
reform, budget cuts, and increased revenue. Possible revenue enhancements
gaining the most attention are a sales tax on luxury services and/or
an increase in the income tax.
Agreement
on a replacement for the Single Business Tax appears to be near.
It is reported that Senate Republicans now agree with Governor Granholm
and House Democrats that the replacement tax should be revenue neutral.
See related news:
GOP
to Support Revenue-Neutral Tax
(Lansing State Journal,
6/1/07)
Dems,
GOP Agree on Size of Business Tax
(Detroit News, 6/1/07)
House
OKs Balanced Budget Measures
(Lansing State Journal,
5/31/07
Nearly
a Deal on Business Tax
(Detroit Free Press,
5/31/07)
State
Still Unable to Rule out Layoffs
(Lansing State Journal,
5/30/07)
Fix
to Lean Heavily on Tobacco Cash
(Detroit Free Press,
5/30/07)
In
the Capitol
Committee
meetings of interest for the week of 6/7
6/6
House Judiciary
Agenda: HB
4789 Prohibit operation of an off-road vehicle by certain individuals
under the influence of or visibly impaired by alcohol or a controlled
substance; HB
4794 Prohibit operation of a watercraft by individuals with a high
blood alcohol level or with certain controlled substances; HB
4795 Prohibit operation of a snowmobile by certain individuals under
the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance; HB
4813 Revise sentencing guidelines for operating vessel, ORV, or snowmobile
under influence of alcoholic liquor to include operating with any amount
of schedule 1 controlled substances in operator's body.
6/6
Senate Appropriations
Agenda: SB
232 Provide for fiscal year 2007-2008 budget for department of human
services; HB
4850 Increase securitization of tobacco funds amount; HB
4851 Authorize transfers of money by Michigan higher education student
loan authority to Michigan merit award trust fund.
6/6
Senate Families and Human Services
Agenda: SB
141 Provide for court-appointed special advocates.
Children's
Law Section Position: Oppose
Family Law
Section Position: Oppose
The State Bar of Michigan does not have a position on SB 141
but opposed
in principle identical legislation introduced last session.
Complete
Committee Meeting List
New
Public Acts
Legislation
Introduced 5/29 – 5/31
Of Interest to the Legal Community
HB
4859 Courts;
juries; jury pool selection process; revise. Amends secs. 1304, 1312 & 1321
of 1961
PA 236 (MCL 600.1304 et
seq.) & adds secs. 1301c, 1310a & 1310b. TIE BAR WITH: HB
4755'07
HB
4861 Civil procedure; costs and
fees; fees to court of appeals; revise. Amends sec. 321 of 1961
PA 236 (MCL 600.321).
Of General Interest
HB
4866 Businesses; business corporations; filing fees; revise.
Amends sec. 1060 of 1972
PA 284 (MCL 450.2060).
SB
554 Property; other; recordable instrument conveying an interest
in real property; require to specify type of road on which property
is located. Amends sec. 1 of 1937
PA 103 (MCL 565.201). |
At
The Bar
The Public Policy,
Image, and Identity Committee of the Board of Commissioners will meet on
Friday, June 8.
Sections
and Committees
The Family
Law Section submitted the following public policy reports:
Support: HB
4731 (Bieda) Family law; other; lewd and lascivious cohabitation;
repeal prohibition. Amends sec. 335 of 1931
PA 328 (MCL 750.335).
Support
with recommended amendments: HB
4735 (Polidori) Human services; children's services; procedure
for placement of children in a foster home; expand to give special
consideration to relatives. Amends sec. 4a of 1994
PA 203 (MCL 722.954a).
Oppose: HB
4736 (Byrum) Human services; children's services; procedure for
placement of children in a foster home; expand to give special consideration
to individuals of same religious background. Amends sec. 4a of 1994
PA 203 (MCL 722.954a).
Support: HB
4741 (Beida) Family law; personal protection orders; prohibition
against harming animals owned by petitioner; include in personal
protection order. Amends sec. 2950 of 1961
PA 236 (MCL 600.2950).
Oppose: HB
4818 (Steil) Family law; child custody; factors determining best
interest of child; include equal time for both parents as a factor.
Amends sec. 3 of 1970
PA 91 (MCL 722.23).
Support: SB
506 (McManus) Family law; paternity; circumstances under which
putative father may sue to establish paternity of a child born to
a married woman; establish. Amends secs. 1, 4 & 6 of 1956
PA 205 (MCL 722.711 et
seq.).
Support: SB
522 (Whitmer) Family law; friend of the court; informational
pamphlet; allow to be provided electronically. Amends sec. 5 of 1982
PA 294 (MCL 552.505).
Support
with recommended amendments: SB
543 (Barcia) Children; protection; appeal process; provide for.
Amends 1935
PA 220 (MCL 400.201 - 400.214)
by adding sec. 5b.
Support: SB
553 (Pappageorge) Family law; child support; system for payment
of support over the internet; require office of child support to
establish. Amends sec. 6 of 1971
PA 174 (MCL 400.236).
The Prisons
and Corrections Section submitted the following: Statement
Regarding Extending Parole Terms for Parolees Who Owe Restitution.
In
the Hall of Justice
Appointment
to State Bar of Michigan Board of Commissioners Announced by Michigan
Supreme Court
Openings
Still Available for Law Career Program Offered by Michigan Supreme Court
Learning Center
Other
Actions
2007-01
- Supreme Court Appointment of Commissioner-at-Large of the State
Bar of Michigan
Laura A. Chappelle is appointed commissioner-at-large of the State Bar of Michigan
for a three-year term commencing in September 2007.
Issued: May 29, 2007
2007-01
- Appointment of Chief Judge of the 29th Judicial Circuit Court
Hon. Randy L. Tahvonen is appointed chief judge of the 29th Judicial
Circuit Court effective May 1, 2007, for the unexpired portion of a two-year
term, which commenced January 1, 2006.
Issued: May 29, 2007
Effective: May 1, 2007
State
News
NAACP:
Reform Courts
(Detroit News, 5/30/07) |
