No. 20
STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
97th Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2013
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, March 5, 2013.
10:00 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Tonya Schuitmaker.
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.
Anderson—present Hopgood—present Pappageorge—present
Bieda—present Hune—present Pavlov—present
Booher—present Hunter—present Proos—present
Brandenburg—present Jansen—present Richardville—present
Casperson—present Johnson—present Robertson—present
Caswell—present Jones—present Rocca—present
Colbeck—present Kahn—present Schuitmaker—present
Emmons—present Kowall—present Smith—present
Green—present Marleau—present Walker—present
Gregory—present Meekhof—present Warren—present
Hansen—present Moolenaar—present Whitmer—present
Hildenbrand—present Nofs—present Young—present
Hood—present
Pastor Michelle Paulsell of Kensington Church of Lake Orion offered the following invocation:
Dear Heavenly Father, we are so blessed to live in a nation where prayer is not only encouraged, but in a nation where we may freely seek You. Thank You for all the men and women in this room who are here to serve the people of Michigan.
Lord, I ask that You would give this legislative body wisdom and discernment; that You would please allow them to carry the voices of the rich and the poor and the healthy and the sick. I pray that You would give them and our Governor the strength and courage to make the decisions that would best serve the people of the state.
We ask for Your blessing in this room, for the people in it, and that You would abundantly bless the people of Michigan. We thank You in advance and recognize all good things come from You. We thank You for this day and for this time. In His name we pray all things. Amen.
The President pro tempore, Senator Schuitmaker, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Senators Kahn and Jansen entered the Senate Chamber.
Senator Whitmer moved that Senators Hopgood, Hood, Hunter and Johnson be temporarily excused from today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Meekhof moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guest of Senator Richardville admittance to the Senate floor.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The following communication was received:
Public Service Commission
March 4, 2013
The enclosed 2012 Annual Report is submitted on behalf of the Michigan Public Service Commission (Commission) in accordance with Section 5a of 1989 PA 33; MCL 460.5a. The report is also available on the Commission’s website.
In 2012, the Commission continued its efforts to support the Governor’s efforts to “Reinvent Michigan.” The Commission renewed its efforts to provide information, complaint assistance, and financial support to those most needing it. As always, the Commission commits itself to balancing the needs of consumers and utility providers.
Throughout 2012, the Commission maintained its commitment to address the needs of Michigan’s low-income and senior citizens, awarding $27,000,000 from the Vulnerable Household Warmth Fund for low-income energy assistance to various organizations. The awards provide immediate assistance for heating.
The Commission extended its consumer outreach efforts by attending 40 events throughout the State ranging from utility-sponsored Customer Assistance Days to fairs. The Commission continues to make its Commission meetings available via podcast, handling 14,565 consumer contacts, and assisting consumers and businesses with more than 9,031 electric and natural gas complaints and inquiries, 2,102 telecommunications complaints and inquiries, and 880 video/cable complaints and inquiries.
The Commission issued 743 orders, consisting of 227 telecommunications orders, 431 electric orders, 78 natural gas orders, and seven motor carrier orders, as well as issuing 22 minute actions.
Among the orders issued by the Commission during 2012 were approvals of applications to replace or construct and operate nine natural gas and liquid pipelines. Commission gas safety engineers performed inspections and investigated all jurisdictional incidents that met the US Department of Transportation requirements.
The Commission also revised the retail natural gas rates of Consumers Energy Company, and the retail electric rates of Consumers Energy Company, Indiana Michigan Power Company, and Wisconsin Electric Power Company.
The Commission’s work in the telecommunications area included approving nine licenses for new telephone companies and revoking licenses for 17 companies that were grossly deficient in the statutory and regulatory responsibilities of licensed basic local exchange service providers. The Commission also approved 58 carriers as eligible telecommunications carriers to apply for federal Universal Service funding. Additionally, the Commission has had great success with the Connect Michigan program.
We continue to look forward to working with you on energy utility, telecommunications, motor carrier, and other matters to enhance services to and ensure adequate protection for Michigan residents and businesses.
Very truly yours,
John D. Quackenbush
Chairman
Orjiakor N. Isiogu
Commissioner
Greg R. White
Commissioner
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The following communication was received:
Public Service Commission
March 4, 2013
The attached report, Report on the Implementation of P.A. 295 Wind Energy Resource Zones is submitted on behalf of the Michigan Public Service Commission in accordance with Section 155 of 2008 PA 295, MCL 460.1155.
Thank you,
John D. Quackenbush
Chairman
The communication was referred to the Secretary for record.
The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, February 28:
House Bill Nos. 4037 4052 4053 4111 4287
The Secretary announced that the following bills and joint resolutions were printed and filed on Thursday, February 28, and are available at the Michigan Legislature website:
Senate Bill Nos. 222 223 224 225 226 227 228 229 230 231 232 233 234 235
236 237 238 239 240 241
Senate Joint Resolutions M N
House Bill Nos. 4328 4329 4330 4331 4332 4333 4334 4335 4336 4337 4338 4339 4340
The Secretary announced that the following bills and joint resolutions were printed and filed on Friday, March 1, and are available at the Michigan Legislature website:
House Bill Nos. 4341 4342 4343 4344 4345 4346 4347 4348 4349 4350 4351 4352 4353 4354
4355 4356 4357 4358 4359
House Joint Resolutions L M
Senator Richardville asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Richardville’s statement is as follows:
Colleagues, I rise today to recognize a very special occasion for someone who works my office. Many of you know Bobby Ray and have known her for a long time. She is not only a very special person to all of us here in the Capitol, but also outside the doors of the Capitol. Today, Bobby Ray turns 80 years young. Senator Pappageorge says she is just a baby.
Now, we all know Bobby, but like with all of us, there’s always a story of how we came to Lansing. Bobby’s story began in Kentucky, where she was born and raised. After meeting and marrying her late husband, Scott H. Ray, Jr., they moved to Ohio and, in 1963, began vacationing every year on Mullet Lake in Cheboygan, Michigan. In 1988, Bobby moved to Michigan permanently.
After working several years for JC Penney, Bobby began her career in the Michigan Senate. Since 1995, she has worked for Senator Joanne Emmons and four different Majority Leaders—Senators Dick Posthumus, Ken Sikkema, Mike Bishop, and me.
All who have interacted with Bobby know her to be kind, considerate, and also a joy to be around. Many also know her to be a fighter. Colleagues, Bobby is a seven-year cancer survivor. Let me tell you, I don’t mess with Bobby, and I would advise all of you not to as well.
Another fun fact you may not know about Bobby is she, together with her daughter Dawn and her granddaughter Laken, make up three generations of Ray women proudly serving the residents of Michigan. Her son Scott, who is up in the Gallery this morning, also served in the Senate.
Bobby has much to be proud of in her 80 years on this earth. But if you ask her, there is nothing she is more proud of than her six children: Shawn, Dawn Scott, Brynn, Erin, and Ryan, and she also has eight grandchildren. When she’s not cheering on the Michigan State Women’s Basketball Team, whose games her son Ryan announces, Bobby also likes to cheer for the Michigan State Football and Men’s Basketball Teams, as well as the Detroit Tigers and Lions, and her favorite NASCAR drivers, who are Jeff Gordon and now Brad Keselowski.
Colleagues and staff on the floor, please help yourself to some cake in the lobby, and please join me one more time in wishing Bobby Ray a very happy 80th birthday.
Senators Hopgood, Hunter and Hood entered the Senate Chamber.
Messages from the Governor
The following messages from the Governor were received and read:
February 27, 2013
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office:
Autism Council
R. Kevin Clinton of 6410 Oakencliffe Lane, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, county of Ingham, representing the Department of Insurance and Financial Services, succeeding Kimberly Gaedeke, is appointed for a term expiring September 30, 2014.
March 1, 2013
I respectfully submit to the Senate the following appointment to office:
Midwestern Higher Education Compact
David Eisler of 23285 Timber Ridge Drive, Big Rapids, Michigan 49307, county of Mecosta, representing at-large member, succeeding himself, is reappointed for a term expiring March 8, 2017.
Sincerely,
Rick Snyder
Governor
The appointments were referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Messages from the House
Senate Bill No. 61, entitled
A bill to amend 1980 PA 350, entitled “The nonprofit health care corporation reform act,” by amending the title and sections 218, 401e, and 414b (MCL 550.1218, 550.1401e, and 550.1414b), the title as amended by 1994 PA 169, section 218 as added by 2002 PA 559, section 401e as added by 1996 PA 516, and section 414b as added by 2006 PA 413, and by adding sections 201a, 220, 400, 401m, 410b, 501c, and 620 and part 6A.
The House of Representatives has substituted (H-3) the bill.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill as substituted (H-3), ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.202, the bill be laid over one day,
Senator Meekhof moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on concurring in the substitute made to the bill by the House,
The substitute was concurred in, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 32 Yeas—36
Anderson Gregory Kahn Richardville
Bieda Hansen Kowall Robertson
Booher Hildenbrand Marleau Rocca
Brandenburg Hood Meekhof Schuitmaker
Casperson Hopgood Moolenaar Smith
Caswell Hune Nofs Walker
Colbeck Hunter Pappageorge Warren
Emmons Jansen Pavlov Whitmer
Green Jones Proos Young
Nays—0
Excused—1
Johnson
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Schuitmaker
The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,
The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.
The Senate agreed to the full title.
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.
Senate Bill No. 62, entitled
A bill to amend 1956 PA 218, entitled “The insurance code of 1956,” by amending sections 2213b, 2242, 3426, 3705, 3712, 5008, 5104, 5209, 5800, and 5824 (MCL 500.2213b, 500.2242, 500.3426, 500.3705, 500.3712, 500.5008, 500.5104, 500.5209, 500.5800, and 500.5824), section 2213b as amended by 1998 PA 457, section 2242 as amended by 1990 PA 305, section 3426 as added by 2006 PA 412, sections 3705 and 3712 as added by 2003 PA 88, section 5008 as amended by 1994 PA 226, section 5104 as amended by 1999 PA 211, and section 5800 as amended by 2000 PA 8, and by adding sections 3405a, 3428, 3472, 3474a, 3612a, 5801, 5805, 5825, and 5826.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill, ordered that it be given immediate effect and pursuant to Joint Rule 20, inserted the full title.
The question being on concurring in the committee recommendation to give the bill immediate effect,
The recommendation was concurred in, 2/3 of the members serving voting therefor.
The Senate agreed to the full title.
The bill was referred to the Secretary for enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor.
Third Reading of Bills
Senator Johnson entered the Senate Chamber.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 78, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 504, 35101, 35501, 35502, 35503, and 52502 (MCL 324.504, 324.35101, 324.35501, 324.35502, 324.35503, and 324.52502), section 504 as amended by 2009 PA 47, section 35101 as amended by 1996 PA 290, sections 35501, 35502, and 35503 as added by 1995 PA 59, and section 52502 as added by 2004 PA 125; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
The question being on passage of the bill,
Senator Warren offered the following amendment:
1. Amend page 5, line 15, by striking out all of subdivision (B) and inserting:
“(B) “CONSERVATION OF BIOLOGIC DIVERSITY” OR “CONSERVATION” MEANS THE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT EFFORTS NECESSARY TO MAINTAIN OR RESTORE NATIVE SPECIES AND NATURAL COMMUNITIES IN QUANTITIES AND DISTRIBUTIONS NECESSARY TO SUSTAIN VIABLE POPULATIONS OF NATIVE SPECIES AND COMMUNITIES AND TO ENSURE THE ACCESSIBILITY, PRODUCTIVITY, AND USE OF THE NATURAL RESOURCES OF THIS STATE FOR PRESENT AND FUTURE GENERATIONS.”.
The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hunter requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 33 Yeas—12
Anderson Hood Johnson Warren
Bieda Hopgood Rocca Whitmer
Gregory Hunter Smith Young
Nays—24
Booher Hansen Kowall Pavlov
Brandenburg Hildenbrand Marleau Proos
Casperson Hune Meekhof Richardville
Caswell Jansen Moolenaar Robertson
Colbeck Jones Nofs Schuitmaker
Green Kahn Pappageorge Walker
Excused—0
Not Voting—1
Emmons
In The Chair: Schuitmaker
Senator Meekhof moved that Senator Emmons be temporarily excused from the balance of today’s session.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Emmons entered the Senate Chamber.
Senator Warren offered the following amendments:
1. Amend page 8, line 18, after “Conserve” by inserting “and protect”.
2. Amend page 8, line 26, by striking out all of subparagraph (iii) and inserting:
“(iii) SUBJECT TO SECTION 504(7), MANAGING FOR BIOLOGICAL DIVERSITY AND SUSTAINABLE TIMBER HARVEST BY DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING STAND LEVEL AND LANDSCAPE LEVEL FOREST TREATMENT MEASURES.”.
3. Amend page 9, line 12, after “maintaining” by inserting “or enhancing”.
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hunter requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendments were not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 34 Yeas—11
Anderson Hood Johnson Whitmer
Bieda Hopgood Smith Young
Gregory Hunter Warren
Nays—26
Booher Hansen Marleau Proos
Brandenburg Hildenbrand Meekhof Richardville
Casperson Hune Moolenaar Robertson
Caswell Jansen Nofs Rocca
Colbeck Jones Pappageorge Schuitmaker
Emmons Kahn Pavlov Walker
Green Kowall
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Schuitmaker
Senator Warren offered the following amendment:
1. Amend page 6, line 15, by inserting:
“(b) Most losses of biological diversity are unintended consequences of human activity.” and relettering the remaining subdivisions.
The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hunter requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The amendment was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 35 Yeas—11
Anderson Hood Johnson Whitmer
Bieda Hopgood Smith Young
Gregory Hunter Warren
Nays—26
Booher Hansen Marleau Proos
Brandenburg Hildenbrand Meekhof Richardville
Casperson Hune Moolenaar Robertson
Caswell Jansen Nofs Rocca
Colbeck Jones Pappageorge Schuitmaker
Emmons Kahn Pavlov Walker
Green Kowall
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Schuitmaker
Senator Warren offered the following substitute:
Substitute (S-3).
The substitute was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor.
Senator Hunter requested the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered, 1/5 of the members present voting therefor.
The substitute was not adopted, a majority of the members serving not voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 36 Yeas—11
Anderson Hood Johnson Whitmer
Bieda Hopgood Smith Young
Gregory Hunter Warren
Nays—26
Booher Hansen Marleau Proos
Brandenburg Hildenbrand Meekhof Richardville
Casperson Hune Moolenaar Robertson
Caswell Jansen Nofs Rocca
Colbeck Jones Pappageorge Schuitmaker
Emmons Kahn Pavlov Walker
Green Kowall
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Schuitmaker
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 37 Yeas—26
Booher Hansen Marleau Proos
Brandenburg Hildenbrand Meekhof Richardville
Casperson Hune Moolenaar Robertson
Caswell Jansen Nofs Rocca
Colbeck Jones Pappageorge Schuitmaker
Emmons Kahn Pavlov Walker
Green Kowall
Nays—11
Anderson Hood Johnson Whitmer
Bieda Hopgood Smith Young
Gregory Hunter Warren
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Schuitmaker
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
Protests
Senators Warren, Hood, Young, Whitmer, Hopgood, Johnson, Anderson, Gregory and Hunter, under their constitutional right of protest (Art. 4, Sec. 18), protested against the passage of Senate Bill No. 78.
Senator Warren moved that the statement she made during the discussion of the bill be printed as her reasons for voting “no.”
The motion prevailed.
Senator Warren’s statement, in which Senators Hood, Young, Whitmer, Hopgood, Johnson, Anderson, Gregory and Hunter concurred, is as follows:
As Democratic vice chair of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes, a member of the Great Lakes Commission, and the former chair of the House Great Lakes and Environment Committee, I have had the rare privilege to attend conferences and meetings throughout the country with some of our nation’s foremost environmental experts. It never fails that at each and every one, I hear how lucky we are to live in our beautiful and unique state, and it is a great reminder of the awesome responsibility that we have to preserve the Pure Michigan that those of us who live here every day can often take for granted.
This responsibility is never more apparent than it is here in this chamber. We, as public servants in this state, hold the future of our state environmentally and economically in our hands. We must act as vigilant stewards of the environment, always working to ensure that we are able to hand down to the next generation Michigan’s legacy of health, history, and exceptional beauty.
Unfortunately, I believe that Senate Bill No. 78, which is in front of us at this very moment, flies in the very face of that stewardship. For those of you who were not able to hear the testimony provided in committee, biodiversity is the principle behind successful efforts to restore Michigan’s forests after years of clear-cutting. It has also been used to help recover wildlife populations enough to move them off of the Endangered Species List.
To be clear, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources has considered biodiversity in its land management decisions for more than 100 years. We are undoing 100 years of work today if we pass this legislation. This bill not only removes this basic tenet from the department’s purview, but also prevents the DNR from acting under the Endangered Species Act and a number of other laws to promote and restore biodiversity on public lands. It jeopardizes almost $22 million in federal funding for forest management and puts Michigan’s sustainable forestry certificates that cover 3.9 million acres across the state at risk.
This legislation has received a tremendous amount of attention not only in Lansing, but also in my district, and with good reason. This bill is a shortsighted and dangerous approach that rejects years of scientific research. Perhaps more alarmingly, it will most assuredly make it harder to preserve the Michigan we know today for future generations.
It is my hope that you will join us in opposing this bill which is sure to have an impact not only on our environment, but also on our economy, and the health and safety of our citizens; and hold true to the values that we espouse on the radio and in the news to protect Pure Michigan.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
General Orders
Senator Meekhof moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.
The motion prevailed, and the President pro tempore, Senator Schuitmaker, designated Senator Young as Chairperson.
After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and the President pro tempore, Senator Schuitmaker, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and with a substitute therefor, the following bill:
Senate Bill No. 94, entitled
A bill to prohibit any agency of this state, any political subdivision of this state, any employee of any agency of this state or any political subdivision of this state, or any member of the Michigan national guard from assisting an agency of the armed forces of the United States in the investigation, prosecution, or detainment of any citizen of the United States under certain circumstances.
Substitute (S-1).
The Senate agreed to the substitute recommended by the Committee of the Whole, and the bill as substituted was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senator Robertson introduced
Senate Joint Resolution O, entitled
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the state constitution of 1963, by amending section 5 of article XI, to increase the number of positions that the civil service commission may exempt from the classified state civil service.
The joint resolution was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
Senator Hildenbrand introduced
Senate Bill No. 242, entitled
A bill to amend 1961 PA 120, entitled “An act to authorize the development or redevelopment of principal shopping districts and business improvement districts; to permit the creation of certain boards; to provide for the operation of principal shopping districts and business improvement districts; to provide for the creation, operation, and dissolution of business improvement zones; and to authorize the collection of revenue and the bonding of certain local governmental units for the development or redevelopment projects,” by amending sections 10, 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 10e, 10f, 10g, 10h, 10i, 10j, 10k, 10l, and 10m (MCL 125.990, 125.990a, 125.990b, 125.990c, 125.990d, 125.990e, 125.990f, 125.990g, 125.990h, 125.990i, 125.990j, 125.990k, 125.990l, and 125.990m), as added by 2001 PA 260.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic Development.
Senators Booher, Hansen, Jones, Proos, Brandenburg, Colbeck, Marleau and Casperson introduced
Senate Bill No. 243, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 78108 and 78110 (MCL 324.78108 and 324.78110), section 78108 as amended by 2003 PA 19 and section 78110 as amended by 2010 PA 302.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism.
Senator Robertson introduced
Senate Bill No. 244, entitled
A bill to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “The revised school code,” by amending section 1229 (MCL 380.1229), as amended by 2011 PA 105.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Education.
Senators Jones, Hansen, Brandenburg, Schuitmaker and Marleau introduced
Senate Bill No. 245, entitled
A bill to amend 1933 PA 167, entitled “General sales tax act,” (MCL 205.51 to 205.78) by adding section 4dd.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Finance.
House Bill No. 4037, entitled
A bill to amend 1949 PA 300, entitled “Michigan vehicle code,” by amending section 310 (MCL 257.310), as amended by 2012 PA 498.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security.
House Bill No. 4052, entitled
A bill to amend 1950 (Ex Sess) PA 27, entitled “Motor vehicle sales finance act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 492.102), as amended by 1995 PA 166.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic Development.
House Bill No. 4053, entitled
A bill to amend 1966 PA 224, entitled “Retail installment sales act,” by amending section 2 (MCL 445.852), as amended by 1995 PA 167.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Economic Development.
House Bill No. 4111, entitled
A bill to make, supplement, and adjust appropriations for various state departments and agencies for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2013; and to provide for the expenditure of the appropriations.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title.
Senator Meekhof moved that rule 3.203 be suspended and that the bill be referred to the Committee of the Whole and placed on the order of General Orders.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
House Bill No. 4287, entitled
A bill to amend 1972 PA 222, entitled “An act to provide for an official personal identification card; to provide for its form, issuance and use; to regulate the use and disclosure of information obtained from the card; to prescribe the powers and duties of the secretary of state; to prescribe fees; to prescribe certain penalties for violations; and to provide an appropriation for certain purposes,” by amending section 2 (MCL 28.292), as amended by 2011 PA 158.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Veterans, Military Affairs and Homeland Security.
Statements
Senator Young asked and was granted unanimous consent to make a statement and moved that the statement be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Young’s statement is as follows:
Madam President, I would like to start with a quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: “Our days begin to end when we become silent about things that matter.” The fact that the Governor has decided that he is going to put an emergency financial manager in the city of Detroit when we have so much money owed to the city of Detroit, I think, is atrocious. I think this is partnership through pulverizing; it’s teamwork through conquests. I think that this is basically an overall design by the Governor to stick his hand out, but what we don’t know is that behind his back he has a huge stick to whack the city of Detroit with.
This state owes the city of Detroit $220 billion, not to mention the fact that’s because of the 1999 revenue sharing deals that went bad. Not only did the state take away the $200 billion they were supposed to get, but they rolled back the city of Detroit’s taxes so that an extra $450 billion was lost, while still mandating that we roll back our taxes to serve economic conditions. That is an unfunded mandate that is unconstitutional. Not to mention the fact that we have $3 million that the state didn’t pay in terms of service of water used for the State Fair. Also there was $102 million that we could have saved if the Governor had just accepted the union tentative agreement. That’s $212 million in income taxes, $141 million in property taxes, $70 million in code violations, and $40 million in parking fees. Everyone knows that the city of Detroit is parking-fee happy. You can’t collect these fees? This is outrageous.
This is clearly a design, in my opinion, by the Governor to come in here and take over the city of Detroit. If the Governor did come into the city of Detroit to rob, pillage, maim, loot, or cash in on the city of Detroit and its assets, he doesn’t want anything to do with it. It is apparent. Oh, Madam President, by the way, we need a leader who will have policies that will put Detroit in the right light, not someone who thinks the greatest thing about Michigan is if the trees are the correct height.
So I personally think that Mitt Romney for emergency financial manager is an absolute no-go. We need someone who will represent 100 percent of Detroiters, not 47 percent. Come on, that is just embarrassing. They should be ashamed of themselves for bringing that up and should take it back to whatever fantasy world they got that from at the Mackinac Center.
So I would just like to say we are willing to work with the Governor when he is right; when he does things that will further advance the economic virtues and values and the environmental and, quite frankly, the safety values that the citizens of Detroit have. But if you want to go on this tangent and a terror of being anti-Detroit, anti-labor, anti-Constitution, anti-union, we will make you famous. Please believe that. I think this man has shown clearly no sense of a willingness to work with the citizens of Detroit. He has not done anything after auto reform, residency, and education reform.
This is not about physical health or partnership; it is about a right-wing conservative agenda to run the city of Detroit and make money.
Committee Reports
The Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism reported
Senate Resolution No. 20.
A resolution to memorialize the Congress of the United States to enact legislation to ensure that amounts credited to the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used solely for the dredging, infrastructure, operation, and maintenance of federally-authorized ports, harbors, and waterways.
(For text of resolution, see Senate Journal No. 18, p. 226.)
With the recommendation that the resolution be adopted.
Goeffrey M. Hansen
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Hansen, Hildenbrand, Meekhof, Casperson, Moolenaar, Young and Hopgood
Nays: None
The resolution was placed on the order of Resolutions.
The Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism reported
Senate Resolution No. 21.
A resolution to urge the Great Lakes governors to develop an agreement to coordinate the promotion and maintenance of ports and harbors.
(For text of resolution, see Senate Journal No. 18, p. 227.)
With the recommendation that the resolution be adopted.
Goeffrey M. Hansen
Chairperson
To Report Out:
Yeas: Senators Hansen, Hildenbrand, Meekhof, Casperson, Moolenaar, Young and Hopgood
Nays: None
The resolution was placed on the order of Resolutions.
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Outdoor Recreation and Tourism submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 12:30 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Hansen (C), Hildenbrand, Meekhof, Casperson, Moolenaar, Young and Hopgood
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Community Colleges submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 11:00 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Booher (C), Schuitmaker and Anderson
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Transportation submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 1:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Pappageorge (C), Colbeck and Anderson
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on Department of Community Health submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 1:30 p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Moolenaar (C), Caswell, Booher and Gregory
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Subcommittee on State Police and Military Affairs submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, February 28, 2013, at 3:00 p.m., Room 405, Capitol Building
Present: Senators Colbeck (C), Pappageorge and Gregory
Scheduled Meetings
Appropriations - Wednesday, March 6, 2:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-1760)
Subcommittees -
Community Colleges and House Community Colleges Appropriations Subcommittee - Friday, March 8, 1:00 p.m., Schoolcraft Community College, VisTaTech Center, Sutherland Room, 18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia; and Monday, March 11, 1:00 p.m., St. Clair County Community College, Michigan Technical Education Center, Room 150, 323 Erie Street, Port Huron (373-2768)
General Government - Tuesdays, March 12, March 19, and April 9, 2:30 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Human Services Department - Tuesday, March 12, 2:00 p.m., Room 405, Capitol Building (373-2768)
K-12, School Aid, Education - Wednesday, March 6, 9:00 a.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-2768)
State Police and Military Affairs - Thursday, March 7, 3:00 p.m., Room 405, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Economic Development - Wednesday, March 6, 1:30 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-5323)
Natural Resources, Environment and Great Lakes - Thursday, March 7, 9:00 a.m., Room 210, Farnum Building (373-5323)
Outdoor Recreation and Tourism - Wednesday, March 6, 8:30 a.m. and Thursday, March 7, 12:30 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-5323)
Senator Meekhof moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:56 a.m.
The President pro tempore, Senator Schuitmaker, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at 10:00 a.m.
CAROL MOREY VIVENTI
Secretary of the Senate
242 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [March 5, 2013] [No. 20
No. 20] [March 5, 2013] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 243
244 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [March 5, 2013] [No. 20
No. 20] [March 5, 2013] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 245
246 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [March 5, 2013] [No. 20
No. 20] [March 5, 2013] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 247
248 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [March 5, 2013] [No. 20
No. 20] [March 5, 2013] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 249
250 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [March 5, 2013] [No. 20
No. 20] [March 5, 2013] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 251
252 JOURNAL OF THE SENATE [March 5, 2013] [No. 20
No. 20] [March 5, 2013] JOURNAL OF THE SENATE 253
254