Michigan Capitol Confidential

Legal Experts See Few Constitutional Hurdles Currently Impeding Federal Health Care Takeover

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/9/2010

The federal government has many options to mandate health care for every American, whether or not it is declared unconstitutional, some constitutional law experts say.

While the question of forcing Americans to get health insurance may ultimately be decided by the United States Supreme Court, the federal government has many other tools to implement its policies, said Richard Hardy, chair of the political science department at Western Illinois University.

A recurring topic on conservative talk radio shows has been that mandated health care is unconstitutional and could derail President Barack Obama’s health care reform. But three constitutional law experts say that scenario is unlikely. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12291

Michigan’s GOP Congressional Team Scored Less 'Pro Growth' Than Party Peers in D.C. for 2008

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Ken Braun | 3/8/2010

Michigan’s congressional delegation performed significantly worse in 2008 than their national peers on a broad-based measure of economic growth polices as tabulated by the Club for Growth, a free-market advocacy group in Washington, D.C. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12284

Canadian Medical Tourism

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Canada's public health care system promises universal coverage, but it does not guarantee universal access on a universal schedule. Long wait times force some Canadians living in pain to go out of country rather than wait 6 months to a year and a half for surgery for non-life-threatening conditions. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pWKiFf8qAWE&feature=player_embedded

Tax Preparation

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/7/2010

Preparation for tax day has taken on a new meaning for many Michigan residents.

Instead of collecting receipts, a group of West Michigan residents are getting signs together in anticipation of their April 15 tea party rally in Grand Rapids. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12283

Are You My Employer?

Mon, 08 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Day Care Providers Forcibly Unionized Against Nonexistent Employer

With shrinking private-sector membership, some labor unions are coming up with creative ways to boost membership in the public sector. http://vimeo.com/9909990

State Agency That Had Funds Cut by Legislature Says Future Looks Bright

Sun, 07 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/6/2010

Even as politicians questioned why a state agency is still operating despite having its funding eliminated by legislators, the Michigan Home Based Child Care Council said it has big plans for the future at its Friday board meeting. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12282

A Saga of Forced Unionization

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/5/2010

When Patrick Wright heard the story of Sherry Loar, the senior legal analyst for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy initially thought her story couldn’t possibly be true.

For 14-plus years, she had worked as an independent day care worker in Petoskey — and then she received a letter from the state saying that she was now a dues-paying union member. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12272

Investors Denounced by President, State House Democrats and Ten House Republicans

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:02 -0500

By Ken Braun | 3/4/2010

When Chrysler filed for bankruptcy, the President publicly laid much of the blame at the feet of a group of hedge funds — investment firms that held Chrysler debt but did not initially cooperate with a deal being pushed by the White House as a means of preventing the bankruptcy. Those hedge funds had a far different story to tell... http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12247

Mike Bishop Comments on 3% Raise for State Employees

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop's floor statement regarding a 3% pay raise for unionized State Employees. Freezing pay would save $48 million this year, as Michigan tries to manage a $1.6 billion budget deficit. See related article. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1s3auCIW5Sc&feature=player_embedded

2009 House Bill 4275

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Cap government employee health benefits at national average

Introduced by Rep. Tom McMillin (R-Rochester)
The bill would prohibit the state from paying a higher percentage of the premium or other cost of health benefits for each state employee than the average for all the other states . http://www.michiganvotes.org/2009-HB-4275

Public Events: Two Free-Market Panels of Experts to Examine Green Jobs and Climate Change

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 05:59:00 -0500

By Jarrett Skorup | 3/4/2010

As the science behind global warming theory comes under closer scrutiny due to the Climategate scandal, several events have been schedule to discuss this controversial issue. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12239

Oh. Canada?!

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 08:00:00 -0500

With Canadians enduring pain for months and years while they wait for surgery, traveling to the U.S. for treatment, entering "lotteries" to get a doctor, and getting "wait list insurance," is Canada really a model for U.S. health reform? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TPFK6aLJec8&feature=player_embedded

Why the Legislature Should Oppose a State Employee Pay Hike

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:01:00 -0500

By SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MIKE BISHOP, R-ROCHESTER

"The harsh reality is we can't afford the government that we have, and as we sit here today, we continue in denial. The denial has reached a level that I have never, could never, predict. We are now at a point where we are looking at the perfect storm, and we are in the heart of the perfect storm." http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12246

Why a Democrat Voted Against a State Employee Pay Hike

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By SEN. MICKEY SWITALSKI, D-ROSEVILLE

"At the other end of the spectrum, we have the negotiated 3 percent increase. In these times, with the state $1.6 billion deficit, it is hard to justify giving anyone an increase especially when wages are falling for so many of our constituents who pay the bills." http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12245

2009 House Bill 4884

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Exempt newspapers and TV news from Michigan Business Tax

Introduced by Rep. Brian Calley (R-Portland)
The bill would exempt newspapers and the news department revenue of TV stations from the Michigan Business Tax. http://michiganvotes.org/Legislation.aspx?ID=95717

The Plain Language of the Law: Senate Fails to Reject Government Pay Hike

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:59:00 -0500

By Jack McHugh | 3/3/2010

Excerpts from Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 35, which would have rejected a 3 percent state government employee pay hike for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1, 2010:

Whereas, The additional cost of these state employee contractual increases to the fiscal year 2010-2011 budget is estimated to be $77.3 million; and... http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12243

Michigan Unemployment Payments May Fuel More Unemployment

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 05:58:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/3/2010

Michigan has lead the nation in unemployment for 19 months. Experts fear this will put even more strain on Michigan businesses, slowing hiring even more. http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12230

Minority Rules: Most Members of Child Care Union Didn’t Vote Themselves In

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

By Tom Gantert | 3/2/2010

A state representative called out a union lawyer for a gross exaggeration last month in an emerging controversy over just how many of the 70,000 home-based day care workers in Michigan knew they were being unionized.

http://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/12223

2010 House Bill 5849

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 06:00:00 -0500

Create new state government college scholarship program

Introduced by Rep. James "Jase" Bolger (R-Marshall)
The bill would create a new state government college scholarship program to replace the “Promise Award” scholarships discontinued in the 2010 budget. This new program would require students to sign an agreement to stay in Michigan for at least five years after graduating, and seek to “claw back” payments that went to a recipient who leaves the state during that period. http://www.michiganvotes.org/2010-HB-5849