QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Sometimes, when you don’t get the result you want, it’s retribution. When you do get the result you want, it’s justice.”

— Leo LALONDE, spokesperson for the Department of Corrections on a protest Information & Research Service, Inc. outside of DOC offices today.

Monday, May 17, 2004 Web Site: http://www.mirsnews.com Volume XXII, Issue 094

Capitol Capsule Hollowell could hang on with the party under Butch’s Staff Gone, Is He Next? this dysfunctional arrangement until the February Unable to pay them any longer, Michigan election for the next chair. As Brewer continues to Democratic Party Chair Butch HOLLOWELL’s coordinate more of the nuts and bolts dealings five-person staff have been scattered throughout with the party, the loss of his own paid staff makes the Democratic Party, raising speculation as to Hollowell more of a figurehead spokesperson than what his future role in the party will be and he was before. whether the joint Hollowell-Mark BREWER leadership arrangement will fold. It could work. Now that the checks these staffers are receiving from the Democratic Central Since his appointment as Democratic Party Committees aren’t being underwritten by money Chair, Hollowell has been in charge of picking up Hollowell collected, the former Secretary of State the tab for his five staffers, which he had previ- candidate can no longer operate as a lone wolf. ously been able to raise money for. However, The situation could force Hollowell and Brewer to sources have confirmed that this money has dried work together. up, meaning the staffers are splitting time between the Democratic Coordinated Campaign in prepara- Another scenario could have Hollowell going to tion for the John KERRY for President run and the Kerry campaign in a graceful transition that would Michigan Democratic Party headquarters. give the appearance that Hollowell’s talents are more needed toward winning Michigan for Kerry. If there’s The development has added speculation about no room in the Kerry campaign, Granholm could find the future of Hollowell in the party leadership. another appointed position for him. His inability to get along with Brewer, who was given the title of Executive Chair under the split Granholm told MIRS in December that she leadership arrangement Gov. Jennifer didn’t foresee the Chair-Executive Chair arrange- GRANHOLM worked out after she was sworn ment lasting the year, a feeling repeated by into office in 2003, has all but created a two-party Granholm Chief of Staff Rick WEINER in a system within the Michigan Democratic Party. February interview on Off the Record. One person referred to it as the worst marriage since the Howard WOLPE- union in 1994. The union-backed Brewer and MIRS Inside Granholm-backed Hollowell are hardly on speaking 2 Labor: DOC Wardens Are Bullies terms, creating an unusual leadership arrangement. 2 Budgets Have Holes Despite On-Target Projections 3 Lawmakers Call For Reform At Mound Hollowell declined to talk about his employee 4 Getting To The Bottom Of Oil Drilling Noise situation when contacted by MIRS today and calls to 5 Taub Wins By Default the Michigan Democratic Party were not returned. 6 Resolutions Gets Both Sides Together CAPITOL CALENDAR However, several sources have confirmed the REGULATORY REPORT Hollowell staffing situation, which raises specula- COMMITTEE UPDATES tion about Hollowell’s future with the party. 910 Ottawa St • PO Box 19303 • Lansing, MI 48901-9303 • Phone (517) 482-2125 • FAX (517) 374-0949 • E-Mail [email protected] If You Don’t Read Us - You Just Don’t Get It! Page 2 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, May 17, 2004

Labor: DOC Wardens Are Bullies Lalonde said that kind of statement makes The organization representing supervisors and good soundbytes and catching copy, but without managers in the state prison system demonstrated the details of the situation, it’s hard to track down on Monday, complaining about a disciplinary the legitimacy of the claim. system that is “abusive” and out of control. “Sometimes, when you don’t get the result you A handful of demonstrators marched in front of want, it’s retribution. When you do get the result the Department of Corrections (DOC) headquarters you want, it’s justice,” Lalonde said. in downtown Lansing with spokesperson John The protesters want to change the system and STRACHAN telling reporters his non-unionized want the governor to be aware of the alleged members of OPEIU Local 512 are being subjected abuses, too. Strachan argues the civil rights of his to an elongated review process that can take up to colleagues are being violated by these procedures. two years to resolve disciplinary allegations. The crew of about five protestors was handing The local president said if a worker is not out fliers to passers-by that said 90 percent of all “loyal,” wardens could file grievances against disciplinary cases prosecuted in civil service are those workers for no reason at all. from the DOC. The fliers also tell of a case in “A lot of administrators have an abusive which an employee was fired for altering docu- mentality. They think they are playground bullies. ments even though the department cannot produce If they perceive an employee to have not been any such documents. loyal, then they’ll trump up charges. They’ll use (Senior Capital Correspondent Tim SKUBICK the disciplinary process to demote them and they contributed to this report.) will fire them,” Strachan claims. DOC Spokesman Leo LALONDE said there is a process employees with grievances follow. It Budgets Have Holes Despite starts with the warden. If an employee isn’t On-Target Projections satisfied with the result, the next step is the DOC’s The message for Tuesday’s Consensus Rev- labor relations section. From there, it goes to the enue Estimating Conference is that January rev- Civil Service Department, then the state employ- enue estimates were on target, but the state still ment relations board, the Civil Service Commis- faces budget challenges this fiscal year and next. sion and then the courts. According to the House Fiscal Agency (HFA) Only one-third of the grievance process is in today, the state’s General Fund (GF) revenues for the DOC and most are settled before they reach the current year (Fiscal Year 2004) are up $57.7 the Civil Service level. He noted that some cases million from January. The School Aid Fund may last two years, depending on case complexity (SAF) is short $12.1 million for a total FY 2004 and whether it involved multiple agencies, parties revenue change of $45.5 million. or other factors. “These are very minor revisions really,” said Strachan said instead of reviewing each case HFA Director Mitch BEAN. “We’re talking about if and tossing out those that are unwarranted, he you add them together on an $18.5 billion revenue contends the Labor-Relations sections prosecutes stream that’s about three tenths of one percent.” every case forcing workers to wait for a ruling. For the upcoming fiscal year, FY 2005, the Strachan said he’s had wardens tell him, “I HFA is calling for $67.7 million in General Fund don’t care if the guy did anything wrong or not. I revenues than was originally forecasted, but SAF can fire him. By the time he gets his job back, I money is projected to come in $21.6 million short will have his house. I will have broken his mar- for a net revenue boost of $46.1 million. riage. I will have destroyed his credit rating, and when he gets his back pay, it won’t be enough to The projections of the Senate Fiscal Agency get him out of debt.” (SFA) are a bit more pessimistic. They are calling Monday, May 17, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 3 for a combined (SAF and GF) funding decrease in “The Department needs to ensure the safety of FY 2004 of $46 million (GF up $10 million and its prisoners and residents and make sure that it is the SAF down $55.7 million). being a good neighbor,” McConico said. “Our suggestions will make the community safer and In FY 2005, the SFA is projecting GF revenues help fulfill the promises made — but not kept — will climb $30.6 million after tax changes are by the Department.” taken into consideration. The Senate agency also is projecting FY 2005 SAF revenues to be up $1.3 Department of Corrections (DOC) spokesman million from the January 1 estimates. Leo LALONDE said the department would learn more about the recommendations at a Wednesday On the economy, the HFA is projecting Town Hall meeting. Michigan’s personal income growth to quicken in calendar year 2004 jumping to 3.8 percent, up “We’re definitely going to examine what they from the 2.5 percent recorded in calendar year are suggesting and if we think it’s a good idea and 2003. As far as employment, HFA is projecting we can do it, we’ll do it,” he said. unemployment rates to dip from a high of 7.3 percent in 2003 to 6.9 percent this year and 6.4 The recommendations that McConico and percent in calendar year 2005. Thomas would like to see instituted include: The May Consensus Revenue Estimating Confer- —Toll-Free Status Number. Require the ence, which will be held in the House Appropriations Department of Corrections (DOC) to have a toll- Room at 9 a.m. The conference will feature Joan free number for Mound and Ryan, letting CRARY from the Research residents know the security status at Mound and Seminar on Quantitative Economics (RSQE), Tim Ryan and informing residents of any problems. BARTIK from the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employ- The toll-free number would also indicate ment Research and Cynthia LATTA from Global whether there is a drill at the prisons or if the Insight, Inc. (formerly DRI/McGraw Hill). alarms are being tested. —E-mail Notification List. Require the DOC to create an email notification list for anyone Lawmakers Call For Reform wanting to know the status of a prisoner or the At Mound Prison status of a prison. Currently, the DOC has a phone list for individuals (victims’ families, Two Detroit lawmakers today called for tighter witnesses, etc.) who want to know when a security, more lighting and an end to “business as prisoner is moved, escapes, etc. An e-mail list usual” for the Mound and Ryan state prisons. should also be created that shares that “There is absolutely no excuse for two information, but also let’s residents and breakouts in 10 years from these facilities,” said interested parties know when there is a problem Sen. Buzz THOMAS (D-Detroit). at a prison. The DOC would also be responsible for sending out an email, once a year, to their On January 2 of this year, Earvin James entire list reminding them that they are on the BROWN broke out of Mound Prison. In a Janu- list, explaining what the list does, and how they ary 6 edition, The Detroit Free Press reported that can be removed or add another email to the list. Brown, who had 12 felony convictions, tried to enter a Detroit home shortly after his escape. —DOC Required To Update Lists and Call Three Ultimately, Brown was caught in Montana after People In An Emergency. Just as families unsuccessfully shooting at police. periodically update their Christmas card lists, the DOC should be required to update their Rep. Bill McCONICO (D-Detroit) said there Community Liaison Committee lists yearly and were numerous breakdowns in communications be required to successfully contact three people within the prison and the Department of Correc- on the list when a crisis occurs. tions that led to Brown potentially endangering Detroit residents. Page 4 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, May 17, 2004

They currently only notify one person on the —Have DMC Provide Healthcare to Mound and list when a problem occurs. When Brown broke Ryan. This has nothing to do with safety and out, the prison contacted the head of the Commit- everything to do with cost. Why take sick tee, didn’t have a home number, and didn’t bother prisoners to Jackson when Detroit has some of the contacting anyone else. The Committee also didn’t best health facilities nearby and these hospitals have an updated contact list. Therefore, the DOC are desperate for patients that can pay their bills? should be required to update this list on a yearly basis, including home, cell, and work numbers, —Allow Local Communities To Referendum On share the information with the Committee, and be Prison Site Selection. Although it is too late for required to have an individual (no recordings) Detroiters near Mound and Ryan, residents attempt to contact three people on the list. should have the right to hold a referendum when the DOC proposes building a prison or camp in —Demand Siren Be Used for Resident Safety. their community. This idea was proposed in When Brown escaped from Mound, the siren 1989 by former Sen. Jack WELBORN (SB 16 was not sounded. The current administration of 1989) and passed the Senate unanimously, 33- feels the siren is primarily for internal use, and 0. Welborn, a Republican, stated that the residential safety is a secondary concern. administration (Blanchard) was being secretive Creating legislation requiring the sirens be used in their site selection. for resident notification would be beneficial. —Increase Reward for Finding Escapee. The —Restrict Prisoner Movement. Except for cases DOC pays up to $100 for giving information of emergencies, prisoners in Mound and Ryan that leads to the capture of an escapee unless the should only be active from sunrise and sunset. director O.K.s a bigger reward. The reward should be $10,000. —No Violent Felons at Mound and Ryan. The “leveling” of prisoners is based on behavior, not —Better Lighting. An August 1994 report crime committed. Therefore, to make Mound suggests Ryan should invest in more lighting, a and Ryan safer, move violent prisoners out of feeling shared by the neighbors. these prisons. —Memorandum of Understanding. Have the —Greater State Police Presence. One proposal Auditor General review what part of the that came from the 1994 Ryan breakout was to Memorandum the state lived up to. locate a state police post at Mound or Ryan. —Extra Clothes Should be Locked. Currently, —Keep Perimeter Patrol of Prisons. Currently, prisoners are allowed to have as much clothes as Mound and Ryan have perimeter patrols of the fits in a duffel bag. These clothes should be locked prisons. These patrols are in response to the up so that if a prisoner escapes, he or she does not Brown breakout, but they could be cancelled at have immediate access to civilian clothes. any time. Legislation needs to be introduced to make these patrols at Mound and Ryan permanent, and to be active 24/7. Getting To The Bottom Of Oil Drilling Noise Gas and oil drills couldn’t be louder at 100 feet —Warden Turnover. There is a problem with than a humming refrigerator and oil facilities Warden turnover at Ryan and Mound. Have the couldn’t look for the fossil fuel in the controver- Governor appoint Wardens. sial Mason Tract under a reform package proposed —More Guards. There is always a need for more by Rep. Matt GILLARD (D-Alpena). guards, and this escape is proof that Mound and The Alpena Democrat is trying to get the state Ryan need more guards to help. to adopt the nation’s first noise limitations on oil —Increase the Size and Strength of the Walls. and gas facilities, stating the buildings couldn’t be Some have stated that stronger and taller walls louder than 50 decibels at 100 feet. According to are needed at the prison. the web site of the League of the Hard of Hearing, Monday, May 17, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 5 a refrigerator is 50 decibels. Normal conversation withdrew, leaving Rep. Jack BRANDENBURG is 60 decibels. A sewing machine is 60 decibels. (R-Harrison Twp.) without an opponent in the Republican primary. Thomas CORNFIELD and “Michigan’s environment and its economy go Dan FOUKES still have their names in as Demo- hand-in-hand. This plan strikes a balance between cratic candidates for that post. protecting public recreation and private property rights,” Gillard said. “By working together, we can 55th House District: ensure that the peace and tranquility of Michigan’s outdoor treasures — our rivers, forests, lakes and Democrat Colleen JAN, of Lambertville, streams — are preserved for the enjoyment of withdrew, leaving incumbent Republican Rep. future generations.” Matt MILOSCH to face off against Dundee Democrat Kathy ANGERER. The bills (HB 5649-52) also prevent explor- atory drilling on state-owned land at three of the 57th House District: northern Lower Peninsula’s most prized water- Republican Jim VAN DOREN, of Tipton, ways and forests as well as the Mason Tract in withdrew, leaving three Republicans and two Crawford County. Also new roads built for drill- Democrats in the race to replace Democratic ing, couldn’t be wider than 20 feet except under termed out Rep. Doug SPADE. special circumstances approved by the Department rd of Environmental Quality (DEQ). 63 House District: Other bills asks that Department of Natural Republican Charles CRENSHAW, of Resources to inventory the Mason Tract, Sand Richland, withdrew, leaving Rep. Lorence Lakes Quiet Area, Pigeon River Country and the WENKE (R-Richland) with only one other Jordan River Valley management area and to see primary opponent from his hometown, James who owns what and how the state can receive oil, GEARY. Former Rep. Jerry VANDER ROEST gas and mineral rights. (R-Galesburg) is still in the race. 64th House District: Democratic Robert L. McNITT, of Jackson, Taub Wins By Default withdrew from the race to replace term-limited Rep. Shelley Goodman TAUB (R-Bloomfield Rep. Clark BISBEE (R-Jackson), leaving three Hills) was all but assured of re-election Friday Republicans and one Democrat in the race. after the lone Democrat to have registered to run in the race, Syed JAFRY, withdrew his name. 69th House District: Taub is finishing her first term this year after Haslett Republican Martin BLANK withdrew, handily knocking off five Republican challengers leaving incumbent Rep. Gretchen WHITMER in the primary. (D-East Lansing) to face off against Okemos The former Oakland County Commissioner Republican Angela LINDSAY in the November cruised by Democrat Shelli WEISBERG with 62 general election. percent of the vote in November. Taub serves on the 79th House District: House Appropriations Committee chairing the General Government Appropriations Subcommittee. Republican Jon HINKELMAN of Watervliet, withdrew, leaving John PROOS IV, of St. Joseph, 5th House District: and Bill WOLF, of Stevensville as the two Repub- Republican Vicky STEFANOW of lican candidates for term-limited Rep. Charles Hamtramck was disqualified. LaSATA’s (R-St. Joseph) seat. 24th House District: 96th House District: William NEARON, of St. Clair Shores, Republican Vaughn J. BEGICH and Republi- can Earl BOVIA, withdrew, leaving Steve GOSS Page 6 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, May 17, 2004 as the only Republican running for term-limited border are dependent on the swift and safe trans- Rep. Joe RIVET’s (D-Bay City) seat. Three port of goods and people between the countries, a Democrats are still in the race. key component to keeping down business costs. 100th House District: “For geographic reasons, Michigan-Ontario border issues are a special concern to the residents Richard RUNNELS, of Irons, withdrew, of my district, but the homeland security and trade leaving six other Republicans and three Democrats implications involved here affect all Michigan in the race to succeed term-limited Rep. Mike residents and all Americans,” said Gilbert. PUMFORD (R-Newaygo). 105th House District: Republican Greg DEAN, withdrew from From Three Months To 12 the race leaving behind seven Republicans and Rep. Michael MURPHY (D-Lansing) held a two Democrats. Capitol news conference today to talk about his bill that would allow Work First women to take 12 months to care for their newborns as opposed to Resolutions Gets Both Sides Together the three months they are given now. A resolution calling for a Michigan-Ontario Murphy said widening the window these new Border Commission is scheduled for Senate mothers would have to spend with their infants passage Tuesday, sponsor Sen. Jud GILBERT (R- would reduce the stress these mothers and families Algonac) announced today. are under and maybe cut down on the number of abused and neglected children in Michigan. SR 228 asks the governor to work with the premier of Canada to create this commission to Children under age 1 make up 12 percent of standardize border-related rules and regulations the abused or neglected children in Michigan. The and improve safety. abuse is on the increase from relatives of these children who are called into service to watch the “The Michigan-Ontario border is probably the newborns while mom goes to work. busiest border crossing in the ,” Gilbert said during his testimony before the “By extending the work exemption, parents committee. “We need to ensure security and quick won’t feel forced to place their young infant into access for the many workers and travelers who questionable child care arrangements,” Murphy cross each day. With as many as 6,000 commercial said. “As legislators, we should be in the business trucks crossing each day, standardizing regulations of protecting children and strengthening families.” is crucial to Michigan’s and Canada’s economy.” HB 5860 is co-sponsored by several Democratic SR 228 is part of the JOBS II package, the House members and was referred two weeks ago to second piece of the Republican Legislature’s the House Family and Children Services Committee. JOBS Action Plan. Because of the proximity to the international border and the presence of the Blue Water Bridge, Making Competitors Work Together border-related issues are of special concern to resi- The Department of Labor and Economic dents in St. Clair County. The bridge is the third- Growth (DLEG) is hosting the first of six work- busiest border crossing between the United States shops Wednesday at which the department will and Canada, handling the transport of more than 12 explain its new plan to get neighboring competi- percent of all trade between the two countries. tors to work together to address gluts in their area’s labor markets. In addition, the commission would help im- prove homeland security, improve international DLEG is waving $1.05 million in one-year trade and foster business growth. Both sides of the start-up grants to start these Michigan Regional Monday, May 17, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 7

Skills Alliances (MiRSAs), which was part of On This Day In Michigan History Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM’s seven-point eco- On May 17, 1881, Julius ROPES, a Marquette nomic plan she laid out during her State of the chemist and geologist, struck his exploring pick State address. into some moss-covered rock near Ispheming, Basically, local communities are being asked analyzed it, and discovered that it contained gold. to take the ball and form their own MiRSAs with Two years later, Ropes opened a mine, the only their friends, enemies and next-door neighbors so gold mine east of the Mississippi River, and everybody can work together to figure out what hauled out $703,000 worth of gold and silver they can do with their unemployed workers. before labor disputes forced him to close in 1897. The first workshop is at the Career Alliance on Saginaw Street in Flint. Other pre-bid workshops Source: Mich-Again’s Day. will be in Detroit, Gaylord, Escanaba, Kalamazoo and Grand Rapids. “MiRSAs provide for joint problem-solving,” said DLEG Director David HOLLISTER. “When all firms within a sector deal with the same workforce issue simultaneously, solutions will be better and more cost-effective.” In theory, Hollister wants 12 MiRSAs across the state that are made up of local business, educa- tion and workforce groups that can take on what- ever labor problems are hot in a particular geo- graphical area. For more details on the regional pre-bid workshops, visit www.michigan.gov/rsa.

Zyble Back Doing Jackson Life Lobbying Jackson National Life Insurance Company today announced the appointment of David A. ZYBLE as assistant vice president of government relations. Zyble is returning to Jackson National after spending nearly a year with Lansing-based Grant Consulting Group as a lobbyist. There, he was involved in issues regarding insurance, banking, and financial services. Prior to that, Zyble served as director of government relations for Jackson National before being promoted in 2002 to assis- tant vice president.

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