QUOTE OF THE DAY: “If you’ve ever been victimized by the Drain Code, you know that it’s awfully hard to amend a major piece of work like this.”

— Former Rep. Bill BOBIER, on the difficulty that comes with attempting to Information & Research Service, Inc. modernize the state’s Drain Code.

Monday, March 22, 2004 Web Site: http://www.mirsnews.com Volume XXII, Issue 054

to provide incentives for relocating jobs or violat- Capitol Capsule ing workers’ rights,” Granholm said. “This direc- Value Of Directives Questioned tive is a preventive measure to make sure that Gov. signed two Michigan is in alignment with recent changes in executive directives that Democrats claim are federal law regarding restrictions on the spending designed to keep jobs related to state government of federal funds.” contracts and services in Michigan. The other directive, 2004-3, gives preferences The two directives are modeled after house to Michigan-based job providers in the state bills, HBs 4940, 5080 and 5081, which the House government contracting process and requires the Democrats touted two weeks ago in news confer- Department of Management and Budget (DMB) to ences at various sites (See MIRS March 8). consider whether or not a bidder is engaged in exporting jobs or using an offshore tax shelter However, at that time when reporters asked when determining if a bidder’s proposal provides about specific aspects of the bills, the Democratic the best overall value to the state. lawmakers said the details had yet to be worked out. Presuming that those details have now been According to Bill NOWLING, spokesman for worked out for the executive directives, there is Senate Majority Leader Ken SIKKEMA (R- some question about what effect, if any, they Wyoming), the concept behind the directives would have when practically applied. misses the mark. Executive Directive 2004-2 prohibits state “The issue we have is about making Michigan departments and agencies from giving financial more competitive so we can bring more jobs here,” assistance to U.S.-based companies so they can Nowling said. “First of all we’re skeptical that [the relocate production out of the country. It also directives] will actually be instituted, and second, we prohibits departments and agencies from spending wonder whether they’ll have any effect if they are. state-appropriated funds to induce a business They seem to represent what’s already in place.” located in Michigan to relocate out-of-state, if Chuck HADDEN, Vice President of govern- shifting production elsewhere will reduce jobs for ment affairs for the Michigan Manufacturers Michigan workers. Association (MMA), also wondered about the Finally, the directive also will prohibit state practical value of the directives. departments and agencies from providing assis- MIRS Inside tance for any program, project, or activity contrib- uting to the violation of internationally recognized 3 Can The Drain Code Be Saved? workers’ rights. 4 Martin, Waymire Kick Off First Day 5 DeVos Bites Back On Jobs In the news release announcing the directives 6 People Saying Yes to Smoke Tax today, Granholm states that there are no current 7 Kelly: I Would Have Recused examples that would apply to the directive. 7 Granholm To Speak At Penn. Summit 8 Hygienists Get Into Laughing Gas “There are no indications currently that state CAPITOL CALENDAR or federal funds have been used by state agencies

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, March 22, 2004

“We’re still studying these directives,” Hadden the Governor of playing politics like that. All I can said. “But so far, we can’t see any situation where say is that it’s happened before.” it would effect any of our members.” Granholm’s news release today pointed out When Granholm signed the directives today that Forrester Research, an independent technol- she was joined by Rep. Steve BIEDA (D-Warren), ogy researcher, predicts at least 3.3 million service the sponsor of HB 4940. jobs and $136 billion in wages will shift outside of the U.S. to low-cost countries by 2015. “Today, I have signed two executive directives that will ensure that Michigan taxpayers are not However, Jack McHUGH, Legislative Analyst subsidizing the export of jobs,” Granholm said. “I for the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, said commend Representative Bieda and his House today that, in spite of all the hype about Democratic colleagues on their efforts to focus on “outsourcing,” the U.S. takes more service jobs how we can stop the practice of outsourcing jobs at from other countries than it exports. this critical time when our economy needs every job we can provide or create for a Michigan resident.” “Most job losses are related not to ‘outsourcing,’ but to the recession and/or burden- Rep. Scott HUMMEL (R-DeWitt) told MIRS some policies of our own government and labor he hoped today’s directive signing wasn’t just a unions,” McHugh said. “Raising the specter of a political move. protectionist trade war should send a shiver through workers here. Michigan is the fourth-largest state in “I’m glad the Governor is focused on jobs,” foreign exports. The governor and her allies are Hummel said. “But I wish she’d do something playing with protectionist fire, and Michigan with a little more substance. This shouldn’t be workers will be the ones who get burned.” about politics, and helping a certain representative out after some bad votes.” McHugh maintains that Granholm’s directives are likely to do more harm to Michigan’s eco- Hummel was apparently referring to Bieda, nomic situation than help it. who, within the last few weeks, has voted against the gay marriage ban and against overriding “Politicians panicking in the late stages of a Granholm’s veto of the abortion judge-shopping jobs recession are the greatest threat to economic bill. Many observers believe neither vote repre- growth and job creation,” McHugh said. “These sents the prevailing sentiments of his district. directives send the wrong message about Michigan’s business climate to potential job provid- “I would rather see the Governor put more empha- ers. The new paperwork mandate will ultimately sis on creating jobs, instead of trying to prevent the mean higher prices for Michigan taxpayers.” loss of jobs,” Hummel said. “We may be losing five jobs for every one we think we’re keeping.” Rich STUDLEY, vice president of govern- ment relations for the Michigan Chamber of MIRS asked Hummel if he believes the direc- Commerce, said the Chamber has trouble taking tives will change anything. the directives very seriously. “Last I looked, if you want to make a reserva- “It would be easier for us to take these execu- tion for a campground in Michigan, you call out of tive directives seriously if the Governor wasn’t state,” Hummel said. “Whether that’s promoting working so hard at exporting jobs out of state,” business in the state . . . I don’t know.” Studley said. “She’s doing this with her proposed MIRS asked Hummel if there is much political $440 million in tax increases on Michigan taxpay- incentive for Granholm to improve Michigan’ job ers and businesses, and costly, burdensome regula- climate between now and November. tions in areas like ergonomics.” “I do think the President George W. BUSH However, Barry CARGILL, of the Small would have trouble winning Michigan because of Business Association of Michigan (SBAM), said the the economy,” Hummel said. “I wouldn’t accuse directive, 2004-3 could be “helpful” if done right. Monday, March 22, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 3

“It would have to be done in a way where In fact, few, if any, groups are supporting the you’d be sure not to tie the hands of DMB,” new drain code re-write as several different special Cargill said. “It’s important that this doesn’t create interests fight to keep what they have in the 300- a bureaucratic problem. But, it’s important for the page drain code at the expense of “the other guy.” Governor to send this kind of signal.” It’s all in the name of modernization. “It does make sense for the state to give “We’re not rushing anything,” Van Woerkom preferential treatment for Michigan businesses, if said. “We’re a little surprised that people who everything else is equal,” Cargill added. were in support are dropping off, but we’re going to have to turn that around again.” Two weeks ago, when the House Democrats initiated the anti-outsourcing legislation, SBAM Van Woekrom’s effort to re-write the Drain was quick to voice its disapproval. Today, MIRS Code is the fourth since 1996. In 1996, former asked Cargill why SBAM would be more support- Rep. Carl GNODTKE (R-Berrien County) put in ive of the Governor’s directives. a bill, but it was introduced too late for anything to happen to it. “We didn’t like the House Democrats’ propos- als because they weren’t balanced,” Cargill said. Former Rep. Howard WETTERS (D- “They talked about not having high-paying jobs. Kawkawlin) gave it a heave-ho the next year, But many new businesses start out with people holding a ton of task force meetings around the who have lost their jobs and start their own. They state, but the meetings lasted so long that he never may work six months without a salary, but these got a chance to do anything with the bill. new businesses end up creating new jobs that can become very successful.” The most productive effort came in 1999, when former Rep. Mike GREEN (R-Mayville) Cargill said the directives weren’t necessarily saw years of hard work fall apart in the Senate much better, but Granholm has done other things when that chamber voted against proposed revi- to show she’s trying to improve the economy. sions to the same document. “She’s supportive of venture capital and attract- Now, in 2004, the rats are jumping ship again ing research investment,” Cargill pointed out. and there are different theories as to what can be done. The ironic thing is that most, if not all, of the interest groups don’t disagree that the Drain Can The Drain Code Be Saved? Code, a set of rules that govern how municipalities deal with water runoff, needs to be updated. The The weight of updating the 50-year-old drain code problem is that nobody wants to give up the with 21st Century revisions is in jeopardy of collapsing benefits they enjoy in the old process. upon itself again, unless the Senate can work magic and make peace on a multi-front battlefield. “It’s just too much,” said Washtenaw County Drain Commissioner Janis BOBRIN, explaining Groups formerly supporting the re-write now the difficulty in moving this type of bill. “By the have “concerns,” leaving Sen. Gerald VAN time all of the interest groups have weighed in, WOEKROM (R-Norton Shores), the lawmaker we’ve ended up with something that doesn’t work heading up the cause, with the task of putting out for anybody. several little fires before they turn into an inferno that could torch his entire effort. “We’re talking about a 300-page bill,” Bobrin said. “Who would pick up a bill like that if they Van Woerkom moved SB 217 out of his Senate didn’t have to?” Agriculture Committee to the Senate floor last month. Since then, the Michigan Farm Bureau has Bobrin said she’s been working on the drain withdrawn its support and the county drain com- code since 1994 and a common theory among missioners, whose support was shaky to begin drain commissioners is that re-writing this dusty with, also cannot support the current versions. code may be best done one issue at a time. Page 4 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, March 22, 2004

For example, the drain commissioners don’t “It’s awfully hard,” Bobier said. “If you’ve like the fact that municipalities and school districts ever been victimized by the Drain Code, you don’t have to follow the same procedures that the know that it’s awfully hard to amend a major piece private industry must follow when constructing a of work like this.” new building. The drain commissioners don’t want a repeat of Chelsea, where the construction An example of putting politics ahead of eco- of two new schools flooded the backyards of logical sense could be the proposal in the current nearby homeowners. The cash-strapped munici- substitute of the bill that stretches out the public palities and school districts don’t want to pay hearing process of the bill to as long as nine more of the public’s tax money on processes. months. Having more public input is good, but when basements have sprung a leak and fields are Take this issue and multiply it several times underwater, that’s not good. and that is what Van Woerkom and his staff are dealing with. How many public hearings should The Farm Bureau formerly supported Van take place before a proposed project goes for- Woerkom’s newest substitute, but dropped off ward? Should farmland be held to a different when members found out how long the process standard than land owned by a property owner was going to take, said Rob ANDERSON of the who limits runoff? Should the Board of Determi- Farm Bureau. nation be three members or five? The drain commissioners in Oakland and When does an engineering survey need to be Wayne don’t support the re-write. Some drain commissioned? Should the developer pay for the commissioners not represented by the association survey even if the project gets shot down? headed by Bobrin are dead set against these changes because it shifts some of their power to an Meanwhile, the environmentalists want the appointed Board of Accountability. So who is on environment protected. Builders want to build. board? Which special interest groups support Van Yet something needs to be done to stop the water Woerkom’s current bill? that is uphill from flooding the people downhill, but nobody wants to pay for it. “I can’t think of anybody off the top of my head,” said Brad WARD of the Michigan Associa- The subject needs to be tackled in bite-sized tion of Realtors, a group that neither officially pieces every year, but in the era of term limits, it supports nor opposes the bill. will be difficult for a legislative body to follow the line on a subject like this year-to-year because So what is a lawmaker to do? Asked to com- there is no institutional memory, Bobrin said. ment on the waffling support for his bill, Van Woerkom said, “It’s hard for me to draw conclu- Bill BOBIER, a former House member who sions, yet. There seems to be a disconnect be- now represents the Michigan United Conservation tween them [interest groups] and their member- Clubs, said Van Woerkom is doing a fine job, but ship so we’re making sure that everything is OK he needs help from other lawmakers. back home.” Every major re-write of state code, whether it’s telecommunications, Proposal A or the health code, came after more legislative players joined Martin Waymire Kick Off First Day the process. The reason: There are just too many Public relations executives Roger MARTIN and fires to put out at once when you don’t have the David WAYMIRE celebrated their first business day bodies to divvy up the work. working for themselves today under the Martin Waymire Advocacy Communications banner. His spin is that unless lawmakers look at a re- write from an ecological perspective first and a Meanwhile, the shops they left behind, political perspective second, the Legislature will Rossman Martin & Associates and the Marketing continue to spin its tires. Resource Group (MRG) were taking calls from folks interested in the new vacancies. As far as Monday, March 22, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 5 which clients are going where, that’s an issue that campaign director and assume additional day- likely will be ironed out over time. to-day administrative responsibilities. As reported first in MIRS on Friday, Martin Muchmore will oversee strategic PR and Waymire formed Martin Waymire Advocacy planning along with managing her current over the weekend on the bottom floor of 426 W. client responsibilities. Ottawa St. Brian BROWN, formerly of Rossman Martin & Associates was given leave to also join The next question will be which accounts go the new firm. where. At MRG, Shields said the company has a fairly independent policy as far as accounts. He Waymire couldn’t confirm rumblings that expects many of Waymire’s clients to follow him Martin and Waymire had pried away another to his new job, which he said is OK since his crew MRG staffer, saying only that the internal discus- has plenty to do. sions are still ongoing. At Rossman Martin, Rossman-McKinney said “I’m sure everybody gets the bug. Good for clients are on contract, but can break the contract him,” said MRG President Tom SHIELDS. with a 30-day notice, if they choose. “Dave was a wonderful co-worker to have for 14 years. I wish him luck.” Seeing which clients go where could prove interesting since Waymire and Martin, while Asked if there were any hard feelings, Shields personal friends, have found themselves represent- said, “No, it’s too small of a town to hold a ing different sides on some hot-button issues. At grudge. I feel sorry for Kelly. At least we don’t MRG, Waymire was stumping to stop any tinker- have to change the letterhead.” ing with the electrical deregulation law. Martin was representing the CLEAR coalition, the DTE- Shields was referring to, of course, Kelly Energy backed group that wants the law changed. ROSSMAN-McKINNEY, chief operating officer of Rossman Martin & Associates, who issued a press release early Monday morning wishing her former partner and Waymire luck. DeVos Bites Back On Jobs Two days after Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM “We wish Roger and Dave the best of luck — went after President George W. BUSH on national but not at our expense,” Rossman-McKinney radio for doing nothing as manufacturing jobs quipped. She said later in the day that she hasn’t went overseas, Michigan Republican Party Chair- made a decision what to do with the company’s man Betsy DeVOS took the numbers and turned name. She could call the firm Rossman them her way. McKinney & Associates, thereby keeping the company’s “R&M” logo. On Saturday, Granholm criticized Bush for watching three million jobs leave the United “It’s a surprise, but we look at it as an exciting States and then doing nothing about it besides opportunity,” she said. Rossman-McKinney hiring a manufacturing czar whose own factory founded the public relations firm in 1988. Martin contributed to the overseas outsourcing problem. joined her in 1991 and became a minority owner in 1998. She noted in her press release today that Today, it was DeVos’ turn, putting out a press both her and Director of Client Services, Andy release late Monday that blamed Granholm’s lack CORNER, are both nationally accredited public of leadership as the reason Michigan has lost relations counselors. 82,000 jobs in her 14 months in office. Meanwhile, MRG announced today that “Governor Granholm is trying to lay the Dave DOYLE was promoted executive vice blame for her own failure to propose bold, pro- president and Deb MUCHMORE was pro- economic growth policies to help Michigan moted to Vice President of Public Relations. businesses and families at the doorstep of Presi- Doyle will continue as the firm’s political dent Bush,” DeVos said. Page 6 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, March 22, 2004

DeVos also took exception to Granholm’s According to Mitchell Research, which was insinuation that all of the jobs lost at the commissioned by the Partnership for Michigan’s Electrolux factory closing in Greenville went to Health coalition to do the survey, 71 percent of all Mexico. In truth, half went to South Carolina, Republicans and 80 percent of all Democrats DeVos said. endorse the increase along with 72 percent of independent voters. In Oct. 2003, shortly after she had finally named a director to the Michigan Economic “Support is overwhelming among all income Development Corporation, Granholm was made groups, Democrats and Republicans, and among aware of the fact that Electrolux was considering citizens in all geographic regions of the state,” closing its plant. Granholm did nothing to stop this said Spencer JOHNSON, president of the Michi- from happening until Dec. 2003, when it was gan Health and Hospital Association. already too late. In a new twist in the arguments for the in- In Jan. 2004 Electrolux announced it would be crease, Dr. Ron DAVIS of the Ford Health Care closing its doors in Greenville to move more than System, said hiking the tax would actually be 1,000 jobs to South Carolina. good for the state’s sagging job market. He argued when a person buys cigarettes the profits go to Granholm claims that jobs are being lost other states. When smokers quit the habit they are because of Bush’s “bold economic policies and tax more inclined to spend their money on in state cuts on businesses and working families.” Yet the goods. According to a 10-year-old University of Bush proposals have produced strong economic Michigan study, that should pour more funds into growth nationally and helped create over 300,000 the state’s sluggish economy. jobs in the last several months, DeVos said. Proponents of the increase also reject the DeVos then went after the governor for pro- notion that the higher tobacco tax impacts the poor posing the cigarette, liquor and estate tax increase more than any other income group. Dr. Hassan to balance the budget and for endorsing U.S. Sen. AMIRIKIA, President of the Michigan State (D-Mass.) for president, when Medical Society, said 65 percent of those earning Kerry’s “promise to increase taxes” will cost under $25,000 a year, back the increase. working families $900 billion. In recent days the Speaker of the Michigan “If Jennifer Granholm and John Kerry had House has suggested pushing up the increased tax their way, Michigan and American taxpayers by 81 cents, that size increase would give Michi- would be saddled with massive tax increases that gan the highest tobacco tax in the nation just would stifle job creation. Raising taxes on ahead of New Jersey. The Mitchell survey did not Michigan’s small businesses and job creators is test public support for that amount. not a plan to create job,” DeVos said. Davis made a final point for any lawmakers wary of voting yes. He said most voters are more People Saying Yes to Smoke Tax likely to support candidates who did vote yes than those who opposed the higher sin tax. Michigan residents in both political parties favor a hefty hike in the state’s tobacco tax. In fact The poll also showed that voters support a plan it’s not even a close call, according to a poll paid to increase the liquor tax, 73-23, as a way to for by backers of the tax hike. balance the budget. And Michigan voters oppose, 87-8, stopping Medicaid health care services for Some 600 persons were surveyed earlier this about 200,000 low-income children, single moth- month on Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM’s proposal ers, elderly and disabled citizens to help balance to impose another 75 cents per pack in taxes on the budget. cigarettes. The survey showed 74 percent of respondents favor the hike, while 23 percent (Contributed by Senior Capitol Correspondent oppose it. Tim SKUBICK.) Monday, March 22, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 7

Kelly: I Would Have Recused Granholm To Speak At Penn U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin SCALIA Manufacturing Summit has taken ethics heat on the national stage over a Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM will meet tomor- case involving the Vice President of the United row with Pennsylvania business leaders, labor States since Scalia and V.P. Dick CHENEY have officials, and state legislators at the Pennsylvania gone duck hunting together. Manufacturing Summit to discuss issues related to ”From my point of view, I think I would have the state of manufacturing in Michigan and around recused myself,” said the country. Justice , who announced her Pennsylvania Gov. Ed RENDELL asked re-election bid for the Supreme Court on Monday. Granholm to address the gathering after hearing of Kelly, a Democrat, is completing her first term the success of Michigan’s “Manufacturing Mat- on the high court after serving eight years on the ters” summit last December. state appeals court. She made no reference to the “The United States has lost over three million Scalia matter during her formal announcement in manufacturing jobs in the last three and a half which she did question the “balance” on the state’s years,” said Granholm. “Manufacturing states like highest court. Michigan and Pennsylvania have to take action to “It is important that Michigan have a balanced address these job losses and find ways to create court that weighs fairly the interests of all that new jobs in this critical sector of our states’ and come before it,” she said in the written statement. our nation’s economy. Summits like this one in In answering questions afterwards, she added Pennsylvania and the one we held in Michigan last often times the GOP majority on the court has had year help us build important partnerships with our a tendency to “carry to extremes the strict con- business and labor communities and work with structionist” point of view. them to keep American jobs in America.” Regarding the appearance of a conflict of Manufacturing is the largest of all industry interest on the nation’s highest court, Kelly said sectors in Pennsylvania and contributes $64 billion she is concerned about the citizens losing faith in a year in gross domestic product to the state. Like the judicial system if there is even an appearance Michigan, Pennsylvania has been hit hard by of a conflict. manufacturing job losses over the past few years, losing 133,000 manufacturing jobs since 1998. If citizens don’t trust the courts then “they’re not going to turn to the courts to resolve their “Although our states are very different places, disputes and as soon as that happens, we have our manufacturers uniformly tell us that to survive anarchy,” she warned. — and to keep their plants open — they need fair trade policies and trade agreements that are en- “One has to think twice about it,” she went on forced,” Granholm said. “At the state level, we referring to Scalia’s decision not to divorce him- must be nimble and responsive to address the self from the case. state-level issues that impact our manufacturers. “Perhaps he is right,” she gave the Justice the We must join together to collectively urge our benefit of the doubt, but when asked if he was wrong, partners in Washington to address the federal-level she replied, “I would have done it differently.” policies that keep sending our jobs overseas.” (Contributed by Senior Capital Correspondent Granholm will be the luncheon keynote Tim SKUBICK.) speaker at Pennsylvania’s summit tomorrow. In addition to Granholm, of CNN’s Moneyline program and Leo GIRARD, Interna- tional President of the United Steelworkers, will also be participating in the day-long event. Page 8 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, March 22, 2004

Granholm, along with Rendell and Wisconsin prohibits a person convicted of raping a child Gov. Jim DOYLE, will be leading a delegation to under 16 from being able to be released on bail. Washington at the end of April to meet with congressional leaders and Bush administration HB 5266, sponsored by Rep. Paul CONDINO officials to discuss the need for changes at the (D-Southfield), legislatively puts in place the federal level to keep the U.S. competitive and banked leave time retirement program Granholm create and retain more manufacturing jobs. The convinced most state employees to sign up for as meetings will focus on issues identified by labor part of the concessions agreement of the Fiscal and business leaders at Manufacturing Summits Year 2004 budget. held in Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Finally, HB 4352, sponsored by Rep. Scott SHACKLETON (R-Sault Ste. Marie), bans red or blue colored snowmobile headlight lens caps. Hygienists Get Into Laughing Gas Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM today signed a bill that would allow dental hygienists to give State Garners EAB Funds knock-out gas as long as they took a course and Today, Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM an- paid the state a $10 licensing fee. nounced Michigan has received word that its HB 4675, sponsored by Rep. Barb VANDER request for much-needed federal funding and VEEN (R-Allendale), would help take the load off resources for Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) eradica- dentists, who are becoming fewer and further tion efforts has been granted and is forthcoming. between, according to opponents. The state lost “Michigan did not volunteer to be the frontline 53 dentists in 2003, for example, and is looking of defense against this destructive invader, but is for help in giving small amounts of laughing gas, now fully engaged in a critical battle to stop its which is known technically as nitrous oxide. spread and save the ash resources of Michigan and Dental hygienists in 20 other states are al- beyond,” Granholm said. “We thank the U.S. lowed to administer nitrous oxide. Some states Department of Agriculture (USDA) for recogniz- have been able to do so since the 1970s. Accord- ing and supporting this dire need, and our Con- ing to Senate Committee testimony, none of those gressional delegation from both sides of the aisle states’ boards has ever had to take disciplinary for all of their assistance in helping make this action against a hygienist for harming a patient funding a reality.” while administering nitrous oxide. USDA indicated that they have allocated $28.2 There are roughly 9,000 dental hygienists in million in federal funding for the remainder of the state. 2004. Of that, agency efforts under way in Michi- gan are expected to receive the vast majority. In other bill signings today, Granholm signed Earlier this year, the state received approximately HB 4871, sponsored by Rep. Ruth Ann JAMNICK $11 million for its EAB efforts, but the funding (D-Ypsilanti), which more than triples the fees the was slated to run out at the end of April, just losing party in landlord-tenant cases could be before the start of the insect’s emergence when forced to pay the court. The bill allows a judge to containment actions are most critical. assess whatever fees he or she feels necessary. Granholm noted that the funding would be Most of the Democrats in the Legislature used by the state’s Emerald Ash Borer Task Force voted against the bill on the floor, arguing the bill to continue implementing the state’s control and could discourage poor tenants from bringing forth eradication strategy. legitimate claims against a landlord. These fees have not been increased since 1972. In particular, the resources will initially help identify and implement activities to: aggressively Granholm also signed HB 5199, sponsored by eradicate “outlier” EAB populations (isolated Rep. Leon DROLET (R-Clinton Twp.), which pockets of infestation apart from the known Monday, March 22, 2004 MIRS Capitol Capsule Page 9 generally infested area resulting from artificial Granholm Announces movement rather than natural spread); enhance and expand the survey program to locate the Judicial Appointments “leading edge” of EAB infestation; and ensure Today, Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM announced compliance with the quarantine restricting move- the following judicial appointments to the 6th ment of ash trees, materials and firewood to Judicial Circuit Court, 25th Judicial District Court, prevent any further spread of EAB. 50th Judicial District Court, Dickinson County Probate Court and Barry County Probate Court: The resources will also be used to provide continued sanitation and disposal in the “core” or Mark GOLDSMITH of Huntington Woods is known generally infested area; develop contain- appointed Judge of the 6th Judicial Circuit Court in ment strategies; continue research to identify and Oakland County. He succeeds the late Honorable develop tools that can aid in the control and Patrick BRENNAN. Goldsmith is appointed for a eradication of the insect; ensure community and term effective last Friday and expiring on Jan. 1, 2005. homeowner education, outreach and awareness; David J. ZELENAK of Lincoln Park is and facilitate tree restoration/replacement wher- appointed Judge of the 25th Judicial District Court ever possible. in Wayne County. He succeeds Joseph H. DeLAURENTIS who has retired. Zelenak is appointed for a term effective today, and expiring Alcohol, No Training Equal Bike Crashes Jan. 1, 2005. A lack of proper endorsements and intoxicated Michael C. MARTINEZ of Pontiac is ap- drivers are the major factors in traffic accidents pointed Judge of the 50th Judicial District Court in involving riders, according to a study commis- Oakland County. He succeeds the Honorable sioned by the Michigan Office of Highway Safety Christopher C. BROWN who has retired. Planning (OHSP). Martinez is appointed for a term effective today Over six years, Michigan saw 20 percent more and expiring Jan. 1, 2005. motorcycle crashes, according to the study con- Thomas D. SLAGLE of is appointed ducted by the University of Michigan Transporta- Judge of the Probate Court for Dickinson County. tion Research Institute. The study looked at data He succeeds the late John TORREANO. Slagle from 1997 through 2002 to identify trends and is appointed for a term effective today, and expir- changes that will help guide future safety programs. ing Jan. 1, 2005. Forty-four percent of all crash victims weren’t Stephanie S. FEKKES of Hastings is appointed legally licensed to operate a bike on Michigan roads. Judge of the Probate Court for Barry County. She Riders under the age of 19 involved in a crash were succeeds Richard H. SHAW who has retired effec- more likely than older riders to be unlicensed. tive March 26. Fekkes is appointed for a term The study found that the number of motor- effective March 29, and expiring Jan. 1, 2005. cycles registered in the state climbed by 45 per- Other appointments today include: cent. The age group showing the largest increase in crash rates was riders aged 30 to 44. Over six Michigan Board of Medicine years, this group saw a 52 percent jump in crashes. Abd ALGHANEM, of Flint, was appointed to Their older counterparts, aged 45 to 64, saw a 32 replace Linda HOTCHKISS, whose term expired, percent increase in crashes. to represent physicians for a term expiring Dec. When looking at alcohol, the study showed a 28 31, 2007 percent increase in alcohol-related fatal motorcycle Lynn LARSON, of Traverse City, was ap- crashes. There has been a 71 percent increase in the pointed to replace Paul McNAMARA, whose number of motorcycle crashes involving riders aged term expired, to represent the general public for a 45 to 64 who had been drinking. term expiring Dec. 31, 2007 Page 10 MIRS Capitol Capsule Monday, March 22, 2004

Frank RAINES III, of Farmington Hills, was appointed to replace Robert NELBERG, whose term expired, to represent the general public for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2007 George SHADE, of Farmington Hills, was appointed to replace Charles SANISLOW, whose term expired, to represent physicians for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2007 Marcy STREET, of Okemos, was appointed to replace Hassan YAISH, whose term expired, to represent physicians for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2007 James GRANT, of Bloomfiel Hills, was reappointed to represent physicians for a term expiring Dec. 31, 2007

On This Day In Michigan History On March 22, 1954, the country’s first regional shopping mall opened in Southfield. According to Michigan History, as ’s population spread north and west out of the city, the J. L. Hudson Company built the huge Northland Shopping Center at Eight Mile Road, the boundary between Wayne and Oakland counties. The mall’s central store, a multi-storied J. L. Hudson’s, was flanked by 100 smaller shops. The mall also had acres of parking lots. The success at Northland was soon adopted by developers all across the country.

"Providing balanced, objective coverage of the daily proceedings of Michigan's state government and quality services to our many customers." MIRS, Inc. staff: John T. Reurink • John H. Reurink • Jack Spencer• Jerry Crandall •Laurie Mwakanandi •Chaunte’ Piernas •Kyle Melinn •Tim Skubick © 2003 MIRS, Inc., entire contents copyrighted, all rights reserved. Any unauthorized reproduction, transmission or use in any manner without the express written permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited.