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A review of the votes and proposals of the Michigan Legislature — Vol. 6 No. 1 Winter 2011-12 Daily Online Coverage at MichCapCon.com Parents Forced to Pay Union Dues, Lawmaker Rakes In Health Care Money By Jack Spencer Michigan's “forced unionization” is not only taking money away from home health care workers, it's taking dollars out of the pockets of parents of the afflicted as well. Meanwhile, campaign records show that the lawmakers who seem to be helping keep the “forced unionization” alive got money from the union that benefits from the situation. The records also show his campaign received thousands of dollars from within the health care industry, including from sources believed to be supporters of the forced unionization. Robert Haynes and his wife, Patricia, take care of their cerebral palsy-stricken son and daughter in their Macomb Township home. Taxpayers help out with monthly checks to the Haynes family. The checks, which are sent by the state, allow them to keep their son and daughter at home instead of having them institutionalized. See “Parents,” Page 6

Commentary INSIDE THIS ISSUE 7 Victims of Smoking Back Page Ann Arbor Ban Cut Off Politicians Cuts Cops With

By jack spencer people who believe in private $1.5 Million Small bar owners angered over property rights and are trying to Surplus Sitting speak out against this law that's losing their butts to the statewide hurting us and our employees. It indoor smoking ban plan to give in Arts Budget has already put some of us out of lawmakers the boot. By tom gantert A sampling of proposed Forced unionization business.” A newly formed group, state laws and a GOP Senator According to Mace, While the City of Ann Arbor Protect Private Property Rights in participating bars are being has laid off police officers and Michigan (PPPRM), has organized provided with photos of eliminated positions from the fire an effort to ban lawmakers from local lawmakers so they can department this year, it is sitting their establishments in protest identify them if they enter their on $1.5 million that it has set aside against Michigan's smoking ban. establishments. However, the for public art. This lawmaker ban was scheduled governor, lieutenant governor, The city has raised $2.7 million to start Sept. 1. PPPRM, which House speaker and Senate for public art since 2009, but has only spent $1.1 million on two art claims to have a membership majority leader will be exempt projects, according to a city official of about 500 businesses, argues from the ban. and public documents received that the smoking ban has been “We'll let the top officials in in a Freedom of Information Act disastrous for Michigan's small bar to symbolize how the ban hurts request.

owners and their employees. the little guys but not big guys,”

Midland, Michigan 48640 Michigan Midland, The city set up its “public Permit #1776 Permit

P.O. Box 568 568 Box P.O. “We're not smoking advocates Mace explained. “That would be

Fenton, MI Fenton,

140 West Main Street Main West 140 or advocates for tobacco use,” arts” fund in 2007, with the

PAID PAID consistent with smoking ban. Mackinac Center for Public Policy Public for Center Mackinac

U.S. POSTAGE POSTAGE U.S. PPPRM Executive Director City Council agreeing to take Capitol Confidential Capitol We're trying to keep a sense of

NONPROFIT ORG. NONPROFIT Stephen Mace said. “We 're just See “Smoking Ban,” Page 8 See “Ann Arbor Cuts Cops,” Page 9 Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 2

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Manny Lopez, Managing Editor, Michigan Capitol Confidential Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 3 ad liberties Government as Santa By Joseph G. schools, should be entrusted to an extremely durable myth — Lehman government at all. government as Santa Claus Many adults want Editor’s note: A — and to prevent belief in government to cover everything version of this that fable from destroying our under Santa’s flying sleigh. commentary appears nation. Their wish lists say, “subsidize in the Winter 2011 Children may be sad to my retirement, my big house, a issue of Impact, the Mackinac realize there’s no Santa, but year’s worth of unemployment, Center’s quarterly newsletter. Mom and Dad can usually my medicine, my college Why is it that most people ameliorate that disappointment. loans, my electric car, my auto eventually abandon the idea of No one will rescue us when our company, my union, my bank, Santa Claus … and yet so many collective “unbridled avarice” Do you like what my bad decisions in general, never abandon belief in an runs up a debt so high it can and my ethanol and solar omnipotent government? never be repaid. All the little you’re Reading? companies.” But unlike Santa’s Santa Claus is magic. His toy children will be crying then. bottomless bag of toys, every Then tell us to keep it coming! sack never empties, he traverses subsidy government gives to Belief in Santa is endearing the globe faster than lightning, someone must first be taken in children. Belief in magic If you haven’t contacted us yet but would like to his reindeer never tire, his elves from someone else. For every government is sad, tragic and keep receiving Michigan Capitol Confidential, we never strike, and he’s never too happy kid there is another destructive in adults. One of the fat for the chimney. Awed by his need you to e-mail us at [email protected] whose toy was ripped from his greatest gifts we can give this powers, young kids approach hands. holiday season is to help others or call 989-631-0900 to let us know that we should the Jolly One clutching wish lists confront the myth of magic + keep sending it. That’s it! that itemize the objects of their [Adult's] wish lists government. “unbridled avarice,” as a popular We look forward to hearing from you Christmas movie put it. say, “subsidize my Joseph G. Lehman is president of the And why not? Santa’s retirement, my big Mackinac Center for Public Policy. little supplicants are prodded house, a year’s worth The original version of this story was posted online on Dec. 20, 2011. It is by plenty of parental of unemployment, my available with hyperlinks and more encouragement. No toy is medicine, my college info at www.MichCapCon.com/16186. beyond the ability of Santa’s loans, my electric car, elves to build. Nothing Santa gives to one child takes away my auto company, from what he can give to any my union, my bank, other child. Plus, Santa knows my bad decisions Meet the Authors who’s been naughty or nice, in general, and my so the great toy distribution ethanol and solar is bound to be fair in some companies.” cosmically satisfying way, with Manny Lopez is managing editor of everyone getting what they Adults then may expect that Michigan Capitol Confidential. He may be deserve and probably a little bit only the deserving ones get reached at [email protected] more. Who wouldn’t want to live the goodies, but the dilemma Put some in such a world? of fairness inherent in forced Too many adults treat redistribution needs no news in your government the way kids treat Tom Gantert is the senior correspondent for elaboration here. Let’s just say it Santa. But government is not Michigan Capitol Confidential. He may be takes a lot of magic government magic. Most adults expect news feed. reached at [email protected]. fairy dust to make it all fair. government to provide at least “Like” CapCon on facebook My point is not to ridicule and get the day’s stories and the basics of society like courts, those who want government highlights. police, defense, roads, mail and to provide what they believe Jack Spencer is Capitol affairs specialist for schools. Yet these so often seem they deserve, which would Informative. Investigative. Daily. Online. Michigan Capitol Confidential. He may be beyond the reach of government be rude and especially out of MichCapCon.com reached at [email protected]. that we may seriously question season at holiday time. Rather, A news service for the people of Michigan from whether some of them, like the Mackinac Center for Public Policy it is to confront the reality of Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 4

than 7,000 votes placed more than Health Care Workers Vote to 40,000 Michigan home health care workers into the SEIU. Then SEIU Subsidized Green Bolt from 'Corrupt' SEIU Healthcare was created, apparently, for the sole purpose of becoming Energy Company By Jack spencer raffled off big screen TVs, the the union Michigan home health Backyard barbecue bashes and SEIU offered coffee and donuts on care workers would be forced to offering up flat screen TVs and election day. join through the MQC3. Struggles, Lays Off other prizes was attempted by the “Basically, this was a Obviously the loss of 40,000 Service Employees International big win for the employees,” dues-paying members is a huge Workers — Rewards Union (SEIU) to try to get Saginaw Zahdeh continued. “It was an blow to SEIU Healthcare, which health care employees to stay in overwhelming vote to leave a had previously claimed to have corrupt union.” Top Executives the union. It didn't work. roughly 55,000 members in Workers at the facility in By a more than 2-to-1 margin, Michigan. Analyst: 'It looks like they are trying Muskegon are waiting to get an workers at Saginaw's Luther “I think they're trying to find election date scheduled to vote to pad their top people’s wallets in Manor Nursing Home voted a way to squeeze every last dollar on possibly leaving the SEIU, themselves out of the SEIU out of us before we leave,” Zahdeh case something really bad happens' too. Zahdeh said he believes the Healthcare union. They're now said. “When we finally get a By TOM GANTERT joining the newly formed election in Saginaw could lead to chance to vote in Muskegon, we're In the nine months since David National Union of Healthcare a domino effect with workers at really going to kick their butts.” Prystash was named Chief Financial Workers (NUHW). other health care facilities across SEIU Healthcare has been Officer of A123 Systems — the The final vote count was 47 Michigan jumping the SEIU ship. plagued by scandals since it was battery manufacturer that received in favor of leaving SEIU to 22 for “Other groups are just waiting created in 2008. Its first president, staying. One vote was cast for for their contracts to come up,” he $390.1 million in federal and state Rickman Jackson, was forced to nonunion status. With the results said. subsidies — the company has laid off resign within two months of taking of the election, the Luther Manor Norman said the employees at 125 employees and had a net loss of workers became the first SEIU the Saginaw facility were fed up office. $172 million through the first three members outside of California to with SEIU Healthcare. As Capitol Confidential quarters of 2011. join NUHW. "We were looking for somebody previously reported, the timing A123 Systems also learned earlier According to Peggy Norman, who would do a better job repre- couldn't be much worse for SEIU, this month that the company that was to be the main purchaser of its a medical receiver and certified senting us." Norman said. “I was which just lost a major battle batteries — Fisker Automotive — had its federal funding cut off for nursing assistant at Luther Manor, a stewardess for the union. They with NUHW. In July, NLRB missing milestones and had to lay off its own employees. A123 Systems the SEIU Healthcare put on two wouldn't even honor our vote to administrative judge Lana Parke had invested $23 million into Fisker. barbecue parties for employees reject a contract. Instead of going found SEIU guilty of coercion and Yet, this month A123’s Compensation Committee approved a as the date of the election back to the employer, they waited unlawful threats in an October $30,000 raise for Prystash just days after Fisker Automotive announced approached. a week and came back to us. I had 2010 statewide labor election the U.S. Energy Department had cut off what was left of its “They called them backyard employees come up to me wanting involving 43,000 California $528.7 million loan it had previously received. bashes,” Norman said. to know how they could get out of it healthcare workers. Prystash wasn’t the only executive to see a big raise this month. "They barbecued ribs and had (the union).” According to the NUHW, Robert Johnson, vice president of the energy solutions group, got a door prizes; including a flat screen Zahdeh said the SEIU is now corruption has been the legacy 20.7 percent pay increase going from $331,250 to $400,000, while Jason Forcier, vice president of the automotive solutions group, saw his TV, a boys' bike and a girls' bike.” attempting to hike its union dues. of how the SEIU operates pay increase from $331,250 to $350,000. Prystash’s raise was 8.5 percent, Norman was asked if she “SEIU is trying to do the same in Michigan. Former SEIU thing Barack Obama wants to do,” going from $350,000 to $380,000. would have changed her vote if Healthcare Michigan President Zahdeh said. “They know that The raises were reported by the company in its filings with the she'd won a TV. Rickman Jackson was forced out the MQC3 (Michigan Quality U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. “I wouldn't even go to their of office on Oct. 15, 2008. The bashes,” she responded. Community Care Council) is “It looks highly suspicious,” said Paul Chesser, associate fellow for the story, which was covered by the Hasan Zahdeh, a being dissolved. That means National Legal & Policy Center. “It looks like they are trying to pad their Los Angeles Times, apparently cardiovascular interventional they'd lose about 48,000 members. top people’s wallets in case something really bad happens.” fell below the news media radar technologist at the Hackley So they're trying to change dues to When A123 Systems announced it was opening its lithium-ion screens in Michigan. Campus of Mercy Health Partners a flat 2.5 percent. That's huge. For battery manufacturing plant in Livonia in September 2010, then SEIU officials did not respond in Muskegon, said he was keeping instance, it would change my dues Gov. Jennifer Granholm wrote about it on the Huffington Post calling it a close watch on the union from $39.45 a month to $130 a to telephone calls offering the “a Recovery Act success story.” opportunity to include their election in Saginaw. month. It's like Obama wanting to + But there have been troubles for A123 Systems in the 17 months since “They rejected the SEIU raise taxes on the rich instead of comments in this article. then, despite a lot of state and federal aid to prop it up. despite all of the misinformation, finding ways to cut spending.” The state of Michigan gave it a $100 million MEGA tax credit that is The original version of this story was intimidation and efforts to buy MQC3 was created under posted online on Sept. 30, 2011. It is contingent on the company creating 300 jobs by the end of 2016. votes,” Zahdeh said. “In addition former Gov. Jennifer Granholm. available with hyperlinks and more A123 Systems also received another $41 million in tax breaks and to the barbecues, where they Through a secret election, fewer info at www.MichCapCon.com/15805. See "Subsidized Green Energy Struggles" Page 6 Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 5

Former MEA Local Prez: Union Teacher Right-to- May Lose 40% of Members Work Looking Like a Done Deal – Including Him – if Teacher Support from Senate, House and Governor may align for swift passage Right to Work Passes By Jack Spencer Chances look good for passage and enactment of legislation to provide right-to-work status for Michigan public school teachers. By Tom Gantert steps for automatic pay raises for an economic question. The ques- Under the measure, called the “Freedom to Teach Act,” teachers would As a teacher in the Grand Ledge teachers based on years of experi- tion is going to be: ‘What return do no longer be required to join or support a union as a condition of you think you are getting for your Public Schools and a former teach- ence and earned graduate degrees employment. union dollars?’” ers union president, John Ellsworth or credits. In September, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, Malanga also said that many says the various education reforms Ellsworth also noted news re- announced the measure on Michigan public television’s "Off the Record," teachers are growing more upset coming from Michigan’s Repub- ports of MEA officials getting hefty and asserted that he strongly supported it. The legislation was introduced that the National Education As- lican-led government are “despi- raises during a period when he says in the Senate in early October. sociation, the parent union of the cable.” He thinks the much-talked many teachers are facing cut backs. Lawmakers and political observers are often reluctant to predict the MEA, is spending their dues on is- about “right-to-teach” legislation “Why not take the money and chances of passage for any specific piece of legislation, but in this case the sues that have little to do with edu- for public school employees, which run?” Ellsworth said. “… There are a stars seem to be aligning in a very favorable fashion. By all indications, the cation. would make joining a teachers lot of people upset they are sending measure is likely to be passed by the Legislature and signed into law by “There is increasing evidence Gov. Rick Snyder. union voluntary, is part of “a con- their money to East Lansing (MEA that unions like the NEA are A source close to the Snyder administration was asked if the Governor tinued attack” blaming teachers for headquarters) and not getting a spending (dues) money on non- would sign the “Freedom to Teach Act.” The answer: Snyder's policy has school woes. whole lot for it.” educational issues and some social been that he wouldn't press right-to-work as an agenda item, but he'd sign Yet, even Ellsworth says he Ellsworth said he’d be hope- issues that teachers disagree with,” it if it reached his desk. would drop his Michigan Educa- ful an independent teachers union Malanga said. “The unions have put But would that position apply to right-to-work just for teachers? tion Association membership if would replace the MEA, which he themselves on the defensive by ar- The source replied that he'd be “shocked” if Gov. Snyder didn't sign it. said was “a guardian of status quo” right-to-work for teachers became rogantly spending their members' When Sen. Richardville announced the measure, it wasn't clear a reality. instead of a “champion of improve- money on things they have no busi- whether he was acting on his own or as part of a coordinated GOP effort. “Yes. I think I would,” Ellsworth ment.” ness spending it on.” The fact that Republicans had worked with Snyder's team on the recently said. Steven Malanga, a senior fel- Mike Antonucci is director of announced school reform bills indicated that some sort of coordination Depending upon what districts low at the Manhattan Institute who the Education Intelligence Agency, might have been involved. would be willing to offer to teach- has written books on public-sector which researches teachers unions. However, it now appears that Richardville decided on his own to make ers who declined union represen- unions, said the decision to leave a He predicts the MEA could lose the announcement. tation, Ellsworth estimated that union would be mostly a financial anywhere from 33 to 50 percent of “I knew he would support it, but I didn't know he was going to announce it on 'Off the Record' that way,” said Senate Majority Floor somewhere between 10 percent one. its members if right-to-work pro- Leader Arlan Meekof, R-West Olive. and 40 percent of teachers would “You have to think about this tections for school employees is Meekof said he has been working on the legislation for a very long time. bolt from the MEA. from the perspective of the work- passed. “Actually, I started working on this way back when I was a House The reason? He says some don’t er,” Malanga said. “That’s a lot of Antonucci said his estimate is member,” he said. “It's one of the things we've looked at to try to let think they are getting real value money [the dues payments]. It is based on the NEA's “market share” from the $90 per month in union teachers break out of the mediocrity that we see in our education system.” of eligible NEA members in right- Would the legislation stand a good chance of being passed by the dues he says they pay. “Why not take the to-work states. For example, Anto- Senate? (Note: Recent news reports money and run?” nucci said in South Carolina there "I think so,” Meekof said. “It's an opportunity to let teachers get farther have stated that the maximum Ellsworth said. are 7,000 NEA members out of away from union goons. That should give them a better chance to break combined annual dues payments roughly 70,000 public education + away from the mediocrity. That should make things better for our schools to state and national teacher union “… There are a lot of employees. and our children.” affiliates is capped at $778). people upset they are The original version of this story was Political observers generally assume that the legislation would pass Ellsworth pointed out that sending their money to posted online on Sept. 14, 2011. It is easily in the Michigan House. However, Ari Adler, spokesman for House many teachers are not getting “step available with hyperlinks and more info Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall, responded cautiously when asked about at www.MichCapCon.com/15725. increases” when contracts expire East Lansing the legislation's chances in that chamber. because of new legislation, which (MEA headquarters) “At this point we don't know specifically what the bill will look like or makes keeping the dues money and not getting a whole what will happen with it in the Senate,” Adler said. “We don't generally look like a tempting raise. lot for it.” comment on legislation we haven't seen. With that said, however, on Single salary schedules build in See “Teacher Right-to-Work” Page 13 Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 6

Parents employers and statewide union Subsidized Green elections that were kept secret from Page One Energy Struggles from the news media. It was from Page 4 But some of the taxpayer believed the “forced unionization” dollars that are supposed to go would end when Gov. Granholm subsidies from the state. The to the Haynes family are being left office. However, in spite of Department of Energy awarded siphoned off. The state takes a efforts by the state Legislature A123 Systems a $249.1 million $30 monthly deduction from the to put an end to them, the grant. checks and sends it to the Service deductions haven't stopped. But the company has not been Employees International Union Emails show that Sen. Kahn, able to meet its own projections. (SEIU). This deduction is the chairman of the Michigan Senate result of the forced unionization Appropriations Committee, For instance, on March 28, 2011 of home health care workers that worked behind the scenes to in an SEC filing, the company came about in a deal between keep the forced unionization projected total revenue between unions and politicians in Lansing. of home health care workers $210 million to $225 million for “We're not even home health intact, which, in turn, keeps the 2011. Its latest report shows they care workers. We're just parents deductions flowing. Those emails had just $118 million of total taking care of our kids,” said were obtained by the Mackinac revenue through the first three Robert Haynes, a retired Detroit Center for Public Policy through quarters of 2011 and reported a police officer. “Our daughter is a Freedom of Information Act 34 and our son is 30. They have request. net loss of $172 million. cerebral palsy. They are basically According to campaign finance A123 Systems has handsomely like 6-month-olds in adult bodies. reports filed with the Michigan rewarded its executives since 2010, They need to be fed and they wear Secretary of State, Sen. Kahn according to SEC filings. diapers. We could sure use that received $2,500 from the SEIU For example, A123 Systems $30 a month that's being sent to in 2010. However, a review of CEO David Vieau made $375,000 the union.” the reported contributions to his in 2010 and saw that increase to Capitol Confidential sent campaign committee, Friends $450,000 in 2011, a 20-percent emails to the offices of Sen. Roger of Roger Kahn for Senate 2010, Kahn, R-Saginaw Twp., Gov. Rick shows that he has received increase. Snyder, Senate Majority Leader thousands of dollars from the A123 Systems Spokesman Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, health care industry. It should Dan Borgasano referred questions and House Appropriations be noted that simply because a for comment to a Feb. 10 article Rob and Pat Haynes have three children, two of whom suffer from cerebral palsy. The Hayneses Subcommittee on Community contribution came from within were alerted that they became members of the Service Employees International Union when in Crain’s Detroit Business Health Chair Matt Lori, the health care industry, that dues started being deducted from the financial support they get from the state. where Forcier said A123 Systems R-Constantine. The emails gave doesn't automatically mean that has hired back more than 20 a very brief explanation of the its source supports the forced alongside Duggan as Wayne I don't even know what they employees who were laid off and Haynes' situation and asked the unionization of home health care County corporate council before could do to help. Considering the governor and the lawmakers workers. It should also be noted was looking to hire engineers. running for Michigan Attorney dues money we're sending them, if they approved of what is that Sen. Kahn is a physician. On Feb. 6, Fisker Automotive General in 1998. DMC's CFO maybe they should come over and happening. Sen. Kahn's campaign finance had its federal loan blocked by the is Jay Rising, Gov. Granholm's babysit our kids so we could have Of those contacted, only Rep. reports also show that he one night out.” U.S. Energy Department because it Lori responded. received multiple contributions former state treasurer. “We take care of our kids at hasn’t met milestones. “Do I approve of this? No,” he from officials at Detroit Medical Last month, the SEIU and home,” Haynes continued. “There In 2010, A123 Systems wrote in an email. “I had believed Center. The top donor in this DMC staged a rally together on aren't any working condition entered an agreement to Fisker that the bill (community health group was DMC Senior Vice issues pertaining to Medicare and issues. There are no raises to Automotive to provide lithium-ion budget bill) passed that defunded President David Katz, who Medicaid. Meanwhile, Haynes said his negotiate. There aren't any union batteries for Fisker’s Karma plug- it would end it.” contributed $2,000 to Sen. Kahn issues involved. But the money family is receiving no benefits in hybrid. In this year's budget, the in 2010 and $1,500 in 2009. keeps being taken out of our whatsoever from allegedly + Legislature ended all funding to Katz was Gov. Granholm's checks anyway.” Fisker was to build at a former the Michigan Quality Community first campaign manager. His wife, belonging to the SEIU. The only GM plant in Delaware, but that Care Council, which posed as the Jill Alper, was a chief campaign impact it's having on them is the The original version of this story was plant halted work at the plant and employer of the home health care strategist for Gov. Granholm in monthly loss of money through posted online on Nov. 9, 2011. It is + available with hyperlinks and more laid off 26 workers. workers. 2002 and 2006. In fact, DMC's the dues deductions. info at www.MichCapCon.com/16001. Two separate forced hierarchy is awash with ties to “Nothing,” Haynes said. “We're The original version of this story was unionizations took place on Gov. Gov. Granholm. Its CEO is former not getting anything from them. posted online on Feb. 23, 2012. It is Jennifer Granholm's watch. Both Wayne County Prosecutor Mike We've tried to contact them, and available with hyperlinks and more involved the creation of dummy Duggan. Gov. Granholm served they don't even bother to respond. info at www.MichCapCon.com/16500. Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 7

the state is no longer supposed MQCCC. Handwritten records of to collect union dues for SEIU? the meeting indicate he started the GOP Senator Tries to Save SEIU (MQC3 basically runs the program meeting by laying out the union’s for SEIU and passes the union dues perspective: “SEIU is concerned re: Healthcare ‘Employer’ from the state to the union). moving forward w/ funding QC3. “Do we want the SEIU to Gent. Agreement to find $.” By Kathy Hoekstra Health and the Tri-County Aging another budget entirely. When those continue operating through their According to the minutes, Sen. Consortium. The council kept a attempts failed, Sen. Kahn proposed The fate of the Michigan Quality own funding or some alternative Kahn later indicated he ran into registry of home care providers, taking five cents per hour from Community Care Council, an entity source of dollars? problems with earlier funding but its main function was to be the each health care provider to allow ostensibly tasked with keeping a list “Is there a long-term strategy proposals: “Polit. Problem w/ so-called government “employer” the continued existence of the faux of the state’s private home health House; if suppl. Approp wants for some 45,000 private home care employer, which would allow the with respect to this issue and providers, may have seemed sealed to get it done. Reluctant to do w/ aides. Through this arrangement, union to keep collecting millions of is it comparable to the daycare in May when state lawmakers axed unionization issue in DHS? (which supplemental. its funding from the 2012 budget. these independent contractors dollars in annual dues. were compelled to become dues- was ended).” Need: 1. Way to get it done w/ Yet even without state funding, Dazzo also noted that out line item this unusual government entity paying members of SEIU Healthcare Michigan. The union has had a legislation aimed at ending 2. maybe it goes through diff continues to exist past its Sept. 30 agreements like the one that roped budget and who can we do it with?” expiration date — and collect dues collective bargaining agreement home-based day care providers The implication seems to be for a government-sector union. with the MQCCC since 2006, into a union might affect the that Sen. Kahn was encountering “The union dues are still being collecting $6 million in annual dues MQC3: “There is legislation resistance in the House to a withheld and are being sent to the from Medicaid subsidies paid to the moving through the process supplemental appropriation to MQC3,” according to Angela home care providers. The council (HB 4003 from Representative fund the Council. Two apparent Minicuci, public information officer effectively runs the program for Opsommer) that, if passed, may suggestions for circumventing that for the Michigan Department of SEIU and passes the union dues negatively impact the ability to obstacle were to fund the council Community Health, in an email from the state to the union. have a program such as this.” without a clear designation or place sent to the Mackinac Center. “The The Mackinac Center recently In July, an unidentified party it in an entirely different budget. MQC3 still exists and they are learned from the council’s executive Sen. Roger Kahn (File photo) apparently raised the question Lyon attended the meeting working to get funding for the home director that even though the of having the union fund the as well. According to the official help registry.” MQCCC would no longer be MQCCC. In response, Lyon notes, Lyon said the Senate “gave Minicuci did not elaborate on funded this year and would soon The first indication of Sen. Kahn’s correctly replied in an email, “It more support than the House,” how a defunded agency continues to close its doors, MQCCC officials efforts came in a May 19 email from making reference to Sens. Kahn operate. believed the collective bargaining MDCH Deputy Director Nick Lyon would be a conflict of interest to and Richardville and Sen. John “For the state to operate a agreement would remain “in force to Nancy Vreibel, a staff member in have the union pay.” dubiously formed government between us and the union.” A copy Sen. Kahn’s office, discussing budget Later in the summer, a formal Moolenaar, R-Midland. Regarding entity that has been defunded by the of the agreement shows a Nov. 15, cuts to MDCH. Lyon wrote: “I also proposal to fund the MQCCC House support, Lyon referred Legislature seems unprecedented,” 2012, expiration date. couldn’t work money back in for circulated among the participants to Rep. John Walsh, R-Livonia, said Patrick Wright, director of the That prompted a Mackinac MQCCC; (Kahn) had asked about stating that “Senators Kahn who “stayed caught in politics & Mackinac Center Legal Foundation. Center inquiry into what was t h a t .” and Richardville have indicated Mackinaw Ctr…,” according to “But such shenanigans aren’t entirely happening behind the scenes that In July, an email from MDCH interest in reinstating the program the notes. Lyon is also recorded surprising given the origination of would keep a defunded government Director Olga Dazzo to several in FY[1] 2012 and have requested as indicating that Rep. Matt Lori, this agency and the machinations to entity operating. members of her staff and members Community Health to identify R-Constantine, “wanted to help preserve it for the sake of skimming Among documents obtained of the Snyder administration funding to redirect the program.” but got push back from Bolger,” a ‘union dues’ from independent from the Michigan Department of revealed that Sen. Kahn and Senate The proposed funding reference to House Speaker Jase contractors.” Community Health were more than Majority Leader Randy Richardville, options were either through a Bolger, Marshall. Wright was referring to three dozen emails from between R-Monroe, hoped to re-establish a supplemental appropriations, “to In an e-mail two days after documents obtained through a April 5 and Sept. 13 discussing cash flow to the MQCCC. move $1 million Gross ($500,000 this meeting, Dazzo signed off Freedom of Information Act request ways to keep the agency afloat. “Senators Richardville and Kahn GF/GP[2], $500,000 federal) from on restoring MQCCC funding “if filed by the Mackinac Center The biggest champion of creative believe there is merit in funding the Adult Home Help Workers the Senate and SBO (State Budget that point to behind-the-scenes financing for the council appeared MQC3,” Dazzo wrote. “Senator appropriations to a new line Office) can figure out a way to make legislative efforts to keep the council to be Sen. Kahn. According to Kahn was hoping to restore these item titled Michigan Quality it ok with the House.” operating by other means. Among the documents attained by the dollars in the budget but apparently Community Care Council” or “If An Aug. 30 email circulated the documents, emails indicate Mackinac Center, Sen. Kahn began did not have support from the the desire is to advance a transfer among members of the Department that Sen. Roger Kahn, R-Saginaw by proposing an above-the-board House or Senate MDCH budget rather than a supplemental, funds of Technology, Management Twp., was particularly focused on supplemental appropriation for the chairs.” can be transferred from the Long- and Budget said that Sen. Kahn maintaining MQCCC. MQCCC. When this was rejected In the same email, Dazzo asked term care line to the Adult Home “proposed that MQCCC would The MQCCC was created by the House, he suggested hiding some pointed questions about Help line.” be willing to contribute 5 cents of in 2005 through an interlocal the funding by avoiding an explicit the SEIU (Note: parenthetical On Aug. 16, Sen. Kahn hosted their 50 cent per hour wage increase agreement between the Michigan designation identifying what it statements appear in the original.): a meeting with representatives appropriated in FY10, a five cent Department of Community was for or putting the amount into “Does the lack of funding mean from the SEIU, MDCH and See “GOP Senator,” Page 16 Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 8 smoking ban afford to do that anymore.” his group is not supporting the PPPRM claims that the lawmaker ban, although it is from Page One smoking ban has already cost the sympathetic with the small bar humor even though things are state more than $200 million in owners. looking pretty grim. I think you'll lost revenue. That figure could “Our approach is different,” see a lot of creative approaches as go up. According to Mace, the Binoniemi said. “We'd this goes forward.” group has barely started the task recommend that bar owners Capitol Confidential asked of compiling data on the overall educate their representatives Mace if he considers those impact of the law. and senators about how they're negatively affected by the smoking He cited recent testimony by suffering under the ban. They to be victims. Michigan Lottery Commissioner need to tell them about how this is “Absolutely,” Mace said. Scott Bowen on June 8 that the hurting them and their employees.” “Actually the term ‘smoking ban smoking ban has cut into lottery Other states with smoking bans victims’ was coined in Ohio about revenues from Club Keno, which in place are considering legislation the ban down there. But at least in is played in bars and restaurants to modify their bans. Nevada has Ohio the ban was done through throughout the state. gone the furthest. It ended its ban a vote of the people. Here in In the debate that led up to as it applied to businesses that only Michigan they just did it to us.” the December 2009 passage of sell alcoholic beverages, and has not believe the establishments it would have to affect all the the smoking ban, proponents of carved out exceptions for other on Mackinac Island would be establishments in the same way. [P]articipating bars the ban claimed it wouldn't hurt businesses. participating in the lawmaker ban. “We were opposed to any are being provided businesses. A widely referred- In Michigan, a handful of “We have some people up there attempt to try to segregate the to study at the time (paid for lawmakers have either introduced with photos of local who will be sympathetic to our po- industry,” Lance Binoniemi, by smoking ban proponents) or talked about introducing lawmakers so they sition,” Mace said. “But when you're MLBA executive director, told legislation to modify Michigan's supposedly showed that the can identify them talking about Mackinac Island, Capitol Confidential. “You ban. The most aggressive of these ban wouldn't cause economic if they enter their you're talking about the tourist can't just sit down and say this would be a measure to create a damage. industry. I'd be surprised if any of restaurant or bar should be smoking-on-premises permit. establishments. In spite of these claims, as those bars participated in our ban. included, but this other one Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, many had expected, after the ban “And understand this: The very They only have about five months shouldn't. We were also opposed is expected to introduce the went into effect negative impacts first people to become victims of out of every year to do business. to excluding the casinos.” legislation soon. were soon to follow. Regular the ban were the employees,” Mace They really aren't the kinds of busi- At the time, many Lansing “We're supporting that customers who were smokers continued. “They're the ones who nesses that are in our group.” insiders believed the Detroit legislation,” Binoniemi said. “It stopped showing up, resulting in were the first to lose jobs. Then However, Mace said the casino issue would prevent the would be similar to a liquor license the loss of profits or the loss of some of the businesses themselves comparison with Mackinac Island smoking ban from passing. Native approach.” thin plus-side margins that had were forced to close their doors. businesses does illustrate one of American casinos aren't under Capitol Confidential suggested been keeping the bars from going Those on the other side of this the points his group is trying to Michigan jurisdiction, and the the McBroom bill might stand a under. Employee layoffs and actual issue try to say it's just the overall make. state can't ban smoking in those chance of passing in the House, business closings followed. bad economy. That's just not so.” “You just can't say that all establishments. With Detroit but probably not in the Senate. The idea of small bars denying “I've learned a lot in recent bars and restaurants are the casinos competing with the Native “At least it could get the entry to lawmakers isn't designed months,” Mace said. “For one same,” Mace said. “I think part of American casinos, it was believed conversations started,” Binoniemi to force an end to the smoking ban thing, I've learned that there what happened in Lansing was Detroit lawmakers would help said. by withholding beer and liquor is evidence that national anti- the larger quick-in and quick- block a smoking ban. But the Meanwhile, Rep. Doug Geiss, from state representatives and smoking groups have less to do out restaurants ended up being hopes of smoking ban opponents D-Taylor, and Rep. Tim Melton, senators. It's primarily aimed at with fighting cancer, and more to represented more than businesses were dashed when smoking D-Auburn Hills, have introduced calling attention to the plight of do with making money.” like ours. We tend to have more ban proponents finally agreed legislation that would modify the small businesses that have Mace references a recent paper regular customers who typically to exempt the Detroit casinos. the smoking ban in Michigan. been injured, some destroyed, due calling to question the motives of come in and stay longer and come When that happened, the votes The Geiss bill is HB 4127 and the to the smoking ban. the American Cancer Society. The back the next day.” materialized and the legislation Melton Bill is HB 4447. “We are the little guys,” Mace paper was authored by Samuel In Lansing the Michigan passed. The Detroit Free Press has said. “We're not big enough to pay S. Epstein M.D., chairman of the Restaurant Association (MRA) Few, if any, of the bars quoted Geiss saying the legislature lobbyists and have parking spaces Cancer Prevention Coalition and and the Michigan Licensed associated with the PPPRM are should “revisit” the smoking ban. up by the Capitol. Many of us can't professor emeritus at the Illinois Beverage Association (MLBA) members of the MRA. However, Reportedly Geiss said: "Let's afford to stay in an association. University of Public Health. both opposed the ban. However it’s likely some MLBA member try to right this wrong and make it + When money starts getting this In mid-September the their position was that, whatever businesses are in the new group. work for all Michigan." short, you just can't spend it that Republicans held a policy the legislature did, it should not What's more, Mace contends way. Businesses like ours used to conference on Mackinac Island. try to sort out (or segregate) that more than just the “about The original version of this story was posted online on Aug. 24, 2011. It is give donations to local events and Typically the bars on the “Island” certain types of bars and 500” member bars are going to available with hyperlinks and more for local sports. We can't even will be busy and bulging with restaurants from others. If there participate in the lawmaker ban. info at www.MichCapCon.com/15622. lawmakers. But Mace said he did was going to be a smoking ban, Binoniemi said Tuesday that Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 9

Despite Deficit, Some Dearborn Average Lansing Teacher Ann Arbor cuts cops Top Officials Got Boosts in Pay Missed 3.5 Weeks of from Page One By Tom Gantert The Director of Public 1 percent of the money that Dearborn Mayor John B. Information saw her gross pay School Last Year went into capital improvement O’Reilly’s message to the city’s increase from $85,886 in 2010 to projects that were $100,000 or $96,056 in 2011, an 11.8 percent residents in the 2011 budget was By Tom Gantert has requested documentation on larger and set it aside for art. increase. they’d have to pay higher taxes due teachers’ absences from several Most capital projects involve The Director of Public Works In the Lansing School District, to severe budget issues. Yet, a look school districts and has reviewed streets, sewers and water. saw his gross pay increase from the average teacher was absent from at gross income shows that the top two districts’ responses. Grand Aaron Seagraves, the city’s $102,193 in 2010 to $110,612 in the classroom for 17.6 days — or city administrators saw lucrative pay Rapids teachers were absent on public art administrator, said 2011, an 8.2 percent increase. three and a half weeks — during the increases while many lower-paid average 14.2 days in 2010-11. there are several projects The Director of Recreation saw 2010-11 school year, according to Dearborn employees took pay cuts Grand Rapids pays substitute planned. For example, the city his gross pay increase from $94,312 the district’s documents. By com- in 2011. teachers $85 to $97 per day. Lansing wants to put $150,000 of art in in 2010 to $106,395 in 2011, a 12.8 parison, a Lansing School District While Mayor O’Reilly’s salary pays $75 a day for a substitute its Ann Arbor Justice Center percent increase. student under the age of 16 could stayed relatively the same — his teacher for the first 15 days. That police and courts building. The Executive Assistant to the face legal action by the district if he gross income increased by $500 in rate goes up to $90 if the substitute “Art is in the eye of the Mayor made $117,899 in 2010 and or she accumulates 10 absences. 2011 from the previous year, seven works 16 to 50 days and then jumps beholder, but crime statistics $131,162 in 2011, a 11.2 percent The district had a total of top administrations saw their gross to $150 a day if the substitute works are not,” said Michael LaFaive, increase. 16,932.25 absences by 962 teachers, income increase by 8 percent to 12.8 longer than 50 days. director of the Mackinac Center's Matthew Zalewski, an attorney according to information received percent from 2010 to 2011. Students with that type of Morey Fiscal Policy Initiative. for the city of Dearborn, said gross in response to a Freedom of Those pay increases came attendance record in Lansing would LaFaive said the residents earnings included things such as Information Act request put in by have their parents notified and, if it would be better served if money when the city’s General Fund had mileage, annual longevity checks Michigan Capitol Confidential. The continued, could face legal action by for sewers were actually spent a structural budget deficit of $8.6 (yearly bonuses paid to long- absences include illness, military the district. If students accumulate on sewer construction and not million for fiscal year 2011. Not all time employees) as well as some leave, conferences, maternity leave eight days of absences, they can diverted for public art, and that it of the city of Dearborn’s workers employees “selling” vacation days and other approved time off. be referred to an “attendance would be better to have “people were as fortunate. offered in the city’s cafeteria benefit There were 377 teachers specialist.” If students reach 10 donate money to arts instead of For example, all three assistant plan. (39 percent of the staff) absent at parent-excused absences, they need having it extracted from them.” librarians made less in 2011 than City of Dearborn employees least 17 days. Four teachers missed a signed note from their doctor. they did in 2010. Three of the city’s don’t pay anything for health 100 days or more. Ann Arbor Mayor John If the attendance “problem” is not four attorneys made less in 2011 insurance until later this year. Because the district is in full Hieftje didn’t return an email than in 2010. Two unions have filed a lawsuit to session from only September corrected, the district could take seeking comment. But AnnArbor “When they’re pushing tax prevent Gov. Rick Snyder’s law that through June, this means that legal action against the student and .com reported that the mayor hikes, residents hear a lot from local required public employers to pay no teachers were absent about parent, according to the district wants to do more with public art. government officials about ‘shared more than 80 percent of the annual 10 percent of the 170 to 172 full code of conduct for students. Ed Jacques, spokesman for sacrifice,’ ” said Jack McHugh, the cost of medical benefits from taking days they were contractually The teachers’ union contract the Police Officers Association of legislative analyst for the Mackinac effect until their contract with their scheduled in 2010-11. The teachers’ reads: “Attendance is a very Michigan, said he was reluctant Center for Public Policy. “These insurance companies expires at the union contract allows up to 10 important part of the employee job to say much on the topic because figures give the appearance that the end of June. days a school year of “compensable performance at the Lansing School the city is negotiating a contract sharing stops at the City Hall door.” Mary Laundroche, leave,” and two personal days a District. Regular attendance and with Ann Arbor’s police union. Some of the city's key officials spokeswoman for the city, said the year. But the union contract allows punctuality are critical elements in “The most important service saw considerable boosts in pay: top administrators are appointed unlimited accumulation of unused our efforts to attain high levels of that a community or municipality The Director of Economic and positions by the mayor and are “compensable leave days” in productivity, student achievement, can provide is security and safety Community Develop saw his gross not in a union and do not receive future years. adequate yearly progress (AYP), for its residents,” Jacques said. pay increase from $95,667 in 2010 overtime.But Laundroche said the If the 16,932.25 absent days from continuity of instruction, and “That has to be the No. 1 issue.” to $104,509 in 2011, a 9.2 percent annual raises for the appointed just last year were applied to the reduction of substitute costs.” According to AnnArbor increase. positions mirror any increases the career of a single instructor, that If teachers have been absent five .com, the city eliminated 20 The Director of Finance saw his union gets. So when those union teacher would have missed more or fewer days in a specific school positions in the police and gross pay increase from $107,912 contracts were settled, retroactive than 98 years of class time. and have accumulated 105 or more fire departments for the 2011- in 2010 to $116,624 in 2011, an 8 payments were made to the top Lansing School District compensable leave days, they have 12 fiscal year. Seven police percent increase. administrators as well as the union administrators and a Michigan to sell back five of those days per department employees were + + The Director of the Information members. Education Association official year for $75 per day. laid off. Systems Department saw his gross In a June 2011 letter included who represents the union in the in the city’s budget, Mayor O’Reilly The original version of this story was The original version of this story was pay increase from $102,491 in 2010 school district didn’t return emails posted online on Aug. 3, 2011. It is posted online on Aug. 16, 2011. It is to $113,994 in 2011, an 11.2 percent told Dearborn’s citizens, “we know seeking comment. available with hyperlinks and more available with hyperlinks and more info increase. See “Pay Raise,” Page 11 Michigan Capitol Confidential info at www.MichCapCon.com/15500. at www.MichCapCon.com/15564. Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 10

Clarke hasn't been in Congress long. I think he deserves a chance Michigan Democrat: Teacher Union to go back.”

CC. What would you consider to be Leaders Are 'Disconnected' the top education reform you'd like to see accomplished in Michigan? Outgoing member of Michigan House to join “That's a difficult question. I guess I'd have to say that I'd school reform group like to see the promise zones (local place-based scholarship By Jack Spencer run for Congress. Now, however, he their futures. When I support We can't continue to treat all programs) expanded. I've seen says he and his family are heading education reforms, the unions teachers as if they were all equally how they've changed the attitudes Rep. Tim Melton, D-Auburn of kids in Pontiac and Auburn Hills, ranking Democrat on to California, where he'll be based claim I'm being anti-teacher or effective. There's too much at for his new job. anti-student. To me, it's just the stake.” Hills. the state House Education “Along with that, I would Committee, said this week Capitol Confidential interviewed opposite. My votes for education CC. How about a market approach, like to see us get more into the that the leaders of Michigan's him via telephone. The following reforms are progressive votes. where if there's a great science concept of K-16, or even better, teacher unions aren't on the same are excerpts from that interview. Those who oppose the reforms teacher in Muskegon students PreK-16. (Thinking of education page with the members they're aren't being progressive, they're CC. As a Democratic across the state could “sit in” on as preschool through college). I supposed to represent. doing just the opposite. lawmaker, what was it like his classes over the Internet? think that's something we really “I would say union leadership “On most things outside of to buck the unions? “That kind of cutting edge need. All jobs don't require a is disconnected from their education I've voted with my technology is coming and it's college degree, but the really great members,” Melton responded “It's been difficult. Sometimes caucus. But the Democrats have coming faster than most people jobs out there will require that when asked to describe the it has seemed like the walls were dropped the ball on education by realize. Unfortunately, for degree. We've got to support an current status of Michigan's closing in on me. But I believed going along with the unions. We're whatever the reason, the unions approach to education that can teacher unions. “Many of the what I was doing was the right not living in the 1970s or 1980s have positioned themselves as really have students ready for the teachers are in agreement with thing. So, although when I was anymore. As a Democrat I'm trying being mostly opposed to those jobs of the future. the reforms the Legislature has sitting in caucus it often seemed to help people who otherwise can't changes. But that technology and “What's frustrating is that been making, such as changes to like the walls were closing in, it was provide for themselves. Overall, innovation already exists. The we know how to do it. We know teacher tenure and so on. nice to be able to sleep well at night. it's the Democrats who are on only question is how, and how we have to start at the preschool “Often, the union leaders seem “Unfortunately the message the wrong side of that line when quickly, can we implement it.” level. That has to be an area of more concerned about preservation the Democrats seem to keep it comes to education issues. We huge focus.” than they are about the teachers or sending out on education is that should be the ones who are pushing CC. You were preparing the students,” Melton continued. the status quo is alright. But it's these reforms instead of standing in to run for Congress. What CC. Is the idea of K-12 competing “The idea of doing the best we can not. We need reforms. There the way.” changed your mind? for appropriations with higher for the students sometimes seems may be disagreement on which “The tea leaves just didn't education a turf war? CC. It's been said that a good to get lost.” reforms and how best to do them, pan out. I had a road map to “No, I wouldn't say that. I think teacher is always underpaid and Melton resigned from the but it's clear that the status quo victory in the 14th (Congressional the use of School Aid Fund dollars a poorly performing teacher is Legislature to become national isn't working. District), where I was going to run (by Gov. Rick Snyder) for colleges legislative director for Michelle “Our education system is not always overpaid. Is there any against U.S. Rep. John Conyers way to get around this concept? was a budgeting gimmick. It was Rhee's StudentsFirst. Rhee, an producing enough high quality (D-Detroit). I brought in a lot a way of doing the budget that “Maybe there's a way. I think Ann Arbor native and former students, not only as a state, but of people who researched the would help pay for the tax break we've done some adjustments chancellor of public schools as a nation. We need to fix it. district, checking everything out. for businesses." in Washington, D.C., started We can't afford to go along with that start to address that; like The results were that I had a lot StudentsFirst in 2010 as a the status quo. We need to have changing the LIFO (Last In First of potential there. But then the CC. The top 10 states in per-pupil nonprofit organization that reforms. Unfortunately, by going Out) system (that favored teacher road map evaporated. U.S. Rep. spending don't fare very well in academic achievement rankings. Is promotes education reforms. It is along with the union leaders on seniority over performance). Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) was there too much emphasis on how already on the "political enemies" education, the Democrats have We're not where we want to be moving into the district. Then much we spend on education and list of teacher unions at the been presenting a message that yet when it comes to evaluating there was the possibility of U.S. not enough on how it gets spent? national level. they're for the status quo and teacher performance. Rep. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield As a Democratic lawmaker against needed reforms.” “Studies show that the teacher Twp.), as well. “Yes and no. Having more advocating for education reforms, is the single most important “For me to win I would money will always allow you to Melton has been a thorn in CC. Why do you still consider component of education. Finding have been banking on doing do more things, but it makes a big the side of Michigan's teacher yourself to be a Democrat? ways to accurately evaluate their well in Oakland County and difference how you spend it. What unions. He was chair of the House “I look at it this way: I'm performance is vitally important. Grosse Pointe. The potential we've seen in Michigan is that, Education Committee from 2007 pushing for equal opportunity. It's a key step that we have to take. dynamics changed, my road even though we spend a relatively to 2010. I'm looking out for kids and It's the sort of thing we'll continue map evaporated. I didn't want to large amount of money on Melton had been prepping to helping them prepare for working on at 'StudentsFirst.' run just for the sake of running. See “Leaders Disconnected,” Page 12 Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 11

get in the habit of influencing defending civil society, the role of No such restriction operates on Cop Union Boss Boasts of Beating who their Commander in Chief public education is supposed to be a public sector union. Whether it is should be, then the master/ to protect the future of it. If those cops and the use of force or teach- Lawmakers With Flashlights servant relationship between free holding democracy’s guns shouldn’t ers and the education of school Americans and their government be dividing their loyalty between kids, the jobs are in government- will begin to slip dramatically, with the public good and their union granted monopolies, backed up If Soldiers Don’t Have Unions, a military dictatorship at the very bosses, then what of those holding with financing that comes from end of the slide. democracy’s school children? mandatory taxation. The ‘custom- Why Do Police and Teachers? Yet if the very justification for If an email from the police union ers’ – the taxpayers – have no by Ken Braun collective bargaining rights to a government union is to improve boss boasting of flashlight beatings alternatives. When government the working conditions of the against politicians who don’t comply unions use their monopoly position A formal organization of U.S. government employee unions. with the union’s wishes raises ques- to threaten politicians, they are Marines circulating an email that At a minimum, this irresponsible public employee, then who could tions about the risk of government collectively taking action against implied (even as a joke) the use of so-called “cop speak” from a high- be in greater need of protection recognition for cop unions, then the very public that is forced to pay violence as a way of accomplishing ranking official in the union could than a government employee consider an email sent back in March their wages. a political goal against a member be a damning bit of evidence the whose job classification allows for from Iris Salters, the union boss in Despite the important work of Congress would be dealt with next time a Warren cop faces a them to be deliberately ordered police brutality charge. into actions that are likely to cause charge of the Michigan Education done by our soldiers, sailors, air- in very severe ways by the officers men and marines, it is clear why But at a deeper level, it raises death and dismemberment? Association. It asked the vast major- and politicians in charge of the government should never grant serious ethical and existential ity of the state’s public school teach- U.S. armed forces. Civilian author- collective bargaining power to a questions about whether taxpayers "We intend to walk ers to vote on the following question: ity over this group of government labor union or any other political should allow any public servant to “Do you give MEA the authority employees is considered nearly into Lansing after the authority structure in the military serve more than one master while to initiate crisis activities up to and absolute in the American tradition. summer break and ask that could compete for the loyalty on the job. Armed with public including job action?” Yet, consider a recent scandal in- the Republicans who of the public servants who defend dollars, deadly weapons, and a Elaborating further, it said: volving John Barnes, the president the nation. Likewise, given the criti- monopoly on the legal use of force, have been so eagerly “Let me be clear on what this of the Warren Police Officer’s As- cal nature of their jobs and the large should police officers be allowed screwing us, 'who's vote means. It authorizes MEA to sociation, who is in hot water over sums of tax dollars expended on to collectively recognize loyalty to next?' If we cannot engage in significant activities — up an email he sent out supporting them, why shouldn’t the same stan- a leadership other than the rule of to and including a work stoppage + a recall effort targeting Michigan earn their respect we dard apply to teachers and cops? State Rep. Jeff Farrington, R-Utica. law and the community that pays will do what we have — that will increase the pressure on The MIRS Capitol Capsule newslet- their salaries? always done; hit it with our legislators.” The original version of this story was ter, a subscription news service for Lifting the question up a notch Teacher strikes are illegal in posted online on July 31, 2011 It is a flashlight until we available with hyperlinks and more info on the public security ladder, it is Michigan. Ms. Salters evaded ques- primarily Lansing insiders, reports gain compliance." at www.MichCapCon.com/15485. that the email said the following: a settled question that it would be tions regarding whether she was "We intend to walk into Lansing dangerous to allow the U.S. military asking for permission to initiate a after the summer break and ask to be unionized. So serious and Apologists for police unions “crisis” that included breaking the the Republicans who have been so ingrained is the professionalization will argue that their role is essential law, saying it would be up to her eagerly screwing us, 'who's next?' of the American military that it because of the uniquely dangerous membership to decide. What is not Pay Raise If we cannot earn their respect we is almost totally unacceptable for work that cops do. But this in question is that the union boss from Page 9 them to collectively participate reasoning explodes when applied to was willing to have her members will do what we have always done; the kinds of sacrifices you’ve made in any form of domestic political what can often be more dangerous engage in “significant activities” hit it with a flashlight until we gain to weather these difficult times in activity. Obviously, as individuals, military work. Imagine: “Sorry, Mr. that would deliberately impede compliance." your own households. Like you they retain the right to vote and President, but the Army can’t help delivery of the very public service When asked about his choice we’re continuing to seek cutbacks speak their mind outside the job. out with Omaha Beach. Our union that they are paid to provide. of words, Barnes told MIRS that including personal sacrifices from But unlike some less fortunate president says that’s an OSHA Unlike the union boss in charge he was sorry for any offense taken, the entire City workforce.” nations, there are not and never violation …” of the state’s largest teacher union, and that the language was just an Mayor O’Reilly then stated the have been organized political The most potent and a private labor leader involved in a example of “cop speak” that was not city was raising the millage rate movements within the U.S. military. professional armed forces on Earth dispute with General Motors cannot meant for the general public. He to the legal limit and would ask to Active duty generals do not run for are staffed with a steady stream of shut down Ford or Chrysler. Even a then further qualified his apology: raise that limit by putting it on the public office with the assistance of qualified volunteers signing up for total United Auto Workers walkout "I will refrain from using November 2011 ballot. inflammatory language as soon as the troops under their command; the job despite not a historical whiff would not shut down the non-union those attacking me and my fellow and soldiers do not organize to of being able to count on unions or auto plants that now account for a Editor's Note: This story was corrected police officers refrain from using influence the composition of the political influence to protect them. large share of the domestic auto- to say that Dearborn Mayor John O'Reilly asked to raise the millage the same." Congress that sets their pay, nor the And unlike police officers or any motive assembly workforce. The rate on the November 2011 ballot, not The police union boss’ occupant of the White House who other civilian, a solider isn’t usually discipline of the marketplace means November 2012 as previously reported. frank chatter demonstrates the can send them into harm’s way. free to quit the job and work that a private sector union must Voters approved that ballot measure The original version of this story was inherent threat to the health of And for good reason: If somewhere else the next day. weigh the consequences of custom- posted online on Feb. 20, 2012. It is representative government that the people with the biggest What of other public employees? ers taking their dollars and seeking available with hyperlinks and more info ensues when taxpayers grant government-issued guns ever Where soldiers are charged with alternative options. at www.MichCapCon.com/16485. Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 12

leaders back because their teachers have to slow up for other students. At the Less Than 0.001 Percent of Disconnected same time, we have teachers who from Page 10 can't give students the time they need to catch up. Tenured Teachers Fired Over education, a lot of it doesn't reach “That's where innovations like the classrooms. For instance, look the cyber-schools can potentially at all the money we're having to make all the difference. Kids aren't Past Five Years use to pay for MPSERS (teacher made from cookie cutters. They're retirement benefits). not all alike and their situations By jarrett skorup schools decide to use this new that cost and time are two of the “I would say that money is back home aren't all the same. Harbor Beach Community power to positively impact student main “facets” that needed to be important, but how you use it When you see these kids watching Schools paid one teacher tens achievement or whether they'll evaluated by the Legislature. But makes all the difference. I mean cyber-classes, you see how awake of thousands of dollars to leave, continue to operate like they have the public school official believes here in Michigan we have schools and aware they are. For some it despite the teacher getting caught in the past." the third and most important spending $12,000 per student may be better at 6 a.m., for others kissing some students and head- Van Beek also believes that problem has yet to be addressed. and there are private schools only it might be better in the evening. locking one after being confronted districts were dissuaded from “The bigger problem is the spending $5,500, but sending a We have to get away from the for his behavior. Dearborn Public attempting to remove teachers Tenure Commission which for higher percentage of their students cookie-cutter approach. I believe on to college. That's why we need Schools paid four teachers a total because of union-backed collective many years has been extremely technology is going to have a lot to to focus on innovations. That's of $197,353 to get rid of them after bargaining rules and lawyer and pro teacher,” wrote the official do with how we get away from it. what I'm hoping I can continue to charges of sexual misconduct and court costs. in an email. “I have read cases “I think we need to be bold. work toward at my new job." Will everything we try always work possession of illegal substances The 156 cases means less than where school districts have spent out? No. But we need to be up on school grounds. Gladwin 0.001 percent of tenured teachers both time and money and have CC. Can we reach a point where excellent documentation and a we tailor our education system to there swinging. We need to swing Community Schools has dished in Michigan were removed or teacher should have been fired, but the student, instead of tailoring for the seats, and if we strike out out about $40,000 thus far in a had school districts attempt to the Tenure Commission did not the students to the system? sometimes, we just need to go up legal case against a kindergarten remove them over the past five + remove the teacher.” there and keep trying.” teacher arraigned on charges of years. This number includes “I think there is a pathway to “The make-up and power of the that happening. If you sit in on our furnishing alcohol for minors. teachers who resigned or signed a The original version of this story was Tenure Commission is something cyber-schools you'd see it starting. These are a few of at least severance package after a district + posted online on Sept. 2, 2011. It is that has to be changed.” Right now our education system 156 tenure cases brought by made attempts to get rid of them. available with hyperlinks and more has brilliant students who are held info at www.MichCapCon.com/15657. Michigan public school districts According to the education Editor's note: Approximately 475 over the past five years. These documentary "Waiting for of Michigan’s 551 school districts, 156 cases cost school districts or 86 percent, replied to the FOIA Superman," every year nationwide request. Notable districts that did not and taxpayers at least $7.7 one out of every 57 doctors and reply include: Detroit Public Schools, million to cover the costs of one out of every 97 lawyers loses Southfield Public Schools, Highland Grosse Pointe State Rep: removing, or attempting to Park Schools, Mount Clemens his or her license for malpractice. Community Schools, Mona Shores remove, tenured teachers. Drawing from U.S. Department of Public Schools, Lapeer Community Public Schools Must Control Michigan Capitol Confidential Education statistics, the film notes Schools, Lakeview Community sent Freedom of Information Act Schools and Inkster Public Schools. that only one out of every 2,500 The original version of this story was 'Who Is Allowed to Attend' (FOIA) requests for the costs to unionized public school teachers posted online on Sept. 6, 2011. It is districts of their tenure cases over available with hyperlinks and more info By Joseph G. Lehman to choose a better school for their with tenure gets fired in any given at www.MichCapCon.com/15682. the past five years. These cases year. State Rep. Timothy Bledsoe, kids is a “death blow” to public covered June of 2006 through June One school administrator, a Democrat from Grosse Pointe, schools that can’t “control … who is allowed to attend….” of 2011. who requested anonymity, agrees said he's worried that a statewide, The Michigan Legislature has mandatory schools of choice I wonder if Rep. Bledsoe thinks recently passed a series of bills program would be the "death a child suffers a “death blow,” or that limits teacher tenure and blow" to local control of schools. perhaps something less severe, seniority rules. Michael Van Beek, Every time you hear “public when he or she is assigned to a failing school, and the people director of education policy at the Editor: Michael D. Jahr, Managing Editor: Manny Lopez, Designer: Daniel E. Montgomery schools have to accept all kids,” Mackinac Center for Public Policy, remember these words from Rep. who run the better public school Michigan Capitol Confidential is published quarterly by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, a nonprofit, nonpartisan, tax- down the street stand in the says the changes are good but exempt research and educational institute devoted to analyzing Michigan public policy issues. Michigan Capitol Confidential is Bledsoe: "If your school board schoolhouse door to keep that more needs to be done to protect distributed to Michigan residents who have expressed an interest in public policy matters, as well as members of the media and cannot control its boundaries + taxpayer money. lawmakers and policy staff in the Michigan House, Michigan Senate and Office of the Governor. All rights reserved. Permission and who is allowed to attend your child out. “These tenure reforms to excerpt or reprint is hereby granted provided that Michigan Capitol Confidential, the author and the Mackinac Center for Public schools, there just isn't much left Policy are properly cited. The original version of this story was empower school boards and that Lansing can't determine," posted online on Aug. 30, 2011. It is principals to better manage their 140 West Main Street, Midland, Michigan 48640 Bledsoe told The Associated available with hyperlinks and more info at www.MichCapCon.com/15643. teaching staff,” said Van Beek. 989-631-0900 • www.mackinac.org • MichiganVotes.org • MichCapCon.com Press. “But we'll have to wait and see if That’s right. Parents’ freedom Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 13

teacher right-to-work House Votes to Ban from Page 5 the concept behind the legislation, the Speaker has been very interested in pursuing right-to-work. We would certainly look at this [proposed Automatic Dues Deductions legislation] as a way to get that conversation started.” Considering the apparent predisposition of the House and the For School Unions governor, if the legislation runs into any snags, they would most likely pop By Ken Braun were to occur, the union itself They are taking money from up at the beginning of the process in the Michigan Senate. At this point, Every year, about 150,000 would have to collect the fees that people who have no choice (other however, efforts to block the legislation in the Senate would probably be public school employees have go into its pocket, much as if it than unemployment) but to pay. considered long shots. their union dues paid through were the cable company collecting How much harder is it to collect Senate Education Committee Chairman Phil Pavlov, R-St Clair, joined payroll deduction by their district. a monthly bill. from people who: 1) Don’t have to the chorus of those who said they were surprised when Sen. Richardville In Grand Rapids recently, made his statements on TV. In 2010, that amounted to $65.5 pay (under teacher Right To Work about 100 teachers stopped paying “We've talked about a lot of things, but I really didn't know about this million that went to the Michigan or lack of a union security clause) union dues to the Grand Rapids one,” Pavlov said. “I guess the Senate Leader has his own timing.” Education Association. Such a and 2) Don’t want to pay (an collection method is a stipulation Education Association once Sen. Pavlov said he couldn't evaluate the chances of the “Freedom to unknown number of teachers who that public school districts allow to automatic payroll deductions were Teach Act” passing in the Senate, because he actually knows very little simply don’t want to pay the union be included in union contracts, but removed temporarily after the about it. it is one the Michigan House of contract between the union and for whatever reason.)” “I'll be glad when we can get together Tuesday and talk about all of this,” Representatives wants to end. the district expired. A few were Lehman said it could translate Sen. Pavlov said. “I have been working very hard on our package of reform The state House recently passed sued by the MEA. into significant additional costs bills, which includes more parental choice, charter schools and things like 2011 House Bill 4929, which would Patrick Wright, director to the MEA and the possibility of dual enrollment. We also have a bill that would allow schools to contract out for instructors, just like they do now for things like maintenance and ban using public school resources of the Mackinac Center Legal the loss of millions of dollars from Foundation, said the issue could transportation. It's not quite 'right to work' for teachers, but some of the to deduct union dues. those teachers who just won’t pay. become a public relations problem effects would be similar.” The bill passed 55 to 53, with Amber McCann, spokeswoman all of the "no" votes coming for the MEA. “We announced our reform package last Wednesday,” Sen. Pavlov for State Senate Majority Speaker from Democrats, as well as “Do you sue your own added. “I've been so immersed in those reforms that I'll have to do some Randy Richardville, R-Monroe, eight Republicans: Reps. Ben members?” Wright asked. “Do catching up on this.” For years, it's been suspected that a significant percentage of teachers Glardon, R-Owosso, Kenneth you try to get your own members didn’t respond to messages or would opt out of their unions if given the opportunity to do so. The Horn, R-Frankenmuth, Earl fired?” emails asking if Richardville percentage of teachers who don't generally agree with the political Poleski, R-Jackson, Holly Hughes, Mackinac Center President would support stopping automatic positions of their unions has traditionally been tabbed at about 40 percent. R-Montague, Sharon Tyle, R-Niles, Joseph G. Lehman said that payroll deduction for public school + One argument in favor of the legislation is that teachers who don't agree Deb Shaughnessy, R-Charlotte, any business with $65 million unions. with union political stances shouldn't have to pay dues that will eventually Kenneth Kurtz, R-Coldwater, and in billings would have to hire a be used to support those stances. Paul Muxlow, R-Brown City. dedicated staff to do nothing but The original version of this storywas Unions, however, argue that if teachers don't have to be in unions, then If the bill becomes law, teachers collect payments. posted online on Sept. 18, 2011. It is available with hyperlinks and more they end up gaining the advantages of union collective bargaining without would still owe and be legally “How are they going to + info at www.MichCapCon.com/15738. required to pay the union dues collect if they have to collect it paying for them. unless other state laws were themselves? Teacher by teacher?” The original version of this story was posted online on Sept. 12, 2011. It is changed to make teacher union Lehman said in an email. “But the available with hyperlinks and more info at www.MichCapCon.com/15709. membership voluntary. If that MEA is not a regular business. Do you like what you’re Reading? Then tell us to keep it coming!

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claims its “Beyond Coal” Defined-Contribution Sierra Club’s War on Coal campaign has stopped 150 new coal-fired power plants over the Blamed for 53k Lost Jobs past few years. Retirement Reform in Michigan The Sierra Club stated since 2007, activists’ efforts By Tom Gantert and 1.12 million construction have cancelled or delayed jobs. Michigan’s job-loss figure Introduced in Michigan The state of Michigan has eight proposed coal plants in includes both permanent and lost 53,587 jobs — 8th highest in Michigan. By James M. Hohman construction jobs. between what the state has set the country — due to the Sierra Anne Woiwode, state director “From this analysis, only Sen. Rick Jones, R-Grand aside to pay in pensions and Club’s campaign to shut down coal of the Michigan chapter of the two conclusions are possible: Ledge, has introduced legislation what it expects its employees factories, according to a report Sierra Club, declined comment, and retirees to have earned. So Either the Sierra Club is saying she hadn’t seen the that would offer new Michigan released by the National Mining these costs are going to be paid exaggerating its effectiveness, report. She directed questions public school employees a Association. by taxpayers one way or another. or its effectiveness is genuine to Sean Sarah, spokesman for defined-contribution retirement The analysis claims the Sierra Changing over to a defined- but at the cost of hundreds of plan instead of the state’s current the national organization. Sarah contribution plan keeps the state Club’s “Beyond Coal” campaign, thousands of high-wage jobs for pension plan. This would begin didn’t reply to emails seeking from racking up much more. It in which the environmental Americans struggling to find + to contain the underfunding comment. also ensures that the catch up group files a lawsuit against work in the middle of an historic problems of government pension The original version of this story was costs — about half the employer every coal plant in America employment crisis,” said NMA problems and save taxpayers posted online on Sept. 8, 2011. It is contributions — will eventually seeking a permit, has cost the President and CEO Hal Quinn. billions over time while ensuring available with hyperlinks and more go away. country 116,872 permanent jobs The Sierra Club’s website info at www.MichCapCon.com/15690. that the state meets its promises to retirees. Plus, it would help bring The benefits provided government employees’ benefits in by the public school balance with the private-sector. retirement system are Train Station with 78 Daily Riders Gets The benefits provided by expensive, costing the public school retirement system are expensive, costing each district 23 to $1 Million in Stimulus Renovations each district 23 to 24 percent 24 percent of an By Tom Gantert living in Michigan is paid about trains a day. of an employee’s salary. It also employee’s salary. The Jackson Amtrak station $69,600 a year in salary. Marc Magliari, a spokesman How else might the federal requires most workers to pay up will get $1 million in renovations for Amtrak, said more than to 6.4 percent of their paychecks government have spent the $1 Closing the pension system is thanks to the American Relief and 500 stations in the country into the system. In contrast, million in station renovation needed to make the it affordable, Recovery Act (the federal stimulus are unmanned. That includes the private-sector plans offered costs to help 78 people move predictable and current, as program), according to the Jackson several in Michigan, he said. by major Michigan private- around the region each day? Richard C. Dreyfuss, an adjunct Citizen Patriot. But Wendell Cox, For example, Royal Oak has a sector companies cost 5 percent According to listings on Cars. scholar with the Mackinac a transit consultant in St. Louis, platform and a shelter and is to 7 percent of payroll and com, the federal government Center, remarked. In the end, Mo., questions why an Amtrak unmanned. Royal Oak services have no mandatory employee could have used the $1 million that will benefit workers who station with 78 customers a day 34,306 passengers per year. contributions. The proposed to purchase 78 Ford Focus will be paid what they are would warrant such an expense. At unmanned kiosks, legislation would include a automobiles with less than promised and for taxpayers Cox pointed to the passengers buy their tickets maximum cost to taxpayers 50,000 miles on them, and paid who would no longer be on the Chatsworth station located in online or from a vending of 7 percent for pension $13,000 per car at most — often hook for expensive pension machine or pay the conductors, benefits, right at those rates, + southern California about 40 far less. underfunding. Magliari said. and paticipants should also miles from the Los Angeles area “Granted the Jackson station “We look at staffing issues applaud the lack of mandatory The original version of this story was as the type of facility Jackson is an attractive historic building contributions. posted online on Sep. 13, 2011. It is requires. Chatsworth gets and there should be a market all the time,” Magliari said. available with hyperlinks and more twice as many trains and about “Overwhelmingly, the number The state already closed its info at www.MichCapCon.com/15718. to privately redevelop it into state employee pension plan to 20,000 more passengers per something that can be used for a of places we ticket you are new members in 1997. Earlier year than Jackson, but has just productive purpose,” Cox wrote unstaffed.” this year, we estimated that it a platform with a shelter and in an email. “The one thing it Magliari said Amtrak is saved taxpayers $167 million a ticket vending machine. It is is not needed for is trains. Ever testing markets for e-ticketing in annual pension costs and an unmanned. There is a building wonder why we are on the road and for onboard scanning of additional $2.3 billion to $4.3 that has a museum and is also to Greece?” tickets in efforts to reduce + billion in unfunded liabilities. shared by a bus company. Jackson gets 28,506 expenses. Currently, the public school By contrast, the Jackson passengers per year and six The original version of this story was retirement system is behind on station is staffed by 1.5 full time trains a day, according to posted online on Sept. 8, 2011. It is its pension obligations by $17.63 positions, according to Amtrak. Amtrak. Chatsworth gets 49,178 available with hyperlinks and more billion. This is the difference The average Amtrak employee passengers per year and 12 info at www.MichCapCon.com/15690. Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 15 Inaccurate Claims Bureaucrats vs. Parents — Who Should Choose Where Children Are Educated? Buoy Attacks on A glimpse into the public school establishment's mindset By MICHAEL VAN BEEK mentality active within the public school system — Charter Public Schools Normally spokespeople for the public school and rightfully so. 'There is no such thing as a "for-profit" establishment are extremely careful and very good If state policy were based on it, all forms of about sticking to their talking points. educational choice would be outlawed, including charter school in Michigan' But recently at a House Education Committee homeschooling, private schools, public charters and hearing about expanding parental choice, open-enrollment amongst public schools. Even the By TOM GANTERT public school districts (53.6 Debbie Squires of the Michigan Elementary and most basic form of choice — choosing a school by choosing a home — would be forbidden. We’d have Comstock Public Schools percent) contract out for custodial, Middle School Principals Association let this slip: a system instead that one might expect to find in privatized janitorial services with food or transportation services. "Educators go through education for a reason. Brave New World: Bureaucrats and politically chosen a for-profit company in 2009. Yet Contrary to some media They are the people who know best about how to “experts” would manage every education-related Todd Mora, the superintendent of reports, charter schools are serve children. That is not necessarily true about an decision pertaining to every child. the district, opposed charter public “nonprofits,” just like conventional individual resident. Not saying that they don't want Of course, anyone familiar with economics, schools in a letter to a newspaper public school districts, according the best for their children, but they may not know especially Hayek’s “The Use of Knowledge in Society,” that criticized some charter to one state education official. what actually is best from an education standpoint." would recognize the fatal flaw in this type of system. schools as being “for profit.” “There is no such thing as The idea that four years of pedagogical training No one person, group of experts, or system can obtain Charter public schools in a ‘for-profit’ charter school in is all it takes to identify the best interests of all the knowledge necessary for making the best Michigan are increasingly under Michigan,” said Martin Ackley, all students is absurd. No group of politicians, decision for each unique child. attack for hiring “for-profit” spokesman for the Michigan government bureaucrats, school board members, This is one of the many reasons why competitive management companies to run Department of Education, in an union representatives, superintendents, principals, education marketplaces are far superior to those that their schools. email. “Public School Academies classroom teachers or other “experts” could obtain are tightly managed by the state — parents are best State Sen. Rebekah Warren, are public schools by state law, such knowledge. suited (although still imperfect) to make educational D-Ann Arbor, sponsored a bill and state law requires all public (Of this group, classroom teachers have the best schools to be nonprofits. There are, decisions for the immensely diverse interests, desires that would amend the state chance of making good decisions on behalf of kids, + and needs of children. Constitution to prohibit public however, for-profit companies that but they’re also the least likely to impact what gets are contracted to operate charters schools from being operated on a taught, how it gets taught and who teaches it. Those The original version of this story was posted online for-profit basis or by a for-profit under the oversight and direction questions are largely determined by bureaucrats, on Feb. 10, 2012. It is available with hyperlinks and entity. of nonprofit Public School politicians and empowered special interest groups.) more info at www.MichCapCon.com/16453 But some question why Academy boards.” Many parents are offended by this type of conventional public schools can Eighty percent of the state’s 259 use “for-profit” companies for charter schools contract out for things such as hiring substitute instructional or noninstructional teachers, janitorial and other services, according to Gary How Corporate Welfare Hurts People services yet attack charter schools Naeyaert, spokesman for The By MICHAEL D. LAFAIVE potential Saginaw jobs” at a time “State of Michigan has offered Center for Charter Schools at for doing the same thing. The recent news that Michigan when state unemployment was GlobalWatt significant financial “School furniture and textbooks Central Michigan University. 14.6 percent. incentives to locate its first “Ask a traditional school district, corporate welfare “winner” are purchased from for-profit GlobalWatt was evicted from The approval of these plant and is fully supporting the companies. Schools are built by ‘Why is okay to contract bus, incentives by state economic company in its fundraising efforts.” janitorial and food services but it’s its Saginaw headquarters for for-profit companies. Classroom nonpayment of rent is a reminder development “experts” misled GlobalWatt also sent (at supplies come from for-profit not okay to contract instructional taxpayers, investors, job seekers least) one Michigan investor services?' The real answer is the that even when no taxpayer cash companies. School attorneys and changes hands, government and local leaders by lending printed news stories about auditing firms are for-profit,” union won’t like it,” Naeyaert said. credibility to a business plan that its state incentive deal that Also, the charter schools “incentive” programs can hurt real said Joe Lehman, president of people in a number of ways. was apparently deeply flawed on included screenshot photos of the Mackinac Center for Public that hire for-profit management many levels. GlobalWatt itself the company’s CEO with Gov. companies aren’t mandated to have GlobalWatt is a solar energy Policy, in an email. “Is she saying company that won a state and was well aware of this effect, and Granholm from televised news the schools should just not buy teachers join a teacher’s union. exploited it. stories. Naeyaert said Central Michigan local government tax break/ any of these things either? Or is subsidy deal that could have For example, a company That investor, Ed Rahe of EAC she saying that government needs University authorizes 56 charter PowerPoint presentation to Investment, led a larger group schools and he’s aware of only one been worth as much as $42 to have its own book factories, + investors included two references of investors that initially placed that has unionized teachers. million had the company met furniture factories, construction performance milestones. The deal to state backing. A slide titled $100,000 in the firm. “Why Solar, Why Today, Why But Rahe explained to this crews, etc.?” The original version of this story was was trumpeted by announcements The Mackinac Center's 2011 posted online on Dec. 5, 2011. It is from the company and Michigan GlobalWatt?” lists “state and local author how the government school privatization survey found available with hyperlinks and more incentives” as one of its four major incentives were part of his info at www.MichCapCon.com/16108 corporate welfare officials of “500 that more than half of Michigan's themes. Another slide reads, See “Corporate Welfare,” Page 16 Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 16

GOP Senator was able to be done by DCH." from Page 7 In the meantime, Sen. Kahn told Pipeline Protest Belies National the Mackinac Center the original decrease would be approximately push to defund the MQCCC was a Security 'Concerns' $643,000 general fund.” mistake. “The MQCCC got lumped By RUSS HARDING the second-largest known oil periodic table. Two days later, an email from in with problems that occurred reserves, behind only Saudi Arabia. Some call into question Lyon to workers in the MDCH in DHS (Department of Human Thousands of demonstrators Medical Services Administration The United States has only two the environmental safety of Services) and the UAW (United marched around the White House confirmed that “Sen Kahn has cut choices: continue to import more transporting oil through a trans- Auto Workers).” He was referencing this past weekend in opposition to a deal with SBO to reduce worker oil from the politically troubled Canadian pipeline. I would the day care union scheme brought the proposed Keystone XL pipeline rates 5 cents an hour to fund the Middle East, or encourage the respond that it is no less risky than, to light by a Mackinac Center Legal project, which would bring oil MQCCC, but has to get sign-off development of oil reserves in say, traversing the ocean in a ship. Foundation lawsuit, and ended by from tar sands in Alberta, Canada, from the House, which won’t be North America. Environmentalists’ In other words, like every venture, DHS in March. to Texan refineries. This is ironic. easy, so their exact status for FY 12 call for replacing oil with this pipeline involves risk — but MCLF Director Patrick Wright Environmental groups frequently is not yet certain. SBO told me this alternative energy is a siren song the risk here is commonplace and said the home health care union enlist conservative support for yesterday (Tuesday). The reduction that will lead the U.S. economy manageable. and the day care union are the same alternative energy by claiming proposal should not be shared to crash on the rocks of higher If the United States does not exact underhanded scheme. “A fake that imported oil from the Middle publicly yet.” energy prices and the resulting utilize oil derived from Canadian employer is created in order to allow East is a national security concern, By Sept. 13, however, Sen. Kahn loss of U.S. jobs. Vehicles are not tar sands, China will; it has already a government employee union to but the demonstrators’ attempt was apparently unable to make going to be powered by wind sails expressed interest in the Canadian come in and unionize people who to convince President Obama it work. Lyon followed up with or solar panels for the foreseeable oil. The U.S. government should are really private-sector workers.” to deny the necessary permits another message to the same group future. Electric vehicles, with permit the construction of the Wright said defunding the for this pipeline punctures any saying, “Sen. Kahn has not been able their modest range, do not meet Keystone XL pipeline; our national MQCCC was the right approach. illusions that the environmental + to work out a deal with the House, the transportation needs of most security depends upon it. “The Legislature acted properly movement’s infatuation with so we have to move forward as Americans. An engineer at General in defunding MQCCC because alternative energy is motivated by a The original version of this story was directed in the FY 12 appropriation Motors once told me that the any role it has aside from serving concern about national security. posted online on Nov. 7, 2011. It is bill, which means terminating our future of electric vehicles is limited available with hyperlinks and more info as a union cash cow could be It is estimated by geologists that contract to MQCCC.” unless we can reinvent the at www.MichCapCon.com/15979 done within DCH.” But Wright Canadian oil sands may contain Sen. Kahn said the idea to take added the MQCCC should have five cents an hour from home care been disbanded months earlier, providers to keep the MQCCC College’s “Solar Manufacturing This is not an isolated incident, at the same time the fake day care Corporate funded may have stemmed from the FAST Start Program” trained eight either. Several solar power employer was put to pasture by SEIU. “There were multiple meetings Welfare students for GlobalWatt using a companies that were approved for the DHS. “The failure to disband held (about the MQCCC),” he told from Page 15 Michigan Works grant. state taxpayer subsidies have either MQCCC in March has already led The training lasted eight hours not lived up to expectations or the Mackinac Center, “The (five cents rationale for this investment: to the siphoning of $3 million from a day, four days a week for months, are no longer operating, including idea) could have ‘bubbled up’ from “(W)hen I saw Granholm’s picture the Home Health program. There but only two were ultimately hired Evergreen Solar, Suniva, Energy (the SEIU’s) lobbying group.” … my thinking was, golly, $42 is legislation that passed the House, by the company — and even then Conversion Devices and United But Sen. Kahn claims his interest million dollars we were getting HB 4003, which would end this through a temp agency. They did Solar Ovonics. According to the in keeping the MQCCC funded from the state — we should, we union scheme and prevent it from not actually become GlobalWatt Bureau of Labor Statistics, about had nothing to do with pressure should be taking advantage of that occurring in future administrations.” employees. The good news, 1,200 solar-energy related jobs were from the union. “I wanted, and as investors. You know, it’s going to Wright also said this entire according to Delta College, is that created in Michigan in 2010 — still do want to see the interlocal save us $42 million dollars over five ordeal clearly demonstrates the some found work elsewhere in compared to a statewide workforce agreement maintained and the years …” [Emphasis added]. lengths to which public-employee the area. of about 3.8 million. MQCCC funded,” he stated. He said In other words, state unions will go in the interest of One local investor, Dr. Debasish Michigan taxpayers can the MQCCC provides education to inducements for GlobalWatt self-preservation. “The amazing Mridha, used a GlobalWatt be grateful that the Snyder people caring for seniors and others persuaded private investors to resilience of MQC3 indicates that investment to promote his run administration has greatly scaled who are in need of home care, and risk their dollars on a corporate legislation is going to be required for the state Senate. A campaign back Michigan’s entire corporate improves the quality of care. welfare project that ultimately to ultimately end the government press release read, “Local Doctor welfare industrial complex. But Ari Adler, spokesperson for collapsed; and one in which the employee unions’ practice of Invests $100,000 in Green Energy until it is eliminated altogether, Rep. Bolger, said MQCCC could be Mackinac Center had been an early diverting money from the state’s Economy, Creates Jobs.” the special favors and handouts defunded without sacrificing any skeptic. This was not the only time most needy citizens to fill their own To this would-be lawmaker’s are likely to create more victims, of its services. “We moved ahead + GlobalWatt would use the state’s coffers.” credit, he invested only his own taxpayers among them, who may with the reforms already in place,” imprimatur to gull the public. money in the firm, not dollars taken never even know they’ve been Adler said. He added that most of It wasn’t just financial investors [1] Fiscal year. from his neighbors. Unfortunately, taken for a ride. the duties provided by the MQCCC [2] General fund/general who were hurt. Jobseekers attracted legislators who vote for corporate were picked up by the Department purpose monies in the state budget. by the firm’s over-inflated prospects The original version of this story was welfare handouts, and bureaucrats The original version of this story was of Community Health. “It's not like posted online on Oct. 31, 2011. It is may have taken unnecessary posted online on Feb. 6, 2012. It is who hand them out, do just available with hyperlinks and more info we were eliminating something that available with hyperlinks and more info training at taxpayer expense. Delta the opposite. at www.MichCapCon.com/16443 couldn't be replaced. The bulk of it at www.MichCapCon.com/15943. Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 17

that this was a union scheme and being one possible way of ending 'Forced Unionization' Brings In $28 Million that what was actually happening the continued “home healthcare was being purposely covered up. For SEIU ... And Climbing “Those supporting this forced worker” dues extractions. unionization claim there are It passed easily in the House, The overwhelming majority of the money can be things of value in the MQC3, but, had been stalled in the such as training and lists etc,” used for almost anything the union desires Owens continued. “Well, you Senate. It is now before the don't need to coerce people into full Senate. By Jack Spencer has no business being involved a union to have those things. When asked to comment for • Who is or isn't a so-called The “take” so far from with something like this or They (unions) keep talking helping it to take place. It's even “home health care worker?” this article, there was no response Michigan's forced unionization about the misclassification of more improper if legislators allow • Were the people involved of supposed home health independent contractors. Nobody from SEIU Healthcare Michigan this to continue. Those who do actually self-employed? care workers for the Service in the state has done the level of or the pro-government union so should be replaced in the very • Were any of them even Employees International Union is misclassification we've seen here + next election.” eligible to be considered group “Rights at Work.” $28 million. That tally is going up with the MQC3. They (the SEIU) “Twenty-eight million in as public employees? on a monthly basis. have absolutely no credibility on ill-gotten dollars is enough,” The election that unionized The original version of this story was The overwhelming majority this issue.” said Patrick Wright, director 43,000 so-called home health posted online on Dec. 7, 2011. It is of these dollars can be used for House Bill 4003, the first of the Mackinac Center Legal care workers statewide was also almost anything the SEIU desires, House bill introduced in the available with hyperlinks and more Foundation. “This needs to stop.” carried out covertly. Perhaps including advertising, issue current legislative session, was info at www.MichCapCon.com/16124. Charlie Owens, state director not surprisingly, only about 20 advocacy, lobbying, get out the initially aimed at stopping any of the National Federation of percent of those eligible to vote vote efforts and other political future 'forced unionizations” Independent Business, said the returned ballots. purposes. from taking place. However, it cost keeps increasing but the plot This method of forced According to the Michigan has now taken on the aspect of remains the same. unionization was also used during Department of Community “What we've seen here is $28 the Granholm administration Health, the amount of "dues" million that's been taken from the against home-based day care taken out of subsidy checks that pockets of patients, parents and, providers, a practice that the go to "home health care workers'” frankly, from workers,” Owens Snyder administration has since checks and passed on to the SEIU said. “At this point it's become ended. so far is as follows: Do you like clear that this was the result of The forced unionization. a concocted scheme to get dues however, continues in spite of 2007: $5,040,263 money for the union.” the efforts of a majority in the 2008: $4,922,359 The “forced unionization” Legislature to stop it through the what you’re 2009: $6,058,075 began when Jennifer Granholm defunding of the MQC3. 2010: $5,677,792 was governor. It involved the Tina DuPont of the West 2011: $6,391,314 creation of the Michigan Quality Michigan Tea Party said she reading? Community Care Council, which wishes the destination of the dues Add it up and you get was used as a sham employer for could be traced completely. Then tell us to keep it coming! $28,089,803. the so-called home health care “I'd say that $28 million is a “This is pretty much an workers. The term “home health huge amount of money,” Dupont example of government at its care workers” is in many cases said. “There's just no need for worst,” Wendy Day of Common misplaced. Many of those who something like this to go on. I just Sense in Government told Capitol were shanghaied into the union wonder how much of that money If you haven’t already contacted us and would like to Confidential. “What we're seeing roughly six years ago are actually ends up back in the pockets of here is the taxpayers being placed parents or other relatives who lawmakers and other politicians.” keep receiving Michigan Capitol Confidential, we need in the hands of special interests. take care of developmentally Owens said that arguments you to e-mail us at [email protected] or “The one thing we can be disabled adults. that the term “forced thankful for is that it hasn't been The main goal of the forced unionization” is somehow an call 989-631-0900 to let us know that we should keep made permanent,” Day continued. unionization appears to have exaggeration just don't ring true. sending it. That’s it! “Hopefully they'll put a stop to been setting up a mechanism to “When I testified before the this and do so soon.” funnel taxpayer dollars into union Senate committee I used words Randy Bishop of the Northern coffers. It took place in a covert that Ken Cole (SEIU lobbyist) Michigan Patriots described the manner, with the news media left seemed to think were over the forced unionization situation as out in the cold. top,” Owens said. “But then Pat “unbelievable.” Issues, such as the following, Wright got up and talked about “This is bureaucracy at its were never vetted in a public the emails you (Mackinac Center worst,” Bishop said. “Government forum: for Public Policy) have that prove Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 18

09 19 29 34 Information appears as follows: Bieda, Steven M.: D nofs, mike: r Hildenbrand, Dave: R Hansen, Goeff: R 310 Farnum Building S-132 Capitol Building 920 Farnum Building 420 Farnum Building Why we give Party State Senate District 517-373-8360 517-373-2426 517-373-1801 517-373-1635 Last Name, First Name: Party [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Affiliations: Location The Legislature is managed Phone 10 30 35 Rocca, Tory: R 20 Meekhof, Arlan B.: R Booher, Darwin L.: R E-mail 205 Farnum Building Schuitmaker, Tonya: R S-8 Capitol Building 520 Farnum Building as a partisan institution. — 517-373-7315 405 Farnum Building 517-373-6920 517-373-1725 Lawmakers segregate New members highlighted in [email protected] 517-373-0793 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] themselves by party in matters yellow 11 31 36 Brandenburg, Jack: R 21 Green, Mike: R Moolenaar, John: R from daily meetings to seating. 605 Farnum Building Proos, John: R 805 Farnum Building 715 Farnum Building 517-373-7670 820 Farnum Building 517-373-1777 517-373-7946 They have separate and 01 [email protected] 517-373-6960 [email protected] [email protected] Young II, Coleman: D [email protected] taxpayer-financed policy staffs 410 Farnum Building 12 32 37 517-373-7346 Marleau, Jim: R 22 Kahn, Roger MD: R Walker, Howard: R to provide them with research [email protected] 1010 Farnum Building Hune, Joe: R S-324 Capitol Building 910 Farnum Building 517-373-2417 505 Farnum Building 517-373-1760 517-373-2413 and advice from differing 02 [email protected] 517-373-2420 [email protected] [email protected] perspectives. As such, gaining Johnson, Bert: D [email protected] 220 Farnum Building 13 33 38 a full understanding of the vote 517-373-7748 Pappageorge, John: R 23 Emmons, Judy K.: R Casperson, Tom: R [email protected] S-2 Capitol Building Whitmer, Gretchen: D 1005 Farnum Building 705 Farnum Building of an individual lawmaker 517-373-2523 S-105 Capitol Building 517-373-3760 517-373-7840 03 [email protected] 517-373-1734 [email protected] [email protected] requires knowing his or her Hood III, Morris W.: D [email protected] 710 Farnum Building 14 partisan affiliation. 517-373-0990 Gregory, Vincent: D 24 [email protected] 1015 Farnum Building Jones, Rick: R 517-373-7888 915 Farnum Building 04 [email protected] 517-373-3447 Smith, Virgil: D [email protected] 510 Farnum Building 15 517-373-7918 Kowall, Mike: R 25 [email protected] 305 Farnum Building Pavlov, Phil: R 517-373-1758 905 Farnum Building 05 [email protected] 517-373-7708 Hunter, Tupac A.: D [email protected] S-9 Capitol Building 16 517-373-0994 CASWELL, BRUCE: R 26 [email protected] 720 Farnum Building Robertson, David B.: R 517-373-5932 320 Farnum Building 06 [email protected] 517-373-1636 Anderson, Glenn S.: D [email protected] 610 Farnum Building 17 Who are 517-373-1707 Richardville, Randy: R 27 [email protected] S-106 Capitol Building Gleason, John: D 517-373-3543 315 Farnum Building 07 [email protected] 517-373-0142 Colbeck, Patrick: R [email protected] 1020 Farnum Building your 18 517-373-7350 Warren, Rebekah: D 28 [email protected] 415 Farnum Building Jansen, Mark C.: R 517-373-2406 S-310 Capitol Building 08 [email protected] 517-373-0797 Hopgood, Hoon-Yung: D [email protected] lawmakers? 515 Farnum Building 517-373-7800 [email protected]

Members of the Michigan House and Senate are the second highest- paid state legislators in the United States, behind California. Base member annual pay: $79,650 Additional annual expense allowance: $12,000 Supplements are paid to the following 12 legislative officers: Speaker of the House: $27,000 Majority leader in the Senate: $26,000 Minority leaders in both House and Senate: $22,000 To find out which lawmakers represent you and to Majority floor leaders in both House and Senate: $12,000 Minority floor leaders in both House and Senate: $10,000 view interactive legislative district maps, please point Chair of Appropriations Committee in both House and Senate: $7,000 House speaker pro tempore and Senate president pro tempore: $5,513 your web browser to www.mackinac.org/9313. In more than 30 states, the position of state legislator is a part-time job with a salary of $30,000 or less. Texas — the second most populous state and second largest geographically — pays lawmakers $7,200 per year. If you do not have Internet access, then you may obtain copies of legislative Some pay much less: New Hampshire legislators are paid a salary of $200 for a two-year term of office; district maps by calling 989-631-0900 or by sending a written request to us at: Alabama pays $10 per day; and New Mexico offers no salary at all — just expenses. + Mackinac Center for Public Policy, c/o MiCapCon District Maps 140 West Main Street, Midland, MI 48640 Did you know? Michigan Capitol Confidential WINTer 2011-12 | 19

018 038 058 078 095 Information appears as follows: LeBlanc, Richard: D Crawford, Hugh: R Kurtz, Kenneth: R Tyler, Sharon: R Oakes, Stacy Erwin: D N 0697 HOB / 517-373-2576 S 0887 HOB / 517-373-0827 N 0992 HOB / 517-373-1794 N 1097 HOB / 517-373-1796 N 1199 HOB / 517-373-0152 State House District [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Last Name, First Name: Party Location / Phone 019 039 059 079 096 E-mail Walsh, John: R Brown, Lisa: D Lori, Matt: R Pscholka, Al: R Brunner, Charles M.: D 251 CB / 517-373-3920 S 0888 HOB / 517-373-1799 N 0993 HOB / 517-373-0832 N 1098 HOB / 517-373-1403 S 1285 HOB / 517-373-0158 — [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] HOB = House Office Building CB = Capitol Building 020 040 060 080 097 Heise, Kurt: R Moss, Chuck: R McCann, Sean: D Nesbitt, Aric: R Johnson, Joel: R N 0699 HOB / 517-373-3816 351 CB / 517-373-8670 N 0994 HOB / 517-373-1785 N 1099 HOB / 517-373-0839 S 1286 HOB / 517-373-8962 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

001 021 041 061 081 098 Bledsoe, Timothy: D Slavens, Dian: D Knollenberg, Marty: R O’Brien, Margaret E.: R Gilbert, Jud: R Stamas, Jim: R S 0585 HOB / 517-373-0154 S 0785 HOB / 517-373-2575 N 0890 HOB / 517-373-1783 N 0995 HOB / 517-373-1774 S 1185 HOB / 517-373-1790 153 CB / 517-373-1791 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 002 022 042 062 082 099 Howze, Lisa L.: D Geiss, Douglas: D Haugh, Harold: D Segal, Kate: D Daley, Kevin: R Cotter, Kevin: R S 0586 HOB / 517-373-0106 S 0786 HOB / 517-373-0852 N 0891 HOB / 517-373-0854 141 CB / 517-373-0555 S 1186 HOB / 517-373-1800 S 1288 HOB / 517-373-1789 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 003 023 043 063 083 100 Talabi, Alberta Tinsley: D Somerville, Pat: R Haines, Gail: R Bolger, James: R Muxlow, Paul: R Bumstead, Jon: R S 0587 HOB / 517-373-1776 S 0787 HOB / 517-373-0855 N 0892 HOB / 517-373-0615 164 CB / 517-373-1787 S 1187 HOB / 517-373-0835 S 1289 HOB / 517-373-7317 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 004 024 044 064 084 101 Stapleton, Maureen L.: D Forlini, Anthony G.: R Kowall, Eileen: R Poleski, Earl: R Damrow, Kurt: R Franz, Ray A.: R S 0588 HOB / 517-373-1008 S 0788 HOB / 517-373-0113 N 0893 HOB / 517-373-2616 N 0998 HOB / 517-373-1795 S 1188 HOB / 517-373-0476 S 1385 HOB / 517-373-0825 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 005 025 045 065 085 102 Olumba, John: D Switalski, Jon: D McMillin, Tom: R Shirkey, Mike: R Glardon, Ben: R Potvin, Phil: R S 0589 HOB / 517-373-0144 S 0789 HOB / 517-373-1772 N 0894 HOB / 517-373-1773 N 0999 HOB / 517-373-1775 S 1189 HOB / 517-373-0841 S 1386 HOB / 517-373-1747 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 006 026 046 066 086 103 Durhal Jr., Fred: D Townsend, Jim: D Jacobsen, Bradford C.: R Rogers, Bill: R Lyons, Lisa Posthumus: R Rendon, Bruce R.: R S 0685 HOB / 517-373-0844 N 0790 HOB / 517-373-3818 N 0895 HOB / 517-373-1798 S 1085 HOB / 517-373-1784 N 1190 HOB / 517-373-0846 S 1387 HOB / 517-373-3817 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 007 027 047 067 087 104 Womack, Jimmy: D Lipton, Ellen: D Denby, Cindy: R Byrum, Barb: D Callton, D.C., Mike: R Schmidt, Wayne: R S 0686 HOB / 517-373-0589 N 0791 HOB / 517-373-0478 N 0896 HOB / 517-373-8835 S 1086 HOB / 517-373-0587 N 1191 HOB / 517-373-0842 S 1388 HOB / 517-373-1766 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 008 028 048 068 088 105 Stallworth III, Thomas: D Liss, Lesia: D Hammel, Richard: D Bauer, Joan: D Genetski, Bob: R MacMaster, Greg: R S 0687 HOB / 517-373-2276 N 0792 HOB / 517-373-2275 167 CB / 517-373-7557 S 1087 HOB / 517-373-0826 N 1192, HOB / 517-373-0836 S 1389 HOB / 517-373-0829 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 009 029 049 069 089 106 Jackson, Shanelle: D Melton, Tim: D Ananich, Jim: D Meadows, Mark: D Price, Amanda: R Pettalia, Peter: R S 0688 HOB / 517-373-1705 N 0793 HOB / 517-373-0475 N 0898 HOB / 517-373-7515 S 1088 HOB / 517-373-1786 N 1193 HOB / 517-373-0838 S 1485 HOB / 517-373-0833 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 010 030 050 070 090 107 Santana, Harvey: D Farrington, Jeff: R Smiley, Charles: D Outman, Rick: R Haveman, Joseph: R Foster, Frank D.: R S 0689 HOB / 517-373-6990 N 0794 HOB / 517-373-7768 N 0899 HOB / 517-373-3906 S 1089 HOB / 517-373-0834 N 1194 HOB / 517-373-0830 S 1486 HOB / 517-373-2629 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 011 031 051 071 091 108 Nathan, David: D Lane, Marilyn: D Scott, Paul: R Shaughnessy, Deb: R Hughes, Holly: R McBroom, Edward: R N 0690 HOB / 517-373-3815 N 0795 HOB / 517-373-0159 S 0985 HOB / 517-373-1780 N 1090 HOB / 517-373-0853 N 1195 HOB / 517-373-3436 S 1487 HOB / 517-373-0156 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 012 032 052 072 092 109 Tlaib, Rashida: D LaFontaine, Andrea: R Ouimet, Mark: R Yonker, Ken: R Hovey-Wright, Marcia: D Lindberg, Steven: D N 0691 HOB / 517-373-0823 N 0796 HOB / 517-373-8931 S 0986 HOB / 517-373-0828 N 1091 HOB / 517-373-0840 N 1196 HOB / 517-373-2646 S 1488 HOB / 517-373-0498 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 013 033 053 073 093 110 Kandrevas, Andrew: D Goike, Ken: R Irwin, Jeff: D MacGregor, Peter: R Opsommer, Paul: R Huuki, Matt: R N 0692 HOB / 517-373-0845 N 0797 HOB / 517-373-0820 S 0987 HOB / 517-373-2577 N 1092 HOB / 517-373-0218 N 1197 HOB / 517-373-1778 S 1489 HOB / 517-373-0850 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 014 034 054 074 094 Clemente, Paul: D Stanley, Woodrow: D Rutledge, David: D Agema, David: R Horn, Kenneth: R N 0693 HOB / 517-373-0140 N 0798 HOB / 517-373-8808 S 0988 HOB / 517-373-1771 N 1093 HOB / 517-373-8900 N 1198 HOB / 517-373-0837 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 015 035 055 075 Darany, George T.: D Hobbs, Rudy: D Olson, Rick: R Dillon, Brandon: D N 0694 HOB / 517-373-0847 N 0799 HOB / 517-373-1788 S 0989 HOB / 517-373-1792 N 1094 HOB / 517-373-2668 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Who Is Your Lawmaker? 016 036 056 076 Constan, Bob: D Lund, Pete: R Zorn, Dale W.: R Schmidt, Roy: D www.mackinac.org/9313 N 0695 HOB / 517-373-0849 374 CB / 517-373-0843 N 0990 HOB / 517-373-2617 N 1095 HOB / 517-373-0822 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 017 037 057 077 Cavanagh, Philip M.: D Barnett, Vicki: D Jenkins, Nancy E.: R Hooker, Thomas B.: R N 696 HOB / 517-373-0857 S 0886 HOB / 517-373-1793 N 0991 HOB / 517-373-1706 N 1096 HOB / 517-373-2277 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Michigan Capitol Confidential Winter 2011-12 | 20

A sampling of proposed state laws, as described on MichiganVotes.org

Senate Bill 779 illegal without a license, and a new barber can’t senate Bill 967 Impose criminal penalties for get a license unless he or she has completed a Authorize dedicated "rolling transit" lanes making toy gun look real 2,000-hour course of study at a licensed barber Introduced by Sen. Virgil Smith, Jr. Introduced by Sen. Hoon-Yung college, and met other requirements imposed D-Detroit Hopgood D-Taylor by a board comprised of existing barbers who To allow the state and local road agencies To prohibit changing, altering, removing, have received political appointments to to restrict certain dedicated lanes to or obliterating any coloration or markings this board. “rolling rapid transit vehicles.” See also on an imitation or toy gun that are required House Bill 5309 and Senate Bill 909. by any applicable state or federal laws, in house Bill 5417 House Bill 5030 a way that makes it look more like a real Allow Detroit City Lottery Ban state workplace regulations firearm, subject to up to18 months in Introduced by Rep. Jimmy Womack more stringent than federal prison and a $10,000 fine. D-Detroit Introduced by state Rep. Joseph To allow Detroit to create its own lottery, Haveman, R-Holland House Bill 4919 subject to a vote of its people. To prohibit the Michigan Occupational Impose plastic shopping bag tax Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) Introduced by state Rep. Douglas Geiss House Bill 5086 promulgating rules more stringent than D-Taylor required by federal standards, unless Ban government sending payroll + To impose a tax of one-cent per bag on PAC money to union specifically authorized by state statute. plastic grocery and shopping bags, with Introduced by state Rep. Paul Opsommer, some exceptions. Retailers would be subject R-DeWitt to related record keeping and reporting To prohibit the state, school districts and local mandates. governments from deducting money from an employee's paycheck and contributing it to a Senate Bill 857 union Political Action Committee (PAC). The Ban barber pole display by bill would grant residents the right to sue for unlicensed hair cutters violations. Introduced by Sen. John Gleason D-Flushing To revise the law that prohibits a person from earning a living as a barber unless he or she gets a state license, so that it would prohibit a person who does not have the license from displaying a barber pole. Under current law, barbering is