Weekly Legislative Reports

September 2, 2010 (pdf)

QUESTIONS STILL REMAIN  ON NOVEMBER BALLOTS

As the November election draws closer and the process of candidate approval of the ballots is just days away, there are still some issues to be resolved for who will be on that ballot. Both the Democrats and the Republicans held their state conventions last weekend and they selected their candidates for all state-wide offices. Local party officials selected a replacement for Brian Calley, a Republican candidate for the state Senate, who instead is the Republican candidate for lt. governor. However, legal questions have left some positions on the ballot in limbo. Recounts in Detroit have been delayed over a question of what procedures must be used for requesting the recount of a state representative race. The issues were addressed and the recounts are now proceeding.

The biggest issue that has yet to be completely resolved involves "The Tea Party." Petitions were circulated earlier this year to establish "The Tea Party" as a legal entity that may place candidates on the ballot. However, these actions were not associated with the people who have been organizing local rallies. "The Tea Party" was kept off of the ballot because the petitions sometimes referred to "The Tea Party" and at other times referred to themselves as the "Tea Party." The state elections commission voted not to accept the new group because of the inconsistency in the name. The vote was on a party-line basis with the two Republicans disapproving their application. "The Tea Party" then appealed to the Appeals Court and lost. Now, the group has filed an emergency appeal with the state Supreme Court. If the Supreme Court allows "The Tea Party" on the ballot, candidates have been filed in numerous races across the state, most of which are expected to be very tight contests where the inclusion of the third candidate would likely benefit the Democratic candidate. There are also legal questions being raised on how these individuals filed for office. In one case, the person who filed for office indicated he had no knowledge of this issue and now resides in another state.

ROAD LEGISLATION WILL ALLOW FOR COUNTY ROAD COMMISSION DISTRICTS

The Senate Transportation Committee will be addressing legislation on Tuesday, Sept. 7, that will allow county board of commissioners to determine if they would like to have single-member districts for seats on the county road commission rather than countywide road commission seats. The package of bills (SBs 1108-1110) are sponsored by Sens. Jud Gilbert (R-Clay Twp.), John Gleason (D-Flushing) and Jason Allen (R-Traverse City). The legislation states that in a county where county road commissioners are elected or appointed, the county board of commissioners could provide by resolution that road commissioners be elected to single-member districts. The bills require the county apportionment board to determine the districts and require that individuals live within the districts. In many counties, this could allow for better representation by townships on the county road commission. MTA is advocating in favor of this legislation.

MTA-PAC MAKES NOVEMBER GENERAL ELECTION ENDORSEMENTS

The MTA-PAC Committee recently met to make endorsement decisions for the November general election. The PAC made endorsements in 107 out of 110 House seats and 37 out of 38 Senate seats. It is the belief of the PAC Committee members that these endorsed candidates will best represent the interests of MTA and townships alike. The list of endorsements will be published in the October editions of MTN and Capitol Currents. The endorsement list will also be available on the MTA website at http://www.michigantownships.org/ as of Tuesday, Sept. 7. The members of the PAC Committee wish to thank both candidates and township officials who participated in the endorsement process. Township officials are encouraged to assist endorsed candidates as much as possible. However, remember that all political activities must take place outside of public office and may not involve public resources or funds in any manner.

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