Your Defending Fathers

2 weeks ago

1st hour discussion today, Tuesday 1-8-19;

So, based on this law, how are people getting elected and being sworn in on Korans, let alone being allowed into America???!!! ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

2 weeks ago

2nd hour discussion today, Monday, 1-7-19;

I will be attending this event on Saturday, and will be giving a "Field Report" on Monday; ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

3 weeks ago

1st hour discussion today, Monday 12-31-18;
MIRS News Service

Snyder Vetoes 42 Bills - Nonprofit Donor Shield, and
Any Suit Any Time Go Down

While Gov. Rick SNYDER's last day in office involved a lot of bill signing, he also vetoed 25 pieces of legislation ranging from lifting the sunset on a telemedicine ban to expanding online gaming.

A big question going into and coming out of this year's mammoth Lame Duck was, 'just what would Snyder sign' among a series of bills that Democrats complained were an over-reach on the part of GOP lawmakers.

Snyder never had to decide on a Campaign Finance Commission, but one bill that did advance and get a veto was Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6553, sponsored by Rep. Rob VERHEULEN (R-Walker). The bill would give the legislature automatic standing in any case challenging the validity or constitutionality of a legislative action a move Democrats saw as a stab at incoming Democratic Attorney General-elect Dana NESSEL (See "'Any Suit, Any Time' For Legislative Legal Action Going To Governor," 12/20/2018).

"We are grateful to Gov. Snyder for demonstrating his integrity and commitment to upholding the Michigan Constitution,” said Nessel, reacting to the news.

In his veto letter, Snyder wrote he believes the current process has worked well to ensure the Legislature's position is considered. He also argued that had the law been in place during his tenure, it would have limited his office's ability to coordinate and manage the defense of the state in lawsuits.

Legislation that would have prevented the secretary of state or any other government entity to force nonprofits to disclose donor information was also rejected by Snyder. In vetoing Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1176 sponsored by Sen. Mike SHIRKEY's (R-Clarklake), the governor wrote that the "broad prohibitions in this bill will impair the executive branch's ability to protect donors." In addition, he wrote that he believes the bill is a solution in search of a problem.

Also rejected was Shirkey's Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0822 that would have required a memorandum of understanding between the state and another party to be in effect only for the term of the particular governor who signed the agreement. Snyder wrote in his veto letter that while the "aim of the legislation appears to be a noble purpose, which is transparency, it also has the potential to lead to more routine legislative encroachment into regulating the activity of future governors."

At least one veto, that of Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0035, the charitable gaming law pushed by Sen. Rick JONES (R-Grand Ledge), earned a strong reaction from the sponsor.

"After his veto of this common sense bill, Gov. Snyder has shown he is the King of the Grinches. Keep the big casinos happy and harm the little charities," said Jones. "Bah Humbug on you Mr. Nerd! Go back to Ann Arbor!" Incoming House Speaker Lee [CHATFIELD] (R-Levering) expressed disappointment with the bills Snyder rejected. "Our state has vastly improved under Gov. Snyder's tenure, but I'm incredibly disappointed by the many vetoes today," Chatfield posted on Twitter. "Important work by the Legislature was left undone, but I'm proud of my colleagues for standing tall and evaluating bills, on merit, despite political pressure."

Other vetoed bills included:

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0035, sponsored by state Sen. Rick JONES (R-Grand Ledge), would have provided for general amendments to bingo and charitable gaming millionaire parties. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this legislation would undermine the work the Michigan Gaming Control Board has done over the past six years and return millionaire parties to an underregulated market ripe with potential for fraud and abuse.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0100 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0101, sponsored by Sen. Tom CASPERSON (R-Escanaba) and Robertson, that would have removed certain restrictions on recovery costs and fees in action involving the state and exempts parole hearings from the administrative procedures act. In vetoing the bills, Snyder wrote they could create legal uncertainty considering they contain substantially justifiable standard coupled with a clear and convincing standard, which neither federal law nor other state laws contain.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0304, sponsored by state Sen. Joe HUNE (R-Gregory), would have removed the sunset on the cap of 50 cents per cigar tax. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that it is appropriate to maintain the current expectation for expiration of the cap on October 1, 2021 and return the tax to 32 percent of the wholesale price.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0362, sponsored by Sen. Darwin BOOHER (R-Evart) would have amended the Financial Institution Tax Act to revise the apportionment formula for a financial institution with respect to gross business attributable to the foreign business of a controlled foreign corporation. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the legislation represents a significant departure from the tax policy practices that have allowed Michigan to return to solid financial footing.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0721, sponsored by Booher which would have amended law pertaining to sand dunes protection and management. Snyder said he vetoed the bill because allowing large-scale contour changes proposed by the legislation is not protective to the dune ecosystem. Further, it would provide opportunities to degrade, erode and destabilize critical dunes.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1249, sponsored by Sen. Dave ROBERTSON (R-Grand Blanc), would have changed the statute of limitations for campaign finance violations to five years. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the Code of Criminal Procedure currently provides that an indictment may be filed within six years of a crime being committed. Shortening the statute of limitations to five years results in minimal to no functional change.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1040, sponsored by Sen. Hoon-Yung [HOPGOOD] (D-Taylor), would have expanded the definition of historical vehicles to include certain military surplus vehicles. Snyder wrote in his veto letter that vehicles which were never manufactured or intended for on-road passenger use could be registered and permitted on public streets and roads and he doesn't believe that's appropriate.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1170, sponsored by state Sen. Dave HILDENBRAND (R-Lowell), would have allowed certain taxpayers who are members of a flow-through entity to claim a corporate income tax credit. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this substantial change to the state tax code was passed in a short period of time and that the implementation of a brand-new tax in such a limited time is inappropriate given the significance of such a change, and the risk of IRS action.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1097, sponsored by state Sen. Jack BRANDENBURG (R-Harrison Twp.), would have decoupled state interest expense deductions from federal limitations. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that the bill proposed amendments in a manner inconsistent with the sound budgetary practices this administration has followed during the past eight years.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1198, sponsored by Casperson, would have removed the sunset on the prohibition of telemedicine examination prior to a physician diagnosing and prescribing a medical abortion. In rejecting the bill, Snyder said providing patients with the ability to remotely receive safe and proper medical care, at a time-sensitive period for the patient, is significant.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4081, sponsored by state Rep. Tom BARRETT (R-Charlotte), would have provided for general amendments to bingo and charitable gaming millionaire parties. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this legislation would undermine the work the Michigan Gaming Control Board has done over the past six years and return millionaire parties to an underregulated market ripe with potential for fraud and abuse.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4611, sponsored by Rep. Dan LAUWERS (R-Brockway), would have amended the Horse Racing Law of 1995. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that this bill was tie-barred to Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4926 which he previously vetoed and therefore it cannot take effect.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4926, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4927 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4928, sponsored by state Reps. Brandt IDEN (R-Kalmazoo) and Klint KESTO (R-Walled Lake), would have allowed and regulated internet gaming, and enacted guidelines for violation of the lawful internet gaming act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that he is vetoing these bills largely due to unknown revenue implications and believes more study and comparison with other states is necessary before authorizing online gambling.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5143 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5680, sponsored Barrett by which would have modified the exemption for alternative energy personal property and excluded placement of solar panels on residential real property from assessment of true case value. In rejecting the bills, Snyder said Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5143 included several technical issues it failed to resolve including differential treatment based on the effective date of the bill. Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5680 was rejected because it was tie-barred.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5634, sponsored by Rep. Julie ALEXANDER (R-Hanover) would have eliminated prohibitions on window tinting and obstruction of a driver's vision. In rejecting the bill, Snyder wrote that the changes would have increased the risk of harm to law enforcement personnel, particularly when approaching a vehicle during a traffic stop.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5881, sponsored by Iden, would have provided for general amendments to the Michigan gaming control and revenue act. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that since this bill was tie-barred to Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4926, which he previously vetoed, this bill cannot take effect.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5916 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5917, sponsored by Rep. Hank VAUPEL (R-Fowlerville), that would have clarified pet shop regulations in the sale of dogs and prohibited local governments from enacting or enforcing an ordinance, policy, resolution or rule regulating a qualified pet shot. In rejecting the bills, Snyder said he had concerns they would have addressed are manifestly local in nature and local officials should be afforded the discretion to address them.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6205, sponsored by Lauwers, which would have modified the Animal Industry Act. In rejecting the bill, Snyder said the language was added at the last-minute that was already vetoed in Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0660, so he rejected Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6205 for the same reasons.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6206, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6207, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6208, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6209, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6210, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6211, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6212, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6213, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6214 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6216 which would have modified the Animal Industry Act and were tied barred to Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6205, which was vetoed, went down with 6205.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6420, sponsored by Iden, would have created the fantasy contests consumer protection act to regulate betting on fantasy sports in Michigan. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that he does not believe this legislation would accomplish positive results for Michigan and therefore is returning it for approval.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6485, sponsored by state Rep. Triston COLE (R-Mancelona), would have clarified exemptions of income and expenses of producing oil and gas. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote that tax reforms in recent years have sought to eliminate tax deductions and loopholes that resulted in unfair benefit for some taxpayers. This bill would run contrary to that objective.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6499, sponsored by Rep. John REILLY (R-Oakland) would have increased the number of children receiving care at certain child care institutions. In rejecting the bill, Snyder wrote that increasing the capacity and concentration of fostered youths would negatively impact the goals of providing foster youth care.

- Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6549 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6550, sponsored by Rep. Bronna KAHLE (R-Adrian) would have exempted certain aviation equipment from sales tax and use tax. In his veto letter, Snyder wrote he rejected identical language on Oct. 16 of this year, and is therefore rejecting the second go around. ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

1 month ago

3rd hour discussion today, (Last day of the "Lame Duck Session - 2018") Thursday 12-20-18 MIRS News Service;

On The 12th Day Of Lame Duck, Lawmakers Gave To Us . . .

On Thursday, Lansing dives into, presumably, the final day of Michigan's longest lame duck session with so many balls in the air it could all end in a spectacular show of productivity, a colossal collapse or anything in-between.

Day 12 begins in the aftermath of Senate Majority Leader Arlan MEEKHOF (R-Grand Haven Twp.) lighting up House leadership in private for Rep. Aaron MILLER (R-Sturgis) publicly sticking a fork in the Meekhof-supported campaign finance commission (See "Campaign Finance Commish, Prop 2 Bills Dead In House," 12/18/18).

Under a different set of circumstances, the House flushing the Sen. Dave ROBERTSON (R-Grand Blanc) "Fair Political Practices Commission" in public fashion (as opposed to let it die quietly on lame duck's last day) would be grounds for Meekhof to play hardball. He could, at a minimum, hold up bills or go nuclear -- abruptly adjourn the Senate sine die, essentially killing dozens of pieces of legislation.

While Lansing has seen both scenarios play out before, neither is happening this time. The reason? Meekhof has as much reason to stick in town as Leonard. It is mutually assured destruction time for both of them. An enormous supplemental need passing before year's end, less (in their minds) Gov.-elect Gretchen WHITMER enters office with at least $371 million in General Fund money to spend.

Tens of millions of dollars in projects are suspected to have been promised to Republicans who reluctantly agreed to support the coming A-F grading scale for schools, one of Gov. Rick SNYDER's top priorities.

In that respect, Meekhof and Leonard find themselves like the dysfunctional family hopelessly snowed into a cabin together. They're trying real hard to play nice, passing the time away by passing bills to keep their fellow family members . . . ur . . . legislators happy until the plow truck comes . . . ur . . . the supplemental is ready.

With that backdrop, here is the update on some of the more outstanding controversial issues.

- Gaming package. The Senate is close to wrapping up an all-encompassing gaming expansion plan that creates regulated fantasy sports, internet gaming, horse track simulcasting and looser charitable gaming rules.

The problem is the city of Detroit wants a 55 percent cut of whatever tax money the Detroit casinos collect from internet gambling, which is the same percentage they get under the brick-and-mortar tax structure. The Senate wants to cut that percentage to 15 percent because the people playing the games are not playing in the city of Detroit like they do when they drive to Motown to visit MGM, MotorCity or Greektown.

Meekhof has made it clear that this is an all-or-nothing deal. All of the gambling interest sink or swim together and the longer the standoff goes on the more water this package takes on.

Wayfair Money For Environmental Cleanup, Roads. The good news is the Wayfair decision from June meant more internet sales tax money for Michigan. The bad news is steering that money to somewhere other than the schools comes with constitutional problems.

Snyder agreed with the Senate Republicans that he's willing to use this revenue stream to cleanup brownfields and contaminated properties, but they also want to use some of it for roads. But when the constitution directs 73 percent of all sales tax money to the School Aid Fund how does that work?

The Senate and Snyder have a vehicle bill in Rep. Martin HOWRYLAK's Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4991 they can play around with, but for now, figuring out how this is going to work has become a fiscal Rubik's cube.

No-Fault Resurrection Taking On Water. Developer Dan GILBERT's proposed compromise on auto no-fault may be a great idea, but a growing number of House members simply don't want to deal with an issue this large with dozens of other bills flying around.

Combining personal injury protection choice and a hospital fee schedule with the elimination of some insurance rating factors may be a good idea, but returning members are inclined to "workgroup it" or bring it back in January for a thorough vetting.

Any Suit, Any Time. Meekhof could hold up the Rep. Rob VERHEULEN (R-Walker) bill that gives the legislature automatic legal standing when bills it has passed are being questioned in court. Arguably, he could hold it hostage in retaliation for the election commission dying.

But Meekhof wants Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 6553 as much as anybody so future lawmakers have some leverage if Attorney General-Elect Dana NESSEL makes half-hearted defenses of laws he's passionate about.

Tree Bill Hasn't Been Chopped To Bits, Yet
The House Republican caucus is expected Thursday to bring up the Sen. Tom CASPERSON (R-Escanaba) bills that prohibit a local unit of government from adopting or enforcing ordinances that restrict cutting any vegetation other than a heritage tree.

The House Local Government Committee initially took a pass on Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1188, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1189, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1190, 1191, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1192, Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1193 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1194 out of concern of making statewide policy in response to a situation in Canton Township where a pair of brothers face $450,000 in fees for clear-cutting 1,400 trees off their land (See "Tree Ordinance Pre-Emption Bills Hit A Buzzsaw In House Committee," 12/11/18).

But the impacted brothers are claiming Canton Township is not abiding by the same rules when they are developing property and that little guys, like them, are getting the short end of the stick.

If there's renewed interest among Republican caucus members, this one could make a return. They are on the agenda for possible action.

Tying Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SJR O To Passport Opt-Out?
A constitutional amendment proposal to steer more oil and gas revenue to local and state park improvements instead of land and development purchases cleared the House Appropriations Committee today, but some Democrats want to link the package to the Senate-passed parks passport opt-out bills (See "Senate Action: Recreational Passport Fee Made An Opt-Out," 12/13/18).

On its own, members seemed inclined to support putting Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SJR O on the ballot. It would rearrange how officials could spend the oil, gas and mineral revenue that goes into the Michigan State Parks Endowment Fund (MSPEF) above $800 million (See "Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SJR O Heads Toward Uncertain Future in House," 5/16/18).

In basic terms, House members see value in doing more to fix up parks property it purchases before going out and buying more land. The issue is that the House needs two-thirds support to put Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SJR O on the ballot so they need some Democrats.

Republicans may have the 74 votes, but the Ds are trying to hold together for the opt-out language on the $11 vehicle tab addition that some drivers current opt-in to purchase so they don't need to pay state park entrance fees.

They argue that making drivers opt-out of the $11 parks passport as opposed to opting-in brings more money into the system. Republican members sniff a tax increase though, and aren't enthusiastic about creating the linkage, to say the least. ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

1 month ago

1st hour discussion, Monday 12-17-18;
MIRS News Service

Gov Signs Paid Sick Leave, Minimum Wage Changes

Gov. Rick SNYDER today signed into law changes to the minimum wage and paid sick leave initiatives favored by the GOP Legislature and the business community.

Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1171, sponsored by Sen. Dave HILDENBRAND (R-Lowell), changes the minimum wage proposal by having it go to $12.05 by 2030, rather than the originally proposed $12 by 2022.

It also keeps the tip credit and raises the minimum wage for tipped workers to $4.58 by 2030. The citizens' initiative would've thrown out the tip credit and eventually raise tipped workers' wages to the same level as the regular minimum wage.

The Hildenbrand bill also ends the future minimum wage increases being tied to increases in the consumer price index (CPI), meaning the law provides for no increases to the wage after 2030 (See "Senate Bill Hikes Minimum Wage To $12 By 2030, Then Leaves It There," 11/28/18).

And Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1175, sponsored by Sen. Mike SHIRKEY (R-Clarklake), workers could earn up to 40 hours of paid sick time each year, and workers could earn one hour of paid leave for every 35 hours worked. Both of those changes came from the House, which tweaked the Senate proposal (See "House Further Revises, Then Passes Paid Sick Leave, Minimum Wage Bills," 12/4/18).

In the original paid sick leave proposal, workers could earn 72 hours of sick leave in a year, and an hour for every 30 hours worked.

Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1175 exempts the requirement to provide paid sick leave from businesses with 50 or fewer employees, and allows employees to begin accruing and using hours toward sick leave immediately upon the effective date of the law, except for new employees, who must wait 90 days.

The Mi Time to Care campaign – the proponents behind the paid sick leave proposal – protested the small business exemption, arguing nearly 40 percent (or 2 million) of Michigan workers work in businesses with fewer than 50 employees.

Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1175 also nixed references to "domestic partner" throughout the proposal, which the House Fiscal Agency (HFA) said is defined as an adult in a "committed relationship" that would also include same-sex relationships. It also says people can't use paid sick leave to take care of a domestic partner's relatives, according to the HFA.

Both bills went through the House and Senate on largely party-line votes.

The changes to the paid sick leave and minimum wage proposals were favored by business groups, who said the proposals as written would be harmful for the economy and job providers.

"Without these changes, these laws as adopted would have had a negative impact on employee/employer relations and would have taken an economic wrecking ball to Michigan's overall competitiveness," said Rich STUDLEY, president and CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, in a statement.

"Every server I've met throughout the last couple of months didn't want the tip credit removed," said Scott ELLIS, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association (MLBA), in a statement. "Most servers make much more than $12 an hour and the language in the ballot proposal would have been unfavorable for them in the long-run."

The Governor said the original proposals were "well-intentioned" but would have resulted in "cost and compliance burdens for job providers that could have negatively impacted employment in Michigan."

Snyder said the paid sick leave bill offers "the majority of workers" paid leave of up to a week off work, one of 11 states that provide such a benefit, according to Snyder's office. On minimum wage, the bill would help keep Michigan in the top third of states nationally.

But supporters of the initiatives protested the changes, arguing it would gut the original intent of the policies and undermine the will of the people who signed the petitions.

"For the people of Michigan, the gutting of earned paid sick time and the minimum wage is personal to them and their families," said DeWayne WELLS, executive director of the Economic Justice Alliance of Michigan (EJAM).

"A literal cloud hangs over the Capitol today to match the figurative cloud of shame that Gov. Snyder brought on by signing these bills," said Gilda JACOBS, president and CEO of the Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP), in a statement.

Progress Michigan said Snyder's signing "cements his legacy as a governor who cares nothing about hardworking Michiganders."

The EJAM issued poll results today that show 84 percent of Michigan voters supported the paid sick leave as passed by the Legislature in September, and another 77 percent supported the original minimum wage proposal.

The poll, conducted by the Benenson Strategy Group, also said 74 percent of voters would be less favorable toward a legislator who changed their vote and decided to "repeal the paid sick leave policy," according to the polling memo.

For minimum wage, 71 percent of independents said they'd be less favorable to a lawmaker who voted to "repeal the new minimum wage law," as the memo puts it.

The poll consisted of 1,406 interviews with registered Michigan voters between Nov. 26 and Dec. 6, with a margin of error of 2.6 percent.

The Legislature approved the two ballot proposals in September, rather than let them go to the November ballot, with the intention of coming back to change them (See "House, Senate Pass Paid Sick Leave, $12 Minimum Wage," 9/5/18).

While critics contended that approving and amending a ballot proposal in the same session was unconstitutional, Attorney General Bill SCHUETTE issued an opinion, as requested by Senate Majority Leader Arlan MEEKHOF (R-Grand Haven Twp.), saying it is constitutional (See "AG: Legislature Can Amend Citizens' Initiatives," 12/4/18).

The paid sick leave group has threatened to bring legal action or run another ballot proposal campaign in 2020 (See "Paid Sick Leave Proponents: Negotiate With Us Or We Do This Again In '20," 12/3/18). ... See MoreSee Less

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Your Defending Fathers

2 months ago

2nd hour discussion today, Tuesday 11-27-18;
MIRS News Service, Lansing

Michigan's Legislature is back in Lansing for the "Lame Duck" session. Here is what they are up to;

Lame Duck -- 5 Things That Fly, 5 That Die, 5 That May & 5 That Stay
The bird state Capitol folks are thinking about these days isn't turkey.

It's lame duck, that special time when difficult policies are shoved through under the cover of Yule-time joy and out-going legislators feeling free to support bills with reduced fear of political consequences.

In the 2018 version of this biennial tradition, the No. 1 issue on the minds of legislators isn't the No. 1 issue in Gov. Rick SNYDER's mind.

The term-limited Republican governor wants to hike the 36-cent-per-cubic-ton landfill tipping fee to $4.75 to raise money to clean up the toxic sites of long-gone polluters.

The bonding money Michigan once used to cover this expense came from the Clean Michigan Fund. That ran out more than a year ago and Snyder wants a permanent revenue stream. The CPA Governor hates bonding so he's pitching a pay-as-you-go, fee-based system to cover the costs.

Republican legislators like the smell of a tax increase about as much as they like inhaling landfill stench. But realizing that bumping up folks' garbage bills is more palatable than Snyder's other desired fee increase -- a $5-a-person "water tax" to pay for $110 million in underground infrastructure improvements -- the Legislature may be willing to go there, but something significantly less than $4.75.

Sources tell MIRS current negotiations are in the $3 range. On the "water tax" portion, the list of asks from the Senate and House Republicans would be so long, it's hard to imagine it getting done. But the House and Senate have scheduled four weeks of lame duck and leadership is willing to use every day of it if needed.

Meanwhile, the Christmas wish list for both outgoing Senate Majority Leader Arlan MEEKHOF (R-West Olive) and outgoing Speaker Tom LEONARD (R-DeWitt) is surprisingly short. Two items. Both the same.

- Eliminate tipped workers from an eventual $12 minimum wage

- Give business more flexibility on the new paid sick leave policy (See "Paid Sick Leave, $12 Minimum Wage Supporters Decry 'Gutting' Of Policies," 11/20/18).
The list of unfinished business from other outgoing legislators, however, is long. The following is a list of other outstanding issues and the likelihood they'll get done in lame duck based on interviews with numerous inside sources.

Put It In The Bank -- 5 That Fly

- Line 5. Snyder and Republicans hope to legally button up a utility tunnel under the Mackinac Straits before Attorney General-elect Dana NESSEL takes office and tries to shut down Enbridge's 65-year-old tunnel. Codifying Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1197, sponsored by Sen. Tom CASPERSON (R-Escanaba), helps with that goal.

Also, the Rep. Lee CHATFIELD (R-Levering) package, which forces Enbridge to file contingency plans with the state and sets 2-year, $10,000 penalties for ship operators who drag an anchor across the Mackinac Straits, is expected to fly through, as well. (See "Enbridge Needs A Contingency Plan For Line 5, But The Public Won't See It," 9/26/18).

-Small Cell Standardization. Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0637 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0894 lets AT&T, Verizon, Sprint and other providers build out their 5G network with "small cells" attached to utility poles, buildings and other structures without having to cut special deals with individual municipalities. (See "Small Cell Bill Moves To House Floor Amid County Exec Opposition," 10/4/18). Could be among the first things the House gets done.

-Supplemental. Did someone say there's money to spend? Lawmakers are already lining up with their ornament to hang on what undoubtedly will be at least a $371.5 million General Fund Christmas tree, particularly if Snyder needs votes for his "Renew and Rebuild" package. (See related story).

-Proposal 3 Codification. The constitution was amended earlier this month to call for same-day voter registration and no-reason absentee voting. Do you think Republicans are going to let incoming Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn BENSON be in charge of writing the administrative rules around this substantive change in policy? A bill or substitute on this one is coming.

-Nassar Response Legislation. With Michigan State University (MSU) cutting their deal with survivors and sexual assailant Larry NASSAR solidly behind bars, the Senate will pick apart whichever pieces of the House's 24-bill package it doesn't like. The supplemental includes $1 million for survivors. (See "House's Nassar Bills Sent To Senate Floor," 6/6/18).

No Way -- 5 That Die

-Private Policing Bill. Meekhof-backed Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0594 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0595 is running into problems with police groups, Republican members and a skeptical House. This one is a dead duck. (See "Immediate Concerns Emerge From Meekhof's Private Police Bill," 10/4/18).

-Utility PPT Exemption Bill. Sen. John PROOS' (R-St. Joseph) SB 1301 that exempts DTE Energy and Consumers Energy from paying personal property taxes (PPT) isn't far enough long. Turn off the lights on that one. (See "Locals, Schools Could See $652M-Sized Hit On Utility PPT Exemption Bill," 6/19/18).

-National Popular Vote. Sen. Dave HILDENBRAND's (R-Lowell) bill to let Michigan join the interstate compact to elect the president by popular vote is toxic among the conservative grassroots. Leonard declared it dead weeks ago. Franco is still dead. (See "No Panel Vote Taken On National Popular Vote Issue," 9/6/18).

-Public-Private Partnership (P3). Sen. Mike KOWALL's (R-White Lake) bill to allow state departments to contract with the private sector for various infrastructure projects is going unloved in the House. It's helplessly buried somewhere in the middle of the Governor's to-do list. It's been abandoned, left alone to die. (See "'Grassroots' Republicans Urging Leonard To Kill P3 Bills," 12/8/17).

-Sanctuary City Ban. Why pass Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4104 and Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4334 this term when both Rep. Pamela HORNBERGER (R-Chesterfield Twp.) and Rep. Beau LAFAVE (R-Iron Mountain) could throw this bill on Gov. Whitmer's desk next term?

Anything Is Possible -- 5 That May

-A-F Grading Scale. Creating an A-F grading scale for public school buildings (Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5526) is the last of Snyder's original legislative wish list. It only happens if House Education Committee Chair Tim KELLY (R-Saginaw Twp.) rounds up the votes in the lower chamber. Speaker Leonard is agnostic on the subject. (See "95% Of West MI Policy Forum Attendees Want A-F School Grading Scale," 9/24/18).

-Non-profit Donor Disclosure. No lame duck is complete without Republicans pushing through elections-related reforms progressives find repugnant. This year's version is a Shirkey's Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1176 that makes it harder to track "soft money." From Shirkey's perspective, he doesn't want non-profits to be forced to reveal their donors.

History is on the side of this bill moving with maybe a late substitute that adds in additional reforms. Keep an eye on that and another bill that will allow Senators to use money leftover in their Senate campaign accounts to settle up personal debts in their House accounts (Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 1022).

Now is the Republicans' last chance to fiddle with election law for at least four more years.

-School Safety Package. The House and Senate need to cut the deal with the Governor on what's going in the final package, if there's enough interest in getting it done. Nassar has seemed to push school shootings off the radar in favor of sexual assault response. The House has their bills. (See "School Safety Package Springs Out Of House," 5/8/18). The Senate as their bills. (See "Senate Moves 7 More School Safety Bills," 6/7/18).

-No PIP Coverage For Seniors. A comprehensive auto insurance reform is much too hard of a lift for lame duck, but one piece that could survive if legislators feel reform under future Gov. Gretchen WHITMER isn't going to happen is Sen. Rick JONES' (R-Grand Ledge) Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0787. This allows those on Medicare 65 and older to get out of buying unlimited lifetime personal coverage on their auto insurance. It's up to the House at this point. (See "Scaled-Back Auto Insurance Bills Clear Senate," 6/7/18).

-Gaming Reform. Meekhof's grand vision of roping in on-line gaming, a sports book and fantasy sports reforms makes sense in concept, but the Senate Majority Leader was out of the loop for a month and has some catching up to do.

One Chamber Victory? -- 5 That Stay

-Raise The Age. The Rep. Pete LUCIDO-driven bill package to raise the age to those automatically criminally charged as adults to 18 can clear the House. Whether the Shelby Township Republican's idea is too big of a change to push through the Senate may be the question. The counties still need to sign off and right now they are losers under this. (See "Lawmakers Getting Ready To 'Raise The Age' For Juvenile Offenders," 9/25/18).

-Teacher Prep Legislation. Rep. Daniela GARCIA-led package (Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5598) to standardize teacher preparation requirements fell victim to politics in the spring and now would be a new subject for the Senate to take up even if the Holland Republican rounds up the House votes. (See "Teacher Prep, I-Gaming Bills Stuck In House Fridge," 5/3/18).

-50/50 Joint Custody Bill. Rep. Jim RUNESTAD (R-White Lake) is coming back to the Senate next term. He can pick back up the idea that joint child custody should be the default judgment in divorce cases at that time (Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4691). There's just too much opposition to it. (See "50-50 Custody Presumption Bill Pushed For Lame Duck," 10/23/18).

-Civil Asset Forfeitures. The Senate likes Runestad's Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 5702 to require county prosecutors to immediately review seizures to determine whether the property should be returned. Police groups, prosecutors, the ACLU and the Mackinac Center like it, too. (See "Judiciary Ready To Vote On Further Civil Asset Forfeiture Reforms," 3/23/18).

But the House sent over Lucido's Click to add MIRS Bill Hound HB 4158, which ties civil asset forfeiture to a criminal conviction. That isn't going to fly in the upper chamber. (See "House Votes To Tie Civil Asset Forfeiture To Criminal Conviction, 5/8/18).

-Dental Therapists Bill. Shirkey will give it the ol' college try, but the Michigan Dental Association isn't going to budge in opposing Click to add MIRS Bill Hound SB 0541 allowing for the creation of mid-level dental providers. Unless the House uses it for leverage, Shirkey will need to come back with this idea when he's the majority leader. (See "Dental Executive Drilled: Therapist Bill Swished Out Of Committee," 9/19/17). ... See MoreSee Less

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