No. 48
STATE OF MICHIGAN
Journal of the Senate
95th Legislature
REGULAR SESSION OF 2010
Senate Chamber, Lansing, Tuesday, May 25, 2010.
10:00 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Randy Richardville.
The roll was called by the Secretary of the Senate, who announced that a quorum was present.
Allen—present Garcia—present Olshove—present
Anderson—present George—present Pappageorge—present
Barcia—present Gilbert—present Patterson—present
Basham—present Gleason—present Prusi—present
Birkholz—present Hardiman—present Richardville—present
Bishop—present Hunter—present Sanborn—present
Brater—present Jacobs—present Scott—present
Brown—present Jansen—present Stamas—present
Cassis—present Jelinek—present Switalski—present
Cherry—present Kahn—present Thomas—present
Clark-Coleman—present Kuipers—present Van Woerkom—present
Clarke—present McManus—present Whitmer—present
Cropsey—present Nofs—present
Senator Martha G. Scott of the 2nd District offered the following invocation:
“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the very strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Father, we come to You this morning saying thank You. Thank You for this wonderful and beautiful day, Lord. We just thank You for all the blessings that You bestow upon us.
Lord, I just ask You to bless all of us here in the Legislature—the House of Representatives and the Senate—all those who are in authority, and the Governor. Lord, we are going through some terrible times.
Lord, we just ask You to be with us. We are losing our children in the city of Detroit and around the state. Lord, we just ask You to give us the strength to find the answers. Lord, we ask You to work with all of us. We ask You to give us that love again that we used to have with our neighbors and our friends and our families. Lord, help them to teach our children. Lord, we just ask You to put Your arms around all of our children. Give them the strength and the courage that they may need because they are our future of tomorrow.
Lord, we just ask You to help us with the budget, Lord, as we touch the lives of everyone in this state.
Father God, we will always give You the honor and the praise. In Thy name. Amen.
The President pro tempore, Senator Richardville, led the members of the Senate in recital of the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motions and Communications
Recess
Senator Cropsey moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:05 a.m.
10:30 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Richardville.
During the recess, Senators Sanborn, Stamas, Jelinek, Nofs, Bishop, Jansen, Hardiman, Van Woerkom, Pappageorge, Gilbert, Kahn, Allen, Cassis and Clarke entered the Senate Chamber.
Senator Cropsey moved that rule 3.902 be suspended to allow the guest of Senator Jelinek admittance to the Senate floor, including the center aisle.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Senator Cropsey moved that rule 3.901 be suspended to allow photographs to be taken from the Senate floor.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
Recess
Senator Cropsey moved that the Senate recess subject to the call of the Chair.
The motion prevailed, the time being 10:32 a.m.
10:41 a.m.
The Senate was called to order by the President pro tempore, Senator Richardville.
During the recess, Senator Jelinek introduced recording artist Tommy James, a native of Niles, Michigan, and presented him with a Special Tribute, honoring his contributions to the music industry.
Mr. James responded briefly.
During the recess, Senators Garcia and Birkholz entered the Senate Chamber.
The following communication was received and read:
Office of the Auditor General
May 19, 2010
Enclosed is a copy of the following audit report:
Performance audit of the Statewide Cost Allocation Plan and Interagency Billing Processes, Department of Technology, Management, and Budget.
Auditor General
The audit report was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
The following communications were received:
Department of State
Administrative Rules
Notices of Filing
May 14, 2010
In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth and the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed Administrative Rule #2009-027-LG (Secretary of State Filing #10-05-03) on this date at 3:33 p.m. for the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, entitled “Board of Optometry.”
These rules take effect 14 days after filing with the Secretary of State.
May 18, 2010
In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth and the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed Administrative Rule #2008-033-LG (Secretary of State Filing #10-05-05) on this date at 11:51 a.m. for the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, entitled “Basic Local Exchange Service Customer Migration.”
These rules become effective 30 days after filing with the Secretary of State.
May 18, 2010
In accordance with the provisions of Section 46(1) of Act 306, Public Acts of 1969, as amended, and Executive Order 1995-6, this is to advise you that the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth and the State Office of Administrative Hearings and Rules filed Administrative Rule #2008-032-LG (Secretary of State Filing #10-05-06) on this date at 11:53 a.m. for the Department of Energy, Labor, and Economic Growth, entitled “Unbundled Network Elements and Local Interconnection Services.”
These rules become effective 7 days after filing with the Secretary of State.
Sincerely,
Terri Lynn Land
Secretary of State
Robin L. Houston, Departmental Supervisor
Office of the Great Seal
The communications were referred to the Secretary for record.
The Secretary announced that the following House bills were received in the Senate and filed on Thursday, May 20:
House Bill Nos. 5244 5838 5934 6071 6072
The Secretary announced the enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor on Thursday, May 20, for her approval the following bills:
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1204 at 10:33 a.m.
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1092 at 10:35 a.m.
The Secretary announced the enrollment printing and presentation to the Governor on Friday, May 21, for her approval the following bills:
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 723 at 2:55 p.m.
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 724 at 2:57 p.m.
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1228 at 2:59 p.m.
The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Thursday, May 20, and are available at the legislative website:
Senate Bill Nos. 1340 1341 1342 1343
House Bill Nos. 6189 6190 6191 6192 6193 6194 6195 6196
The Secretary announced that the following official bills were printed on Friday, May 21, and are available at the legislative website:
House Bill Nos. 6197 6198 6199 6200 6201 6202
Messages from the Governor
The following messages from the Governor were received:
Date: May 20, 2010
Time: 10:10 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1061 (Public Act No. 84), being
An act to amend 1974 PA 359, entitled “An act to authorize the department of natural resources to convey certain lands lying within the boundaries of the lakeshore zone and parkway location of the Sleeping Bear dunes national lakeshore park to the United States; to provide for cession of certain jurisdiction of this state and to determine the measure thereof over such lands; to authorize acceptance of relinquished jurisdiction over such lands or portions thereof; and to repeal certain acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 8 (MCL 3.908), as amended by 1996 PA 30; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
(Filed with the Secretary of State on May 24, 2010, at 9:25 a.m.)
Date: May 21, 2010
Time: 9:10 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 757 (Public Act No. 80), being
An act to amend 1976 PA 451, entitled “An act to provide a system of public instruction and elementary and secondary schools; to revise, consolidate, and clarify the laws relating to elementary and secondary education; to provide for the organization, regulation, and maintenance of schools, school districts, public school academies, intermediate school districts, and other public school entities; to prescribe rights, powers, duties, and privileges of schools, school districts, public school academies, intermediate school districts, and other public school entities; to provide for the regulation of school teachers and certain other school employees; to provide for school elections and to prescribe powers and duties with respect thereto; to provide for the levy and collection of taxes; to provide for the borrowing of money and issuance of bonds and other evidences of indebtedness; to establish a fund and provide for expenditures from that fund; to provide for and prescribe the powers and duties of certain state departments, the state board of education, and certain other boards and officials; to provide for licensure of boarding schools; to prescribe penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 1278b (MCL 380.1278b), as amended by 2009 PA 204.
(Filed with the Secretary of State on May 21, 2010, at 2:25 p.m.)
Date: May 21, 2010
Time: 9:14 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1204 (Public Act No. 82), being
An act to amend 1980 PA 395, entitled “An act relating to the promotion of convention business or tourism in municipalities in this state; to provide for tourism or convention marketing programs in municipalities through nonprofit convention and tourist bureaus; to provide for the imposition and collection of assessments on the owners of transient facilities to support tourism or convention marketing programs; to provide for the disbursement of the assessments; to establish the functions and duties of the department of commerce; and to prescribe remedies and penalties,” by amending section 2 (MCL 141.872), as amended by 1993 PA 224.
(Filed with the Secretary of State on May 21, 2010, at 2:29 p.m.)
Date: May 21, 2010
Time: 9:16 a.m.
To the President of the Senate:
Sir—I have this day approved and signed
Enrolled Senate Bill No. 1092 (Public Act No. 83), being
An act to amend 1996 PA 376, entitled “An act to create and expand certain renaissance zones; to foster economic opportunities in this state; to facilitate economic development; to stimulate industrial, commercial, and residential improvements; to prevent physical and infrastructure deterioration of geographic areas in this state; to authorize expenditures; to provide exemptions and credits from certain taxes; to create certain obligations of this state and local governmental units; to require disclosure of certain transactions and gifts; to provide for appropriations; and to prescribe the powers and duties of certain state and local departments, agencies, and officials,” by amending section 12 (MCL 125.2692), as amended by 2002 PA 745.
(Filed with the Secretary of State on May 21, 2010, at 2:31 p.m.)
Respectfully,
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor
The following message from the Governor was received and read:
May 24, 2010
I respectfully submit to the Senate, pursuant to Section 6 of Article 5 of the Michigan Constitution of 1963, the following appointment to state office under Section 213 of the Worker’s Disability Compensation Act of 1969, 1969 PA 317, MCL 418.213 and Executive Order 2003-18, MCL 445.2011:
Worker’s Compensation Board of Magistrates
Mr. James J. Kent of 1415 Fairoaks Court, East Lansing, Michigan 48823, county of Ingham, succeeding Valencia Jarvis, who has resigned, is appointed for a term commencing May 24, 2010 and expiring January 26, 2011.
Sincerely,
Jennifer M. Granholm
Governor
The appointment was referred to the Committee on Government Operations.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
Third Reading of Bills
Senator Cropsey moved that the following bills be placed at the head of the Third Reading of Bills calendar:
Senate Bill No. 1253
Senate Bill No. 1254
Senate Bill No. 1255
The motion prevailed.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 1253, entitled
A bill to amend 1978 PA 368, entitled “Public health code,” by amending section 20173a (MCL 333.20173a), as amended by 2008 PA 444.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 270 Yeas—38
Allen Clark-Coleman Jansen Prusi
Anderson Clarke Jelinek Richardville
Barcia Cropsey Kahn Sanborn
Basham Garcia Kuipers Scott
Birkholz George McManus Stamas
Bishop Gilbert Nofs Switalski
Brater Gleason Olshove Thomas
Brown Hardiman Pappageorge Van Woerkom
Cassis Hunter Patterson Whitmer
Cherry Jacobs
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Richardville
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 1254, entitled
A bill to amend 1979 PA 218, entitled “Adult foster care facility licensing act,” by amending section 34b (MCL 400.734b), as amended by 2008 PA 442.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 271 Yeas—38
Allen Clark-Coleman Jansen Prusi
Anderson Clarke Jelinek Richardville
Barcia Cropsey Kahn Sanborn
Basham Garcia Kuipers Scott
Birkholz George McManus Stamas
Bishop Gilbert Nofs Switalski
Brater Gleason Olshove Thomas
Brown Hardiman Pappageorge Van Woerkom
Cassis Hunter Patterson Whitmer
Cherry Jacobs
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Richardville
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
The following bill was read a third time:
Senate Bill No. 1255, entitled
A bill to amend 1974 PA 258, entitled “Mental health code,” by amending section 134a (MCL 330.1134a), as amended by 2008 PA 446.
The question being on the passage of the bill,
The bill was passed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor, as follows:
Roll Call No. 272 Yeas—38
Allen Clark-Coleman Jansen Prusi
Anderson Clarke Jelinek Richardville
Barcia Cropsey Kahn Sanborn
Basham Garcia Kuipers Scott
Birkholz George McManus Stamas
Bishop Gilbert Nofs Switalski
Brater Gleason Olshove Thomas
Brown Hardiman Pappageorge Van Woerkom
Cassis Hunter Patterson Whitmer
Cherry Jacobs
Nays—0
Excused—0
Not Voting—0
In The Chair: Richardville
The Senate agreed to the title of the bill.
By unanimous consent the Senate proceeded to the order of
General Orders
Senator Cropsey moved that the Senate resolve itself into the Committee of the Whole for consideration of the General Orders calendar.
The motion prevailed, and the President pro tempore, Senator Richardville, designated Senator Garcia as Chairperson.
After some time spent therein, the Committee arose; and, the President pro tempore, Senator Richardville, having resumed the Chair, the Committee reported back to the Senate, favorably and without amendment, the following bill:
House Bill No. 5313, entitled
A bill to amend 1980 PA 299, entitled “Occupational code,” by amending section 2603 (MCL 339.2603), as amended by 1999 PA 170.
The bill was placed on the order of Third Reading of Bills.
Resolutions
Senator Cropsey moved that consideration of the following resolutions be postponed for today:
Senate Resolution No. 41
Senate Resolution No. 75
Senate Resolution No. 88
House Concurrent Resolution No. 57
The motion prevailed.
House Concurrent Resolution No. 52.
A concurrent resolution to approve certain designated open space land applications for property in Kent County.
Whereas, Section 36105(2) and Section 36106(9) of Part 361, Farmland and Open Space Preservation, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, require the Department of Agriculture to submit each application for designated open space easements along with an analysis of the cost to the legislature; and
Whereas, The Department of Agriculture has received two applications for designated open space easements, both located in Vergennes Township, Kent County; and
Whereas, The two parcels are located adjacent to the Flat River, a Designated Natural River classified as such under Part 305, Natural Rivers, of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act, 1994 PA 451, and therefore qualify for the open space easement program; and
Whereas, The legislature has reviewed the applications and analysis and determined that it is in the interest of the state of Michigan to enter into said easements; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we hereby approve the following designated open space land applications submitted by the Department of Agriculture:
1) Abraham DeHaan; location-Vergennes Township, Kent County; size-15 acres; cost per year-$691.00; proposed term-10 years; and
2) William J. Schreur; location-Vergennes Township, Kent County; size-27 acres; cost per year-$1,242.00; proposed term-10 years; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Department of Agriculture.
The House of Representatives has adopted the concurrent resolution.
Pending the order that, under rule 3.204, the concurrent resolution be referred to the Committee on Government Operations,
Senator Cropsey moved that the rule be suspended.
The motion prevailed, a majority of the members serving voting therefor.
The question being on the adoption of the concurrent resolution,
Senator Cropsey moved that the concurrent resolution be referred to the Committee on Agriculture and Bioeconomy.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Hardiman was named co‑sponsor of the concurrent resolution.
Introduction and Referral of Bills
Senator George introduced
Senate Bill No. 1344, entitled
A bill to amend 1973 PA 116, entitled “An act to provide for the protection of children through the licensing and regulation of child care organizations; to provide for the establishment of standards of care for child care organizations; to prescribe powers and duties of certain departments of this state and adoption facilitators; to provide penalties; and to repeal acts and parts of acts,” by amending section 5d (MCL 722.115d), as added by 2005 PA 133.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services.
Senator Birkholz introduced
Senate Bill No. 1345, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20114a, 20120a, 20120b, 20120c, and 20120d (MCL 324.20114a, 324.20120a, 324.20120b, 324.20120c, and 324.20120d), section 20114a as amended by 1996 PA 115, sections 20120a, 20120b, and 20120c as added by 1995 PA 71, and section 20120d as amended by 1996 PA 383, and by adding sections 20114b, 20114c, 20114d, 20120, and 20120e; and to repeal acts and parts of acts.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
Senators Sanborn, Gilbert and Van Woerkom introduced
Senate Bill No. 1346, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20101, 20104, and 20104a (MCL 324.20101, 324.20104, and 324.20104a), section 20101 as amended and section 20104a as added by 1996 PA 383 and section 20104 as amended by 1995 PA 71.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
Senator Basham introduced
Senate Bill No. 1347, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20112a, 20113, and 20114 (MCL 324.20112a, 324.20113, and 324.20114), section 20112a as added and section 20114 as amended by 1995 PA 71 and section 20113 as amended by 1996 PA 383.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
Senator Gleason introduced
Senate Bill No. 1348, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20129, 20137, and 20139 (MCL 324.20129, 324.20137, and 324.20139), as amended by 1995 PA 71.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
Senator Thomas introduced
Senate Bill No. 1349, entitled
A bill to amend 1994 PA 451, entitled “Natural resources and environmental protection act,” by amending sections 20107a and 20108b (MCL 324.20107a and 324.20108b), section 20107a as amended and section 20108b as added by 1996 PA 383.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs.
House Bill No. 5244, entitled
A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” (MCL 400.1 to 400.119b) by adding section 74a.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services.
House Bill No. 5838, entitled
A bill to amend 1939 PA 280, entitled “The social welfare act,” (MCL 400.1 to 400.119b) by adding section 74d.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services.
House Bill No. 5934, entitled
A bill to amend 1927 PA 175, entitled “The code of criminal procedure,” by amending section 14a of chapter XVII (MCL 777.14a), as added by 2002 PA 29.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Families and Human Services.
House Bill No. 6071, entitled
A bill to amend 1947 PA 359, entitled “The charter township act,” by amending section 34 (MCL 42.34), as amended by 2003 PA 300.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs.
House Bill No. 6072, entitled
A bill to amend 1909 PA 279, entitled “The home rule city act,” by amending sections 6 and 9b (MCL 117.6 and 117.9b), section 6 as amended by 1984 PA 352 and section 9b as added by 1982 PA 465.
The House of Representatives has passed the bill and ordered that it be given immediate effect.
The bill was read a first and second time by title and referred to the Committee on Local, Urban and State Affairs.
Statements
Senators Scott, Basham, Cherry and Allen asked and were granted unanimous consent to make statements and moved that the statements be printed in the Journal.
The motion prevailed.
Senator Scott’s statement is as follows:
Susan L. Taylor, the former editor of Essence magazine, wrote, “In every crisis there is a message. Crises are nature’s way of forcing change—breaking down old structures, shaking loose negative habits so that something new and better can take their place.”
Clearly, we are at a crisis when it comes to auto insurance. I have heard about unfair premium costs from citizens across Michigan. They all want to know when we are going to do something about this problem. They wonder why we are so reluctant to solve this particular problem. I, too, wonder why we do not listen to the people we represent, and take action to help them.
We need to break down the structure that legislators created, and replace it with rate-setting criteria that is fair to all drivers, regardless of where they live. People are looking for fairness, not a handout. People are willing to be held accountable for their driving record and not penalized for the problematic records of others. We can deal with this crisis and create a fair system that truly serves our needs if we will only take action now.
Senator Basham’s statement is as follows:
You know, Mr. President and members, today it appears in the Detroit News—it’s an editorial that talks about how it’s time to build the Detroit-Canada bridge. It talks about the Canadians funding or fronting the $550 million of Canadian money to fund Michigan’s share of the DRIC bridge. It also talks about support for the DRIC bridge and how the momentum has grown when people actually learn about the issue. It has grown. It’s grown with businesses and organized labor. It’s grown by being supported by both governments in both countries. It is supported by the local communities. It is supported by different Detroit chambers, ASPE, L. Brooks Patterson, and the mayors of both cities on both sides of the river.
It also talks about in the Detroit News today comparable crossings like the crossings in Buffalo, New York, where they have four crossings and fourteen lanes. They do half the capacity as a privately-owned bridge in Detroit that is 80-something years old that needs to be re-decked. It also talks about the traffic projections and the fact that the truck traffic has been up and what the projections will be.
So I would encourage members to not just take my word for it, but pick up the Detroit News and read the May 25 editorial, “Time to build the Detroit-Canada bridge.” Look for yourself and see why others—regardless of papers on both sides of the river, editorials on both sides of the river, legislators on both sides of the river, business and labor groups on both sides of the river—all support the Detroit River International Crossing (DRIC).
Senator Cherry’s statement is as follows:
After rising for the last several months to call on my colleagues from across the aisle to address the needs of Michigan workers and their families, it seems that some of the Senate Republicans are finally starting to take notice. I wish, however, that they would not recycle rhetoric and instead roll up their sleeves to get things done. As one of the Senators from across the aisle recently pointed out, Michigan already promotes Buy Michigan First, a directive that places a preference on contracting with Michigan-based vendors to supply goods and services to state agencies. That is a good initiative and one that we can rightfully all get behind.
Senate Republicans also support a resolution here in the Senate that would urge Congress to require that preference be given to Michigan workers on all local projects funded by federal stimulus money and to help support Michigan farms and strengthen our agricultural industry. We even had local food week last week, which encourages schools, restaurants, hospitals, and other institutions to use Michigan foods on their menus.
There is still more that can be done. We have pending legislation that would Hire Michigan First, placing a hiring preference on Michigan workers for Michigan jobs on state-funded projects. This, ultimately, does the same thing as Buy Michigan First, and the resolution regarding ARRA funding promotes supporting our own industries in providing a much-needed boost to Michigan workers.
This is another way to help Michigan’s economy within, using the state’s buying power to help stimulate our economy and help our businesses and our workers. These are all common-sense proposals to help support our economy that should be above partisanship.
So I ask the leadership, the Senate Republican leadership, what are we waiting for? We should pass those bills today. The legislation to help Michigan’s economy is certainly not limited to Hire Michigan First. The economy should be our main focus right now, but this body and the leadership is not taking up any legislation to help our workers and not coming up with any ideas of their own. I urge my Republican colleagues to pass bills and offer some solutions to Michigan’s economy woes if they have any, instead of continuing to ignore the plight of our state’s working families.
Senator Allen’s statement is as follows:
I would like to express my disappointment in Governor Granholm and her administration for her late-Friday decision about the Wolverine Electric Cooperative plant and the air quality permit that was needed for expansion in Rogers City. We need to create jobs, and this is a fine example of how we can create jobs in this fine state.
I don’t want to be only a single voice expressing this displeasure. Maybe I should be speaking on behalf of the hundreds of construction workers, engineers, suppliers, and contractors who would find employment at the power plant during the construction. This area has been experiencing almost 20 percent unemployment. I’m certain that they also are letting the Governor and her administration know that they strongly disagree with her ill-advised action.
Maybe I should be speaking on behalf of the thousands of residents of Rogers City and northern Michigan and the members of the Wolverine Electric Cooperative Extension who have studied this plant and overwhelmingly supported it as a good neighbor and economic benefit to their community and cooperative. Judging from the proactive campaign they undertook in support of the plant to urge Governor Granholm and her administration to approve the project, I’m sure they have already effectively told her what they think.
In all likelihood, I should be speaking on behalf of the millions of residents of Michigan and the United States of America who believe that this state’s quest for energy independence will require investors and entrepreneurs to support a diversified mix of sources for electric generation.
The Rogers City plant would use advanced clean-coal technology to generate electricity. The project will include state-of-the-art programs for carbon sequestration with a grant coming from this administration. It has already been cited by the federal government as a demonstration location for this world-class technology. It would use control systems to make sure the plant was compliant with the environmental quality of northern Michigan.
Governor Granholm, you did not just reject a needed source of electricity for future generations of Michigan residents, but you told the nation that our state is closed for business.
Committee Reports
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Finance submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 11:28 a.m., Room 110, Farnum Building
Present: Senators Cassis (C), Gilbert, Pappageorge, Jansen, Jacobs, Cherry and Whitmer
COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE REPORT
The Committee on Energy Policy and Public Utilities submitted the following:
Meeting held on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 1:00 p.m., Senate Hearing Room, Ground Floor, Boji Tower
Present: Senators Patterson (C), Brown, Birkholz, Richardville, Nofs, Olshove and Clark-Coleman
Absent: Senators Kuipers, Clarke and Thomas
Scheduled Meetings
Appropriations - Wednesday, May 26, 2:00 p.m., Senate Appropriations Room, 3rd Floor, Capitol Building (373-6960)
Subcommittees -
Community Health Department - Thursday, May 27, 1:00 p.m., Room 110, Capitol Building (373-2768)
State Police and Military Affairs - Tuesday, June 22, 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 23, 3:00 p.m. and Thursday, June 24, 1:00 p.m., Rooms 402 and 403, Capitol Building (373-2768)
Campaign and Election Oversight - Wednesday, May 26, 12:00 noon, Room 405, Capitol Building (373-1725)
Economic Development and Regulatory Reform - Wednesday, May 26, 2:00 p.m., Room 405, Capitol Building (373-7670)
Natural Resources and Environmental Affairs - Wednesday, May 26, 1:00 p.m., Room 110, Farnum Building (373-3447)
Senator Cropsey moved that the Senate adjourn.
The motion prevailed, the time being 11:08 a.m.
The President pro tempore, Senator Richardville, declared the Senate adjourned until Wednesday, May 26, 2010, at 10:00 a.m.
CAROL MOREY VIVENTI
Secretary of the Senate
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