MEC Capitol Update
3/20/2005

The next hearing by the House Transportation Committees on Governor's Granholm's "Fix it First" approach to roads will take place in Waterford on Monday.

House Energy continues hearings on a Renewable Portfolio Standard on Thursday

House Natural Resources Committee will begin discussion on farmland preservation and possible tax breaks for agricultural property.

Senate

Passed:

SB 70 - Creates an Adopt-a-watershed program.

On the Calendar:

SB 79 – Authorizes and requires voter approval for imposing up a fee more than $2.00 per household to fund waste reduction programs (to a maximum of $4.00). Counties currently have this authority for imposing the first $2.00 per household.

SB 282 – Provides for an exemption from the soil erosion and sedimentation control program for certain residential projects and a general permit for the maintenance of others, such as seawalls.

In committee:

Natural Resources & Environmental Affairs will not meet this week.

Technology and Energy is scheduled to meet on Tuesday (3/23) at 3:00 PM for a presentation by Dr. Alan Rosenberg of Brubaker & Associates on Detroit Edison's business model and a presentation by American Electric Power on wind energy.

Finance will meet on Wednesday (3/23) at 1:00 PM for a general discussion with State Treasurer Jay Rising on the Governor's Tax Restructuring Package

Appropriations: Agriculture will meet on Thursday (3/24) at 2:30 pm to take up the Fiscal Year 2005-06 Agriculture Budget.

Appropriations: Transportation will meet on Tuesday (3/15) at 1:00 PM for a presentation by the MDOT on the 2005-06 Transportation Budget - This week will focus on :
-Road and bridge funding, local road agencies, and private construction industry
-Public transportation and freight programs

House

On the calendar:

In committee:

Appropriations: Agriculture will meet on Tuesday (3/22) at 10:30 AM Presentation by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and will take up:
- Overview
- Michigan Farm Bureau
- Office of the Racing Commissioner Department Programs

Appropriations: Environmental Quality will meet on Wednesday (3/23) at 9:00 AM for a budget overview of FY 2005-2006

Appropriations: Natural Resources will meet on Wednesday (3/23) at 11:00 AM for a budget overview of FY 2005-2006

Appropriations: Transportation will meet on Wednesday (3/23) at 8:30 AM for a presentation by the department.

Commerce: Long Term Debt and Bonding will hold a meeting on Tuesday (3/22) at 8:30 AM for a presentations by:
House Fiscal Agency
Michigan Chamber of Commerce
Michigan State Department of Treasury

Energy and Technology: Energy Subcommittee will meet on Thursday (3/24) at 11:00 AM for a continued discussion of Renewable Portfolio Standards.

Natural Resources, Great Lakes, Land Use, and Environment will meet on Thursday (3/24) at 9:00 AM for a presentation on land use and to take up HB 4257 - a bill to provide for agricultural security areas and provide tax breaks for property within those areas.

Transportation will meet on Monday (3/21) at 6:30 pm at the Oakland County MDOT Transportation Service Center 2300 Dixie Highway Waterford MI 48238
to take up:

SCR 12 - A concurrent resolution to memorialize Congress to enact highway reauthorization legislation with a level of funding that closes the gap between federal fuel tax dollars paid by Michigan motorists and dollars received to address Michigan’s transportation needs.

Presentation by Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) on the Five-Year Plan

Public Testimony on the MDOT Five-Year Plan

Submitted by:

James Clift
Brad Garmon
Michigan Environmental Council
119 Pere Marquette, Ste 2A
Lansing, MI 48912
(517) 487-9539