Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Notes from the Underground 3/24/10

Gongwer:

GRANHOLM REVAMPS M.E.G.A. AFTER FRAUD CASE
In the wake of a controversy involving a tax credit granted a convicted embezzler, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation will see changes in how it processes Michigan Economic Growth Authority grant applications, and the MEGA board will see changes in its structure to better oversee the approval process, under orders issued Tuesday by Governor Jennifer Granholm.

PATTERSON: TOO MUCH M.E.G.A. REVIEW COULD HURT PROSPECTS
As legislators prepare to review procedures the state uses to grant Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credits, Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said the process could delay decisions by months and threaten the ability of the state and his county to land new deals.

STATE EMPLOYEES PROTEST PAY, PENSION PLANS
Several hundred state employees took an extended lunch Tuesday to protest plans to eliminate a coming pay raise and to encourage those eligible to retire.

CIVIL RIGHTS CALLS FOR MIGRANT HOUSING IMPROVEMENTS
Calling migrant housing conditions in the state "unconscionable", the Civil Rights Commission has called on the state to improve living conditions for migrant workers and to sanction those who do not improve their facilities.

PANEL OK'S END TO RETIREE BENEFITS FOR STATE OFFICIALS
With some debate but considerably less emotion than in the Senate, the House Government Operations Committee reported legislation on Tuesday that would end retiree health care benefits for many elected officials.

SENATE SUBCOMMITTEE OKS RETIREMENT BILLS
Legislation enacting a key proposal of Governor Jennifer Granholm, to encourage state workers and teachers with at least 30 years service to retire, cleared a Senate subcommittee on Tuesday.


MIRS:

Senate Retirement Plan: All Stick, No Carrot
"State and public employees would be offered an early retirement incentive that's all stick and no carrot in the eyes of the retirement eligible, but would save state and local governments a combined $291 million next year and a combined $3.9 billion in savings by Fiscal Year 2020, under a pair of bills that moved out of a Senate panel this evening."

Background Check Put On MEGA Applicants
"The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) will require tax credit applicants to undergo a background check and a new chief compliance officer will make sure the research is conducted, under an executive directive Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM signed today in response to the RASCO debacle."