HB 5345 - This specifically appointed committe is currently taking testimony on this bill.   As introduced, a board of stakeholders, would contract with one or more providers to develop a variety of plans, which local districts and staff may bargain over the level and type of benefits.  This plan would apply to all state employees receiving healthcare coverage, including legislators, and the Governor.  There are many details to flush out, but I will keep an open mind as we move forward.

To view the legislation, I would encourage you to visit the Michigan legislature website or visit www.newideasformichigan.org to view more specific details of the plan.

Representative Melton is in his second term of chairing the Education committee.  Committee meets Thursdays at 10:30.

The Education committee spent the balance of November and December working on major education reforms.  Our committee spent many hours deliberating very important issues.  It was through this process that we crafted a comphrensive, Bi-Partisan package of bills.  Further information on these bills can be found here: http://www.timmelton.com/document_10.html

In October, the Education committee took up bills that would allow community colleges to offer 4 year degrees in certain areas.  We heard a lot of compelling testimony from both sides.  The bills were reported out of committee at the end of the month, and await further action.  The bill numbers are HB 4837, and HB 5533

7/15/09 - Committee recently took testimony on the making Michigan's High School graduation requirements more flexible.

6/18/09 - The Education committee voted out my package of school reform bills.  The bills were soon passed in the House, and transmitted to the Senate.

5/7/09 - Rep. Johnson and myself testified before the committee on our package of failing school bills. 

5/4/09 - Education committee held a special hearing on May 4th, in order to allow Paul Vallas to testify on a package of failing school reform bills sponsored by Rep. Johnson and myself.  Paul Vallas is the Superintendent of the statewide Louisiana recovery school district.  Prior to that, he was in charge of reforming and restructuring the Chicago and Philadelphia school systems.  He is widely regarded as one of the nation's leading education reformers.  For more information on the bills please see other articles related to the legislation or contact my office. 

4/23/09 - Education committee took up HB 4700 and SB 0222.  The bills allow school districts to partner with cities and towns to create recreational authorities.  I heard from many school districts that house community-use facilities (such as pools), and were not operating their programs as efficiently as they could.  This bill would allow school districts, like any other recreational authority to levy up to 1 mill for the cost of the facilities.  However, any millage request must be approved by voters.  These bills were passed out of committee and will go to the full-House for a vote.  We also saw a tremendous presentation from Genese ISD concerning their GenNEt online instruction program.  The GenNet program is one of the best online consortiums among school districts in the nation.  The options provided to students through the program are commendable and should be expanded throughout the state.

4/2/09 - An overview of the Michigan Virtual University.  MVU was created in 1999 by the state to incubate online content instuction to Michigan's high school students.  Testimony was also taken on HB 4700.  Rep. Segal's bill seeks to allow school districts to enter into partnerships to create more efficient recreational authorities.

Representative Brown chairs K-12 appropriations.  This committee is responsible for reviewing and recommending the budgets for our schools and the department of Education.

*Budget Update 7/15/09 - The House and Senate passed different versions of school appropriations budgets.  The differences will be worked out in a joint conference committee, between the two bodies to come to a compromise.  Most of the budgets will be going through this process in the coming months.

Representative Ebli chairs Tax policy.  Representative Melton is also the vice chair of the Tax policy. Committee meets on Wednesdays at 9:00.

  * Tax Policy has recently formed a number of sub-committees to look at ways of addressing our tax structure.  I have been given the responsibility of heading up the Michigan Business Tax sub-committee.

 - Tax Policy has taken testimony over the last two months concerning Michigan's tax structure.

4/29/09 - Tax Policy will be taking up a group of bills concerning the collection of property taxes.

4/1/09 - A package of bills was recently passed out of committee that make technical changes and bring more clarity to the Michigan Business Tax.  As part of that package, Representative Melton sponsored HB 4709, which passed the House of Representatives with a unanimous 110 - 0 vote.

Representative Johnson chairs Regulatory Reform.  Committee meets on Wednesdays at 12:00.

• Testimony continues to be taken on bills to ban smoking statewide in public places.
  Thsese bills are HB 4196, 4341, 4377, and 4752.

Representative Mayes chairs Energy and Technology.  Committee meets on Tuesdays at 9:00.


3/26/09 - Today the Energy and Technology committee voted out a package of bills to stem utility shutoffs for seniors and low-income families.  The work on these bills was accelerated after the utility shutoff of a Bay City man causing his tragic death.  These bills will allow the Public Service Commission to work with the state and utility companies to eliminate help consumers aviod shutoffs.  It also requires utilities to ensure contact with a customer prior to any action taken to shut off their utilities.  I was proud to sponsor HB 4662, as part of this package. 
3/31/09 - These bills were voted out of the House and transmitted to the Senate.

For a complete list of Representatives and legislation referred to all committess please visit the Michigan legislature and House of Representatives websites.

http://house.michigan.gov/

http://www.legislature.mi.gov/