MURDER, POLITICS, AND THE END OF THE JAZZ AGE
by Michael Wolraich
A flurry of late legislation is typical in lame duck, but some long-time Lansing observers said the Thursday-Friday session was extraordinary.
Measures sent to Snyder include:
• A phased-out elimination of the personal property tax
• Greater restrictions on abortion, including licensing of abortion facilities.
• The final bills needed to create a Regional Transportation Authority for southeast Michigan.
• An authority intended to improve streetlights in the city of Detroit.
• Legislation to assist Mike Ilitch in his plans for a new arena and entertainment district in downtown Detroit.
• Bills that make it tougher to recall state lawmakers.
• A requirement — already vetoed once by Snyder — that voters declare in writing they are U.S. citizens.
• A replacement emergency manager law, less than two months after voters rejected the former law, Public Act 4 of 2011.
• Privatization of a prison in Baldwin.
• Easing restrictions on where guns can be carried.
• Changes to the state’s medical marijuana laws.