Recently, the Senate Republican caucus unveiled their top 10 legislative reforms that they say, can aid in eliminating the 2011 budget deficit. Currently, early figures of the 2011 deficit are around $1.7 - 2 billion. Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop (R-Rochester) unveiled 10 cost-saving legislative initiatives for state and local government entities. The goal of the initiatives is to provide efficient government services, while making it cost-effective for Michigan citizens.
The 10 initiatives cover six key reform areas for an estimated total savings of $2.24-2.6 billion:
- Public employee healthcare ($615 million in savings);
- Local police and fire ($70-118 million);
- K-12 school spending ($363-663 million);
- Medicaid spending ($160-500 million);
- Government efficiency (indeterminate); and
- Public employee compensation ($1.2 billion).
Additional highlights of the Senate reform package include:
- Reducing the number of state departments to 11;
- Combining all permitting and licensing into one department;
- Expediting the arbitration process for police and fire;
- Reducing school administrative costs to direct more resources into the classroom; and
- Competitively bid K-12 non-instructional services, including transportation, custodial
The Senate has created a new bi-partisan panel, the Reforms and Restructuring Committee, to analyze the proposed 10 reforms. Senator Bishop will serve as Chair of the committee, and Senator Jud Gilbert (R-Algonac) as Vice Chair. Also serving on the committee will be Tom George (R-Texas Twp), Wayne Kuipers (R-Holland), Deb Cherry (D-Burton), and Tupac Hunter (D-Detroit).
On the other side of the aisle, Senate and House Democrats have scheduled a joint caucus retreat, and will hash out their own list of reforms they would like to see put forth this year. Senate Minority Leader Mike Prusi (D-Ishpeming) has stated that the Democrats have been working on reforms that are in the best interest of moving Michigan forward.
You may recall that the Michigan Association of REALTORS® banded together with other members of the business community to form a coalition to push for government reform before taxation. The “One Voice for Reform” coalition urges real reform without tax increases in order to balance the state budget. REALTORS® are fighting for survival and have a deep concern for the future of the state. The coalition knows that some of the choices to be made are tough, but difficult decisions are being made everyday by families and job providers across Michigan and government has a responsibility to do the same. The coalition is pleased that these reforms will be on the forefront of the legislative agenda this year.
To learn more about the “One Voice for Reform” coalition and members, please visit
http://www.mirealtors.com/content/onevoice.htm
Thank you to everyone who attended the 2010 MAR Achieve Conference & Achieve After Dark! As a reminder, Knowledge session handouts will be available on the
Achieve Web site for the next two weeks. Download today to add to your notes.
The post-event survey has been sent to all attendees, so take time to tell MAR what you thought of the event! As always, MAR appreciates your feedback. Check out Achieve & After Dark photos on the
MAR Facebook Event Fan Page.
The “
Primer on Short Sales”, which was provided at the Association Legal Issues session at 2010 Achieve, is now available on Mirealtors.com. Direct your members to this valuable resource, or print copies for your next meeting. The piece joins the many valuable resources that can be found on the
Foreclosure Prevention & Response Web site on Mirealtors.com.
Also, as a reminder, direct your members to the
Short Sales Survey. Please include the link below in upcoming e-publications, on your web site, newsletters or other communications with members. As always, MAR appreciates your support in promoting programs to members.
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/shortsales
We have updated the
local leadership information for 2010 on the MAR site and ask that you please take a moment to review the information. You can find the local leadership information under the About MAR tab, along with the MAR leadership information
Please email
Julie Rowell if you find any changes that need to be made.
Next week kicks off the MAR Pro Standards Workshops being held February 3-5 in Battle Creek, Novi and Mt. Pleasant. An updated attendee list has been added to
Mirealtors.com. Please check the list to assure your members are registered. Online registration closes this Friday, January 29. Any registrations after that date can be done on site of the workshops.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
McCamly Plaza Hotel
50 Capital Ave, SW
Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone: 269-963-7050
Directions:
http://www.mccamlyplaza.com/location.html 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Registration
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Workshop
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Rock Financial Showplace
46100 Grand River Ave
Novi, MI 48374
Phone: 248-348-5600
Directions:
http://www.rockfinancialshowplace.com/directions.php
12:30 – 1:00 p.m. Registration
1:00 – 4:30 p.m. Workshop
Friday, February 5, 2010 – AM Session
Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort, Black River Room
3800 Soaring Eagle Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858
Phone: 989-775-7777
Directions:
http://www.soaringeaglecasino.com/directions.htm
Registration – 10:00-10:30 a.m.
Workshop – 10:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Take 10% off your entire order at the Realtor.org Store!
The Realtor.org Store has everything you need to enhance your knowledge of the real estate industry. From DVD's to books and brochures, The National Association of REALTORS® provides you with a plethora of resources that cannot be found anywhere else. Above all, the store provides convenient ways to place orders. Visit the store online and make your purchases with the click of a mouse, or simply call and order your product over the phone. Both ways will result in fast shipping, and the option to return.
The Michigan Association of REALTORS® wants to help you save money on the tools you need. As a MAR member, you are entitled to 10 percent off your entire REALTOR.org Store purchase. Simply type in the promotional code Mi2 and the amount will automatically will be discounted. You can also apply the promotional code to phone and fax orders. It really is that easy to save money, and with this simplicity, there is no reason not to use the code and save!
Visit the REALTOR.org Store at www.realtor.org/store to view available products. Don't forget to use your discount by typing in Mi2 at checkout!