Briefs

A permanent road funding formula that injects another $1.3 billion into Michigan´s transportation network is topping this month´s lame duck session with Gov. Rick Snyder´s chief lobbyist calling it the administration´s "1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th priorities."

Not since 1993 when the school funding scheme known as Proposal A emerged on Christmas Eve has a governor put so much political capital behind one single agenda item in the year´s final few legislative session days, said Dick Posthumus, who´s served as senate majority leader and lieutenant governor.

Last month, the Senate embraced a version of the governor´s plan to essentially double the gas tax and raise vehicle registrations.

The House leadership has other ideas — letting any future economic growth cover future road funding, with schools and local governments taking the financial hit if the economy tanks. A ballot proposal involving a one-penny sales tax hike remains a potential compromise.

Other outstanding issues include:

— Legislation regulating Uber and other "transportation network companies" is getting some traction in the House, but traditional taxi services are pushing back against an effort that would legitimize the new service.

— Opening the door to "provisioning centers," where patients would more easily obtain medical marijuana, was fine with three quarters of the House (the needed margin to change a citizens initiative) last year, but it´s been a different story in the Senate, despite support of the Senate majority leader. Concerns from law enforcement and those suffering flashbacks of the dispensaries explosion a few years back are why there hasn´t been the needed 29 "yes" votes yet.

— Giving LGBT community civil rights protections against discrimination in the Elliott Larsen Civil Rights Act will receive a hearing. But with the House speaker trying to attach the measure to a Religious Freedom Restoration Act and some talking about cutting transgender protections out of the bill, its prospects of passing are slim.

— Legislation banning the sale of electronic cigarettes to those under 18 is in legislative purgatory as the Governor´s Office and lawmakers arm-wrestle over whether this less unhealthy nicotine device should be taxed like cigarettes.

— A bill that would diminish the number of government public notices that run in print newspapers in favor of online options moved out of a House committee and could move despite opposition from publishers.

~ Kyle Melinn

Cooley vacates Mason Temple Building

Western Michigan University Cooley Law School has vacated the old Mason Temple Building on Capitol Avenue in downtown Lansing and will “probably” put it on the market, according to Cooley President Don LeDuc.

LeDuc, speaking on the TV show “City Pulse Newsmakers,” said Cooley’s operations department moved out last month, leaving the building empty. The six-story, 90-yearold building was sold to Cooley in 1980.

Cooley had also been using the building for classes when space in the more modern Cooley Center across the street was unavailable, but that ended when the economic downturn in 2008 reduced the size of the student body, LeDuc explained.

Calling it a “wonderful old building,” LeDuc said its prime use would be for offices.

He had hoped to see the Senate move into the building. But the Senate put into motion last week a $70 million effort to move to the Capitol View building.

— Berl Schwartz

Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment educational session Saturday

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is partnering with the Allen Neighborhood Center to host a free educational and enrollment event Saturday to help the Lansing community navigate the second open enrollment period under the health law. During this event, enrollment specialists will outline the basics of the Affordable Care Act, including opportunities for financial help and how to enroll.

The event is open to the public from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pre-registration is encouraged at insurance.bcbsmseminars.com where consumers can register, get directions and set up appointments.

Materials and resources will be provided to help attendees understand their new coverage options. Free medical screenings will also be available.

“The thing we’re stressing is educating folks about the open enrollment this year and that they may be eligible for assistance to pay for the premium," said Rick Notter, director of individual business for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan.

Two big issues are that many don’t know they could be eligible for a subsidy and folks are not aware it’s open enrollment season now.

“The deadline is Dec. 15 for a Jan. 1 effective start date,” he said.

Otherwise open enrollment continues through Feb. 15.

If you’re already enrolled and have no change in status — haven’t had a baby, got married, moved or changed your income — you don’t have to change your plan.

Notter said he is expecting more people to enroll in the Marketplace this year. He said up to 275,000 uninsured could be eligible in Michigan.

~ Belinda Thurston