Introduced by Sen. Michael Switalski (D) on September 12, 2007, to amend the State convention facility development act to specifically allow the “fund raid” used by the legislature as part of the deal to borrow and shift funds to avoid spending cuts in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 budget. This deal used $35 million of the liquor and hotel tax revenues that are supposed to pay for debt service on Cobo Hall and other municipal convention facilities. This bill would eliminate any ambiguity related to the legality of that action, and future ones.
Referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee on September 12, 2007.
Reported in the Senate on September 19, 2007, with the recommendation that the bill pass.
Substitute offered in the Senate on September 20, 2007, to replace the previous version of the bill with one that also makes provisions for continuing the disbursements of a portion the revenue to this fund to counties for abuse treatment programs, once the amount required to make payments on the Cobo and other bonds have been disbursed. The substitute passed in the Senate by voice vote on September 20, 2007.
Passed in the Senate (38 to 0) on September 20, 2007, to amend the State convention facility development act to specifically allow the “fund raid” used by the legislature as part of the deal to borrow and shift funds to avoid spending cuts in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 budget. This deal used $35 million of the liquor and hotel tax revenues that are supposed to pay for debt service on Cobo Hall and other municipal convention facilities. This bill would eliminate any ambiguity related to the legality of that action, and future ones. The bill also makes provisions for continuing the disbursements of a portion the revenue to this fund to counties for abuse treatment programs, once the amount required to make payments on the Cobo and other bonds have been disbursed. [Vote Details and Comments]
Received in the House on September 20, 2007.
Referred to the House Appropriations Committee on September 20, 2007.
Passed in the House (72 to 37) on September 25, 2007, to amend the State convention facility development act to specifically allow the “fund raid” used by the legislature as part of the deal to borrow and shift funds to avoid spending cuts in the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 budget. This deal used $35 million of the liquor and hotel tax revenues that are supposed to pay for debt service on Cobo Hall and other municipal convention facilities. This bill would eliminate any ambiguity related to the legality of that action, and future ones. The bill also makes provisions for continuing the disbursements of a portion the revenue to this fund to counties for abuse treatment programs, once the amount required to make payments on the Cobo and other bonds have been disbursed. [Vote Details and Comments]
Signed by Gov. Jennifer Granholm on September 30, 2007.
1) Shamefull [by AnthonyGR on September 27, 2007] Lets take care of the addicted, but after the municipal facilities are paid for, of course.
Passing a law to make a previous illegal legislative action legal, just another day in lansing. Reply
2) they are all about gimmicks [by Anonymous Citizen on September 21, 2007] in Lansing. Let's keep shortchanging local governments. I'm sure the counties will find money somewhere to help with substance abuse programs. Or they could just lock them up! Sure it costs more, but so what? Keep the money in Lansing, after all, aren't they doing a much better job with it???? Reply
3) Another Gimmick [by jmd364 on September 17, 2007] Way to go Mickey! Robbing Peter again? Reply