KEY LEGISLATION:

Granholm Announces Gubernatorial Candidacy

After only two years of holding elected office, Attorney General Jennifer
Granholm has ended months of speculation about her future plans. The
Democratic Party’s rising star announced Thursday that she will seek the
governorship in 2002. According to her campaign treasurer Melvin "Butch"
Hollowell, Granholm met with her staff and told them she intends to run for
governor. "She feels very strongly she would like to serve and continue
serving the people of Michigan in its highest office."

The move could catapult the State Democratic Party in a divisive primary, as
four other candidates have already indicated an inclination toward running
as well. Former Governor James Blanchard has already formed a campaign
committee and strongly suggested he is in the race. U.S. Rep. David Bonior
has also indicated he will run, while State Sens. Gary Peters and Alma
Wheeler Smith also have strongly signaled they are in the race. Thus far,
the only criticism launched by a Democrat against Granholm has come from
Smith, who said that she lacks the experience to run for governor with just
two years in the attorney general’s post.

Count on the Republican Party to also echo these sentiments, as they tout
the experience of their probable candidate, Lieutenant Governor Dick
Posthumus against Granholm’s inexperience. Prior to serving in that
position, Posthumus served for 15 years in the State Senate, 8 of them as
that body’s majority leader. He will need to trumpet that experience loudly
across the entire state, as the West-Michigan native trails the two
Democratic front-runners by a significant margin on statewide name I.D.

Hoffman Sets Timeline for Security Guard Proposals

Senator Phil Hoffman (R-Horton) has called on the Michigan Commission on Law
Enforcement Standards to draft some recommendations on training and
regulations of security guards within 60 days. As a result of several
well-documented incidents involving security guards in Michigan, Hoffman,
who chairs the Senate State Police Appropriations Subcommittee, is in the
initial phases of preparing legislation aimed at setting training standards
for private security guards in the state.

Michigan is currently one of 10 states that does not require training for
either armed or unarmed private security guards. While at the most recent
subcommittee meeting Thursday, Hoffman intoned that, "private security has
too long been neglected." He went on to say that his budget will reflect a
personnel increase in the state office that issues licenses to security
guard firms from 6 to 11 persons and that funding would be increased to the
commission to provide oversight on security guard regulation.

Sen. Hoffman is widely considered among Lansing insiders to be a
front-runner for the U.S. Marshall position that is opening up for the
Western portion of the state. Should he be named to that position within
the next few weeks, as is expected, he would have to turn over legislative
efforts to another lawmaker. In a conversation with freshman Rep. Gretchen
Whitmer (D-East Lansing), MRA was unofficially told that Sen. Hoffman has
indicated this would be a good legislative package for her to pursue.
Apparently he also feels he may not be around to complete a legislative fix
in this area. MRA has continued conversations with Sen. Hoffman, and begun
conversations with Rep. Whitmer in order to play a substantive role in any
policy decisions related to security guards.

MDCD Unveils New On-line Talent Freeway

The Michigan Department of Career Development (MDCD) has partnered with the
Michigan Virtual University and the Michigan Occupational Information System
to create access to some of the best career information in the nation,
according to MDCD Director Barb Bolin. According to the MDCD, several groups
will find the on-line service particularly helpful. Employers can use the
site to locate new employees/interns as well as training programs for them.
Parents can use the site to encourage their children’s interest in career
exploration or help themselves transition into a new career. And, teachers
and guidance counselors can use the site to advise students about careers
and training providers. The new Internet site can be accessed at www.
TalentFreeway.org.

KEY BILL INTRODUCTIONS:

HB 4436, sponsored by Rep. Rose Bogardus (D-Davison), to revise the Liquor
Control Code by increasing the penalties for selling alcohol to minors.

HB 4437, sponsored by Rep. Robert Gosslin (R- Troy), to clarify the
definitions of "tax" and "fee."

HB 4439, sponsored by Rep. Keith Stallworth (D-Detroit), to provide that the
contingent sales agreement is not sufficient basis for a judicial appeal of
county zoning decisions.

HB 4441, sponsored by Rep. Ruth Ann Jamnick (D-Ypsilanti), to amend the
Township Zoning Act by revising the notification requirements for township
zoning or rezoning.

HB 4442, sponsored by Rep. Jamnick, to amend the County Zoning act by
revising the notification requirement county zoning or rezoning.

HB 4443, sponsored by Rep. Jamnick, to amend the City and Village Zoning
Act by revising the notification requirement or city or village zoning or
rezoning.

SB 314, sponsored by Sen. Ken DeBeaussaert(D-Chesterfield Twp.) to prohibit
the disposal of beverage containers in landfills.

For back issues of Capitol F@cts on-line visit MRA's web site at http://www.retailers.com/capfax/capfax.html.

Specific comments or questions regarding this bulletin should be directed to:
Eric R. Rule, Director of Governmental Affairs at errule@retailers.com.
Michigan Retailers Association
603 South Washington Avenue
Lansing, MI 48933
Phone: 517.372.5656
Toll Free: 800.366.3699
Fax: 517.372.1303
govt_affairs@retailers.com
http://www.retailers.com
http://www.mallofmichigan.com

Click here to find more information about any of the bills referenced above.