http://www.crcmich.org en-us elupher@crcmich.org (Eric Lupher) 30 http://vimeo.com/51012032 CRC conducted an online webinar to discuss Proposal 1 (referendum on Public Act 4), Proposal 2 (right to collective bargaining), and Proposal 4 (Michigan Quality Home Care Council) on October 8. The session was recorded and is available online. Tue, 9 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://vimeo.com/50853360 CRC conducted an online webinar to discuss Proposal 3 (renewable energy), Proposal 5 (requirements for tax increases), and Proposal 6 (vote requirements for international crossings) on October 5. The session was recorded and is available online. Mon, 8 Oct 2012 09:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012ballotsummary.html CRC has created a summary of the six statewide ballot proposals to provide brief explanations of each question, identify the implications if each question passes or is rejected, and offer some major issues to consider. The content is based on the more in-depth analyses of each question. Fri, 05 Oct 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop6.html CRC has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that describes the provisions of the amendment, the importance of international crossings, and the recently signed interlocal agreement with the Canadian government. The report looks at the unique provisions in the amendment for seeking a vote of the people and ambiguous language that would seem to suggest that the amendment and vote requirement could apply to far more than the crossing of the Detroit River that the amendment was designed to prevent or delay. Fri, 28 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop5.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that looks at what taxes would be covered and current supermajority vote requirements in the Michigan Constitution. The analysis considers how this tax limitation would interact with Michigan's existing tax and expenditure limitations, looks at similar requirements in other states, and considers a number of arguments that can be made for and against this proposed amendment. Wed, 26 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop4.html CRC has published an analysis of a proposed constitutional amendment to provide limited collective bargaining rights to home health care workers and to establish a Michigan Quality Home Care Council. Proposal 2012-04 will appear on the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot. Tue, 25 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop3.html The Citizens Research Council of Michigan has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that describes the provisions of the amendment and explains the issue of renewable energy. The report compares renewable energy production in Michigan to other states, examines constitutional issues that are unique to a proposal such as this, looks at how Michigan's renewable energy law would have to change to carry out the provisions of the amendment, and explores issues related to energy production and transmission that would affect the electric utilities. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop2.html CitizensThe Citizens Research Council of Michigan has published an analysis of this proposed constitutional amendment that describes the provisions of the amendment, the interaction of federal and state laws on collective bargaining, and the issues created by the proposal. Wed, 19 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012prop1.html CRC has published an analysis of this initiated referendum that describes PA 4, the law that allows state appointment of emergency managers for local governments that are found to have financial emergencies. The report reviews the history of similar laws in Michigan, the application of PA 4, and the differences between this law and previous approaches to local fiscal emergencies. Of particular importance are the enhanced power of emergency managers under PA 4, including the authority to abrogate contracts and collective bargaining agreements, and the terms associated with consent agreements negotiated under the statute. Mon, 17 Sep 2012 08:00:00 EDT http://crcmich.org/rss/2012codeinconst.html The new CRC paper, *Inserting Legal Code into the Michigan Constitution*, explores the seemingly increased trend of policy advocates targeting the constitution in their initiative efforts rather than attempting to initiate law. Fri, 7 Sep 2012 09:00:00 EDT