BERRIEN COUNTY COMMISSION UPDATE

By DEBRA HAIGHT
BCR Correspondent
ST. JOSEPH – People can expect changes in Lansing in 2023 when it comes to issues and priorities being promoted by the new Democratic majority in both houses of the legislature. That was the prediction made by consultant Mike Krombeen to Berrien County Commissioners last week.
Berrien County hired Krombeen and his firm, Midwest Strategies, in the spring to promote the county’s interests in Lansing. His company is a lobbying firm based in Lansing that is currently also working with other area clients such as Lake Michigan College and the Kinexus economic development organization.
Krombeen spoke both about what he expects to happen in the new legislature starting in January as well as what if anything might come out of the current lame duck session.
He said chances are pretty slim on any action coming out of this month’s lame duck session. Krombeen said the state senate was in session Nov. 29 and both houses were scheduled to be back into session on Dec. 6 which he said could be a long day. “That will likely be the end of the lame duck although there are rumors they may come back on the 13th,” he said.
He noted that the thought initially was that the lame duck session might be a busy one as the state is “still sitting on $6 billion worth” of federal dollars. That changed with the results of the November election with Democrats retaining the governor’s mansion and gaining control of the legislature.
“Since the Democrats are coming into power, there’s not a lot of incentive to negotiate now when they can come into a better deal in January,” he said. “That’s especially true with spending, why would they make deals with Republicans.”
He said there had been talk that there was agreement between the governor and current legislative leaders to act on three bills: one on mental health, one on health and one on changing the day of the state’s presidential primary in 2024. “They came up in the Senate on Tuesday (Nov. 29) but none of them had support to have a vote,” he said.
“They pushed away from the negotiating table but yesterday (Nov. 30) they were back to having phone calls,” he added. “My gut tells me that I see very little getting done and especially nothing controversial. Those three bills are still alive to some extent.”
One issue likely to remain unresolved as 2022 ends is any action on regulating short term rentals. Action in that area has been expected off and on for a year and a half with nothing passing to date. The issue is a sensitive one in lakeshore and other communities who want to still be able to have control over short term rentals.
“Several different versions are going around and the governor has indicated she is willing to sign something,” he said. “A version from State Sen. Ken Horn sort of regulates short term rentals but doesn’t end local zoning. It says local communities can’t ban them entirely but can maintain zoning rules.”
He said the problem right now with the short term rental issue is that realtors around the state and the house leadership are not interested in taking action. “While nothing is dead, I think the chances of something getting done is extremely slim,” he said.
Education will be one of the issues on the front burner come January, he said. He said people can expect to see action and changes in approach on improving student achievement post pandemic after Democrats take over control of the legislature.
He sees more efforts as well in supporting trade programs and community colleges. At the K-12 level, he thinks more money could be set aside for support staff, tutors and math and reading specialists to give students more intensive one-on-one assistance.
“Democrat priorities that had been stifled by having a divided government will really have some legs,” he said. “Democrats have talked about teacher retention, covering districts’ one time costs, charter schools, busing and working to have smaller class sizes.”
“I expect action in January as the Democrats come out of the gate,” he added. “Funding has been at record levels but the issue is what is sustainable with ongoing revenues if we’re headed toward a recession.”
He noted that revenues continue to be higher than anticipated for both the general and school aid funds. “The next revenue conference is in January and people thing there will be another $2 billion in revenue for a total surplus of $8 billion,” he said. “I think state leaders will again say that the revenue should be considered one-time revenue.”
He expects Democrats to push on prevailing wage and right to work laws so that they are dialed back or at least attempted to be dialed back. On gun laws, people can expect to see legislation on safe storage and red flag proposals. He said rural broadband will still be addressed but be part of a larger infrastructure push.
On social issues, he expects the new legislature to repeal the 1931 abortion ban law even though voters approved Proposal 3 on reproductive rights. He also thinks there could be amendments to state civil rights laws to address sexual identity and sexual preference.
On taxes, he expects action on earned income credits, repealing the pension tax and likely looking at the tax structure for limited liability corporations and corporate businesses.
Krombeen also updated commissioners on other non legislative projects such as broadband and park grants. He said the Michigan High Speed Internet Office will be opening up applications for broadband grants in the next few weeks.
As for grants, he said he understands that the county and other area entities are making “Spark” park grant applications. People can expect to see action on those applications no matter which party is in power in Lansing.