First budget votes this week

The House and Senate passed separate versions of an "omnibus" state budget for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. Following weeks of committee hearings and votes this is the first big milestone in an annual budget process that will probably conclude late next month.

Senate Bill 111, Transfer state revenue to big developers: Passed 85 to 22 in the House

To authorize giving ongoing cash subsidies to particular developers and business owners selected by state and local political appointees. Developers would get cash payments for up to 20 years based on the income tax paid by their employees and tenants. Fiscal agency projections suggest the process could transfer up to $1.8 billion state tax dollars to the developers.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 202, Exempt no-cash social media games from gambling ban: Passed 103 to 4 in the House

To establish that the state’s laws against gambling do not apply to a “social media internet game” that rewards players with either a free play or an extended period of playing time as a result of chance or uncertain event. The bill excludes “fantasy sports” games from its provisions.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

Senate Bill 129, Regulate small copper mines different than big ones: Passed 74 to 35 in the House

To establish a separate regulatory regime over small native copper mining operations (meaning ones that generate less than 75,000 tons of waste rock a year to extract copper “in its elemental form”). Local governments would be preempted from imposing additional regulations and restrictions.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

House Bill 4215, Repeal rule banning car running in driveway: Passed 77 to 30 in the House

To repeal a ban on leaving an unattended vehicle running other than on a public street or highway. This would allow warming up the car in the driveway in winter.

Who Voted "Yes" and Who Voted "No"

SOURCE: MichiganVotes.org, a free, non-partisan website created by the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, providing concise, non-partisan, plain-English descriptions of every bill and vote in the Michigan House and Senate. Please visit https://www.michiganvotes.org.

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