No Commission Action, Campaign Update, Tri-County Ofc on Aging

This week, there were no committee meetings and there was not a County Commission meeting. Committee meetings are the first and third week of the month and Commission meetings are the second and fourth weeks of the month, so months with a fifth week have no County Commission meetings. As such, this month I had no meetings.

The State Rep campaign is going exceptionally well! I have personally knocked several precincts in Lansing and Lansing Township, and my campaign team has knocked between 4,000 and 5,000 doors. We will be done with the entire dstrict soon, and will start over again! One of my opponents went up with lawn signs this week, so we responded in kind and are getting them up this week. Fundraising continues to be on track. If you would like to have a yard sign, want to get exercise and knock some doors, or want to contribute to the campaign, you can email me at andy.schor@gmail.com or can go to www.andyschor.com. Thanks for all your support!

As for this week’s Blog, I am proud to serve on the Tri-County Office on Aging Board (TCOA). I have been on this Board for many years, serving as one of three Ingham County Commissioners. There are also Clinton and Eaton County Commissioner, and members from the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing. I asked Marion Owen, Executive Director of TCOA, to provide information about what TCOA does and the services provided. Below is the information. Thanks, Marion!’
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Since 1974 the Tri-County Office on Aging (TCOA) has been the region's source for information and services that older adults, persons with disabilities and their families need to live independently and remain active in their communities. TCOA was designated the Area Agency on Aging through the state Office of Services to the Aging, as a response to the 1973 amendments of the federal Older Americans Act and was established by the Cities of Lansing, East Lansing and Ingham, Eaton and Ingham Counties. The mission of the agency is to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of the aging population.

At TCOA, we serve our neighbors, friends and family members every day. Our mission is to promote and preserve the independence and dignity of the aging population. To accomplish this mission, we connect people who need help to service providers, volunteers, donors, businesses and governments throughout Eaton, Clinton and Ingham Counties and the Cities of Lansing and East Lansing. Our mission is, therefore, a fundamentally personal one. The individuals we support and their unique dreams, beliefs, circumstances and goals are at the core of all that we do. Although TCOA's Meals On Wheels is our best-known program our reach goes well beyond providing nourishing meals. Many of our services are provided at no or low-cost or have fees based on a sliding scale. To see a comprehensive list of our services please visit our website at www.tcoa.org and “like” us on Facebook.

In addition to our many services TCOA is also excited about the 5th Annual Older Michiganians Day on June 20th, 2012. Each year approximately 800 older adults gather at the State Capitol to advocate for issues that matter to them and talk to legislators. This year’s theme is the Senior WAVE: We Advocate, Vote, and Energize the Economy. The 2011/2012 Legislative platform includes:
1. Invest in quality Long Term Care options focused on cost-effective solutions that meet the needs of citizens.
2. Provide suitable housing, transportation and health care choices to support independent living and strengthen the economy.
3. Ensure safety and security through elder abuse protection.

Please join us to show your support. If you would like to receive a ticket for a box lunch please call 517-887-1382. (tickets are required to obtain a lunch.) For more information on this event and to see pictures and video from last year’s event, please visit www.oldermighiganiansday.com.

Other activities include the 27th Annual Dinner and Auction on November 1st, 2012. The event will be held at the Eagle Eye Banquet Center with musical entertainment by the Sea Cruisers Band and all proceeds raised will benefit the TCOA Meals on Wheels Program and other in-home services. For more information or to be involved, contact Vaughn Thompson, Fundraising and Volunteer Specialist, at 517-887-1377. Also, TCOA is holding a public hearing on Thursday, June 14th, 2012 at The TCOA, 5303 S. Cedar, Lansing, Suite 1 to solicit input on its fiscal year 2013 Annual Implementation Plan. For more information please contact LeeAnna Olson at 517-887-1382. Project Fresh is currently distributing coupons to eligible people sixty and older in Ingham County that can be used at local farmer’s markets for fresh Michigan produce. This program is first come first served and quantities are limited. For more information call Marion Miller at 517-887-1393.

TCOA is in the planning stages of many other upcoming activities. For updates please visit our website at www.tcoa.org and visit our Facebook Page.

CATA Millage, Road Commission Issues, Fees, Campaign Update

This week was a shorter County Board meeting. We heard testimony in public comment from Ken Ross, candidate for the open Ingham County Circuit Court seat. He had served as DeWitt City Councilman, Insurance Commissioner, and other distinguished posts and is now running for the court. I have endorsed Ken Ross, and hope to see him elected. We also heard from Catherine Mooney, who is running for the County Commission from the north Lansing area, Groesbeck, and downtown area. As reported last week, we considered placing a millage on the ballot that would allow the voters to decide if they want to fund the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) with an additional .12 mills for special transportation services for the elderly and disabled (spec-tran) and for rural transportation services. We heard some public testimony against it from Mr. John Pollard and another gentleman, who said that the Lansing City Council the night before increased the costs of recycling in Lansing by 30% and said that the residents cannot afford millage increases. He also said that he would recall elected officials who vote for millages. During debate, it was mentioned that this millage would be an additional .12 mills in addition to the existing .48 bringing the total millage to .60. Commissioner Celentino asked about increased fares or other things to raise revenues. Commissioner Grebner responded that there is limited ability to do this, as the maximum amount that can be charged for these services is double the fare. Commissioner DeLeon pointed out that it is only a $12 increase in a year for a homeowner of a $100,000 house. Commissioners Dougan and Schafer said that they could not support this because there are too many other millages and things on the ballot that continually ask for money. I said that I would support this as it is placing the issue on the ballot for the citizens to decide. I said that the citizens will decide if government has asked for too much or not. Commissioner Vickers said that he does not usually like millages, but that the rural area gets a lot out of this millage and the services provided by CATA rural transportation services. The resolution passed and the question was placed on the ballot. We passed it on an 11-4 vote. We then considered a resolution to notify the County Road Commissioners that they are dissolved on June 1, and to release the attorney opinion that we received about the procedures to do this. We were recently told that some road commissioners were saying that they would not be removed until they were notified. While the law seems to be clear that we don't have to notify them and just have to dissolve the Board, we sent this resolution. We also heard before the meeting that the Road Commission, in their regularly scheduled meeting yesterday, reinstated the operations director to his post. As you may recall, much of the employee trouble at the road commission began when the road commission dismissed the operations director over a year ago. He then sued the county. The road commission on May 21st reinstated the operating director and specified that the reinstatement would not affect any legal action being taken. This action, a week before the dissolution of the board, came as a surprise to the County Commissioners. Additionally, there were concerns raised by other commissioners that the road commissioners could take an action to change employee compensation or benefits without consulting county staff, thus creating budget problems for the county commissioners. As such, language was added to the resolution saying that any decisions made by the road commission after the passage of the dissolution resolution on April 24th regarding personnel costs and/or fringe benefits will not be accepted by the County Commission. This resolution passed unanimously. We also passed the annual fees resolution. All fees except for five were passed unanimously. The five fees dealing with point-of-sale were opposed by Commissioners Dougan, Dragonetti, Schafer, and Vickers. No argument was given on the board floor for the objections, but in committee it was stated that these fees were too high. We also passed the resolution calling for the ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, which passed 10-5. On the campaign front, everything goes very well! We have knocked thousands of doors and the response has been excellent. We continue to raise money, and have our next fundraiser scheduled - join me downtown at the Exchange from 5-7 on Thursday, May 30th. Also, there are many opportunities to volunteer. We are knocking on doors every day, are doing calls at our campaign headquarters, and so many other things. Or you can take a yard sign for your yard when we put them up, write letters to the editor, or just cast your vote for me in the August 7th Democratic primary. Thanks for all your support!

Land Bank, CATA Millage, Fracking, Campaign Update

Welcome back to the Schor Report. Let me lead by apologizing for skipping a week last week. Things got busy, and I just forgot. My bad. This week was committee week. I had Human Services adn County Services. In County Services, we passed a resolution authorizing an annual transfer of $400,000 for the 2012-2014 fiscal years to the Ingham County Land Bank. We are expecting high numbers of tax foreclosures because of the lingering economy, at least through 2014. In 2005 the County and Treasurer Schertzing created the Ingham County Land Bank, and I am proud to have been a founding member. The Land Bank has grown to be a significant economic development tool in Ingham County and is the major public responder to the combat properties in tax foreclosure. It has been a better tool than we hoped for, and has utilized significant federal (HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis) and other dollars to rehab properties and put them back on the tax rolls. Now, the need exist for more capacity at the Land Bank to deal with the growing inventory of property. The County maintains a Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund, and that Fund has increased revenue due to the increased incidence of tax delinquency, forfeiture and foreclosure. The $400,000 requested by the Land Bank yearly will come from that fund to assist in rehabbing and moving the significant physical assets. There were several questions from commissioners about the Land Bank, but no real opposition from staff or Commissioners. The resolution passed unanimously. Finally, in Human Services we considered a resolution putting a question on the ballot asking the residents of Ingham County to increase the Capital Area Transportation Authority (CATA) millage by .12. Commissioner Grebner, who serves on the CATA Board, asked for this resolution. He argued that CATA provides services to all, and this millage will allow for that to continue. CATA has line haul routes paid for by the urban areas (Lansing, East Lansing, Meridian, Lansing Township, Delhi. It also has special transportation services for the elderly and disabled (called spec-tran) where any senior or disable person can call and be picked up at their door, and rural transportation services for the out-county rural areas that don't have line-haul where any person in these rural ares can call and be picked up at their door. Spec-tran and rural transportation services are currently funded by a .48 voter-approved millage (about 80% for spec-tran and 20% for rural services). Commissioner Grebner argued that the additional .12 is needed to maintain the same level of services for these programs, and the new millage would end coinciding with the existing millage so that the next renewal would be at .60 instead of .48 and .12. While no one really argued about the idea of putting this on the ballot, one thing has constantly bugged me about the language on the ballot. The language for the original millage, and the language copied in this millage request, says: PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM FOR ELDERLY AND DISABLED MILLAGE QUESTION For the purpose of continuing funding for a transportation system to be used primarily by elderly and disabled persons in Ingham County, shall the Constitutional limitation upon the total amount of taxes which may be assessed in one (1) year upon all property within the County of Ingham, Michigan, be increased by up to 12/100 (0.12) of one (1) mill, $0.12 per thousand dollars of state taxable valuation, for a period of four (4) years (2012-2015) inclusive. If approved and levied in full, this Millage will raise an estimated additional $784,000 for the transportation system in the first calendar year of the levy based on state taxable valuation. YES [ ] NO [ ] My problem is that the ballot only references elderly and disabled and does not reference the rural transportation part. I believe that we should be honest and up front with the voters on the language and what it will be used for. I raised this a few years ago when we appropriated the money in a previously-approved ballot initiative, and questioned our attorneys as to how we could use money from an "elderly and disabled" ballot question for rural transportation services when those services were not mentioned in the ballot language. I was told that because the word "primarily" was included in the language, we only had to have more than 50% of the money go towards "elderly and disabled" services. So the language is legally fine. But I still think it is misleading in not mentioning the usage for rural transportation services. As such, I offered an amendment to add "rural transportation services" to the ballot language. Commissioner Grebner opposed this amendment. He said that the money really goes to the system and not for a particular service. He argued that the major usage is for disable and elderly even in the rural areas, but that the rural areas also have others that need rides. He also argued that the base .48 millage would have different language than this additional millage, so it would be more complicated to merge them in a few years. Commissioner Vickers said that everyone understands what the money is used for, and that adding this new language would confuse people. I disagreed with those arguments. The amendment failed 2-4, with Commissioner Deb Nolan joining me in voting for it. The resolution to put the millage on the ballot then passed 5-1 (Commissioner Steve Dougan was the only opposition vote). In Human Services Committee, we also considered a resolution supporting a statewide and national ban on hydraulic fracturing (called fracking) for natural gas. This was submitted by one of our commissioners for consideration. Hydraulic fracturing (fracking) for natural gas involves the use of chemicals and hazardous materials during construction, drilling, hydraulic fracturing, gas production and delivery, well maintenance, and workover operations. Commissioner Vickers said that he saw a documentary on fracking and said that this is not a problem in Michigan and has been going on for years. Commissioner Tennis, though, pointed out that the current fracking is much different that the previous way it was done. This hydraulic fracturing of underground geologic formations is often accomplished by injecting a complex mix of fluids and chemicals, including large volumes of water. On average, 4.5 million gallons per well are injected under very high pressure to create fractures in gas bearing geologic formations. Many of the chemical constituents injected during hydraulic fracturing have documented adverse health effects and/or adverse environmental impacts, and there have been more than a 1,000 documented cases of water contamination near fracking sites. In fact, it was pointed out that some people who live near these sites can now light their drinking water on fire although this was also contested by Commissioner Vickers. Another issue with fracking is that wastewater can contain radioactive elements and has been discharged into rivers that supply drinking water for millions. Use of these hydraulic fracturing mixes exposed adjacent land and surface waters to the risk of contamination through open pit storage, truck transport on roadways, and activities during well development. The pollution of water caused by fracking could threaten the long term economic well being of communities, as businesses and consumers depend on clean drinking water. In 2005, as part of the federal Energy Policy Act and over objections of health care, scientific, environmental, and conservation communities, regulation of hydraulic fracturing fluids under the Safe Drinking Water Act by the Environmental Protection Agency was exempted, thereby allowing oil and gas companies to use these substances without federal oversight or standards. Additionally, the industry is not required by federal law to publicly disclose chemical formulas of hydraulic fracturing fluids so that this information is publicly available for health and safety purposes. The Fracturing Responsibility and Awareness of Chemicals Act (“FRAC Act”), which is currently pending in Congress, would repeal the fracking exemption to the Safe Drinking Water Act and require disclosure of chemicals used in fracking. The resolution indicated Ingham County's support for a state and national ban on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas, and for the FRAC Act and BREATH Act. The committee passed this resolution on a 4-2 vote, with the 4 Democrats supporting and the 2 Republicans opposing. Supporters indicated that the wise stewardship of our natural resources involves protection of Ingham County’s water supplies and water resources, and protection of Ingham County’s water supplies and resources is better accomplished by prevention of contamination and environmental degradation, rather than attempting to cleaning up contamination and restoring degraded environments after the fact. On the campaign front, filing deadline passed. I am not one of seven candidates running in the Democratic primary for State Representative for the 68th district (Lansing and Lansing Township). My campaign is running on all cylinders. We have knocked a few thousand doors, and continue to raise (and spend) money for direct voter contact. We have plenty of opportunity for people to volunteer if they wish, or for people to contribute. The next fundraiser is May 30th from 5-7 at the Exchange. We have volunteer hours available every day of the week for the next 2 1/2 months. Just go to www.andyschor.com to fill out a volunteer form or to contribute to the campaign. Thanks everyone for all the incredible support and assistance!

Land Bank Additional $ Requested, Dentist Hired, Countywide Retirement Benefits, Campaign Update

This week was busy again, although we did not consider as many controverial issues during our committee meetings this week. In County Services, the controversial issue considered was the resolution to provide the Ingham County Land Bank with capacity building funding. The Land Bank has grow to be a significant economic development tool in Ingham County and is the major public responder to the plight of property thrown into tax foreclosure. The incidence of tax foreclosure caused by lingering economic turmoil and hardship through 2014 is expected to be significant. As such, the need exists for capacity at the Land Bank to deal with the growing inventory of property and the housing initiatives through HUD’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis. There have been increased incidences of tax delinquency, forfeiture and foreclosure which has increased the responsibilities placed upon the Land Bank. This, though, has increased the revenue to the County Treasurer’s Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund for tax years through 2014. The Land Bank has significant physical assets with value to unlock and redeploy in the future, but faces property management and disposition challenges currently. They requested annual funding of $400,000 to the Ingham County Land Bank from the Delinquent Tax Revolving Fund for tax years 2009 through 2011. There was a good discussion of the resources of the Land Bank, including the original credit line that created the $5 million revolving fund as well as the Neighborhood Stabilization Fund dollars from the federal government. It was explained that NSP funding proceeds are HUD money and go back to MSHDA. The County receives a small percentage fee, but receives no revenues from these properties and cannot pay back the line of credit with this money or use it for more redevelopment. County Treasurer Schertzing correctly pointed out that we need a highly capable land bank authority, that the county would have a lot more blighted structures without a the land bank, and that inventory has increased along with the needs. The Ingham Land Bank received the Urban Land Bank of the Year Award last year. He also pointed out that property is usually sold to private individuals. If the property is not in a Brownfield, 50% of the taxes go to the land bank and 50% goes to the taxing entities for 5 years. After that, 100% goes to the tax entities. If in a Brownfield, then all the additional revenues go to that Brownfield. The County Controller stated concerns with the appropriation, though, because the County relies on this fund to close budget gaps at the end of the year. The conversation halted, though, when it was realized that the request is not just for $400,000, but actually for $400,000 per year for 3 years equaling $1.2 million from this fund. At that point, the Treasurer and Controller agreed that they would sit down and chat, and the resolution would come back next meeting. The second resolution that drew some concern was the resolution to hire a dentist at Step 5 (the highest level). The Health Department said that the position had been vacant since 2010. The applicant apparently has 29 years experience in dentistry, and has served pediatric and adult services. This dentist has also worked in Army reserves, state corrections, and private practice. The Health Department reiterated, as the have in the past. that dental positions at Ingham County are way below market value, both in private practice and other health facilities. Commissioner Grebner asked about study that the HR director had promised in the past which will ensure that we have the right levels of pay. Our HR director indicated that he has begun a preliminary study, but that there is difficulty in getting the numbers back. It was also pointed out that this job has been open for a while and we haven’t been able to fill it. The Health Department said that this needs to be a Step 5 hire because there is a demand, whereas other positions don’t have the increased demand I asked several questions about why we don't recruit at colleges and have dentists with less experience but itching to make their mark. These would cost less. I was told that a recent college graduate is still making $130,000 out of college, and that is more than we pay. In order for us to get close to that, we have to offer Step 5 right out of school because the market demands it. There were also questions as to why we can't hire dental hygienists to cover this. We were told that the dentists need to do most of the work because it is dentistry and not cleanings, and that the dentists can bill the federal government for more complicated work and bring in higher revenue at higher rate. These positions are apparently funded by an access point grant and we receive $300,000 in billable revenue for each position. Thus, not offering Step 5 and losing the applicant will lose the county about $300,000 in revenue in a year, and will result in 1000 less patients in a year (3,000 visits). Each day the dentist position goes unfilled results in a loss of services to 10 to 15 dental patients. As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), the Community Health Centers are required to provide primary health services related to family medicine, internal medicine, pediatrics, obstetrics, or gynecology. This includes preventive health services, one of which is preventive dental services. The ICHD provides preventive, restorative and emergency dental services as part of its additional health services. As an FQHC, the ICHD can benefit from enhanced reimbursement as long as it adheres to certain program requirements. One requirement is that it must maintain a core staff as necessary to carry out all required primary, preventive, enabling health services and additional health services as appropriate and necessary, either directly or through established arrangements and referrals. Staff must be appropriately credentialed and licensed. In order to maintain this core staff to carry out these preventive, restorative and emergency dental services, the ICHD needs to fill this vacant dentist position. Filling this dentist position will allow the ICHD to maintain high quality dental services for its patients and to maintain revenue projections resulting from these dental services. Competitively recruiting a dentist today. The Step 5 salary is $12,000 less than the dentist earned while working with the State of Michigan. Although many commissioners had concerns with bringing in a dentist at step 5, especially when we can't do this for other employees. We also had a good discussion about changing the county retirement plan. Currently, it provides a huge boost when someone goes from one elected position to another, especially when going from a Commissioner position to a Countywide elected position. They receive a retirement formula based on the top pay and the top contribution percentage. Commissioner Grebner raised that he wants to change this to a hybrid defined benefit/defined contribution plan. We expect to have a resolution and further discussion before us soon. On the Schor for State Representative campaign front, we made an announcement that the Amalgamated Transit Union has endorsed my campaign. We will also be making several more major announcements in the coming weeks, along with announcing walk schedules for volunteers and new fundraising opportunities. It is very busy, but everything is going tremendously well. Voter contact continues to go well and momentum builds. We are 11 days from filing deadline. So far, there are 4 candidates in the Democratic primary (I am one of them, of course) and 2 candidates in the Republican primary. I will report more on this when make the next round of announcements, and I will try to update more in the next Schor Blog. Thanks, everyone, for all your support and don't forget to check out www.andyschor.com!