Pubdate: Tue, 03 Dec 2013
Source: Detroit Free Press (MI)
Copyright: 2013 Detroit Free Press
Contact: http://www.freep.com/article/99999999/opinion04/50926009
Website: http://www.freep.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/125
Author: Kathleen Gray, Detroit Free Press Lansing Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?275 (Cannabis - Michigan)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/find?253 (Cannabis - Medicinal - U.S.)

ISSUES THE MICHIGAN LEGISLATURE WILL LIKELY TAKE UP BEFORE HOLIDAY BREAK

LANSING -- The state Legislature has plenty of thorny issues -- 
including a ban on traditional abortion insurance coverage -- to sort 
out before the end of the year.

Here are five other things lawmakers are likely to take up before 
adjourning for the holidays Dec. 12.

Campaign Finance

A bill that would double the contribution limits to statewide 
candidates from $3,400 to $6,800 is lurking. It also would set a 
$2,000 limit for contributions to candidates for state senator, up 
from $1,000, and a $1,000 limit for contributions to state House 
candidates, up from $500.

But perhaps more controversial is a provision meant to stunt a rules 
change proposed by Secretary of State Ruth Johnson that would have 
required disclosure of people who donated to political issue ads. The 
Senate has already passed the bill, and it will be considered by the 
House this week.

Medical Marijuana

Three bills regarding medicinal cannabis are up for debate. They would:

. Allow local communities to license medical marijuana provisioning 
centers to cultivate or sell medical marijuana to eligible citizens.

. Allow marijuana-infused products, such as brownies or creams, to be 
used by people who have medical marijuana certificates.

. Allow the sale of medical marijuana at pharmacies.

Education

Two bills that could have a large impact on K-12 education will be 
hot topics. They would: hold third graders back for a year if they 
don't pass a standardized reading test, and switch from rating 
schools based on a color coding to letter grades.

Medicaid Expansion

While the expansion has already passed, it won't go into effect until 
mid-March or early April, leaving a $70-million hole in the state 
budget from federal funds that won't be received because of the 
delay. The Legislature will have to consider a supplemental budget 
bill to fill that gap.

No-Fault Auto Insurance

This bill would dramatically change auto insurance policy in the 
state by doing away with unlimited medical coverage for people 
catastrophically injured in car accidents and replace it with a 
$1-million cap. The bill has stalled in the state House of 
Representatives, but pieces of the legislation could resurface before 
the end of the year.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom