Bay County Bulletin: January 19, 2015

MICHIGAN LEADERS TARGET PREVAILING WAGE LAW: The latest salvo in the Republican-controlled Legislature’s assault on labor laws was fired Thursday when two top legislative leaders both proposed eliminating Michigan’s 50-year-old prevailing wage law. Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof, R-West Olive, said Thursday he and two other senators will introduce a three-bill package Tuesday that would repeal laws requiring union-scale wages for building schools and government facilities. The law artificially inflates wages on government projects by raising them to the highest union level, increasing costs and reducing the amount of road repairs and other services state government can provide, Meekhof said. http://detne.ws/1IO2aWZ

Leaders Call for Respect, Camaraderie as Session Begins: On the first day of the 2015 legislative session, lawmakers called for respectful debate, bipartisanship and continued progress. It’s always like that on the first day as leaders call for a fresh start, relatively free of any rancor that controversial bills may have caused during the last legislative session. http://on.freep.com/1IM7aLV

Just Another Obama Speech: When President Barack Obama appears before Congress for Tuesday’s State of the Union, he’ll be facing the largest group of Republican lawmakers in more than 80 years, going back to the days when Herbert Hoover ran the country. http://politi.co/1sVEuhA

BIRTHDAYS: Tuesday: S.C. Gov. Nikki Haley.

Saginaw Spirit face uncertainty in goal for first time years: For more than four seasons, Jake Paterson has been a fixture between the pipes for the Saginaw Spirit. But no more. http://s.mlive.com/iXfCfce

Tigers' Caravan in Frankenmuth Friday: The Detroit Tigers' Winter Caravan will be in Frankenmuth on Friday, January 23 from 2 to 3 p.m. at Zehnder's. Guests are encouraged to donate items for care packages to be sent to troops overseas.

Fenech: Scherzer leaves one big hole in Tigers rotation: The Detroit Tigers did the math. And after Max Scherzer declined a six-year, $144 million contract extension from them last spring, when they were the only team permitted to negotiate with him, their odds of bringing the right-hander back weren't going to get better. http://on.freep.com/1J3PR9i

98th Opening Day in Lansing

"The legislature shall meet at the seat of government on the second Wednesday in January of each year at twelve o'clock noon." —Mich. Const. Art. IV, § 13

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS GEAR UP FOR NEW SESSION IN LANSING: The 2015 legislative session will begin much like 2014's marathon lame-duck session ended on Dec. 19 — with policy and budget debate being shaded by an upcoming statewide ballot proposal over roads. http://on.freep.com/1IDuyuY

Michigan justices to weigh right-to-work law: Michigan’s two-year-old right-to-work law will face the scrutiny of the Michigan Supreme Court during oral arguments Tuesday over a union lawsuit challenging whether the law applies to state workers. http://detne.ws/1BW2zq3

Road tax hike plan tests new leaders: Three new legislative leaders are vowing to push for voter approval of a $1.4 billion road repair plan because there's no politically viable alternative. http://detne.ws/1BZbK9j

Snyder touts auto rebound, pushes road fixes: Gov. Rick Snyder toured the North American International Auto Show on Tuesday, praising the economic turnaround of the auto industry and vowing to ensure Michigan remains home to industry innovations. He also used the stop at the show to urge voters to support a plan to boost Michigan road repairs. http://detne.ws/1IH8n75