RTTT, cell phones, and the like

The latest from the legislative news agency MIRS...

Rep. Tim MELTON (D-Auburn Hills) said this morning that negotiations are currently stalled after Senate Republicans walked out of the room last night having tried to interject new issues into the negotiations. "I'm still at the table, as far as they know I'm still in the room waiting to negotiate," Melton said. "I didn't storm out of the room, they did." When asked specifically what the problem was, Melton said "they're going above and beyond what their own chamber passed. Stuff that may be a wish-list for them but has nothing to do with Race to the Top."Melton said the Senate came in and demanded 100 new charters without any accountability measures.House Democrats have slated a press conference for 12:30 p.m. today accusing Senate Republicans of "abandoning" negotiations on RTTT. Senate Republicans put the blame on Melton. When asked this morning where negotiations were at, Conference Committee Chair Wayne KUIPERS (R-Holland) replied, "Nowhere." Melton was also asked about a letter of intent that the administration should have filed indicating Michigan's interest in the RTTT process. Talk in the Senate was that that letter of intent was never filed, raising questions about the desire on the part of Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM to participate.Melton told MIRS the intent letter is a voluntary thing that doesn't impact the state's application calling the raising of the intent letter a "diversion tactic" on the part of Senate Republicans.Granholm spokeswoman Liz BOYD told MIRS the Governor did submit the letter this week and received confirmation from the Barack OBAMA administration that it was received on time. The letter just has not been posted on a federal web site yet, which may account for the confusion from senators.

And it continues...

During a 12:30 p.m. press conference the House Democratic caucus aimed at putting pressure on the Senate Republicans to resume negotiations over legislation that would allow the state to compete for between $400 and $600 million in Race To The Top (RTTT) funds. Prior to the press conference the Senate was threatening to adjourn for the year. Laying out much of the argument that House Education Committee Chair Tim MELTON (D-Auburn Hills) made this morning, House Speaker Andy DILLON (D-Redford Twp.) said the House will remain until the end of the year if necessary.
Following comments by Melton and Dillon, a reporter asked if any of the House Democrats had walked over to talk to Senators, Melton said no. He argued there's a protocol to follow and that the people that leave the table should be the ones to call for talks to resume. Asked if a cell phone call had been made, Dillon asked for a cell phone and a few minutes later in front of the media dialed up lead Senate negotiator Sen. Wayne KUIPERS (R-Holland) and asked him toreturn to the table. Kuipers apparently asked to meet with the Speaker first before resuming talks with Melton and Dillon invited him to his office.However, as of 12:55 p.m., Kuipers was still on the Senate floor.Senate Republicans put the blame on Melton, accusing Democrats of not really supporting the RTTP legislation. There were big problems with the House adding items not related to RTTP requirements, like starting the school year before Labor Day.
Senate GOP spokesman Matt MARSDEN said in response to Melton's assertion that the House would stay until the Dec. 31 that the Senate still plans to adjourn for the year today. Look for more breaking news on today's session in the coming hours from MIRS.