Tagged: morning news roundup

Bing, Unions Reach Tentative Deal

The city of Detroit and most of its unions have reached a tentative deal over worker concessions. But, as Sarah Cwiek reports, it’s unclear whether the deal can achieve its main goal: keeping an emergency manager out of the city. Cwiek explains:

The agreement covers most of the city’s 48 unions. Detroit Mayor Dave Bing calls it ‘the first meaningful step in achieving the necessary concessions and structural changes’ to right the city’s finances—and stop the ongoing state review process that could lead to an emergency manager. It’s unclear at this point how much the deal would save the city...  Another concern for city officials is the fact that it doesn’t include the city’s police and fire unions. Public safety makes up the biggest chunk of Detroit’s budget.

MI Dems Want Ethics Reform

State House Democrats say it’s time to beef up Michigan’s campaign finance and political ethics laws. “House Democrats unveiled a set of proposals that include a constitutional amendment that would require corporations to disclose political and lobbying activity, and a measure that would prevent state lawmakers from being lobbyists in the state for two years after a political term. Democratic House Minority Leader Richard Hammel said their measure addresses one of Governor Rick Snyder’s key concerns for 2012,” Laura Weber reports.

(Another) Kalamazoo River Spill

A suspected diesel fuel spill has been found in the Kalamazoo River at Battle Creek, the Associated Press reports. From the AP:

The Battle Creek Enquirer reports the spill was found Wednesday in a drainage ditch that's fed by storm sewers. Officials in the southern Michigan city searched Thursday for the source. Brian Kelly, an on-scene coordinator for the Environmental Protection Agency, estimated that several hundred gallons of suspected diesel fuel was in the system that empties into the river. Crews responding to the spill placed absorbent material across a stream between the storm sewer and the river.

Right-to-Work in Indiana

A law signed yesterday makes Indiana the first right-to-work state in the industrial Midwest. That has stirred discussions in Michigan on the topic, Rick Pluta reports. From Pluta:

Governor Snyder was asked for his thoughts on right to work as he testified in Washington D.C. before a congressional committee yesterday… Snyder did not rule out Michigan becoming a right-to-work state sometime in the future, but says that debate should not take place in 2012. The governor says roads, public transit, and connecting the chronically unemployed to jobs are all higher priorities. But Republican state Representative Mike Shirkey says having a right-to-work state next door in Indiana could force the governor and the Legislature to confront the question. Shirkey says he hopes to have a right-to-work bill introduced before the Legislature begins its spring break in May.

Flint EM

Residents of Flint will have a chance to hear directly from their city’s Emergency Manager this evening. Steve Carmody reports:

An emergency manager has been calling the shots at Flint city hall since the beginning of December. During that time, Michael Brown has limited the power of the city’s elected leaders, fired some city employees and come up with a plan to lift Flint out of its financial crisis… Tonight is the first of nine community meetings that Brown plans to hold during the next month to share his vision and take input from Flint residents. Flint is facing an $11 million dollar deficit this year and the city’s cumulative deficit could be more than twice that.

Six More Weeks of Winter

The famous groundhog known as Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow this morning which means a prediction of six more weeks of winter. But, here in Michigan, winter has meant mild temperatures and little snow. “The groundhog made his ‘prediction’ on Gobbler's Knob, a tiny hill in the town for which he's named about 65 miles northeast of Pittsburgh. Thursday's ceremony is largely that: Phil's prediction is determined ahead of time by the Inner Circle, a group which dons top hats and tuxedos and decides in advance what the groundhog will predict,” the Associated Press reports.

Snyder: No Right-to-Work Pressure

Governor Snyder says he doesn’t feel pressured to make Michigan a right-to-work state – even though Indiana appears poised to approve a right-to-work measure this week, Laura Weber reports. “Snyder says he still considers the right-to-work debate to be too divisive. Indiana could become the first right-to-work state in the industrial Midwest this week. Right-to-work supporters say once that happens, Indiana could take business and jobs away from Michigan. Those against right-to-work say it does not attract the kinds of jobs and industry Michigan wants,” Weber reports.

Kindergarten Funding Changes

Beginning in September, a new law in Michigan will mean public schools in the state must offer all-day kindergarten to receive full funding for each kindergarten pupil, the Associated Press reports. From the AP:

The Detroit News reports that the rules were approved last year by the Legislature. The state this month updated school districts about the half- and full-day options as well as the financial consequences. The newspaper says districts still may offer half-day programs but will lose half of their per-pupil funding for each student. Most districts get an average of $7,810 in state aid for each child and are struggling to make up for other cuts. Many districts changed to full-day kindergarten in recent years in anticipation of the change. But others are grappling with the financial challenges of the switch.

Want to Vote? Act Quickly.

It’s the last day to register to vote in the state’s February 28th presidential primary. “According to the office of the Michigan Secretary of State, applicants must be at least 18 years old and be U.S. citizens. Applicants must also be residents of Michigan and of the city or township in which they wish to register. Registration can be done by mail, at their county, city or township clerk's office or visiting any Secretary of State office. Those seeking an absentee ballot by mail must submit their application by 2 p.m. Feb. 25. Absentee ballots can be obtained in person anytime through 4 p.m. Feb. 27,” the Detroit News reports. And, you can find out everything you wanted to know about Michigan’s presidential primary (and more) here.

Cyber Schools

The debate over K-through-12 cyber education is ramping up at the state Capitol. Laura Weber reports:

A state House panel is considering a measure that would allow more "cyber schools" to operate in Michigan. There are currently two cyber schools authorized in Michigan. Former state schools Superintendent Tom Watkins supports allowing more cyber schools to operate in the state. But he cautioned lawmakers to take careful consideration of how well individual schools are performing. Those opposed to more cyber schools in the state say not enough is known about their success rates. Governor Rick Snyder says he wants traditional public schools to incorporate more cyber-learning. But he has not called for more online-only schools.

Preparing for POTUS

President Obama is scheduled to speak about college affordability at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor tomorrow morning and “hundreds of students braved the darkness and cold weather to get tickets for President Obama's speech... Obama is scheduled to arrive in the Detroit area tonight as part of a tour promoting his 2012 economic policy goals,” the Associated Press reports. Michigan Radio will have live, special coverage of the President’s address tomorrow morning. The President’s speech is expected to begin shortly after 9:30 a.m.

That’s a WHOLE Lot of Candles

Michigan is celebrating a big birthday today… the state is turning 175. In 1837, Michigan became the 26th state to be admitted to the union. People are sending good wishes to the state via twitter using the hashtag #mibirthday and Governor Snyder has declared the day, “Michigan Statehood Day.” For a great historical read, check out Michigan Radio Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry’s piece on Michigan’s “boy governor” Stevens T. Mason.

GOP Senatorial Debate

Six Republican candidates who are hoping to unseat U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow in November attended a debate last night organized by the Ottawa County Patriots and a huge range of issues were discussed. “Immigration, abortion, gun rights, right to work laws, Medicaid and Medicare, social security, the EPA and other federal departments, President Obama’s health care law, military spending, participation in the United Nations, the federal tax code, embryonic stem cell research, Sharia Law, Supreme Court appointments, energy policy, and the recently repealed ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ military policy,” Lindsey Smith reports. Former West Michigan Congressman Pete Hoekstra; Roscommon businessman Peter Konetchy; pastor and former Kent County probate judge Randy Hekman; Chuck Marino, and Scotty Bowman all attended. Attorney Clark Durant, a charter schools advocate, could not attend.

State Income Tax Cut?

A proposal at the state Capitol would cut the Michigan income tax rate to 3.9 percent over the next five years, down from the current rate of 4.35 percent. Laura Weber reports:

Republican state Senator Jack Brandenburg sponsored the measure. He said people in Michigan were promised the reduction during messy budget and tax deals made in 2007. Brandenburg said he told his Republican colleagues about his plan earlier this month.He said an estimated $450 million budget surplus convinced him it’s a good time to propose the rollback. Republican Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville cautiously supports the proposal, but he said he’s hesitant to spend money that could be added to the state’s rainy day savings fund. Democrats say surplus should be used to restore cuts made to K-12 schools and higher education.

MI Redistricting Plans Get OK

The U.S. Justice Department has given the OK to Michigan’s new redistricting plans, the Associated Press reports. From the AP:

Michigan and 15 other states need federal approval for some or all redistricting plans. The Republican-controlled Legislature approved the plans for redrawing U.S. House and state legislative districts, and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder signed them. In November, Republican [Attorney General Bill] Schuette asked U.S. District Court in Washington, D.C., to approve the plan, and the Justice Department said Jan. 12 it doesn't object. On Dec. 8, labor and civil rights groups sued to challenge new boundaries for Detroit seats in the state House. The suit says the new map forces black incumbents to run against each other and dilutes the political representation of Hispanics. That case continues.