Politics & Government

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Detroit
6:32 am
Tue April 12, 2011

Mayor Bing to present budget to city council

Credit Corvair Owner / Flickr
Detroit Mayor Dave Bing at Governor Rick Snyder's January 1st inauguration

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing will present his budget for the city later this morning. The Associated Press reports the budget will propose a five-year plan to wipe out the city's $150 million budget deficit. From the AP:

Tuesday morning's presentation is the first step in the city's budget approval process heading into the new fiscal year that starts July 1.

It follows Gov. Rick Snyder's signature last month on a state law that gives more power to state-appointed financial managers, letting them toss out union contracts to help balance the books of distressed communities and struggling school districts.

Bing has fought often with city unions over concessions designed to cut into the deficit.

A union protest of Bing's proposed 2011-12 budget is planned Tuesday's afternoon outside the Coleman A. Young Municipal Center.

Politics
5:52 pm
Mon April 11, 2011

Snyder calls on “silent majority” to express support for his plans

Over the last few weeks, thousands have protested against Snyder’s budget plans. There were a few hundred at a rally in downtown Grand Rapids last week. Outside the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel where Snyder addressed a group of business leaders Monday, just a handful of people held signs.

Inside the hotel, Snyder told the crowd he respects the protestors, and he says he expected them.

“Are they all going to get on board? No. Will some people stay upset for a very long time? Yes. But I believe the vast majority of Michiganders are already being very supportive of what we’re doing.”

Snyder encouraged what he called the ‘silent majority’ to speak up – to friends and co-workers, to the media, and to those they elected.

“This is the time to speak. Staying quiet does not help.”

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Politics
5:04 pm
Mon April 11, 2011

Conservative group putting pressure on GOP state lawmakers on new Detroit bridge

Credit (photo by Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio)
View of downtown Detroit from Windsor, Ontario

A conservative group against a proposed second bridge span between Detroit and  Windsor, Ontario is running negative ads about the project in districts of Republicans who have not taken a stance against the bridge. They want voters to call and pressure the lawmakers to oppose Governor Rick Snyder’s bridge proposal.     

Scott Hagerstrom is with Americans for Prosperity-Michigan. He says the cost of a second bridge would fall to taxpayers, unless it is paid for completely by private money.

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Politics
4:57 pm
Mon April 11, 2011

Can the state tax medical marijuana?

Credit (photo by Steve Carmody/Michigan Radio)

The state Treasury Department says medical marijuana cannot be taxed in Michigan without a change in the law. The medical marijuana law was enacted by voters in 2008. But the law is silent on the question of taxing medical marijuana dispensed by licensed clinics and caregivers.  

James Campbell is an accountant who asked for the opinion. He says the state has not been taxing dispensaries and caregivers. But Campbell says he could not be sure that wouldn’t change.

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Transportation
4:07 pm
Mon April 11, 2011

Bonds for Detroit light rail project approved by city council

Credit M1 Rail
An artist's depiction of the M1 light rail system.

Detroit City Council has approved $125 million in bonds to help pay for a light rail system that will stretch from downtown Detroit to the New Center.

The total cost of the project is expected to be $528 million, according to Bill Shea at Detroit Crain's Business.

Council also approved a $25 million TIGER grant from the federal government (Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery).

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