Wednesday Coffee Talk/Open Thread

by: BZP

Wed Aug 15, 2007 at 07:04:10 AM EDT

Morning, everyone. Just wanted to kick things off with a shout out to our most recent BlogAd sponsor, ED in 08 (it's the one above/below the leopard ad). The stated goal of ED in 08 is, "to ensure that the nation engages in a rigorous debate and to make education a top priority in the 2008 presidential election. We hope that candidates will offer genuine leadership rather than empty rhetoric and tell voters how they intend to strengthen America’s schools so all students receive the education they deserve."

Considering the way college students here in Michigan have been getting manhandled by all the recent tuition hikes (thanks to you-know-who), this is definitely something I think our readers might be interested in. Show them some love for supporting MichLib.

Anyway, enough chitchat... on to the links!

Current & Pending Legislation

• My Left Pinkie: Unclear on the concept, Senator? The Left Pinkie is gearing up for the looming Right to Work for Less fight.
• Derek Melot: Always time to party. Are the presidential primary bills as important to the future of our state as the budget? Derek doesn't seem to think so: "While Michigan lawmakers can't seem to find the money to fill a $1.8 billion budget hole, or service cuts of the same size the public wouldn't riot over, time is spent on nonsense like Senate Bills 624-25."
• BFM: Privatization kills union and 40 jobs. The Comm Guru, on the Howell Public Schools Board of Education's vote to break the custodians' union: "Granted, this case of privatizing is not part of any Republican conspiracy, but overall it fits right into their mission to break unions. Republicans in both the House and Senate have bills pending to make Michigan a right to work for less state, and if that fails, a rightwing extremist who specializes in fraudulent and deceptive petition drives is marshaling money and resources to launch a petition drive to place it on the ballot."

Budget Battle

• BFM: Granholm slams Legislature on budget stall. The Governor is heading to Sweden and Germany to bring jobs back to Michigan. As for the legislature... "Not only are they Absent in August, they haven't even set a calendar for September yet."
• Detroit News: Stop playing games on state reforms. The Lt. Gov doesn't mince words in this excellent Op-Ed: "If ever there was a time to move beyond political gamesmanship in Michigan, it is now. The Senate Republicans insist -- with good reason -- that government reforms are key to resolving the budget crisis in Michigan. But if they believe their own rhetoric, it is time for them to finally pass government reforms."

Elections

• Capitol Journal: East Lansing field wide open. Derek takes a look at the East Lansing City Council race. Sounds like half the people in town are ready to battle it out over three seats. Now that Sam Singh has announced he won't seek re-election, this could really open the floodgates.
• Walberg Watch: Walberg in Tecumseh August 15. "Apparently there's a robocall going around announcing that Congressman Tim Walberg will be in Tecumseh tomorrow, August 15, at Cal Zorn Park on Russell Road, 6 to 7 PM... Stop by, enjoy the great outdoors in one of Tecumseh's largest parks, and ask Congressman Walberg some tough questions."

Michigan's Future

• AA News: High-tech firms plan expansions. Ooh, I like the sound of this: "The three businesses - Adaptive Materials Inc., HandyLab Inc. and MediaSpan Group Inc. - will invest a total of $7.5 million in expansions that otherwise would have gone to Ohio, Minnesota and Florida, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corp. Combined, their tax breaks would be worth $2.3 million over seven years."
• AA News: Rail service lining up funds but start date still a question mark. Sounds like funding for the proposed commuter rail service between Ann Arbor and Howell is starting to take shape... good news, indeed.
• Gov. Granholm: Granholm to Lead Investment Mission to Sweden, Germany. Okay, I wouldn't normally link directly to a standard press release, but what's cool about this is that you can actually watch the press conference on YouTube. A nice new touch from the folks in the Governor's office.
• Absolute Michigan: The Woodward Dream Cruise, a Detroit Classic. "The annual Woodward Dream Cruise happens this Saturday, August 18, 2007 in Detroit, Michigan. It's billed as the world's largest one-day celebration of car culture, and with more 1.7 million visitors and over than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles, it delivers."
• K-Zoo Gazette: Becoming a life-science powerhouse will take resources, commitment. Ed Bee, president of Taimerica Management Co. says "an estimated $750 million investment between Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo could be enough to vault the region into global prominence as a center in the life-sciences industry." Of course, "it’s not going to be done on a shoestring budget."
• Sagniaw News: Semiconductor to share sewer plant expansion. "Booming Hemlock Semiconductor Corp. will contribute $1.8 million to a $10.2 million expansion of the Saginaw Township wastewater treatment plant as the company nearly doubles production of an ingredient vital to electronic and solar cell manufacturers."
• BFM: Governor Granholm Celebrates Grand Opening Of NextDiesel. "Governor Granholm was on hand yesterday to celebrate the grand opening of NextDiesel, a biodiesel fuel producer in Adrian, Michigan. The recently completed 28,000 square foot facility is located within a 25 acre Renewable Energy Renaissance Zone."

Odds & Ends

• Saginaw News: Rally today aims to save BV branch. "Another rally is planned today in the ongoing battle to convince Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land to scrub plans to shutter the Buena Vista Township branch office. The rally starts at 7 p.m. at Messiah Baptist Church, 2615 Williamson in Bridgeport Township."

Did I forget anything? Drop your links in the comments section...