I just finished my trip to the Middle East, where I visited Israel and Dubai. You may have read my blog post about touting Michigan's Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative in Israel, where I was able to secure commitments from two Israeli water technologycompanies to locate in Michigan. To be clear: we will never sell our water abroad; but rather will position Michigan as a center of excellence for global water technologies. As the world's thirst for increasingly scarce fresh water grows, we want Michigan to reap enormous economic benefits by becoming the home of businesses who sell technologies that assist other states in solving their water scarcity problems.
We set our sights high when it came to advanced battery technology in Michigan. We began by positioning Michigan to lead in advanced batteries just a few years ago, and the payoff was enormous. Michigan received $1.2 billion of the $2 billion that the Federal Government allocated for advanced battery research and development. This has resulted in a number of companies who will be manufacturing advanced batteries for the new generation electrical automotive engine making Michigan their home-- securing jobs for our future. I believe we can do the same with water technologies bringing even greater benefits to our state.
Following my stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I travelled to Dubai, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the Middle East. There, even this Wolverine was proud to be the first state official to visit MSU's Dubai campus (and yes, I heard the U-M/OSU score already!). I also visited the American University-Dubai where I addressed the class of Professor Youssef Beydoun. One of Professor Beydoun's students is from Saginaw Valley State University where she is studying for a degree in Political Science, specializing in International Relations. She expressed to me her concern for the future of the Michigan Promise which is assisting her in paying for her education.
Both schools are emerging as great educational institutions in Dubai. Students at MSU's Dubai campus frequently travel back to East Lansing for at least a semester of classes, and receive the same degrees as students here in Michigan - and also pay tuition back to MSU as well. MSU-Dubai is helping all MSU degrees obtain more international exposure and marketability, and I was pleased to be able to visit its campus.
After a long week on the road, I'm thankful to be back home in Clio for Thanksgiving, where I'll enjoy the company of good friends and family. I wish your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
This week I've been in Israel, on a trade mission to cultivate water technology economic development in Michigan. As co-chair of the joint Michigan-Israeli working group on water technology, I know there's great opportunity to diversify our economy and create jobs -- while leveraging our most precious natural resource, the Great Lakes.
I want to be clear: I am not proposing to sell Michigan's water. Companies seeking to use our water should locate here in Michigan -- where they can have all the water they need. Instead, through our Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative, I want to position Michigan as North America's center of excellence for water technology. Right now, water technologies are a $500 billion global market -- but by 2020, that market is expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion. That means great opportunity for Michigan's economy -- and that is why we intend on seizing the opportunity, much as we did to become the Nation's leader in advanced battery technology.
Michigan's unique position in the water technology field proves we are at the forefront of this technology. Michigan's location in the middle of the Great Lakes, which contain about 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water, has primed the state's successes in agriculture, tourism and the auto industry. We need to continue to protect water resources and use it wisely for economic development purposes that include retention of current businesses and the attraction of new ones.
We all know how important it is that Democrats re-capture the Michigan State Senate next year. If they take the Senate and hold the Governorship, they will have complete control over the redistricting process. Bill Ballenger, editor of Inside Michigan Politics, says "Democrats look poised to pick up at least 3 seats" next year. To take control, we only need to win 4 Republican seats. Democrats have not controlled the State Senate since 1982. Below I have all 38 Senate seats listed, with the name of its Senator, the party, whether or not it will be OPEN next year, and a brief description of the district. I also give a brief preliminary paragraph handicapping the race.
Then I give the 2008 Presidential Result in that District. Remember that the 2008 resutl is sort of a "High Water Mark" here. Note that I didn't calculate the Presidential Vote for the 5 Detroit districts because this would require going precinct by precinct which would have taken days. They are all at least 80% Obama, many are more than 90% Obama.
I then included all of the announced candidates for the races, with links to their websites or sources. I then list potential candidates for each race, usually State Representatives or other local officeholders. Finally, I offer a Charlie Cook style rating: Safe, Likely, Leans or Tossup. The Senator's name links to their website, where you can find a map of his or her district.
I'd appreciate any input that anyone here at Michigan Liberal has, whether I missed an announced candidate, or a potential candidate, or you disagree with my analysis, post it in the comments and I'll update my diary to reflect that.
I realize that this is a lot of text, so for those who don't want to read the entire thing, I added all my ratings seperately at the bottom of the diary.
Michigan innovators like Billy Durant, Ransom E. Olds, Henry Ford, and Walter Chrysler built the auto industry that put the world on wheels. Innovators like Walter P. Reuther helped the auto industry build the modern American middle class and a standard of living second to none. At the start of the Second World War, it was General Motors' president William Knudsen who stepped aside to serve his country, turning the factories of the Big Three into the Arsenal of Democracy that helped us win the war.
We know Michiganders know how to build, and we know how to innovate. It's time to do both.
Yesterday, I visited GM's Romulus Engine plant to talk to workers, plant managers, and local union leadership about the future of our auto industry. There, I saw the faces of our auto industry the national media often overlooks: the hard working men and women who have built Michigan. The Romulus plant has a reputation for quality and environmental stewardship. Last year, it was ranked in the top ten most productive engine plants in North America by the Harbour Report. Romulus workers also were honored in 2003 and 2006 as exemplary "Michigan Clean Corporate Citizens". The workers I met were proud of the job they do, and with the high quality products they turn out -- they should be!
I told Labor Secretary Solis and Dr. Ed Montgomery, White House Director of Recovery for auto communities and workers, that only protecting and increasing employment -- American employment -- will help move us out of the recession we're currently in. Fortunately, GM has a new, innovative labor agreement with the UAW to build subcompact cars here in the U.S., at an existing plant. GM has also announced it will not make cars in China available for sale in the United States. These are the right steps to take in reinventing an great American icon like General Motors, and the only way we'll turn our economy around.
For decades, innovators have called Michigan home. In times of hardship, Michiganders pull together. We innovate. We build. We look to a better, brighter future. I'm confident that despite Monday's wrenching news, we have brighter days to look forward to.
(What did YOU do on Earth Day? - promoted by LiberalLucy)
Even though 70% of the Earth is covered in water, only 3% is fit for human consumption -- and two-thirds of that is frozen! Here in Michigan, we're fortunate to have access to the Great Lakes, containing 22% of the world's fresh surface water. That means we have a special obligation to protect our waterways -- but also a special opportunity to be the global center of transformative economic possibilities based around water.
Yesterday, for Earth Day, I announced the "Green Jobs for Blue Waters Initiative" to target opportunities for economic growth and environmental protection centered around our most precious resource: water. By developing new technologies to conserve water here in Michigan, we can export those technologies around the globe to places where water is far more scarce: helping Michigan's economy and global environmental protection. Michigan can, and will be the place where the water technologies of the future are developed, thanks to our access to the Great Lakes, university research, water management experience, advanced manufacturing capabilities, and our strong history of environmental stewardship. We can create the same sort of dynamic based around a Blue Water Economy that we've started to build in alternative energy here, with component manufacturers and researchers flocking to set up shop here in Michigan, diversifying our economy, creating jobs, and helping our environment.
This morning Lt. Governor John Cherry launched his campaign website in his bid for the 2010 gubernatorial election. It's a gorgeous website, and has all the bells and whistles that have become the hallmark of a solid Democratic online presence. that started with Gov. Howard Dean in 2006.
Here's a bit from the site's inaugural post -
Our goal is to create a space online to not only learn about Lt. Governor Cherry, but also to hear your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. Let me know if you have any ideas or suggestions for how we could improve the site, or what you'd like to see on it. Right now, check out:
Multimedia: We have all kinds of cool multimedia (duh!) content here, from posters and stickers you can print to online widgets for your iGoogle page, Facebook, or MySpace profile (among other things!) We'll be updating this section all the time - and will even be featuring your content! We also have videos here, from testimonials about why people support John from all across Michigan to video of the Lt. Governor in action. You can even submit your own video here, and we'll feature it on the site!
Blog: We want to know what you think! I'll be posting here regularly, and you can expect to hear from a Whole Lot of Other bloggers too (interested? e-mail me). I want to read your comments; they're important to us! This campaign is about you, so comment any time!
Ways to stay in touch: I know, I know. You're never on Facebook. Right. Lt. Governor Cherry is all over the Internet, from Twitter (he was the first Lt. Governor in the country to join the service last June), to Facebook, to YouTube – even Flickr for photos!
About John: Did you know the Lt. Governor used to breed springer spaniels? Now you do! Learn more about our Lt. Governor here.
Get Involved: Learn how you can become one of A Whole Lot of People Supporting John Cherry!
Write a letter to the editor: Use our speakout tool to easily write your local newspaper – without even leaving our site!
I'm really excited to be moving forward, and look forward to your comments. What do YOU want to see here?
A Whole Lot of People Supporting John Cherry really does mean a a whole bunch of people, as seen here -
Congrats to the Cherry team for such a beautiful website, and we here at MichLib look forward to any other candidate websites, should they come forward!
I look forward to working with Congress and President Obama to help protect and restore Michigan's most precious natural resource - not only for the environmental benefits, but also because we can leverage the Great Lakes to advance Michigan's economic recovery! Yesterday, I presented Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality with the MI-Great Lakes plan that was developed with public input from meetings I attended all over Michigan - along with comments on blogs like this one. I will keep you updated as we move forward on implementing the plan.
Since today is Great Lakes Day, please leave a comment below or email me about your favorite Great Lakes memory. To live in Michigan is to love the Great Lakes, and I'm sure nearly every reader has a great story to share. I look forward to reading your responses!
Randy Belliel, the RWDSU Regional Director here in West Michigan, wrote on WMR:
Lt. Governor Cherry understands the problems and concerns of working people, and won't back down from fighting for Michigan families. Our union represents over 10,000 Michiganders working for employers like Post Cereal, Yoplait, Heinz, Vlasic, Gerber, and other companies. We were proud to be the first union to endorse Governor Granholm in 2002, and will work with the same tenacity and effort to help John Cherry become Michigan's next governor.
RWDSU President Stuart Appelbaum spoke at the press conference this morning in Grand Rapids:
"Working people in Michigan need John Cherry. He understands the challenges facing working families and he has the experience, ability, and heart to find solutions to the tough problems Michigan's facing."
RWDSU Secretary-Treasurer Jack Wurm, Jr. added:
"As someone who has lived in Michigan my entire life, I know firsthand what kind of leader John Cherry is. He has never forgotten the concerns of working people because he is one of us. During his years of public service he has been there for us and we know that, as governor, he will continue to fight for every Michigan family."
Belliel added:
It's great to be able to support someone who really gets the concerns of everyday citizens. Lt. Governor Cherry stood up for Michigan workers last year when people like Bob Corker, Richard Shelby, and Mitt Romney urged our auto industry to simply go bankrupt. He has a strong record of fighting for working people throughout his career, as a State Representative, Senate Minority Leader, and now as Lieutenant Governor. He has the experience, the wisdom, and the integrity to help move our state through these tough economic times and to bring new, good-paying jobs to Michigan.
Last Monday, I had the pleasure of attending the Progressive Women's Alliance's event for Lynn Sweet at GVSU's Pew Campus in Grand Rapids. Lynn has covered President Obama since his days in the Illinois State Senate, and had fascinating insights on our new President -- how great is it to finally be able to say "President Obama"?! As much as I enjoyed meeting Lynn, I was equally pleased to meet the members and friends of the Progressive Women's Alliance. In case you're not familiar with their work, the PWA has had an absolutely stellar electoral track record in standing up for the issues that Michigan women -- and men -- care about. From protecting women's right to choice and privacy, to ensuring workers receive equal pay for equal work, the Progressive Women's Alliance has built coalitions, won elections, and made a difference here in Michigan. The PWA has my full and continued support in the effective and enlightened work that they do.
I was honored to have the opportunity to speak at the PWA's event. Watch my remarks above, and visit the PWA's website to learn more about this outstanding organization!
Last Thursday I had the pleasure of hearing Lt. Gov. John Cherry address a group at the Young Democrats of Michigan convention in Detroit. At this meeting, the Lt. Gov. spoke on the vital role that technology plays in the increasing effectiveness of political participation by young people.
His speech was very eloquent, reminding the audience that each of us who has a cell phone has more power to immediately influence public policy than a group of lobbyists in decades past. To access the internet from anywhere, send messages to legislators through e-mail and other instant formats, and then invite all of our friends to do the same makes each of us a potent political force. However, apathy can stand in our way: the belief that we can't change our government is now the only obstacle to our generation.
In 2008, we saw a wave of 'change' and 'yes we can' attitudes sweep the country. It is in this new spirit that we can finally take the power from the entrenched special interests and force our leaders, up in their'ivory towers', to listen to us. With the major problems that our state and country face, it is this ability that can make this truly the 'greatest generation' and abandon the failed policies of the past.
It seems as if the new year is off with a bang, particularly with the news this afternoon that Lt. Governor John Cherry has filed paperwork to form a committee quite aptly named 'A Whole Lot of People Supporting John Cherry'. Filing the paperwork is the first step in declaring a bid to run for office, but isn't quite the same thing.
But if these words from last week's Port Huron Times Herald are a reflection of the statewide support Cherry already has, then 2010 could be another year for celebration and hope.
Lt. Gov. John Cherry, who would have taken her place, served in the Legislature for 20 years and understands how things get done. Given the prospect of double-digit unemployment and a massive budget shortfall, Michigan needs nothing less than competence in high places.
Cherry could be a strong contender for the Democratic nomination in 2010. Potential rivals include Mark Hackel, the popular sheriff of Macomb County; George Perles, the former Michigan State University football coach; Robert Ficano, the Wayne County executive; and Don Williamson, the mayor of Flint.
The announcement has been highly anticipated by most insiders in Lansing and around the state.
While perhaps a little less visible than Governor Granholm during the last couple months, the LG has been hard at work, saving jobs, helping to create new ones, and as he often shares with us here on MichLib, protecting our natural resources.
If you'd like to be a part of a whole lot of people supporting John Cherry, you can join the Facebook group here.
I've spent the last 18 hours trying to figure out how to verbalize the rage, the frustration, and the deep sadness I feel after the asinine vote by the Senate Republicans in Congress that killed the auto industry bailout. And then I saw this quote by Lt. Gov. Cherry that seemed pretty spot on -
"We are witnessing Congressional unraveling of the American Dream and the demolition of the very foundation of our national security. A few beltway insiders who are completely out of touch with the struggles of American families decided to settle old political scores at the expense of millions of jobs and our national economic security. While bankers get the keys to the Treasury our manufacturers get a one-way ticket to bankruptcy and American families are left unprotected."
Last time I checked, the United States included Michigan, although with the way we've been slapped and kicked around in DC, you wouldn't know it.
If only Congress were as sharp and cared as much about working families as we do, they'd realize what letting the Big Three fail really means: not being able to retire, not being able to have health care, not being able to put food on the table - not being able to enjoy even a hope of achieving the American Dream.
These aren't just "workers". Every time I hear this topic discussed on the airwaves, I wonder how many people truly understand that these "workers" are actually people like my dad, my aunt, my neighbor, your friend, even you. Do they get that there are actual people behind this very in-personal collective group term, also used to describe honeybees and ants??
We owe American workers, who had nothing to do with the onset of the economic crisis or the strategy of auto management, the benefits and pay they agreed to, and we owe it to them to fight for their jobs and well-being.
Do Senate Republicans know what it's like to lose a job for no reason other than credit markets seizing up? We bailed out the financial institutions that got us into this crisis with much less rancor than providing much less money in a LOAN, not a bailout, to one of our most important manufacturing industries.
And has Congress been to Michigan lately? Have they seen the job losses we've already suffered, and the pain workers have already faced as the Big Three restructure?
((From my remarks "The Blue Economy - Great Lakes Protection and Michigan's Economic Transformation" delivered at the Federal Reserve Bank's symposium on Fresh Water and the Great Lakes Economic Future, 11/10/08)
I come to this discussion today, obviously, as the Lieutenant Governor of THE Great Lakes state and as the immediate past chair of the Great Lakes Commission.
But just as importantly, underlying all that, is the personal connection I feel to Michigan’s water and woods. As an upland hunter and person who enjoys spending time on the water, I understand the attraction that our amazing natural resources have to people all across the Midwest. I recognize the tremendous impact that Michigan’s water has on the course of their lives and our local economies.
So it is important today, as we focus on big ideas and broad concepts, that we also remain mindful of the profound impact our work and discussions can have on a family, a town, or one tiny stretch of pristine beach somewhere on our shoreline.
(Headed into the home stretch. - promoted by Eric B.)
I hope you read my blog post today at mi.barackobama.com. With only four days left until the most important election of the last eighty years, I'm doing everything I can do to help create the change we need by electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Please join me in working hard these last four days to elect Barack Obama president, and read my blog post to learn about all the reasons why Senator Obama will be a partner for Michigan in the White House. Eight years of Bush policies are enough
(West-siiiide in the house! - promoted by PerfectStormer)
This is Chris, from the Michigan Federation of College Democrats reporting live from the MFCD Make It Happen Bus. Thanks to a newly purchased verizon internet card, look out for live updates throught the course of the week. Friday, the Make It Happen tour, which is graciously sponsored by Lt. Governor John Cherry kicked off forcefully. With a stop at Monroe CCC and then a huge kickoff event with the UofM Dems Friday, MFCD continued to crawl over to the sunny 7th CD.
(Let's get out and help Gary Peters take back the 9th Congressional District! - promoted by LiberalLucy)
Join the Granholm Cherry Ground Crew, a grassroots effort to support great Democratic candidates in Michigan!
We're traveling across the state to keep Michigan blue in 2008. Knocking doors and talking to voters is the most effective way to win elections, so we'll be going door-to-door for Gary Peters in Oakland County this Sunday, September 7. With a strong showing of support, we can make a major difference in Gary's closely contested race.
We'll be meeting at the Peters for Congress Volunteer Center in Clawson at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, and will be out canvassing until 4:30.
Saturday's stop was completely unscheduled. After returning from Tawas on Thursday, my wife Pam and I went to an event on Lake Fenton for Congressman Dale Kildee. At the Congressman's event, we ran into State Representative Terry Brown and his wife Carol. Terry represents Tuscola and Huron Counties in Michigan's thumb area.
We decided that Pam and I would meet the Browns in Port Austin on Saturday to browse through the Saturday morning farmers' market. It has become quite an event for locals and the thousands of annual campers and summer residents who enjoy the Saginaw Bay and Michigan's thumb. The market was organized, developed and marketed by retired State Senator John Pridnia, who I had served with in both the Senate and Michigan House. John had represented Northeast Michigan around the Harrisville area, which lies well to the north of the Saginaw Bay. However, after he retired, John and his wife Lisa toured the United States and Canada by motor home until they chose several years ago to settle in Port Austin.
Above: NOAA divers explore a Lake Huron shipwreck in the Thunder Bay National Maritime Sanctuary
Back in the early 1980's, State Senator William Faust led an effort in the Michigan Legislature to establish a network of underwater preserves. Bill Faust was a respected legislative leader who in his pre-political life edited a newspaper in western Wayne County. He had a life long passion for history. One of his other significant accomplishments was rescuing the state library from years of financial neglect by transferring its management directly to the legislature.
(Wow, check out the great news below the fold! - promoted by LiberalLucy)
Non-point source pollution is a major contributor to the sediment load that is annually deposited in the Great Lakes. It can carry with it nutrients and pollutants that can drastically alter the ecosystem of the Lakes and its watersheds. Elimination of non-point source pollution has been a major focus of the State's Soil Conservation Districts. While the Districts work extensively with the agricultural community to instill good soil management practices, not all non-source pollution originates with agricultural activity.
Tuesday's stop in Christmas, Michigan was a case in point. Christmas is the location of Kolbus Motor Sports Park-a racetrack for motocross competition. The racing oval sits on a 27 acre site. When the track was constructed, it was stripped of vegetation and top soil. The spring melt-off collects in the depression of the oval and then ultimately drains off site into the headwaters of Gangeau Creek, then into Furnace Lake and finally Lake Superior. Each spring the residents along the shore of Furnace Lake see their waters turn orange and a clear soil plume in Lake Superior is visible from the air.
(Welcome back, Lt. Gov. Cherry!! - promoted by LiberalLucy)
When we think about maritime transportation on the Great Lakes, we think of the Soo Locks. Even though the locks are closed in the winter months of January thru March, the Soo Locks are the busiest locks in the world. Over 10,000 boats annually use the Soo Locks to bypass the falls of the St. Mary's River which link Lake Superior with Lake Huron. They also separate Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.
The Locks, which are operated by the Army Corp of Engineers, are themselves one of the issues facing the Great Lakes. Although the original locks were built in 1855, the current four locks (the Davis Lock, the Sabin Lock, the MacArthur Lock, and the Poe Lock were constructed in stages stretching from 1915 to 1968. Only one of the Locks, the Poe Lock, is wide enough to handle the widest of modern ships. Given today's concern with homeland security, it is critical that there be at least two locks capable of handling these wider ships. Consequently there is an active proposal to replace the Davis and Sabin Locks with a completely new, wider lock. Senator Carl Levin has championed that cause but with the war in Iraq funding is at a premium, it seems we cannot afford to secure the homeland.
