AP: Judge's ruling keeps Michigan do-over Democratic primary in limbo. "We need those lists to prevent people who voted in the Republican primary from voting in the Democratic do-over. Those are DNC rules," said Michigan Democratic Party spokeswoman Liz Kerr, referring to the Democratic National Committee. "This is basically the final straw in preventing us from having a do-over election."
Michigan Messenger: It's dead. No, it isn't -- but time is fast running out for a Democratic primary do-over. "Each day that goes by, the political momentum to find a solution is lost," said Dave Woodward, chair of the Oakland County Democratic Party. "The conventions have been canceled because there is a conversation to say, 'Is there is a different way to select these delegates to ensure they could get seated?'"
AP: Court says Moore did not defame Iraq war veteran with documentary. "A federal appeals court has ruled filmmaker and Michigan resident Michael Moore did not defame an Iraq war veteran when he used a clip from a television interview without his permission in the anti-war documentary 'Fahrenheit 9/11.'"
WXYZ: Mayor Kilpatrick Taking Online Donations. Channel 7 has a list of Kwame's major donors.
DetNews: Brown eyes run for mayor, Congress. "Flush with $3 million from a whistle-blower settlement, fired Deputy Police Chief Gary Brown is taking aim at the family of Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick, mulling a run for his job or the congressional seat occupied by his mother."
Skubick: Ride'em Cowboy. A suburban Republican offering to "help" Detroit? There's always a catch.
Bay City Times: Rep. Jeff Mayes (D) files for re-election. "I am proud of my involvement in the 21st Century Jobs Plan and in efforts to reform Michigan's energy policy to improve our state's economy; however, we still have work to do," Mayes said in a news release.
State Government/Legislation
AP: Counties to Get Detroit Zoo Tax Authority. Granholm signed the bill yesterday. Now it's up to Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties to keep the Detroit Zoo alive.
AP: Mich. Senate tries to boost home sales with tax changes. "Many Democrats supported the bills but some criticized the GOP for reducing tax revenue without making corresponding spending cuts."
AP: Mich. Senate votes to make state government use green energy. "It's a very low-hanging piece of fruit," Sen. Liz Brater, an Ann Arbor Democrat, said of making government buy green power. "We see this only as a first step."
AP: Granholm signs bill putting more children in safety seats. "We know that deaths related to motor vehicle accidents are the No. 1 cause of deaths for children in Michigan," Granholm said during a bill signing ceremony at the Capitol. "We want to make sure that our children are safe."
Democratic Edge: Dean Calls on GOP-led Senate to Increase Higher Education Access. "As the Kalamazoo Promise continues to prove successful, State Representative Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) today called on Senate Majority Leader Michael Bishop to pass the Michigan Promise Zone Act, which will ensure access to higher education for thousands of students throughout the state who want to go to college."
AA News: Lack of health care reform is killing us. "A stunning one in three people surveyed said they have skipped getting medical care because of cost. Nearly a quarter of the roughly 26,400 survey respondents said they had serious problems paying for needed health care."
Environment, Energy & the Economy
Saginaw News: College numbers to shrink. "After years of receiving an annual deluge of applications, higher education institutions will over the next decade recruit from a pool of public high school graduates projected to decline roughly 10 percent or more in non-Hispanic white students, the population that traditionally is most likely to attend four-year colleges."
DetNews: Detroit scores with March Madness. "This rolling revue of sports spectacles hosted by Metro Detroit the past few years is slowly changing the image of the region, say political and business leaders."
Odds & Ends
Michigan Messenger: FBI informant organized racist Kalamazoo rally, group says. "Turner's rally drew about 60 white supremacy supporters, sporting swastikas and Confederate flag motifs on their clothing. The rally cost the city of Kalamazoo more than $80,000 for police protection and tied up more than 400 officers from several police agencies."
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
Happy Groundhog Day Eve. Be safe on the roads out there, folks... lots of schools closed this morning. Enjoy your cup-o-links...
State Government/Legislation
Crain's: Governor impresses business leaders. "The type of economic development incentives she presented really are right on," said Richard Blouse president and CEO of the Detroit Regional Chamber of Commerce. "It's very much in line with what we need to have in our tool kit to bring those companies here."
Observer & Eccentric: DeRoche recall just a distraction, legislator says. "I think the voters of the Novi and South Lyon area know I was fighting for them. I hope they see it for the political stunt that it is." This man has no concept of irony.
Observer & Eccentric: Corriveau's 2007 voting record spotless. Congrats to Corriveau for never missing a vote in 2007. As for the Republican Minority Leader? "House Republican Leader Craig DeRoche (R-Novi) was recently listed as one of the most absent voters in the Michigan Legislature for 2007."
Lessenberry Interview: Paul Condino. "State Representative Paul Condino of Southfield chairs the state house Judiciary Committee. And he thinks people who make a mistake as children deserve a second look when they are adults. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry spoke with him."
Tim Melton: Promise Zones can help push kids into college. "The Kalamazoo experience suggests that once the promise of higher education is extended to every family living within the boundaries of a community, property values will experience a significant increase. By establishing a Promise Zone, a community will be able to use that positive impact on property values to partially finance the scholarship promise."
Freep: Granholm: universities should dip into endowments before hiking tuition. Is anyone else concerned with the fact that we keep shifting the burden of funding public universities onto the schools themselves?
DetNews: Granholm: Reform prisons. "Asked how she intends to save the $200 million on budget cuts and reforms she proposed in her State of the State address this week, Granholm said: 'Corrections is a big piece. Are there people in the system who can be released in a cost-effective and safe way? Yes there are.'" The full Q&A is here.
WILX: Bullying On The Rise In Schools. Too bad there isn't a bill in the legislature to help stop bullying. Oh, wait... there is. That's right, Mike Bishop put "Matt's Safe School Law" in the circular filing cabinet back in March of 2007.
FARLEFTFIELD: Mike Cox Attacks Workers. The Left Fielder comments on Mike Cox's latest effort to attack state workers by blocking payroll deductions that support union-backed candidates.
Local, State, National Politics
Jackson Cit-Pat: Signs point to heated 7th District contest. Schauer is breaking fundraising records while Tim Walberg begs the radical Club for Growth to bail him out. Go Mark, Go!
Walberg Watch: Walberg's 4Q Fundraising. "Walberg, a freshman congressman from Tipton, reported raising about $151,000 during the same span and ended the period with about $438,000 in his account." Schauer out-raised him by $200k! Walberg's days are numbered.
Freep: Granholm likes a Clinton-Obama ticket. "I would love to see her ask him to run as her vice president," Granholm, a supporter of Clinton's candidacy told the Free Press editorial board. "And if he gets it, I would hope that he would do the same."
WLNS: Lawmaker Speaks Out About Recall Effort. There's a similar article in the LSJ, and Simpson's quote is priceless: "I will fight this to the bitter end because we are not going to allow outsiders and a little two-bit punk like Leon Drolet to come into our district and try to take control and try to convince people ... that they need to get rid of their state representative," Simpson said.
Skoop's Blog: Governor to Stay Put. Skoob discusses the rumors of Granholm leaving for a post in a Hillary Clinton administration, which seems increasingly less likely.
Energy, Environment and the Economy
AA Biz Review Op-Ed: U-M projects enhance area. "The institution is a major economic driver for the region in obvious ways - like student enrollment - and in subtler fashions, such as through the multitude of research products that yield spinout companies and private hiring."
AA Biz Review: State still divided over Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance bills. "I'd like them to address risk pools and insurer of last resort as mechanisms to make insurance affordable," said [State Sen. Tom] George. "Should we have one, the other, both, neither? The committee needs to make a judgment on that."
BFM: Today is National Earned Income Tax Credit Day in Michigan. Yesterday was National EITC Day. Wizardkitten has more.
Odds & Ends
BFM: Progressive Michigan Job Bank Launched. Looking to hire talented workers? Need a new gig? Check out Progress Michigan's new Job Bank.
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
Tonight I'll be back at the Capitol live-blogging the Governor's State of the State address and I hope you'll join us for the discussion starting at 6 p.m.
In attendance tonight will be the full House and Senate, including Lt. Gov John Cherry, the State Supreme Court, a multitude of elected officials including the Attorney General, Secretary of State and several honored guests invited by the Governor.
Widely-speculated possible topics the Lady Gov's speech include -
Education
"No Worker Left Behind" - worker retraining
Health care
Drug Industry Immunity
Clean Energy Manufacturing
"Michigan First" program
Government Reform
And then there's the list of things that we can probably expect from the other side...
Possible Republican Response topics include -
The Governor's wrong
Andy Dillon's wrong
Mike Bishop walks on water (or at least floats well, with all that hair gel)
Rich Republican Conservatives feel for Working Michigan
Cutting more taxes
"Protecting Michigan families" - i.e. telling you who you can and cannot love and what you're allowed to do with your own body.
Speaker of the House Andy Dillon and Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer will be speaking to the press shortly after the speech concludes.
So be sure and drop by MichLib after 6pm as I'll be bringing you the latest from the Capitol. Listen or watch along at home and join in the conversation here!
We saw last summer how Republicans hate to be challenged when they try to lie and spin facts, and when Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, censored the liberal blog Blogging for Michigan by banning it from Senate computers we saw how far they will go when challenged with the truth.
I felt that same wrath when I was banned last week from commenting on the leading right wing blog, RightMichigan, by paid GOP operative Nick DeLeeuw.
It's pretty sad when their positions are so flimsily they cannot even defend them, and because they can't defend their positions they just shut people up. Many of my blogger friends and colleagues ask my why I bother posting on right-wing blogs and put up with all the personal attacks. It's pretty simple: How hard and how fun is it to have a debate with yourself or with someone with the same position. Hell, how do you even debate yourself?
Actually, I don't get a whole of lot out of these debates and exchanges because after I destroy their positions and punch holes through their lies and half truths, I get greeted with name-calling. When you do not have a leg to stand on that's what you get. I should have expected this because his boss has a "blog" that does not even allow any comments. They want to be able to spin their lies without being called out on it.
One of their favorite insulting names for me is troll. Whenever I disprove their spin and point out their lies I get called a troll instead of them backing up their position. I've repeatedly asked how I can be a troll when to comment I have to be registered with a screen name and password that has to be approved. You can comment here anonymously because I can defend my positions, and I'm not afraid to stand up for what I believe.
It doesn't really bother me that I got banned because I was just wasting my time debating people devoid of real ideas and closed minds, but the lame excuse he used to get rid of someone who was kicking his ass in debate really bothers me.
The other favorite slur against me is a play on my screen name, and I'm called Commie Guru, or similar variations. Very clever of them, but unfortunately, that's what passes for real, intelligent debate on that blog.
Being called a Communist is something that is particularly offense to me because I spent 20 years in the Navy during the Cold War. I made some 10 overseas extended deployments during that time away from my family, and it really bothers me to be called a communist after that.
The people on that blog, like many Republicans, are what Al Franken calls "Chicken Hawks" meaning they are pro-war but refuse to serve in the military to back that up. DeLeeuw and the few posters there are the very definition of chicken hawks. There is one serial poster there who continually calls me a communist, but at the same time keeps telling me how much he supports the Iraq occupation and the troops. One day I called him out on a particular offensive anti-troop remark, so I began calling him "troop-hater" when ever he called me a communist. Childish. Yes, but what can I say.
In reality, I know he nor DeLeeuw are really not troop-haters. They are just indifferent, and they want them to go and fight and come home, shut up and then disappear.
Back to what got me banned. DeLeeuw posted some untrue things about the people tying to discourage people from signing the petitions in the misguided recall attempt against Rep. Robert Dean. He claimed the paid signature collectors were being harassed, so I went right to the source to get the information and found out that DeLeeuw was lying. He later posted video he took that proved I was right.
To make a long story short, I was banned for - get this - "chicken-hawking." I have no idea how he reached that conclusion since I served in the military and am against the Iraq occupation.
If I misstated anything here or I am incorrect feel free to add your comments. You can even do it anonymously.
But will she capture a large enough percentage to avoid embarrassment Tuesday?
),
Gov. Jennifer Granholm said this morning at a Clinton rally in Southfield that her candidate "is committed to Michigan."
"Her opponent in this state apparently is 'uncommitted,' which is not an opponent," Granholm told reporters after speaking to 100 Clinton supporters at the Westin Hotel. "That is why we are encouraging voters to get out and vote for Hillary Clinton. She is not uncommitted to Michigan, which the other candidates apparently are."
Clinton opted not to campaign in Michigan because she made a pledge to uphold the party primary calendar, which is tilted to early races in Iowa and New Hampshire.
There are multiple truth problems with JG's words here, including the fact that, uh, Clinton pledged not to campaign in Michigan (as noted above)! so that Dennis Kucinich, whatever his other problems, is more committed to Michigan than Clinton, cf. George Bullard in DetNews, Re Michigan, at least Kucinich shows up.
As well, like it or not, Gravel and Kucinich are opponents of Clinton, too, so JG is inaccurate by not mentioning them as opponents, mentioning only "uncommitted" as an opponent. (Cheap rhetorical trick?)
Last but not least, Granholm (who USED to say that Michigan Liberal is her favorite blog--is that still true??--, so that she may read here frequently) may have borrowed the "committed/uncommitted" wordplay of yours truly on 1/9/08, "Ironically, then, if you are COMMITTED to change, you may have to vote UNCOMMITTED on 1/15." ...I wonder how much she might owe me for "copyright infringement"! No wonder the writers went on strike...
Now what is really interesting, is Jennifer Granholm's lack of commitment to staying in Michigan herself and doing her job, instead of running off to D.C. with Hillary, if she wins, and then leaving the Michigan mess to her new "Chief Operating Officer" (!! "Michigan Incorporated"??), and to John Cherry, whose, to be blunt, "charisma issues" might prevent him from becoming governor in a normal election.
See Tim Skubick, the "Off the Record" video of his JG interview on 10/12/07, at c. 13:45-15:45 on the video. (Check WKAR if the above link doesn't work) TS asks JG repeatedly if she will pledge not to leave Lansing, and JG refuses again and again to answer, talking about "speculation", dodging the issue, and leaving a deep suspicion about her own commitment to Michigan. (She does say that fixing Michigan should take longer than a year and a half, and that she doesn't want to go to D.C. ...o.k., then why can't she pledge to stay in Lansing? Whom does she think she's fooling??)
Repeatedly refusing to pledge to stay on the job in her own state, throwing (or even subtly massaging...) the election for a pal who can give her a cushy slot in D.C., and taking millions of taxpayers dollars to do it, plus the voter list graft, plus holding the DNC-rulebreaking election even after 4 Dem candidates correctly avoided it, plus Michigan's collapse in general...how committed is politician Granholm to Michigan, or staying in Michigan, or anything? Can she be believed when she mocks "uncommitted" voters like the great John Conyers and says voting Hillary is better?
Probably not. If you vote, vote "uncommitted"...and commit to doing something about Granholm's, Dingell's, Brewer's, Anuzis's, McManus's, and Bishop's noxious dedication to doing the wrong thing re the 1/15 primary, and so many other wrong things as well. Thanks for your commitment to Michigan and to Michigan rank-and-file Democrats!
WJR: Andy Dillon and Mike Bishop explain why they can't come to an agreement on the service tax. Part 2 of Paul W. Smith's interview with Dillon and Bishop can be found here.
AP: Businesses preparing to collect service tax starting Saturday. "Everybody wants to find a reasonable replacement to the service tax," Cherry said. "That's not going to happen unless there's meaningful conversation going on." Columns from Susan Tompor and Dawson Bell can be found here and here. The News' article is here.
Media Mouse: Report Ranks State Government's on Online Disclosure. According to a new report by Good Jobs First -- a "policy resource center" promoting government and corporate accountability -- Michigan's lobbying disclosure received an 89% rating, the highest ranking received.
Skubick: Capitol reform hitting a snag. The part-time legislature folks can't seem to agree on tactics.
Energy, Environment and the Economy
The Conversation: Alternative energy meetings continue in Eaton Rapids. The gov's blog discusses Dowding Industries, which was just recently awarded a $9 million dollar bond from the MEDC for expansion. Dowding is a machining and fabricating company that makes the pieces for wind turbines.
Bay City Times: Company taking steps to double renewable energy generation. "Consumers Energy plans to develop as many as eight windmill farms in Michigan, officials say. The move is part of the utility's Balanced Energy Initiative, which aims in part to double the amount of renewable energy the company generates from 5 percent to 10 percent by 2015."
Upper Hand: Clean Energy Now Launch. Progress Michigan is asking folks to sign their petition, which will be sent "to legislators asking them to stop any more coal fired power plants from developing in Michigan. It also urges them to instate a renewable energy standard of 20% by 2020."
Oakland Biz Review: Financial literacy curriculum moving forward. LiberalLucy's mom is featured in this week's Business Review discussing Senate Bill 834, which would allow financial literacy to count as a required math credit.
Oakland Press Editorial: Mass transit in metro Detroit deserves more consideration. Yes, you read that correctly. The Oakland Press supports mass transit.
Local, State, National Politics
Daily Tribune: Donigan: 'I'm fighting back'. "I'm fighting back," [Donigan] said. "There needs to be enough information for voters to make an informed decision."
Capitol Journal: You Tube debate, round two. Derek shares his thoughts on Wednesday's Republican YouTube debate.
dKos: Ahh, "liberal" Joe Klein's puppetmaster is Republican Rep. The source for Joe Klein's most recent example of shoddy reporting? None other than Pete "Turtle Power" Hoekstra. More from our own emptywheel here.
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s start where all good things start - at the beginning. So a little about us - Progress Michigan is a first-of-its-kind organization. Our mission is to provide a strong credible voice that holds public officials and government accountable, assists in the promotion of progressive ideas and uses state-of-the-art web based new media to creatively build grassroots support for progressive ideas.
But we don’t do it alone. Progress Michigan works as a communications team and media hub for the entire progressive community. We’re a marketing department for progressive ideas – a campaign that never stops. We work year round to challenge conservative propaganda in the media and make sure that progressive perspectives are heard.
We’re getting started full-speed ahead with our three campaigns on our website. First, our state is threatened with an onslaught of at least seven more dirty coal-fired power plants that will keep Michigan locked in the energy dark ages, dependent on imported fossil fuels and producing more dangerous global warming pollution. More outdated dirty coal plants will hamper the development of clean energy and the good paying jobs that come with it. Michigan’s energy future is literally in the crosshairs, and our Legislature can choose to steer us in the right direction.
To do this, we need your help by contacting your legislators and saying ‘No!’ to a dirty, polluted future for our Great Lakes state. Visit the petition page, and send a letter to your legislators in less than 2 minutes. Two minutes to make a difference, kind of makes you wish the rest of life was that easy, doesn’t it?
Happy Hump Day. Take a look at the new ad from the Human Rights Campaign in the sidebar, if you get a chance (these advertisers help keep the lights on). Enjoy your morning cup-o-links!
State Government/Legislation
Capitol Journal: Immediate effect. Derek walks us through the process talk of the whole presidential primary situation. He also asks the important question: "Would it kill someone to invest in a calendar?"
Local 4: Senate Refuses To Restore Dems On Ballot. "Until they can resolve their differences and come forward with a unified plan, there's no need for us to take it up," Bishop told reporters. Wizardkitten's post can be found here.
BFM: A Primary It Is. Cordelia Lear: "As to Mike Bishop and the Republican State Senate caucus refusing to take up the bill to put candidates back on the ballot - maybe our political lesson is that there was a reason why Andy Dillon insisted that some of the legislation associated with the budget needed to originate in the Senate."
Lessenberry: Holding Water. Like a lot of folks, Jack is confused about the water bills working their way through the House and Senate. Critics of the Republican plan argue that Sen. Birkholz's bills would permit dangerously high water withdrawals from Michigan rivers and streams. She says this is, "wildly exaggerated nonsense." Lessenberry's follow-up interview with Rebekah Warren can be found here.
Debbie Stabenow: Compact will prevent diversion of lake water. Sen. Stabenow sets the News straight on the Great Lakes water compact (h/t BFM).
Energy, Environment and the Economy
LSJ: Jobless rate dips to 5.4% for region. Lansing's "total employment for October was 236,400, down 100 from a year earlier but up 1,200 from September. The labor force - people working or actively looking for work - was at 250,000. That was down 500 from a year earlier but up 300 from September."
Michigan Messenger: Consumers Energy seeks tax break for coal-fired power plant. Yesterday Bay County's Hampton Township approved two juicy tax abatements for Consumers Energy to build a dirty coal plant. You can read more here.
Coalition for Progress: Fight global warming, sign the Michigan clean energy petition. Speaking of coal, CFP is urging the Legislature to pass legislation banning more dirty coal plants until certain measures are in place. You can learn more at http://www.nocoalrush.com.
BFM: Grand Rapids Goes Green. For those who say the state of Michigan can't reach the goal of aquiring 20% of our electricity by 2020, the City of Grand Rapids has already done it... more than a month ahead of schedule. You can read the accompanying GR Press story here.
Bay City Times: New report says global warming will lead to more phragmites along our shoreline. "Phragmites only make low water levels worse, by destroying wetland vegetation and diminishing the natural filtering capacity of wetlands, the report says."
Tom Walsh: Granholm pushes for tech money. Tom discusses the Governor's two-day trip to California, "aimed at snagging some of California's billions of dollars for clean-technology energy projects in Michigan." Cathleen has a follow-up on Granholm's blog.
Media Mouse: Michigan DEQ Cleanup Programs Face Funding Shortage. "Outta Sight!--Outta Mind!--Outta Money!" That's the situation DEQ's cleanup programs are in. Media Mouse shares details from a DEQ presentation in Grand Rapids yesterday.
Odds & Ends
Michigan Messenger: World AIDS Day: Wine and Dine to Battle Illness in Michigan. Check out Todd Heywood's post for the details on events happening in Lansing, East Lansing, Ann Arbor, Ferndale and West Bloomfield.
Liberal, Loud, and Proud: Universal Health Care in Mid-Michigan: It's happening. "I'm lucky to live in Ingham County, a place where our local government leaders clearly see the benefits of universal health care for residents as a means of cost prevention. Since instituting the Ingham Health Plan over nine years ago, Ingham has become a model for counties all over the state and country, because it works, and while it isn't quite perfect yet, it's getting there."
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
Gordon Trowbridge of DetNews says the MDP executive committee meeting will be by telephone!! tonight, Tuesday: see his Clock ticking on primary fix,
...The state Democratic Party's executive committee will meet Tuesday night by conference call to finalize the decision to participate in the Jan. 15 contest. Primary supporters believe they have the votes on the committee to go forward, though there are likely to be some among the 80 or so committee members who argue to opt out of the primary, especially if the House fails to add the missing candidate names.
Oh, a little private meeting, huh? And not on the regular Wednesday? Looks like somebody wants to cut out live, personal opinion and presence at that meeting. Bad idea.
What you can do about it...is somewhat up to you. It certainly includes contacting the MDP,
, to complain that it will be a closed-to-the-public meeting (OR to demand the meeting be delayed and opened to the public), and to ask for a February 9 caucus (or February 5th-or-later primary--if you're a huge primary fan) that will prevent the DNC from rejecting Michigan delegates. And whatever else you want: it's your opinion and right to voice it. --Just as rank-and-file Mich Dems are finding their voice and organizing an implementation challenge against the MDP's rulebreaking, and, I believe, unethical, manipulation of the delegate selection process.
Do you really want Debbie Dingell and Mark Brewer and Carl Levin--working in collusion with Saul Anuzis and Mike Bishop, by the way--to risk throwing away your vote completely, in a DNC-rulebreaking primary (or January caucus) that also risks not getting ballots to our overseas soldiers on time? Forgive me, but I certainly hope you don't want that.
Thank you for your efforts in keeping Michigan Democrats democratic. They are deeply appreciated.
Michigan's Jan. 15 primary ballot will include just half the Democratic candidates for president. The state Senate on Tuesday refused to take up legislation that would have restored the names of four Democratic presidential candidates to the ballot who withdrew earlier from the primary. Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, blamed Democrats for not being on the same page with each other. ... Bishop said some of the Democratic candidates threatened to sue if their names were restored to the ballot. [HA HA HA!!!] Republicans said election clerks couldn't afford to delay any further waiting for legislators to act or lawsuits to be settled. ...
LSJ: With focus on budget, other bills sit and wait. Chris Andrews takes a look at all the issues that have been ignored during the budget debate (hint: there's a lot).
AP: Senate plan would hurt Mich. rivers, critics say. Environmental groups are criticizing the Senate Republican water withdrawal bills; Sen. Birkholz accuses them of "grandstanding." You can read more on in this Free Press article.
Democratic Edge makes the case that term limits aren't the problem, it's the candidates, stupid.
Lessenberry: Jack takes a look at the current status of the workplace smoking ban bill that's being held up by Sen. Bishop.
Michigan Messenger: Some Planned Parenthood Clinics Closing Due to State Budget Changes. "Clinics in Hart and White Cloud have already closed and others in Mt. Pleasant, Muskegon and Grand Rapids will close by the end of the year. Officials are concerned that the closings will deny critical services to women in those communities and even increase abortions."
Michigan's Economy
The Conversation: Quicken Loans picks downtown Detroit. The Gov's blog does a nice job of sorting through the good news about Quicken moving to Detroit.
LSJ: Mayor to announce plans for park stage. It sounds like Mayor Virg Bernero will be announcing plans build a permanent outdoor performance venue in Adado Riverfront Park later this morning. Keep an eye on the LSJ for more details.
Mining Journal: Mine decision delayed. "Michelle Halley, an attorney with the National Wildlife Federation, said she thinks it is ?interesting? the DEQ is seeking an extension. In her conversations with agency officials, she said it was unclear to her exactly what the DEQ would do during the extension period."
DetNews: GM launches effort to make Chevy green brand. GM is gearing up to re-launch Chevy as their environmentally-friendly brand by launching... a giant truck.
WWJ: Hunting Loonies: Canadian Consumers Could Provide Boost For Michigan Retailers. Here's an upside to the weak dollar: "Not only are there a lot of Canadians near Michigan, they are relatively affluent. AEG found that more than 520,700 Canadians live within an hour's drive of a Michigan border crossing and that their household incomes average $75,200 at the current exchange rate. That?s significantly higher than the roughly $46,000 (U.S.) average family income on this side of the border."
Local/State/National Politics
Media Mouse: Ehlers says he doesn't want to "go to war with Iran;" How has he Voted? Media Mouse has a great roundup of Rep. Ehler's voting record on Iran-related issues. Definitely worth a read.
BFM: Thaddeus McCotter - Today's Worst Person in the World. Keith chose McCotter for his ridiculous comments about Catholics United. You can watch the clip here.
Great Lakes, Great Times: Finally, my thoughts on the primary/caucus fiasco. Our own ScottyURB wants a caucus. Head over to his blog to share your thoughts.
Odds & Ends
BFM: We Sent Them to War, Why Can't We Send Them to College? "Now more than ever our returning soldiers need the assistance of the GI Bill. The good paying jobs that earlier veterans turned to in our automotive plants and steel mills are gone - and they're not coming back." To learn more about how Michigan Bloggers are supporting the troops, click here.
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
(Halloween is the day of the budget deadline.. - promoted by lpackard)
End Free Lifetime Health Care and Cut Legislator's Pay Now!
It's urgent that you act today! The State Senate is preparing to cut another $440 million from health care, environmental protection and education - even as Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop protects legislator's free lifetime health care and pay. Tell Senator Bishop and the legislature that they should lead by example and share in the sacrifice being asked of Michigan families in these tough times. Tell them to act on legislation sitting in the Senate that would cut legislator's pay by 5% (HCR 26) and to end their free lifetime health care (HB 4580). Tell them to do this before any other cuts to health care, education and other vital services were made. Please send Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop a message right now. Email Bishop at SenMBishop@senate.michigan.gov or call him at: 517-373-2417. Tell him it is wrong to ask the people of Michigan to make further sacrifices in health care, environmental protection and education without a sacrifice from legislators. Tell him to cut legislator's pay by 5% and end their free life time health care before any additional cuts are made. Tell him to lead by example and share in the sacrifice being asked of Michigan families.
Why am I even surprised to read this noon update from the AP?
House Democrats say they're ready to start moving budget bills now.
But Senate Republicans say votes won't occur until next week. That's because they want final agreement on sticking points before they pass other parts of the budget.
Translation: Mike Bishop and his band of not-so-merry men and angry women want to make sure that there are plenty of concessions for themselves before they say yes to anything that might make them look bad in the eyes of the ultra-conservative Right.
At what point do even the most right-wing of Michigan citizens throw up their hands and say enough is enough!?
And while Mikey primps for his next round of interviews with the press, state employees are continuing to feel the pain. This from the AP's Tim Martin -
As Michigan lawmakers work toward an agreement on a new spending plan, some state departments already are planning temporary layoffs and other cutbacks to make ends meet.
Sick, this just plain sick. Time to start emailing and calling your state legislators, again.
AP: Issues in state budget dispute appear to be narrowing. We'll hold you to that, Matt: "We're not even interested in a continuation budget at this point," said Matt Marsden, a spokesman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop of Rochester. "There is no reason not to get this done." Christoff has more on the budget in this article.
DFP: Battered speaker stands by role in budget dealing. "I'm not angry yet. Maybe I'll get angry," [Dillon] said. "I feel bad for other members who were doing the right thing, and now they have to face this. I'm not taking it personally."
AP: DNR warns of cutbacks unless fees raised. "The department is seeking a wide-ranging package of fee increases - including the first boost in hunting and fishing license prices since 1996... Without the increases, funds that support game and fish programs, forest development and state parks will have deficits. That will require "drastic reductions" in programs and services, the DNR said."
Walt Sorg: Interviews with Rep. Joan Bauer (D-Lansing) and Sen. Valde Garcia (R-Howell). Hop over to AM Lansing's website to listen to the interviews about the budget situation.
LSJ: Bill under consideration would compensate people exonerated by DNA evidence. "The proposal calls for compensation of $50,000 for every year spent behind bars, plus repayment for expenses, lost wages and medical care."
Michigan's Economy
WILX: "Green" Development Announced. Downtown Lansing is suddenly a hotbed for redevelopment projects. Here's the latest.
Bay City Times: The investments just keep coming at Dow Corning Corp. "Dow Corning recently announced it would spend $50 million to cut emissions at its Midland plant, and reduce its natural gas use by an amount large enough to heat 3,500 homes... That's on top of the whopping $1 billion expansion and 1,300 construction and manufacturing jobs at the company's Hemlock Semiconductor plant in Saginaw County."
AP: Detroit automakers want action on Japanese currency. "To me, there's absolutely no doubt that Japan has been managing its currency," said Mustafa Mohatarem, GM's chief economist, citing estimates that the yen is undervalued by 20 to 25 percent. "It's a fiction to believe that Japan's currency in any respects reflects market conditions."
D-News: UAW goes all-out for pact OK. "With a large contingent of dissenters jeopardizing ratification of the tentative deal, United Auto Workers leaders intensified their push for passage Tuesday, including recruiting UAW retirees to help make their case at informational meetings at Sterling Heights Assembly and Stamping, both of which vote today."
Michigan Messenger: LCC terminates domestic partner benefits for non-bargaining employees. Another blow to the concept of equality in this state.
Local/State/National Politics
BFM: West Michigan GOP in Trouble? It looks like a Republican stronghold could be trending blue.
Ann Arbor News: Dingell legislation would set deadline on Iraq pullout. "The legislation, introduced by the Dearborn Democrat without any co-sponsors, would require President Bush to begin withdrawing troops from Iraq within 30 days and require him to complete that withdrawal by the inaugural of the next president on Jan. 20, 2009."
LSJ Editorial: E.L. council: With three slots to fill, voters should mix experience, youth. Nathan Triplett gets the nod. Keep up the good work!
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
LSJ: Record 'em: Senate censorship on votes makes mockery of accountability. Mike Bishop, Mr. Censorship.
Oakland Press: Michigan shouldn't need bathroom bill, but it does. This should make LibearalLucy happy: "The bill appears to be reasonable and considers both customer and business concerns. While in some respects we don't need another "bill" on the books, it probably wouldn't hurt to have this one."
AP: State Reps Agree... 70 with No Helmet is Cool. Sorry, but this is dumb.
DFP: Voters may decide on lifting stem cell ban. "Paperwork creating the Stem Cell Research Ballot Question Committee was filed last week with the Secretary of State. But the director of an affiliated organization said Thursday no decision has been made about whether to mount what would almost certainly become a multimillion-dollar campaign to overturn the state?s ban on research involving the destruction of human embryos."
Rep. Bart Stupack: We Need A Food Safety System Capable of Combating Dangerous Food Imports. "Now more than ever, our country?s federal food safety system needs to be strong enough to protect the public health, our national security, and our economy."
Michigan's Economy
AA Biz Review: U-M VP: Universities belong in economic development. "U-M played a prominent, public role in the attraction of Google Inc. and Aerrnova Aerospace S.A. to Ann Arbor, Forrest said. But universities need the support of the state to maintain efforts to stay involved in local economies."
AA Biz Review: Process Innovators: NanoBio Corp. Here's a perfect example of a university project spinning off into a successful business: "NanoBio spun out of the University of Michigan in 2000. The technology initially was developed at the university, where it received funding from the U.S. Department of Defense's Defense Advanced Research Programs Agency."
Michigan Future: UM publishes important breast cancer discovery. "The University of Michigan this week announced that its researchers played a key role in identifying a gene linked to breast cancer. The gene was discovered based on the work of a multi-center international study." In related news, an Ann Arbor-based company just received a "multimillion-dollar grant from the National Cancer Institute to foster the development of a cancer profiling database as a tool for biopharmaceutical R&D."
Accept no substitutes! That's the message from our new BlogAd, which you can check out in the lower-left sidebar. Sign the petition and tell Congress to support the original ENDA (Employment Non-Discrimination Act), which includes protections for gender identity. Now, onto the links!
Budget
Stone Soup Musings: A state-sized temper tantrum. You tell 'em, Kathy! "To all of you temper tantrum-throwing adults unhappy with the recent tax increase, grow up and act your age.Never in my life have I been so embarrassed by some of the things I?ve been hearing on the news and reading in the paper.We?re like a huge dysfunctional family."
Toledo Blade Editorial: Revenge of term limits. "More than a decade ago, Michigan voters adopted term limits for state legislators. Anyone now can serve up to six years in the house; eight years in the Senate, and after that they are barred from serving for life. The idea was to get fresh ideas; the reality has come close to wrecking the state."
DFP: New tax burden? Chill out and hear the truth. "According to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau data, Michigan ranked No. 26 in state and local taxes as a percentage of total personal income. The new taxes likely will move Michigan a few notches in the wrong direction in tax-burden comparisons with other states, but it's worth noting that we've not been a high-tax state for many years."
Skubick: Dems didn't play nice. I'm not even going to comment, but I'm sure this will make more than a fewpeople's heads explode.
Lessenberry: Budget Deal. On Wednesday, Jack chatted with Speaker Dillon about the budget deal. Listen to the interview here.
Lessenberry: Fringe Benefits. In yesterday's post, Jack talked with Rep. Robert Dean about his legislation to limit lawmaker's fringe benefits. The bill passed with strong bipartisan support in the House. "That gave Majority Leader Mike Bishop a golden opportunity to strike a blow against waste... You might have thought they?d pass it in a minute. But you know what? They didn?t even put it on the calendar. They didn?t even schedule it for a hearing."
BFM: Bishop Again Brings Censorship To The Senate. There goes Mike Bishop, trying to censor the media again. Open government, anyone? Kevin has a similar post up over on Michigan Messenger, and you can read the AP story here.
Michigan's Economy
Great Lakes Guy: Bringing Renewables Into Port. "There's mounting evidence that the wind business will generate all sorts of jobs for technical, scientific, professional, and skilled workers. But apparently transportation - a historic strength of the greater Great Lakes region - is another industry that stands to benefit. The Clure Marine Terminal is processing imports from overseas as well as exports to Spain." The LSJ has a nice story on a renewable energy tour that's passing through Michigan this week, which you can read here.
BFM: Michigan's New Economy Keeps Growing. Christine has a nice post about Clinton Township-based Kuka Robotics, one of the world's leading manufacturers of industrial robots.
AA Biz Review: Arbor Networks on hiring spree. "An Ann Arbor network security firm plans to add 16 employees and change offices in an expansion bolstered by increasing demands for its Web security products." The company Vice President cited their proximity to UM as a way of hiring knowledgeable workers for their expansion.
AA Biz Review: Ann Arbor pharma services firm adds 70 workers. The Ann Arbor division of i3 Drug Safety plans to expand by 60 percent by hiring 70 new employees, and move into new building by early November.
Michigan Future: Will Your Next Vehicle Be 'Connected'? New Facility Seeks to Make Cars Smarter. "The Connected Vehicle Proving Center (CVPC), which officially opened [in Ann Arbor] this week, seeks to take vehicle safety to the next level by serving as a proving ground for testing, evaluating, and showcasing 'connected' vehicle systems... Ultimately, it is hoped that the center will serve as a catalyst for growing the connected vehicle industry, thereby attracting related technical and engineering jobs to Michigan."
Michigan Messenger: MichBio Expo in Lansing. "MichBio, a trade association for the life sciences industry in Michigan, will host its annual MichBio Expo at the Lansing Center, October 16 and 17. Keynote speakers will be James C. Greenwood, BIO president and CEO, and Lou Anna K. Simon, Michigan State University president."
Midland Daily News: Beverage company building in Monitor Twp. "Beverage distributor Fabiano Brothers wants to have a hand in continuing the development spurt at U.S. 10 and Mackinaw Road by building new corporate offices and warehouse space to anchor a new business park."
I found Mike's response on his Senate website; no Youtube video, as far as I know. You can find it here
The differences between the two are immense. I was discussing it with my Public Policy professor who hadn't seen it yet, but said based on past experiences he had with Bishop, he was sure it wasn't as good as Granholm :)
Well, this is certainly good news. Hopefully we'll see some progress on the budget today. Enjoy your morning cup-o-links!
Budget Bonanza
Michigan Messenger: Budget gridlock: are term limits to blame? Celeste has a great post up with interviews from former state legislators about how term limits have affected this year's budget negotiations. Definitely worth a read.
Michigan Messenger: State shutdown could hurt small businesses, restaurants. Tick, tick, tick.
Stone Soup Musings: Two Michigans. As Kathy points out, there are two Michigans: "Those who have the money and power - and the rest of us, the ones who need unions or PACs like MoveOn in order to be heard."
GR Press: Ex-GOP lawmakers: Raise taxes. "A letter distributed to lawmakers was signed by 27 former state representatives and senators -- including heavyweights such as former Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema and former House co-Speaker Paul Hillegonds -- tells senators the budget must be cut and tough decisions must be made to raise revenue."
DFP: Bishop urges Granholm to approve budget extension. For the sake of contrast, here's what Sen. Schauer had to say about a continuation budget: "The Legislature deserves to have the weight of this situation on our shoulders until we come to a comprehensive solution. Why should we expect an extension when we haven't finished the job we were sent here to do?"
Odds & Ends
Muskegon Chronicle: Reaction from politicians to UAW strike. Hop over there to check out Rep. Mike Rogers' quote about the strike. Anyone surprised by his reaction? MI Class Notes has more.
Saginaw News: BV branch gets reprieve. "The U.S. Department of Justice stalled Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land's plan to shutter the Saginaw South branch at 4212 Dixie with a request for more records. The delay takes the process past Oct. 1, when a state provision secures another year for the branch."
Michigan Class Notes: How Many Days of the Iraq War Will Pay for Children's Health Care. Guess how many kids could get health care coverage for what we spend over 41 days in Iraq, then go check the answer.
Media Mouse: NLRB Considering Complaint against Starbucks in Grand Rapids. Looks like Starbucks might be guilty of more union busting in GR. These guys provide health insurance to an even smaller slice of their workforce than Wal-Mart (42% compared to 47%).
Let me know if I forgot anything. Drop your links in the comments section...
You're angry, I'm angry, they're angry, we're all really angry. Most of us can't possibly understand how it could have gone on this long or this far, and yet it still has. As I described to a friend earlier, there don't seem to be enough four-lettered words out there to describe the levels of frustration and anger.
Perhaps I've been entrenched at the House for too long, perhaps I've developed a political Stockholm Syndrome and I feel for my Democratic 'captors', or perhaps there's still a shred of logic left in my tired, sleep deprived brain, but I'm going to take the more unpopular road for just a moment.
Have we forgotten about the Senate?
Yes, it'd be nice if all 58 Democratic House members could just hit the green button and head home. If that had been the case, we'd never be having this discussion. It'd be done and over, period.
However, thanks to that little 'wrinkle' that is our great system of checks and balances, it has one other body to get through first, the Senate. Most unfortunate for us is the so-called leader Republican Mike Bishop, who despite the copious amounts of hair product and vanity in his possession, is still the majority vote leader.
Already proven himself to be the biggest obstructionist of them all, I really doubt that we'll ever find Bishop encouraging his members to vote for a Democrat-only House bill, and that leaves us back at the illogical political standoff at O.K. Corral, again.
Many of you have said this morning that we'll cross that bridge when we come to it, but is it really crossable? Will a single party bill actually help or hinder the chances of preventing a government shutdown?
I'm convinced that this situation and these questions have been asked and played out in the minds of some of the state's most brilliant political strategists for months and months. Still the overwhelming factor crushing it all is the out-of-touch evil Bobsey Twins of Bishop and DeRoche of the House. They don't care and just like with small children, no one can seem to make them care.
So back to the Democratic vote only option. Dillon was asked this morning by a reporter whether or not it would pass the House as a Democrat-only bill, and he said that time was drawing very near, so for those of you shouting for that, rest assured that's a very real and near option. But again, what about the Senate?
We're at the impasse of picking our poison. Neither seems very desirable or healthy, because in the end, there's still that pesky Senate to get past.
