Granholm address to Mich. airs live Tuesday

Granholm will deliver her 2004 State of the State address Tuesday from House Chambers at the Capitol.

The governor will speak to the Legislature about issues of the past year and is expected to propose a prescription drug discount card and a job creation plan.

This year will mark Granholm's second State of the State address after being sworn in to office in January 2003.

The speech is not open to the public but will be broadcast live at 7 p.m. on public television station, WKAR.

Governor's plan would address lake pollution

Gov. Jennifer Granholm introduced a plan to the Michigan Legislature on Tuesday to protect the Great Lakes.

The plan addresses concerns such as protecting the waters from invasive species and preserving wetlands.

Granholm initiated her plan by issuing an executive directive Wednesday that bans the dumping of contaminated dredge material into the Great Lakes. Dredge material is matter from the bottom of bodies of water that is removed mainly to deepen navigation routes or to improve toxic contamination.

Granholm cited the effects such toxic material could have on varieties of Michigan life as a reason for her directive.

"We cannot allow our Great Lakes to be the dumping ground for toxic materials," she said in a statement. "The toxins ? could pose significant dangers to fish, other indigenous aquatic life, wildlife and human health."

The dumping of contaminated dredge material currently takes place in Lake Erie.

Lead-poisoning study bill passes in Senate

The state Senate passed a bill Thursday that would establish a commission to study the threats to children's health posed by lead poisoning.

The commission also would review Michigan's lead-poisoning program and recommend any improvements that might be necessary. Representatives from the medical, educational, public and governmental sectors would sit on the proposed commission.

Lead poisoning is most prevalent in low-income homes, and children from Detroit make up the majority of confirmed cases in the state.

"These innocent children are not only victimized by an invisible menace, but by unforgiving economic factors," said Sen. Martha Scott, D-Highland Park, who introduced the bill, in a statement.

Bill package aimed at health-care issues

State Sen. Bruce Patterson, R-Canton, is expected to introduce a package of bills this week that will provide income tax deductions for preventative health care.

The bills also would create a medical savings account and allow for single business tax or income-tax credit for contributions to it.

"It's time to put the power for health care where it belongs, in the hands of the people," Patterson said in a statement. "Lives will be saved when people know they can use tax-deferred funds for preventative measures such as mammograms, well-baby checks and annual physicals."

Patterson serves as Vice-Chair of the Michigan Senate Health Policy Committee.