Legislators ponder hike in state taxes

As Michigan looks down the barrel of a $1.5 billion deficit for the 2008 fiscal year, a debate has been brewing in the Capitol on the subject that could potentially affect not only the state's finances but the outcome of upcoming elections: Taxes. The questions being raised by legislators about tax policy runs the gamut from raising the current 3.9 percent income tax rate to extending the reach of the sales tax. Although cuts have been made to the state government, from jobs to funding, they will not be enough to help Michigan out of its current financial situation, said Bryan Ritchie, an MSU associate professor of international relations and expert on Michigan's economic future. "There's no way to get around the current circumstances without raising taxes," he said.

Leaving the foster system

Lansing — Three years ago, William Daniel's younger brother escaped a cracking belt and beating at the hands of his mother long enough to call 911. At 11 years old, Daniel watched as police handcuffed his mother and drove her away in the back of a police car. "They saw from the bruises, scars and marks on my brother's face and back that the situation we were living in was unhealthy," Daniel said. Daniel and his brother became two of more than half a million children in the country living in foster care.

Police briefs 06/28/07

McGraw awaits pretrial conference

Patricia Ann McGraw, 49, waived her right for a preliminary examination Wednesday morning at East Lansing's 54-B District Court. McGraw, a former MSU employee who turned herself into police June 20 on an embezzlement charge, will now await a pretrial meeting to be scheduled at Lansing's 30th Judicial Circuit Court. McGraw has been charged with embezzling more than $20,000 from the MSU Department of Theatre, where she worked as a business office supervisor.

Families experience campus

Nine-year-old Mike Todd played with his name tag as his grandfather, Ron Lott, a 1963 MSU graduate, talked about the classes they're scheduled to take.

Bill could add environmental ombudsman

A bill to add an environmental ombudsman office within the state's legislative council was referred June 19 to the Michigan House of Representatives Great Lakes and Environmental Committee. House Bill 4952 would create a regulatory office to oversee the actions of the state's Department of Environmental Quality, or DEQ. An ombudsman, the primary executive officer of the office, would be appointed to manage complaints citizens have with the DEQ. "It sets up a process and an individual for the citizens in Michigan to go to if they believe the DEQ has overstepped its bounds or have found that state laws or policies have unfairly impacted individuals," said Phil Browne, chief of staff for Rep.

Apply for citizen leadership program

MSU Michigan Political Leadership Program is accepting applications from those interested in politics and citizen leadership. The scholarship-funded program, valued at $12,000, is awarded annually to individuals across Michigan.

Get tested on National HIV Testing Day

The Michigan Department of Community Health recognizes today as National HIV Testing Day. Local health departments and community-based organizations are providing testing opportunities to at-risk populations.

Term limits reconsidered

An initiative proposed in the Michigan House of Representatives could change the way legislators do business at the Capitol by extending term limits on both representatives and senators to 12 years. The primary sponsor of the initiative, Rep.

E.L. hosts themed summer camps

The East Lansing Department of Parks, Recreation and Arts are hosting two theme camps to liven the humdrum of summer break for area children. A Rockit Robot theme camp will run 9 a.m.

Child Development enrollment open

MSU Child Development Laboratory is now accepting applications for fall enrollment for children ages 3 months to 5 years. The Child Development Laboratories provide services to children and families while training MSU students in child development. The play-based preschool program offers various, age-specific programs for children and parents at the East Lansing and Haslett campuses, located at 325 W.

LCC Faculty Jazz Combo to perform

The Lansing Community College Faculty Jazz Combo will perform music at 6:30 p.m., July 5 at LCC's Outdoor Amphitheatre, Washington Mall between Dart Auditorium and the Gannon Building in Lansing. The jazz group will perform its own music as well as charts from the Great American Songbook.

Tourism center to fold after 22 years

In the '80s, a political cartoon was published asking the last person leaving the state of Michigan to turn off the lights, said Donald Holecek, the director of MSU's Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center. It symbolized economic depression - and the amount of people leaving the state to find employment elsewhere. From that thought, the Travel, Tourism and Recreation Resource Center was created in 1985.

Police briefs 06/26/07

Dairy Month milks success

Correction: Information regarding the history of June Dairy Month is incorrect. As the heaping mound of blue moon ice cream slowly started to melt, 9-year-old Reese Morgan caught each drop of the sugary-smooth concoction with a few quick licks. Eating the frozen treat out of a cup was not an option for the Fenton native, but he made sure none of the ice cream took a messy plunge down the side of his sugar cone.

License plates looking less blue

Michigan could receive a $4 million boost as motorists replace their old license plates and say goodbye to "old blue." Although the plate changeover comes with an $11 million price tag - taken from the Michigan Transportation Fund, which, among other things, funds road and bridge projects - the new plate changeover is expected to cover its costs and turn a profit, said Kelly Chesney, spokeswoman for Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land. The new plates will come at no extra cost to motorists, Chesney said.

State plans stricter DUI laws

Correction: One out of every seven convicted drunk drivers in Michigan is required to use a Breathalyzer. A two-bill package was introduced into the State House this month that would require breathalyzers to be installed in the cars of repeat drunken drivers and those with their blood alcohol content, or BAC, almost double the legal limit. The first bill would create an additional charge for drunken drivers with a BAC of .15, almost double the .08 legal limit. "Now we charge them for drunk driving," said Rebecca DeVooght, a legislative director for Rep.

Students compete in summer job market

Students may need to start their search early if they're looking to land a summer job. Lee Cote said he spent the first half of his summer looking for one. "I actually turned in at least 50 applications in Grand Ledge, Lansing, Eastwood Towne Center and everywhere on Grand River Avenue," the hospitality business sophomore said. Cote started his job at Backyard Bar-B-Q, 313 E.

Police briefs 06/25/07

Some chili enthusiasts like it hot

For John Nicholson, the perfect bowl of chili has two effects: watery eyes and a runny nose. "I like it hot," the MSU alumnus said.