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News | Michigan

MICHIGAN

Wage increase debated

Pete Nichols
July 16, 2007

Michigan's new $7.15 minimum wage will not be enough to cover workers' basic needs, according to a recently released report from the Michigan League for Human Services. The league, a nonprofit advocacy organization for low-income Michigan citizens, released the report stating that even with the wage increase, many will be forced to get help, such as food assistance and housing subsidies. "Low-wage workers have a really difficult time making ends meet in Michigan right now," said Sharon Parks, the league's vice president for policy.

MICHIGAN

The gospel of C-SPAN

Brian McVicar
July 13, 2007

Lansing - For eight years, Doug Hemmig has been traveling the nation's highways covering politics and preaching the gospel of C-SPAN. When the C-SPAN Campaign 2008 bus arrived at the state Capitol Thursday as part of its "Road to the White House" tour, Lansing got a sermon. The tour promoted C-SPAN's coverage of the 2008 presidential race.

MICHIGAN

House to establish policy task forces

Pete Nichols
July 12, 2007

Republicans in the Michigan House of Representatives announced Wednesday plans to create five task forces that would allow more direct contact and input from taxpayers. Starting this month, the task forces will travel across the state, holding public meetings for citizens and political experts to discuss issues facing the state for the Republican's new agenda.

MICHIGAN

Michigan Supreme Court dedicates July to jurors

Pete Nichols
July 11, 2007

The Michigan Supreme Court has declared July to be Juror Appreciation Month in an effort to raise awareness about jury service. "It's an occasion that's been declared by the Michigan Supreme Court to recognize people who have served on juries and to recognize the importance of jury service and its role in democracy," said Marcia McBrien, public information officer for the Michigan Supreme Court. Forty-one courts in 28 counties will participate, including Lansing's 54-A District Court. "It's understandable (duty) is not the way people want to spend their time," McBrien said.

MICHIGAN

State closes 20 Mich. campgrounds

Brian McVicar
July 11, 2007

In an effort to balance the state's budget, 20 of Michigan's 138 state forest campgrounds have been temporarily shut down Monday. The decision came after $75,000 was eliminated from the state's Department of Natural Resources Recreation and Trails Program. The cut means fewer camping spots and more canceled trips, which could hurt northern Michigan's economy, said Rep.

MICHIGAN

Event raises money for SIDS awareness

Craig Trudell
July 10, 2007

The last time Carol Facca saw her first child alive was 20 years ago. Her then 3-month old son, Kyle, died at day care of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, on the first day Facca returned to work from maternity leave. "After Kyle was born, I felt like I knew what life was all about.

MICHIGAN

ELPD may update squad cars with on-board software

Ryan Beene
July 10, 2007

The blue police cruisers that roam the streets of East Lansing soon could become more like the talking car David Hasselhoff fought crime in during the 1980s - Knight Rider. While the East Lansing Police Department's patrol cars will not shoot back sarcastic one-liners, officers will be able to talk to their cars, if the East Lansing City Council approves a contract at tonight's meeting to install upgrades to the fleet's on-board computer systems. If the contract is approved, each cruiser's computer will be updated with voice recognition software and other upgrades, which would create a hands-free link between the driver and the information he or she needs. "The biggest thing is officer safety," said Juli Liebler, East Lansing's deputy police chief.

MICHIGAN

Phone tax bill meets resistance

Pete Nichols
July 9, 2007

A new bill is being considered in the Michigan House of Representatives that would levy a tax on phones is coming under fire from Michigan's telephone companies. The bill would place a monthly charge of $1.35 on every phone in the state including landlines, cell phones, and Voice over Internet Protocol. The Telecommunications Association of Michigan launched a print and radio ad campaign Thursday intended to raise awareness about the bill and how it could affect Michigan residents if passed. Called "Hang Up the Phone Tax," the campaign is aimed at informing voters about what the bill does so they can call their legislators, said Scott Stevenson, president of the Telecommunications Association of Michigan. "The state is trying to shift $200 million on the bills of telephone users," Stevenson said.

MICHIGAN

Soulful music entertains residents

Brian McVicar
July 9, 2007

For Freddie Cunningham, kids are crucial to a successful concert. "They have that natural energy and enthusiasm, and adults sometimes have gotten too sophisticated and cool to do that," said Cunningham, lead singer of the Root Doctor band, which performed for East Lansing's Live!

MICHIGAN

Businesses to provide smoking despite ban

Ryan Beene
July 6, 2007

Correction: Should have identified State Rep. Steve Bieda, D-Macomb. A pair of bills introduced to the state House of Representatives would let certain Michigan bars and restaurants to allow their customers to smoke, even if a state law banning smoking in public places is passed. Introduced June 21, the bills would work in tandem with the proposed statewide smoking ban, requiring bars and restaurants that want to allow smoking to apply for a permit.

MICHIGAN

Lansing research park receives $4M land grant

Sarah Harbison
July 6, 2007

After being awarded a $2 million federal grant, the Lansing Economic Development Corporation plans to improve the infrastructure of the University Corporate Research Park with hopes of attracting technical companies to the area. In addition to the grant, the MSU Foundation - a nonprofit organization that works to advance the growth of MSU as a landgrant university - will match the funding awarded, bringing the total to $4 million. "Essentially, what we are doing is linking the north end of the park to the south end of the park to open it up for future development," said Kara Wood, director of Downtown Core and SmartZone liaison. Changes to the infrastructure will include road, water and sewer system improvements, as well as adding street landscaping and additional parking, Wood said. The Lansing Regional SmartZone encompasses the whole of the research park, she said, and is owned and operated by the MSU Foundation.

MICHIGAN

Mich. Pride festival rallies for LGBT rights

Craig Trudell
July 5, 2007

Ten feet in the air, a man dressed in a glittery, purple mermaid suit danced on top of a truck parked in the street at the Michigan Pride festival, march and rally. Several thousand supporters of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community raised awareness for the community in Lansing during the weekend. "It's important to come out and be part of a community that is often isolated," said David Jaques, a communications junior.

MICHIGAN

Second minimum wage increase takes effect

Jennifer Orlando
July 5, 2007

The nearly 5,000 MSU students who will work in the dorms and cafeteria this year won't be greatly impacted after the state minimum wage jumped Sunday to $7.15 per hour. The new minimum wage, which was previously $6.95 per hour, is the second installment of a three-part increase that eventually caps at $7.40 in July 2008. Most MSU students are paid at or above minimum wage, and the same number of employees will be hired this year compared to previous years, said Angela Brown, director of housing. But some people wonder if the new minimum wage can make a difference in boosting Michigan's struggling economy, which has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. "Economists report rising wages can stimulate economic activity throughout the state," said Megan Brown, a spokeswoman for Gov.

MICHIGAN

Mexican restaurant to open downtown

Ryan Beene
June 28, 2007

The Spartan Sports Den, 1227 E. Grand River Ave., has closed after years of serving beer, food and sports to East Lansing residents. The property was sold to Vlahakis Companies, a local property management company. The space is to be filled by Los Tres Amigos, a Mexican restaurant.

MICHIGAN

Legislators ponder hike in state taxes

Pete Nichols
June 28, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

Leaving the foster system

Craig Trudell
June 28, 2007

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.