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News | Michigan

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.

MICHIGAN

Bill could add environmental ombudsman

Rachael Zylstra
June 27, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

Apply for citizen leadership program

Craig Trudell
June 27, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

Term limits reconsidered

Pete Nichols
June 27, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

Child Development enrollment open

Craig Trudell
June 27, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

LCC Faculty Jazz Combo to perform

Rachael Zylstra
June 27, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

License plates looking less blue

Pete Nichols
June 26, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

State plans stricter DUI laws

Lauren Talley
June 26, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

Students compete in summer job market

Lauren Talley
June 25, 2007

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.

MICHIGAN

State officials pass bill to balance budget

Pete Nichols
June 22, 2007

The Michigan Senate passed the final piece of legislation to balance the 2007 fiscal year budget. The bill would free up to $94 million in surplus revenue from the Michigan Merit Award Trust Fund and make it available for use in the state's General Fund. The surplus revenue will then go toward zeroing out the remainder of the $800 million deficit for the current fiscal year.

MICHIGAN

Chili cook-off gets cooking in Lansing

Brian McVicar
June 22, 2007

The 12th annual Lansing Board of Water and Light Chili Cook-off will take place from 5-9 p.m. today, along more than a quarter mile of Grand River's east bank, north of the Lansing Center. For $5, attendees can sample chili from about 40 restaurants and organizations.

MICHIGAN

Student goes for sweet record

Jennifer Orlando
June 22, 2007

It's a regular business office in City Hall, but the air smells like a birthday party. The sugary-sweet aroma of cupcakes draws in almost anyone who enters the second floor where Meghan Schwarb works.