Local business owners are hoping they won't have pay up when the Single Business Tax expires in December. Halfway through the fiscal year, the state will lose $1.2 billion in revenue. State officials have been developing proposals and restructuring the tax system to make up for the loss.
East Lansing selected a Michigan-based environmental consulting firm last week to use a $300,000 federal grant the city earned in October. The grant, awarded by the U.S.
The summer before her senior year of high school, Melissa Cousino was told by doctors she had brain cancer. Three hours and an MRI later, a relieving discovery was made —the diagnosis was premature — and she actually had a less threatening disorder called neurocardiogenic syncope. Cousino said her scare shed some light on the traumatic effects cancer can have on patients and families. "For a few short hours I realized the devastation that people go through," she said. Her false diagnosis prompted her to get involved to help those who are experiencing the effects of cancer, she said. Now Cousino, a psychology junior at MSU, is the president of MSU Stars for Make-A-Wish Foundation.
MSU received an award this month for its construction developments that cut down on traffic accidents by 62 percent in the last 11 years. The Governor's Traffic Safety Advisory Commission honored the university with the Richard H.
The East Lansing City Council acknowledged Tuesday the accomplishments of the MSU greek community during Greek Week 2007. The annual event, during which 2,900 members of MSU fraternities and sororities raise funds for various charities, drew in $220,000 — about $60,000 more than last year. More than $190,000 of the total will go specifically toward the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life.
Gov. Jennifer Granholm's service tax plan was rejected Thursday by the state's Republican-controlled Senate. According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, the plan would have generated about $1.5 billion in revenue, while taxing about 132 services. They included transportation, businesses and personal services — such as barber shops, health clubs and dry cleaners. People don't want to pay more for services — it's that simple, economics freshman Joe Opiela said. "People would be more apt not to use those services," he said.
Lansing — Local government leaders are aiming to improve the economy and landscape of Michigan Avenue throughout the next decade with a partnership announced Thursday. The Corridor Improvement Authority unites East Lansing, Lansing Township and Lansing in an effort to strengthen the avenue's stretch from the Capitol to MSU. The authority's goals include beautifying the streetscape, strengthening the roadway and utility systems and drawing more innovative business to the region, East Lansing Mayor Sam Singh said. "The days of looking at our communities as separate are over," Singh said.
People under the age of 25 spent 50 percent more money on health care in 2005 than they did a decade earlier, according to a U.S Department of Labor report released last month. The 2005 Consumer Expenditures survey reported that the average household headed by someone 25 or younger spent about $704 in 2005, the most recent year for which data was gathered. In 1995, that number was $466. The survey defines health care spending as prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, health insurance and medical supplies. The national sample is taken from about 8.5 million consumers under 25 from the U.S.
"As it's continued on, I've probably gotten more anti-war. It seemed like a good idea at the time." Ainsley Elder linguistics freshman "I probably have stronger feelings against it than I did when it started." Ella Rakowski microbiology senior "I'm more against it as things have become more clear about the intent, and the actual carrying on of the war." Scott Dombrowski international studies junior "My opposition to the war hasn't changed a whole lot.
A get-out-of-jail-free card could be handed to about 5,000 "low-risk" prisoners by the end of the year if legislation proposed by Gov.
Former East Lansing City Manager John M. Patriarche, a man known to the city as "Mr. East Lansing," died Sunday.
To prompt opposition to Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposed 2 percent tax on services, a duo of Michigan business groups launched a campaign to attack her initiative. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce and the Michigan Association of Realtors, or MAR, launched the 30-second commercials, which have aired across the Lansing area since last week. The theme of the campaign is "Give Governor Granholm Your 2 cents." People don't understand how great of an effect this excise tax would have on them, said Brad Ward, director of public policy and legal affairs for MAR. "We would like the state government's restructuring policy to save the citizens money, rather than balance its problems on their back," Ward said, adding that the companies have discussed broadening the base of the ads. The proposed service tax is part of Granholm's plan to eliminate the state's combined $3 billion budget deficit. According to the Michigan Department of Treasury, the proposed tax would generate almost $1.5 billion in revenue by taxing about 132 services — many associated with transportation, business and finance. Implementation of the tax would cost a middle-class family of four about $69 a year, according to Terry Stanton, director for the Michigan Department of Treasury. If the service tax were adopted, Michigan would have a tax system that's not in step with the rest of the country, according to a study by the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Anderson Economic Group. "Many of the negative features of the governor's plan could be remedied if the 'excise tax' on business-to-business service purchases and the asset tax were eliminated from her plan," the study said. But Granholm's proposed taxes and budget cuts would allow Michigan to continue investing in education, health care and other import programs for the future, Stanton said. "This proposal was put forth by the governor ... because it combines government restructuring and some pretty significant budget cuts that would provide the state with the revenue that it needs to invest in itself," he said. Granholm has encouraged other ideas for solving the budget crisis, but no one has put anything on the table, said Liz Boyd, Granholm's spokeswoman.
The tax on cigarettes and other tobacco products may be reduced significantly when the next fiscal year begins Oct.
Lansing — Gallivanting to MC Hammer's "U Can't Touch This" and shining in this season's sharpest fashions, the canines in Old Town's Studio 1210 had a moment to sparkle Sunday during the second annual Gone 2 the Dogs Spring Fashion Show. About 20 dogs donned handmade designs by Gone 2 the Dogs owner Jana Nicol, who organized the show last year for something to do. "I was just looking for fun things to do for people to enjoy and to laugh," she said. A $5 admission helps finance the Robert P.
Tuesday marks the fourth anniversary of the U.S. invasion of Iraq. A "Peace Chain Against the War" will be formed from 5-7 p.m.
By Lauren Talley For The State News Lansing — Anti-war posters, upside-down American flags and rainbow-striped banners covered a fenced-in portion of the sidewalk outside the state Capitol on Friday to commemorate the fourth anniversary of the Iraq war and to remember Rachel Corrie, an American activist who died working for peace in the Middle East. The vigil, hosted by The Greater Lansing Network Against War and Injustice, was held in concurrence with Friday's Christian Peace Witness for Iraq events, which are held across the country and in Washington to bring people of Christian faith together in opposition to the war. Roughly 40 citizens gathered for the vigil, one of the weekly nonviolent Iraq war protests the network holds.
Bars opened early, students wore green and shamrocks and leprechauns were seen Saturday, as East Lansing celebrated St.
Construction of a new hotel off Trowbridge Road could begin within the next 30 days. Owner Tass Mekani of West Bloomfield is finalizing which franchise will take residence at 1100 Trowbridge Road — the last steps Mekani needs to take before breaking ground. The development already received a nod of approval from East Lansing City Council members in early March. "There is a need for it," Mekani said of his venture.
Sen. Carl Levin pointed toward college students as a demographic that's particularly vulnerable to the policies of credit card companies during a visit to campus. He led a discussion with MSU students about the various abuses of the credit card industry Friday at the Administration Building. "You, who are students, are the juiciest targets out there," he said.
Earlier this year, volunteers throughout the nation asked local municipalities a simple question — What is the community's Comprehensive Emergency Response Plan? The plan, which every municipality is required to have, was instated by the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act in 1986. Yet many of those volunteers looking for the information were denied access, according to a comprehensive report of this year's Sunshine Week audit. Sunshine Week ends Saturday and is a national test of the openness of government information. "What we've tried to measure as much as anything else is, first of all, how effective have we been as media in doing our job in educating the public about the issues," said Pete Weitzel, coordinator for the Coalition of Journalists for Open Government. "That was the initial intent — to energize the media across the country to focus on the issues of access to information and meetings during one week," he said. Out of 404 audits in 37 states and Puerto Rico, 177 requests were filled.