From the Washington Post: "President Obama's push to deploy body-imaging scanners at airports will cost U.S. taxpayers roughly $3 billion over eight years, congressional investigators report, but it is unclear whether the controversial devices would have caught the man who allegedly tried to blow up a Detroit-bound jetliner with explosives hidden in his underwear."

The Government Accountability Office (GAO) has the new report: "Aviation Security: TSA Is Increasing Procurement and Deployment of the Advanced Imaging Technology, but Challenges to This Effort and Other Areas of Aviation Security Remain."

Source: Hsu, S.S. (18 March 2010). "GAO says airport body scanners may not have thwarted Christmas Day bombing." Washington Post.

From the Washington Post: "An emerging compromise on health care between House and Senate Democrats would cost $940 billion over the next decade and expand insurance coverage to an additional 32 million Americans, congressional budget analysts said Thursday. Their preliminary report suggests the two-part legislation would bring the nation closer to universal health coverage than at any time in its history."

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) issued an estimate of the cost and savings of the Health Care bill currently under consideration. The estimate considers elements of H.R. 4872 and H.R. 3590.

Source: Kane, P., and Montgomery, L.A., (18 March 2010). "CBO: $940 billion health bill would help cut deficit over 10 years." Washington Post.

Citizens across the country have received the Census questionnaire this week.

PLEASE FILL IT OUT IMMEDIATELY.

Remember, the Census ensures that your community gets the federal funding it needs. Funding for things like education, transportation, hospitals, and more!

Your information is kept completely confidential for 72 years. Then it becomes available for the public--which means eventually your great-great-grandkids can research where you were in 2010.

So fill it out...send it in...because we can't move forward until you send it back!

Sonnet

The U.S. Senate approved HR 2847, the job-creation bill, after the U.S. House made modifications, and President Obama signed the bill into law today. The bill gives employers a tax-holiday on Social Security payroll taxes, as long as the people they hire have been unemployed for at least 60 days, and gives employers a $1,000 tax credit for every worker hired on for at least 52 weeks. The law will also transfer $20 billion into highway and mass-transit funding to provide jobs in the construction industry. The package is expected to cost $17.6 billion, but lawmakers hope it will provide a jumpstart to get employment back on track. The national unemployment rate is currently stalled at 9.7 percent.

M.E.G.A. RECIPIENT ARRESTED ON PAROLE VIOLATION

In a significant embarrassment for Governor Jennifer Granholm, the CEO of a company winning a $9.1 million Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit on Tuesday was arrested Wednesday for a parole violation after it was revealed that CEO Richard Short had been convicted for embezzlement.

GRANHOLM ROASTED OVER 'MEATOUT DAY'

Agriculture boosters, Republicans, some Democrats, meat enthusiasts and vegetarian bashers did the political equivalent Wednesday of putting Governor Jennifer Granholm on a spit over her designation of Saturday as Michigan Meatout Day.

FIREWORKS POPPED TO SUPPORT D.E.L.E.G.

Fireworks that are currently illegal in Michigan would no longer be so and people who sold them would be charged a fee under a revenue assumption made in the House subcommittee version of the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth budget.

M.S.P. BUDGET INCLUDES TICKET HIKE; CLOSES DETROIT POST

Traffic tickets issued in Michigan would cost $5 more under a House subcommittee budget recommendation for the Department of State Police that uses the $6 million in expected revenue to cover a series of programs.

7 BUDGETS CLEAR SENATE APPROPRIATIONS WITH FEW CHANGES

Movement toward Senate passage of its originated budgets took a big step forward Wednesday when the Appropriations Committee approved on mostly party-line votes all seven budget bills with no major changes.

PAY RAISE FOR STATE WORKERS LOOKS SAFE AFTER LATEST VOTE

With the Senate failing for a second time Wednesday to rescind the 3 percent raise scheduled to take effect October 1 for union-represented state employees, it appears more and more likely that those workers will get the pay hike.

GENERAL GOVERNMENT BUDGET LEFT IN LIMBO

A vote on a general government budget that includes a cut to local revenue sharing will have to wait another day as the House Appropriations Committee dropped the measure Wednesday after the subcommittee version failed to be adopted.

POLL: REPUBLICANS STILL LEAD GOVERNOR'S RACE

The leading four Republican candidates for governor are performing better among the voters than Democrats, according to a new poll on the race released Wednesday.

BIZ LEADERS REPORT: STATE BUSINESS CLIMATE UNCOMPETITIVE

Labor costs and business taxes pushed the cost of running a company in Michigan to be 4 percent above the national average, according to a benchmark study released Wednesday by the Business Leaders for Michigan. But while the state's gross domestic product has eroded significantly over the past few years and unemployment is higher here than anywhere else, Michigan does have several bright spots, including a skilled workforce and lower cost of living, the report found.

SENATE OKS MONEY TO PAY FOR 'RACE TO THE TOP' STAFF

The Department of Education would receive $492,800 to pay for 13 new staffers to administer the education reforms made when the state passed bills last year as part of its effort to win federal "Race to the Top" funds under a bill unanimously passed Wednesday by the Senate.

SENATE OKS ALLOWING RETIRED CORRECTIONS HEALTH WORKERS TO RETURN

The Senate easily passed a bill Wednesday that would reverse course slightly on a law banning state employees from receiving a salary and pension at the same time by allowing the Department of Corrections to hire back retired health care workers as long as they received money on a per diem basis with no benefits. HB 4248 passed 37-1.

AG. COMMISSION CONCERNED OVER BUDGET

The Agriculture Commission is no longer head of the Department of Agriculture, but members of the commission said Wednesday they need to be involved in pushing for more funding for the department.

HOUSE TAX PANEL MULLS ERASING TAX EXEMPTIONS

The House Tax Policy Committee on Wednesday wrestled with a series of bills that would eliminate many business tax exemptions to raise more money for local governments and schools. While proponents of the legislation said tight times call for a review of every exemption and a recall of those that aren't absolutely justified, they faced challenges from some that said raising taxes on businesses would make Michigan less competitive. Rep. Brian Calley (R-Portland) said he opposes all five bills before the panel (HB 5420, HB 5391, HB 5392, HB 5393 and HB 5490) because some concern exists that repealing them would make Michigan less competitive against other states.

HOUSE LABOR DEBATES USING CREDIT HISTORY FOR HIRING

The House Labor Committee on Wednesday discussed, but didn't take action on a bill that would prohibit most employers from using credit reports to make hiring decisions or otherwise penalize employees. HB 4528 would allow specified employers such as banks or casinos to still check credit, but would reduce a growing trend of employers using poor credit as a reason to hire when it seemingly has no relation to the type of employment at issue, said bill sponsor Rep. Jon Switalski (D-Warren).

PACKAGE ALLOWS LOCAL TRANSIT FINANCE

Local governments would be able to use traditional economic development finance tools to fund transit development under a package of bills to be introduced this week. The package would also require communities to include at least consideration of transit as they develop new master plans, supporters said on unveiling the plan Wednesday.

ROBERTS URGES CARE IF FISCAL YEAR IS CHANGED

Officials eager to require the state to complete its budget by July 1, or switch the state's fiscal year back to a July 1 through June 30 calendar need to take care and make sure they are aware of all the implications, said former Treasurer Doug Roberts at a Wednesday event.
Mr. Roberts was a state official in 1975 when the state extended its fiscal year and switched it to the October 1 to September 30 fiscal year under which it now operates, and said switching back could cause the state short-term cash flow problems.

REPUBLICANS CONTINUE CALL FOR CHILD CARE UNION INFO

House Republicans continued their call Wednesday for more information on the Home Based Child Care Council with another letter to Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed on the program they argued had been canceled in the current year budget. The letter from Rep. John Proos (R-St. Joseph) and Rep. David Agema (R-Grandville) submitted seven questions to Mr. Ahmed dated Wednesday they said had yet to be answered since the program continues to operate and union dues continue to be collected from operators despite the Legislature having eliminated funding for the council.

COURT EXAMINES NEEDED WORDING FOR INSURANCE DENIALS

In order for an insurance company to deny paying damages from an automobile accident in which an uninsured person was driving, the company must have included the exact exclusion language in the governing statute on all of the documents described in the law, the Court of Appeals said Wednesday in a published opinion that was a matter of first impression.

SENATE COMMITTEE BEGINS LOOK AT GOVERNOR'S RETIREMENT PLAN

The Senate Appropriations Retirement Subcommittee began its review Wednesday of Governor Jennifer Granholm's proposal to encourage state employees and teachers to retire as a way of shedding costs.

PURE MICHIGAN

The House may take up legislation Thursday that would provide funding for the "Pure Michigan" advertising campaign just before the deadline to buy summer ads. The House has proposed using use tax revenue and a $2.50 tax on cars rented near airports to fund the tourism campaign long term, but the Senate has proposed using one-time monies to continue the program this year.

Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 51, March 7, 2010. Full access requires a subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library.

I got my Census 2010 form in the mail yesterday! I filled it out and will send it back to them in the postage-paid envelope they provided (the form can't be filled out online...yet. They are experimenting with that for the future!). The form is only 10 questions long and it only took me 5 minutes to complete since there is only 2 people in my household (sadly, my 3 cats don't count). Easy!

But if you don't return the form, a census taker will have to visit you at your home. But they are very friendly and don't bite, so that is not a problem...but there are potential scammers out there. So it would be easier and safer for everyone if you just fill out and mail in the form!

What's the point of the Census? Why should you fill out that form? Well, as my friend and Government Document Librarian friend Lori Smith wrote in her blog, "if you want your community to have adequate representation in Congress, and to get its fair share of $400 billion in federal funds, fill out and return your form!" If you have more questions, visit the Census 2010 website for more details.

Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently announced new Federal policies related to bicycling and pedestrians.  LaHood appears to have a different point of view than the previous USDOT Secretary who loved to have her picture taken with giant motorcycles.

Increased commitment to and investment in bicycle facilities and walking networks can help meet goals for cleaner, healthier air; less congested roadways; and more livable, safe, cost-efficient communities. Walking and bicycling provide low-cost mobility options that place fewer demands on local roads and highways. DOT recognizes that safe and convenient walking and bicycling facilities may look different depending on the context — appropriate facilities in a rural community may be different from a dense, urban area. However, regardless of regional, climate, and population density differences, it is important that pedestrian and bicycle facilities be integrated into transportation systems. While DOT leads the effort to provide safe and convenient accommodations for pedestrians and bicyclists, success will ultimately depend on transportation agencies across the country embracing and implementing this policy.

Assessors and local governments in Michigan are urging the state Supreme Court to take a case that limits their ability to collect more property tax revenue.

In December, the Michigan Court of Appeals said it was illegal to uncap the taxable value of a property after the death of a joint owner. Local governments say a loophole is now on the books, and they claim critical public services will be at risk if the decision stands and tax revenue falls.

For the full article, see "Mich. Supreme Ct. urged to take tax case", Detroit News, March 17, 2010.

Lawmakers must act quickly to reform public employee retirement and they "should have the courage" to decide whether to extend the sales tax to services to pay for education, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said today.

The governor has proposed a plan to entice up to 47,000 state employees and teachers to retire. Bills have been introduced to enact the proposal and legislative committees are beginning hearings.

"I strongly urge action, particularly on the school side," Granholm said at a Lansing news conference. She's looking at an April 15 to May 15 window for employees to decide whether to retire so school districts and the state can plan for the future.

For the full article, see Mark Hornbeck, "Granholm urges speed on plan to spur public employee retirements", Detroit News, March 17, 2010.

Those television ads promoting Michigan's lakes and summer shorelines may never run for the upcoming tourist season if lawmakers don't act soon, Michigan Economic Development Corp. CEO Greg Main warned Tuesday.

Main said the state is losing the window to buy time for the ads to run.

"There's not much wiggle room. April is already sold out," Main said. "Pretty soon May is going to be sold, and if May is sold, then you might as well not have a campaign, because May is the time when people start making their plans on where they're going to vacation this summer."

For the full article, see Kathy Barks Hoffman, "Lawmakers on the clock for summer tourism ads; Time is running short to fund Pure Michigan", Lansing State Journal, March 17,2010.

Gov. Jennifer Granholm's proposal to cut prison sentences for well-behaved inmates failed its first test in the Legislature on Tuesday.

The plan to restore so-called good time credits for prisoners was left out of a 2010-11 budget adopted by a Senate subcommittee, along with $130 million in savings the administration forecast from closing four or five prisons.

The Senate alternative assumed savings instead from canceling a scheduled 3% raise for state employees and ordering the Michigan Department of Corrections to implement other cost-cutting. But the prison budget adopted by the subcommittee still came in at nearly $2 billion -- $32 million higher than Granholm's original proposal.

For the full article, see Dawson Bell, "Plan to restore prison credits fails 1st test", Detroit Free Press, March 17, 2010.

The Library of Michigan is expanding its efforts to help small and rural libraries boost their on line presence.

More than 40 Michigan libraries have applied to join a program called Plinkit that allows them to set up a Web site providing easily updated information to the public as well as access to their catalogs.

The state says some of those libraries will get Web sites through the program starting this spring.

The pilot project involved the Constantine Township Library in St. Joseph County, New Buffalo Township Public Library in Berrien County, Homer Public Library, Vernon District Public Library and the library in Belding.

Following on the heels of four Info Stops around the state to promote
Plinkit, more than 40 Michigan libraries have applied to have a Plinkit
site. The Library of Michigan plans to begin adding new libraries this
spring.

Plinkit is funded in part by the Institute of Museum and Library
Services through the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA).

Ongoing information about Michigan's progress with the Plinkit project
can be found at: http://michlibrary.org/

For the full article, see "Michigan expands Web help for small, rural libraries", Detroit Free Press, March 17, 2010.

The Pacific smelt, or eulachon, has officially been named a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The U.S. Dept. of Fish and Wildlife have not yet determined how they will protect the fish, which spawn in Columbia River tributaries such as the Cowlitz and Sandy Rivers during the spring. Numbers in the yearly smelt run have been poor in recent years, and this year there were no smelt gathered in the Cowlitz tribe’s annual eulachon ceremony. There are no smelt currently raised in hatcheries, so protecting the population will most likely prove challenging.

GRANHOLM: IF LAWMAKERS WON'T VOTE ON TAXES, PUBLIC SHOULD

Lawmakers should have the courage to vote on a proposal to extend the sales tax to services, Governor Jennifer Granholm said, but if they do not, then they should put the proposal to the voters.

CORRECTIONS GETS MORE MONEY UNDER SENATE BUDGET

The state's corrections system would get more money for substance abuse programs, jail reimbursement to local governments and programs to assist released inmates with their return to society under a budget unanimously approved Tuesday by a Senate subcommittee.

SUBSTANCE VS. SCHEDULING DEBATED ON WORKER RETIREMENT

Whether the governor's retirement proposal for state and school employees should be taken up quickly or not taken up at all because of its substance, or if the bill sponsors will be happy with the final product was up for debate as the House Oversight and Investigations Committee held its first hearing on the package Tuesday.

AS CONGRESS NEARS HEALTH CARE ACTION, SENATE NIXES OPT-OUT

A proposal designed to allow Michigan not to participate in the federal health care legislation moving toward approval in Congress failed to pass the Senate on Tuesday.

OFFICIAL: DON'T MERGE COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID PROGRAMS

Merging what's left of state financial aid for college students into a single need-based program would be unfair to those who attend independent colleges and universities, the head of the state association told a House subcommittee on Tuesday.

BISHOP NOT CONCEDING 3% STATE WORKER PAY RAISE

The votes don't seem to exist to repeal a 3 percent raise scheduled for October for union-represented state employees, but Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop said he has not given up.

COX TAKES ON HOEKSTRA T.A.R.P. VOTE

U.S. Rep. Peter Hoekstra has not sufficiently explained his support for the federal Troubled Asset Relief Program and several federal budgets that increased spending, Attorney General Mike Cox said Tuesday in a spat between the two GOP gubernatorial candidates.

NEED ACTION ON 'PURE MICHIGAN' IN TWO WEEKS, MAIN SAYS

If lawmakers do not make a decision on finding a funding source for the state's "Pure Michigan" ads in the next two weeks, the state might lose out on buying ad space for the summer season, Michigan Economic Development Corporation President Greg Main warned on Tuesday.

HOUSE PANEL FURTHER CUTS TRANSPORTATION FUNDS

Governor Jennifer Granholm had already proposed a smaller transportation budget than current year, and the House Appropriations Transportation Subcommittee cut that amount even further Tuesday as it sent the budget past its first hurdle.

A.F.S.C.M.E. AGREES TO CONCESSIONS

State employees represented by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees members will also see banked leave time and a two-tiered health plan under a tentative agreement announced Tuesday.

INDIGENT COUNSEL PROGRAM STILL YEARS AWAY

Legislation to implement a new indigent counsel program in the state should come out of the House in the next few months, but under the proposal as it currently stands, the new program would be several years to full implementation. And as the plan is developed, judges asked that it provide for state funding but local oversight of the appointed attorneys.

GOVERNOR'S PROCLAMATION ON 'MEATOUT' DAY DRAWS PROTESTS

A proclamation issued by Governor Jennifer Granholm calling Saturday "meatout" day in the state and encouraging people not to eat meat that day as part of a healthy diet has drawn protests from agriculture and hunting and fishing advocates, but a spokesperson for the governor said the proclamation is no different than those she has issued supporting Michigan wine and egg farmers. And if officials from any other commodity industry in the state, such as the state beef and pork producers, wanted a similar proclamation they would likely get it as well, said Liz Boyd, Ms. Granholm's spokesperson.

TRANSIT GROUP: REGIONAL AUTHORITY WOULD BOLSTER FUNDS

While some argue that bills proposing a new Regional Transit Authority for southeast Michigan would interfere with existing public transportation plans, one transit advocate said on Tuesday that the authority's ability to provide a unified transit plan will capture more funding for all systems in the area.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT DEBT BILLS PASS HOUSE

A five-bill package allowing local governments to restructure their debt overwhelmingly passed the House on Tuesday. Sent to the Senate were HB 5550 (98-8), HB 5551 (100-6), HB 5552 (99-8), HB 5553 (99-8) and HB 5554 (99-8).

STATE SAYS CORPORATE DECISIONS COULD RESULT IN 7,180 JOBS

As many as 7,182 jobs could be created in the state with a series of projects that received approval of credits from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority on Tuesday, including a credit that will help locate the new North American headquarters of SAAB in Royal Oak.

COX ANNOUNCES MEDICAID FRAUD ARREST

The owner of a company that once did provide services to Medicaid clients was arrested this week for allegedly continuing to bill the state for some $3.375 million after its work ended.

COURT RULES

Motions to disqualify Court of Appeals judges would have to be filed within 14 days of disclosure of a judge's assignment, aligning with the time period for disqualification of trial judges, under court rules adopted Tuesday.

Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 50, March 16, 2010. Full access requires a subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library.

The Sunlight Foundation announced today a new bill introduced by Congressman Steve Israel (NY-2) called the Public online Information Act (POIA) (read the bill (PDF)). POIA will require that all "public" executive branch documents be permanently available on the Internet at no cost. POIA also creates a:

"special federal advisory committee to coordinate the development of Internet disclosure policies. These policies promote information best practices, including data interoperability standards, and will keep the government up-to-date with new technology. The advisory committee’s 19 members – six appointed by each branch of government, plus one by GSA – are drawn from the public and private sectors and serve as watchdogs, synthesizing the needs of agencies and the public and making recommendations on updating federal law."

While I wholeheartedly support the spirit of POIA -- free permanent internet access to executive branch documents! -- and will definitely be contacting my representative to support its passage, I have 2 concerns that I hope will be discussed by the Sunlight community, the soon-to-be federal advisory committee, libraries and the public:

1) preservation: There was an article in today's NY Times -- "Fending Off Digital Decay, Bit by Bit" -- that highlights the many issues surrounding digital preservation. Just putting something on the Web does not mean that it will be preserved. The GPO has been working on their Federal Digital System (FDsys) since 2004 (and really since 1994 when they started GPOaccess) to deal with the inherent digital issues. Many researchers, librarians, academics, computer programmers etc have been working on these issues pretty much since the 1960s. And the issues are still here today.

So I'd like to see as part of this bill an acknowledgement that online information is expensive to preserve AND that there will be continued funding for research and sustainability of digital archives through the National Digital Information Infrastructure & Preservation Program (NDIIPP). Readers are encouraged to explore the issues here and here.

2) privatization of govt information: The following from the Sunlight announcement caught my eye and concerned me:

Freeing government information from its paper silos provides the private sector with raw material to develop new products and services and gives the public what they need to participate in government as active and informed citizens.

Federal government information is in the public domain. That's a good thing. However, there's a fundamental issue at stake here. One can't have "permanent free public access" to government information where the private sector is involved. The private sector has been involved in giving access to government information for a long time (see LexisNexis, Thomson West, Readex etc). They do it well but they certainly don't do it for free. Libraries and other organizations have paid many millions of dollars to license access to govt information for the communities they serve. Here's more background and context on privatization. For all intents and purposes, these private sector companies take public domain information and privatize it. Any digital govt information accessible on the internet should already be findable, usable and accessible in bulk at minimum.

But there needs to be more. What I'd like to see in this bill and in the discussion after it passes (devil's in the details right?!) is not only a requirement that all govt information is online permanently and for free, but that there be the inclusion of a viral GNU General Public License-like piece of the public domain whereby anything IN the public domain (i.e., govt information) has to STAY IN the public domain. There are plenty of folks (I'm looking at you Sunlight, Govtrack.us, OpenCongress, OpenCRS etc) excited about making govt information more available, more usable and more shareable and this would support their public service.

Please help Sunlight get the word out about POIA and contact your representative and let them know that they should co-sponsor POIA and assure its passage.

From the New York Times: "The Federal Communications Commission on Tuesday characterized its Congressionally mandated 'national broadband plan' as a much-needed step for keeping the United States competitive."

The new National Broadband Plan has been posted on a separate domain: Broadband.gov. On the site you can read the plan, test your broadband speed connection, and find background information.

Source: Stelter, B. (16 March 2010). "F.C.C. Says Adoption of New Broadband Plan Is Vital." New York Times.

From the New York Times: "Researchers, political satirists and partisan mudslingers, take note: C-Span has uploaded virtually every minute of its video archives to the Internet."

The C-Span Video Library goes back to 1979. You can browse by program or topic, search for video by date, search by person, and more. This is a useful tool for those searching for what was said on the floor of the House or Senate on a given date (and to hear the tone) or those who want to watch older committee hearings. C-Span receives no funding from the federal government but has been created as a public service and public access tool by a non-profit company of the cable television industry.

Source: Stelter, B. (15 March 2010). "C-Span Puts Full Archives on the Web." New York Times.

C-SPAN has posted their archives online. That's 23 years worth, 160,000 hours - online (almost all of their content). This is extremely cool. Get ready to waste a chunk of time today going through their archive. It should be noted that while all their programming is available, popular programs like Book TV are not embeddable (although you CAN send the link to facebook, twitter etc). Go ahead and browse the committee list for a little vicarious legislating :-)

The C-SPAN Archives records, indexes, and archives all C-SPAN programming for historical, educational, research, and archival uses. Every C-SPAN program aired since 1987, now totaling over 157,000 hours, is contained in the C-SPAN Archives and immediately accessible through the database and electronic archival systems developed and maintained by the C-SPAN Archives.

[HT to Paul Blumenthal (@PaulBlu) at Sunlight Foundation!]

The oil conglomerate reached an agreement in U.S. District Court in which they will pay $588,000 for three rehabilitation projects on Vashon and Maury Islands along the Dalco Passage. The settlement stems from an incident in 2004 in which 7,200 gallons of crude oil damaged South Sound beaches. Although lab tests linked the oil to a tanker called Polar Texas that is owned by ConocoPhillips, the company has not admitted to any wrongdoing. Nevertheless, they have paid fines and court fees, and will now pay for the clean-up projects. Scientists familiar with the spill say it harmed salmon, shellfish, birds, and other wildlife in the Puget Sound area.

BERNERO, COX TANGLE OVER TOYOTA

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero and Attorney General Mike Cox engaged in a potential warm-up of a gubernatorial election Monday when the two took shots at each other over the controversy surrounding recalled Toyota vehicles.

POLL SHOWS OPPOSITION TO PAY RAISE AS SENATE REVOTE NEARS

State voters want to see the Legislature block a pay raise for state employees, according to a poll released Monday by Business Leaders for Michigan days before the Senate is expected to make another attempt at rescinding the raise.

SPLIT COURT UPHOLDS POLICY LIMITS

An unusual majority in the Supreme Court allowed an insurance company's claim rejection to stand.

STATE COULD LOSE FOSTER CARE FUNDS UNDER REPORT

Michigan stands to lose $2.8 million in federal foster care funds because of findings that it is not meeting federal standards for the programs.

SENATE READIES TO COMPLETE FIRST ROUND OF BUDGETS

By the end of the day Wednesday, all seven budgets originating in the Senate could be before the full Senate.

COX RELEASES 2009 TAXES, RENEWS CALL FOR LEGISLATIVE ACTION

Attorney General Mike Cox and his wife, Wayne County Commissioner Laura Cox, reported wages of just under $200,000 in income for 2009 as Mr. Cox released his family's tax returns for the year Monday.

TRANSPORTATION TEAM CHIDES EXPECTED BUDGET

The House is about to approve a budget that will leave the state short some $500 million in federal funds, the Michigan Transportation Team said in a release Monday.

Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 49, March 15, 2010. Full access requires a subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library.