Gov. Jennifer Granholm has canceled the Michigan State Fair, saying de bt-ridden Michigan could no longer afford to subsidize it. Granholm's decision makes Michigan the only Midwestern state and one of few nationwide without a state fair.

The Michigan State Fair had been a state tradition for 160 years and held at Eight Mile and Woodward, within Detroit city limits, since 1905. But the fair had been running deficits and needed $360,000 from the state in 2008 to cover losses. Fewer than 220,000 people passed through last year. At its peak in 1966, the fair drew 1 million.

For the full article, see "End of an era: No Michigan State Fair after 160-year run", MLive, September 1, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Bills seeking to clarify and regulate the use of medical marijuana in Michigan are languishing in Lansing, despite controversy and uncertainty over the law.

Those concerns were highlighted last week after Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard raided three medical marijuana facilities, arrested 16 people and sharply criticized the Medical Marijuana Act that voters approved in 2008.

Bouchard said the state needs a regulatory framework for the drug and called on lawmakers to push bills to allow the state to license dispensaries and "get them out of neighborhoods." But it's uncertain whether legislation will gain traction by year's end.

For the full article, see Jennifer Chambers, "Bills to clarify Michigan's medical pot law stall in Lansing", The Detroit News, September 1, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

The nation's top law enforcement official is being asked to look into whether Enbridge Energy Partners pressured Michigan residents to give up legal rights to sue in exchange for hotel rooms, air purifiers and other expenses in the wake of July's oil spill along a tributary of the Kalamazoo River.

For the full article, see Todd Spangler, "Enbridge is under fire over Michigan oil spill cleanup tactics; Lawmakers: Pressure on residents a big concern", Detroit Free Press, September 1, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Michigan's college students are headed back to school. Among the subjects they'll be forced to study: increased tuition, mounting personal debt, and public institutions squeezed by diminished contributions from a state in continued budget crisis.

Is there a better way?

That's the question lawmakers and the next governor need to ask.

For the full editorial, see "We must lower costs of higher education", Grand Rapids Press via MLive, September 1, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

August just flew by didn't it? And that means it's time to introduce our next blogger of the month. So welcome to the FGI podium Nathan Yang. Nathan is a Ph.D candidate in Economics at the University of Toronto. Although his thesis is about industry dynamics and social learning, he has recently done some research on why politicians adopt Twitter. Take it away Nathan.

And thanks also to Emily Keller, our August blogger from the University of Washington!!

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Randy Dorn released results from the first year of the grades 3-8 Measurements of Student Progress (MSP) and the High School Proficiency Exam (HSPE). Across Washington, fifth-grade scores showed some of the biggest losses, with drops in every content area including nearly 11 percentage points in science. Both eighth-graders and high school students registered gains in science. Across the state high school sophomores scores were down in reading, math and writing. State officials are unsure why the results varied widely. State testing changed dramatically last year. The state abandoned the Washington Assessment of Student Learning (WASL), which had been in place since 1997. State tests also are used to gauge how well students are faring under the federal No Child Left Behind Act. The federal law measures what it calls adequate yearly progress (AYP). Preliminary results from 2010 show that 968 Washington schools did not meet AYP. That’s a decrease of 317 schools from 2009.

STATE LOST 'RACE' MONEY OVER TEACHER, DATA STANDARDS

Michigan came closer to being a finalist for federal "Race to the Top" money for schools in the second round of the program, but fell short primarily for a lack of pathways for aspiring educators and improving teacher effectiveness, according to reviews of the state's application.

BUDGET TALKS TO RESUME THURSDAY; OPTIMISM STRONG

No deal on the 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal year budget Tuesday, but officials said they are optimistic targets could be reached as soon as Thursday with conference committees acting next week.

COUNTY G.O.P. TO MEET WEDNESDAY EVENING ON 33RD SENATE

Republicans leaders in the counties comprising the 33rd Senate District will meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday in Alma to select a new nominee for the seat now that Rep. Brian Calley of Portland, who won the party's nomination in August, is the Republican nominee for lieutenant governor.

'PURE LANSING' DIG RAISES HACKLES

A parody of Pure Michigan ads that state Republicans have put on their website to question Democratic gubernatorial candidate and Lansing Virg Bernero has raised the ire of a number of Lansing area residents, including a few Republicans.

'THE TEA PARTY' APPEALS TO SUPREME COURT

The so-called Tea Party filed an appeal Tuesday with the Supreme Court, seeking a ruling enabling its candidates to be placed on the November ballot.

CANVASSERS ALLOW RECOUNT IN FOURTH DISTRICT

A recount in the 4th House district can proceed after the Board of State Canvassers decided Tuesday that state law setting rules on filing for a primary legislative recount were unclear.

RETAILERS ENDORSE SNYDER

The Michigan Retailers Association has endorsed Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder in the governor's race.

OHIO SENATOR: KEEP U-M VS. O.S.U. LAST GAME OF SEASON

Ohio state Sen. Kevin Coughlin said Tuesday he intends to introduce a resolution urging officials to keep the annual football clash between The Ohio State University and University of Michigan as the final game of the regular season. Discussions in recent days have focused on the possibility of the Big Ten moving the game to an earlier point in the season when the league adds Nebraska as its 12th team.

NATIONAL GUARD COMMANDANT PROMOTED TO THREE-STAR GENERAL

Thomas Cutler, commander of the Michigan National Guard and director of the Department of Military and Veteran Affairs, has been promoted to lieutenant general.

COX RULES ON MARIHUANA LAW

The voter-initiated medical marijuana law does not prohibit the Department of Community Health from entering into an agreement or contract with an outside vendor to assist the department in processing applications, eligibility determinations, and the issuance of identification cards to patients and caregivers, if the Department of Community Health retains its authority to approve or deny issuance of registry identification cards, Attorney General Mike Cox ruled in opinion No. 7250.

PENNSYLVANIA FIRM LAUNCHES VIDEO TOWN HALL TECHNOLOGY

A Pennsylvania company has introduced a program that enables elected officials, candidates and others to conduct a town hall-type event over the Internet. The technology allows the politician, or a designee, to integrate up to 10 different locations with webcams into a town hall and moderate them. Participants can virtually raise their hand to ask questions and the moderator can mute and unmute locations to manage sound. The technology, called Concert-oh, is a product of Chorus Call, Incorporated, and is available for use at http://www.concert-oh.com .

Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 169, August 31, 2010. Full access requires a subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Tomorrow will be my last day as the Federal Documents Coordinator at the Public Libraries of Saginaw. After nearly 30 years working here, 21 of those years as the depository coordinator, I am heading into the retirement phase of my life. The new coordinator is John Sheridan who is also in charge of the genealogy and local history departments. You can reach him by telephone at 989-755-9827 or 989-755-0904 ext. 849 or by email at jsheridan@saginawlibrary.org .

I want to thank all the wonderful government documents librarians in Michigan I have known over the years. Anne Diamond and Ann Marie Sanders at the Library of Michigan were always extremely helpful to me as well as Paula Kaczmarek, Cass Hartnett and Barb Hulyk at Detroit Public Library. You have seen me through more than one inspection, not to mention the excellent advice you have given me. Godort of Michigan members have served as a valuable resource to me as well.

Grace York has my home email address ( abirkam@netzero.net ) so I will still be signed up for govdoc-m. Thank you Grace.

I wish all of you the best in these difficult times in Michigan for the government documents community. You are all truly the best.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

APPEALS COURT DENIES MANDAMUS ACTION ON TEA PARTY

Saying the request is based on a hypothetical action, the Court of Appeals has denied a request for mandamus action blocking the state from putting any candidates of The Tea Party on the November ballot.

BUDGET NEGOTIATION WEEK STARTS OFF AS PLANNED

Some members of the legislative Appropriations Committee were negotiating the 2010-11 budget on Monday and talks are expected to continue throughout the week.

CATCHING UP WITH: VAUGHN STILL 'RAISING HELL' FOR SCHOOLS

As he did a decade ago when he challenged the state takeover of Detroit Public Schools, former Rep. Ed Vaughn said this week he is still "raising hell" to find alternative ways to preserve funding and control for ailing schools.

TEA PARTIERS EXPRESS SOME FRUSTRATIONS, BUT OVERALL HAPPY

Political hacks got into their meeting, and the GOP convention had organization problems, but several tea party activists expressed overall satisfaction with the convention and its results. They were especially happy with the fact they were able to make a statement to the overall party with the attempt to run Bill Cooper for lieutenant governor though he was not the choice of the Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Snyder.

OAKLAND COUNTY DEMS REBOUNDING QUICKLY AFTER TEA PARTY SNAFU

The Oakland County Democratic Party has installed an acting chair after Mike McGuinness resigned his post last week as the party found itself under the microscope for its political director's involvement in an apparently fake Tea Party effort.

BENSON CALLS FOR 3 DEBATES WITH JOHNSON

Newly nominated Democratic secretary of state candidate Jocelyn Benson called for three debates Monday with her Republican counterpart Ruth Johnson.

INSTITUTE: STATE REVENUES IMPROVING, MICHIGAN'S STILL WEAK

Tax revenues improved for most states during the second calendar quarter of 2010, a national report said, but not in Michigan.

M.D.O.T. EFFECTIVE IN DATA COLLECTION, BUT COULD IMPROVE SCREENING

The Department of Transportation's Bureau of Transportation Planning was effective in ensuring data collected for funding distribution and reporting was accurate, but its screening process for including certain highway projects in state and federal transportation plans could be better, according to an audit.

P.S.C. ISSUES LOW INCOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE GRANTS

A total of $73 million in low income energy assistance and efficiency grants have been awarded by the Public Service Commission. The commission approved $55 million in assistance grants, to help the poor and low income with paying their energy bills and prevent utility shutoffs, to eight different organizations. The largest grant of $35 million will go to the Department of Human Services for assistance programs across the state.

Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 168, August 30, 2010. Full access requires a subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Dead or alive? That's the looming question in the wake of Wednesday's failure to get a proposal for a Fruitport Township casino onto the floor of the state House of Representatives for a vote.

It could represent a minor setback similar to those experienced by other casino proposals over the years or a truly damaging blow that marks serious doubts that the Little River Band of Ottawa's proposed gambling facility will ever be built.

For the full article, see Eric Gaertner, "Fruitport Township's casino future uncertain after failed vote", Michigan Chronicle via MLive, August 30, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

According to a new study just released by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), it is estimated that transit operations sustained about 9,200 jobs and contributed $1 billion in economic output in Michigan in 2008. The study also found that for every 10 jobs created in the public transit sector, six additional jobs are created in the rest of the economy and the money passengers save by taking the bus added $264.4 million to the Michigan economy. The findings are the result of a new Michigan-based assessment tool created to help MDOT and transit agencies better understand the important role transit plays in stimulating the state's economy and helping communities and their residents.

Cited report : Economic and Community Benefits of Local Bus Transit Service Report (Phase Two) Case Study : Statewide Analysis, prepared by HDR Decision Economics for the Michigan Department of Transportation, July 28, 2010.

For more analysis, see Kyla King, "Study shows every 10 public transit jobs creates six more jobs in Michigan economy", Grand Rapids Press via MLive, August 30, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Michigan is the most difficult state in which to find a job, according to Juju.com's Job Search Difficulty Index for US States.

In Michigan, there are 8.24 job seekers for each available job. Nevada is the second-toughest place to find a job, with 6.90 unemployed people per job. Mississippi, Idaho and Kentucky round out the bottom five.

For the full article, see Jackie Headapohl, "Michigan is the toughest state in which to find a job", MLive, August 30, 2010.

Original post blogged on b2evolution.

Gleaned this post from the Internets. The Library of Congress has released the papers of  “comic book villain” psy­chiatrist Fredric Wertham.  Wertham wrote the book “Seduction of the Innocent” which prompted Congressional investigations into the comic book genre in the 1950s.

Not a minute too soon…

In “Seduction” Wertham wrote, “There seems to be a widely held belief that democracy demands leaving the regula­tion of children’s reading to the individual. Leaving everything to the individual is actually … anarchy. And it is a pity that children should suffer from the anarchistic trends in our society.”

http://blogs.loc.gov/loc/2010/08/papers-of-comic-book-villain-open-at-library/

One of my uncles logged in some time at a Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp during the Depression of the 1930’s, so The Bureau of Reclamation’s Civilian Conservation Corps Legacy: 1933-1942 caught my eye while I was looking over a list of new books at GPO. When the Roosevelt Administration established the CCC in 1933, America’s youth had been hit extra hard by America’s drastic economic decline. In addition to putting thousands of young men like my uncle to work, the CCC’s legacy includes a myriad of buildings, picnic shelters, and other structures still in use today across the country.

This is a weighty tome, indeed. It was originally published in 2000 and revised to include updated research and more photos. In addition to an interesting essay on the history of the national CCC and another on the Bureau of Reclamation’s involvement, the bulk of the book is made up of brief forms describing the history and activities of each Reclamation camp. The real revelation to me was the involvement of the Bureau – I’ve always thought that the Forest Service and the National Park Service were the major Government players regarding the CCC. The book is nicely designed and includes many period photos of the CCC at work, and of the structures they built as they look today.

Note: Although a great resource for students of the CCC, this is mainly a reference work rather than a narrative history. As such, it would be a good addition to library collections.

You can look through it here, buy a copy here, or find it in a library.

If you didn't have the time or money to take a "real vacation" over the summer, the Travel Itineraries created by the National Park Service's  National Register of Historic Places can lead you on a vi...

Washington State Parks evacuated the 489-acre Lake Wenatchee tract on August 25, after finding evidence of aggressive root rot in many of its trees. Worried for park users’ safety from falling trees, officials shut the area to camping and hiking and began removing those conifers deemed ill or in danger of disease. There’s not yet an exact count on the number of trees that will have to be removed but about 200 trees have been marked for removal. A forest pathologist with the Washington Department of Natural Resources explained that the fungus follows along the roots from sick tress to healthy trees. Thus many of the trees neighboring sick trees are already infected and also need to be removed. The park boat launch and nearby U.S. Forest Service campgrounds remained open for use and State Parks personnel are contacting reservation holders of closed campsites to offer alternatives for the Labor Day weekend.

Six citizen initiatives and a referendum from the Legislature will appear on the ballot this November. Based on an initiative-by-initiative analysis by the state Washington State Office of Financial Management the state's budget outlook could be re-shaped by voters. The biggest single impact could come from Initiative 1098, the proposal to tax income above $200,000 a year for individuals and $400,000 for couples. It would raise $1.58 billion in new net revenues in calendar year 2012. If it passes into law and survives all-but-certain legal challenges, the sum will grow to $2.28 billion in 2013 and higher in future years – even after accounting for tax breaks on property and businesses. Five other initiatives on the ballot erase or limit taxation. Critics of the ballot measures say cuts are coming for many state services if voters approve the measures. And voter passage of an income tax is unlikely to provide a counterbalance, because lawsuits will delay the arrival of any new revenue.

A report by Seattle-based Entrix Inc., suggests three alternatives and related costs for moving the Benton County seat from Prosser to Kennewick. Benton County voters will vote on the move in the Nov. 2 election. The first alternative involves moving to Kennewick the minimum number of offices and employees required under state law for a county seat. The second alternative is moving everything, all the jobs and services in Prosser's Benton County Courthouse, to Kennewick. The third alternative moves some Prosser personnel to Kennewick but keeps a "satellite office" in Prosser. Moving the county seat has been advocated by retired judge Fred Staples, who got it on the ballot by collecting nearly 24,000 petition signatures.

Here's a way to spend an enjoyable lunchtime: watch Carl Malamud give his Keynote address "10 Rules for Radicals" to the WWW2010 Conference in Raleigh, NC on April 30, 2010 -- and if you've got more time, you can also watch all of the law.gov workshops over on Carl's Internet governance space at the Internet Archive! Certainly some great rules to live by!!

1. Call everything "an experiment."
2. When the authorities finally fire the starting gun, run as fast as you can.
3. Eyeballs rule.
4. When you achieve your objective, don't be afraid to turn on a dime and be nice.
5. Keep asking, keep rephrasing the question until they *can* say yes.
6. When you get the microphone, make sure you make your point clearly and succinctly.
7. Get standing. one can criticize all one wants, but if you can document malfeasance and wrongdoing, they have to talk to you.
8. Try to get the bureaucrats to threaten you (related to rule 7).
9. Look for over-reaching.
10. Don't be afraid to fail

[Thanks BoingBoing!]

As many of you know, the Government Printing Office is transcribing their historic paper shelflist into the Catalog of Government Publications (CGP). The paper shelflist was operated from 1880 to 1992. There are over 6,000 records transcribed so far.

While listening to the GPO Q&A from the Six State Virtual Conference, I learned that you can view records from the Historic Shelflist by searching the phrase "historic shelflist" in the CGP. Try it. It can be fun to specify a specific year, say 1930 or 1942.

Learn more about this project by viewing a webinar titled "The GPO Historic Shelflist Project" presented in May 2010 by Laurie Hall, that is available at the GPO OPAL Archive at http://www.opal-online.org/archivegpo.htm.