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Messages to the Editors

Jan. 20, 2006 – Week 1

To: CNS Editors
From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

NEW SEMESTER LAUNCHED: Welcome to the start of the spring 2006 semester at Capital News Service. With election fever already building, turbulence ahead is predicted for Lansing—and with that turbulence should come good stories by your correspondents.

MUCC AHEAD: Your correspondents will interview Michigan United Conservation Clubs Executive Director Sam Washington on Monday, Jan. 23. Likely topics include hunting and fishing regulations, protection of Great Lakes and public lands, expansion of Michigan’s deposit law and gun control.

STATEOFTHESTATE: Gov. Granholm will deliver her State of the State address on Wednesday, Jan. 25. If there is a particular aspect you’d like covered, please advise your correspondent or bureau chief Eric Freedman (freedma5@msu.edu; 517-355-4729).

HERE’S YOUR FILE:



Articles for week of Friday, December 16, 2005

• UNMARRIEDADOPTION -- Current state law won’t allow Beverly Davidson’s partner to jointly adopt Davidson’s infant daughter. A Southfield legislator wants to remove the bar against unmarried couples jointly adopting children—an idea that colleagues from Midland, Farwell and Mount Pleasant oppose. The debate also pits groups like Midland-based American Family Association against gay rights advocates. The western Michigan chair of the Judiciary Committee is unlikely to schedule a hearing. Co-sponsors come from Royal Oak, Macomb Township, East Lansing, Detroit, Alpena, among other places By Derek Wallbank. FOR OAKLAND, MIDLAND, HOLLAND, CLARE, MACOMB, GREENVILLE, LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

• UNMARRIEDADOPTIONGILLARD -- Current law won’t allow Beverly Davidson’s partner to jointly adopt Davidson’s daughter. Alpena Rep. Matt Gillard wants to remove the bar against unmarried couples jointly adopting children—an idea that many colleagues oppose. The debate also pits groups like Midland-based American Family Association against gay rights advocates. The Judiciary Committee chair says he’s unlikely to even hold a hearing. By Derek Wallbank. FOR ALPENA & GRAYLING.

• NEWENERGYPOLICY -- Michigan’s lag in diversifying its energy profile may be directly related to having the highest job loss and unemployment rate in the country, and the Canton lawmaker who chairs the Senate Technology and Energy Committee wants the state to develop a long-term energy policy. Diverse interests such as the Small Business Association of Michigan and the Public Interest Research Group  agree that’s a necessary step—but not necessarily on what the policy should be. The PSC predicts a growing demand for renewable energy sources. For news and business desks. By Jacquelyn Halas. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.
  

• BUSINESSTAX -- Politicians are busy tinkering with and fighting about state tax rates, but some lawmakers and interest groups say it’s more important to take a comprehensive look at Michigan’s entire business tax structure. A Plainwell representative is chairing a new subcommittee with precisely that mission, but a Novi senator warns that implementing any large-scale overhaul would take time. For news and business desks. By Sandra Kao. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BUSINESS, STURGUS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

• ENTREPRENEUREDUCATION -- While Michigan's economy struggles and layoffs spread, some people are learning how to become successful entrepreneurs who can help rebuild the economy. Among them is Andrew Thomas, general manager of Ludington's Artists Market, who is benefiting from an entrepreneurship class at West Shore Community College. The Small Business Association of Michigan says the state’s public universities are seriously lagging in providing crucial entrepreneurship education. For news and business desks. By Jennifer Linn. FOR LUDINGTON, NORTHWEST MICHIGAN BUSINESS, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

• MINIMUMWAGE -- Voters will be able to decide for themselves whether to raise the state’s minimum wage if a union- and Democratic-led petition drive succeeds. The petition drive leader in Alpena County says the move is necessary because GOP lawmakers have failed to act. Critics, including a University of Michigan-Flint economist, say the change would further damage the economy by reducing entry-level job opportunities and a business leader calls it primarily a device to entice voters who also will back Democratic candidates in November. By Erica Richards. FOR ALPENA, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LAPEER & ALL POINTS.