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To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

SPRING BREAK AHEAD: Because of MSU’s spring break, there will be no file on Friday, March 10. We resume service with our next file on Friday, March 17.

• PRESCRIPTIONPRICELISTS -- Some lawmakers want all pharmacies to display their prices for the 150 most popular prescription medications and their generic alternatives after an attorney general’s investigation finds wide disparities—sometimes as much as a fourfold difference—in what drug stores charge for the same medication. Currently, pharmacies must provide price information only to customers who ask in person or by phone. AARP  and the Michigan Pharmacists Association take opposing positions. Among the sponsors are lawmakers from Marquette, Rudyard, Saginaw Township and Warren.  By Erica Richards. FOR MARQUETTE, MACOMB, MIDLAND, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

• AGRICULTURALZONES -- An ethanol plant under construction near Albion represents the type of business that benefits from Michigan’s agricultural renaissance zones. Some legislators, including one from Norton Shores, want to expand the program that uses tax breaks to encourage ag-related companies to locate or expand in Michigan. The other ethanol projects underway in Michigan are in Marysville and Barry and Lenawee counties. For news and business desks. By Jennifer Linn. FOR MONROE, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, CADILLAC, LANSING, WEST MICHIGAN BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

• TAXCHECKOFFS -- Taxpayers would be able to allocate $2 or more of their state tax refunds to support animal welfare under a proposal to benefit animal shelters and similar organizations. This year, taxpayers can opt to donate to the Military Family Relief Fund or the Children’s Trust Fund. The Senate sponsors are from Livingston and Genesee counties. By Jennifer Linn. FOR OAKLAND, LANSING, LAPEER & ALL POINTS.

• K16FUNDING -- Advocates of guaranteed annual increases in state aid to public schools, including the new Michigan Education Association president, are gearing up for a fight to get legislative approval or, if that fails, voter approval in November, but business groups and other critics say the proposal would force cuts in other state programs or drive up taxes. The Clare superintendent likes the idea of more state aid. By Sandra Kao. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, CLARE, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

• CONTRACEPTION -- Senators from Temperance and Highland Park want the state to require health insurers to provide contraception coverage for their female policyholders. Planned Parenthood of Southeast Michigan endorses the proposal, but the Michigan Catholic Conference is opposed. By Jacquelyn Halas. FOR OAKLAND, MACOMB, MONROE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

• TEXTBOOKTAX -- Some lawmakers want to eliminate the 6-percent sales tax on required college textbooks, calling the tax a barrier to affordable higher education. Based on federal estimates, the average Michigan student would save about $54 a year—but at a cost of millions of dollars of lost tax revenue that helps fund K-12 education. We talk to  sponsors from Escanaba  and Highland and to the Northern Michigan University student who chairs the Association of Michigan Universities. The Treasury Department warns that the lost revenue would have to be made up. Cosponsors include representatives from North Branch, Hart and Allendale. By Derek Wallbank. FOR MARQUETTE, OAKLAND, LANSING, LAPEER, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, CADILLAC & ALL POINTS.
  • TEXTBOOKTAXSIDEBAR -- Tips on saving money on textbooks.

• COMMUNITYCOLLEGES -- Community colleges could find some of their future state aid awarded based on how well they do in enrollment, graduation rates and strategic partnerships with local businesses. Lawmakers weigh a task force report on revamping the funding formula for all 28 community colleges. We hear from Macomb, Schoolcraft and Gogebic presidents and legislators from Evart and Three Oaks. Other members are Northwest Michigan president and Grand Rapids and Roseville lawmakers. The task force also wants more money. By Eric Freedman. FOR MACOMB, ROMEO, MARQUETTE, CADILLAC, CLARE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS & ALL POINTS.