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Messages to the Editors

Sept. 15, 2006 – Week 2

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

RETAILERS AHEAD: Your correspondents will interview James Hallan, president of the Michigan Retailers Association, on Monday, Sept. 18. Expected topics include the impact of the recently approved minimum wage increase, the impact of Internet and e-commerce sales on traditional retailers in the state, the role (if any) of state government in local battles to keep out “big box” stores and tax proposals.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

• LOANINTEREST: Legislators from the Upper Peninsula and mid-Michigan want to erase the interest on student loans for graduates in high-tech fields who agree to work in the state for at least five years—a potential savings of $7,600 for each eligible student. Financial aid officials at Northern Michigan and Grand Valley State universities discuss the proposal. Meanwhile, a Holland senator suggests a two-year state income tax exemption for recent high-tech grads. By Chris Jackett. FOR MARQUETTE, GREENVILLE, HOLLAND, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS,  LUDINGTON, STURGIS, SOUTH BEND, THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

• BROADCASTFUND: College-affiliated public broadcasters hope the Legislature approves a Troy senator’s proposal to let State Building Authority bonds be used to finance new TV and radio equipment and enable them to broadcast in digital. We hear from officials at WGVU at Grand Valley State University and the broadcast services coordinator at Oakland University, among others. Stations at Central, MSU, Delta College and U-M also are among the potential beneficiaries. By Alex Doty. FOR GREENVILLE, HOLLAND, OAKLAND, LUDINGTON, STURGIS, SOUTH BEND, THREE RIVERS, MIDLAND, LANSING, CLARE & ALL POINTS.

• FOODPANTRIES: A Senate bill would provide state income tax credits for food donations to food banks, shelters and food kitchens, and that would promote donations for struggling organizations, officials of food pantries in Greenville say. Sponsors include senators from Traverse City, Howell, St. Joseph County, Holland and Saugatuck Township. By Andrea Byl. FOR GREENVILLE, PETOSKEY, UP NORTH, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, HOLLAND, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

• SECURITY: New “fusion” centers will boost homeland security by improving information-sharing among state and local law enforcement agencies across Michigan, the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association says. By Nicole Hall. For LANSING & ALL POINTS.

• NOORDHOEKPHOTO: Robert Noordhoek, special adviser to the Michigan Sheriffs Association. Credit Sarah McLeod, Capital News Service.

• ROMEOSCHOOLFUNDING:  Romeo Public Schools and local Michigan Education Association president say approval of the guaranteed school funding initiative in November could cure their annual budget constraints. Opponents such as business groups say they’re not anti-education but are concerned about spending flexibility. By Kevin Lehman. FOR ROMEO & MACOMB.

• MONROESCHOOLFUNDING: Passage of the November guaranteed school funding ballot initiative could save programs that are otherwise in jeopardy, a top Monroe Public School official says, including elective courses and the high school’s eight-block period. The board of education is expected to pass a resolution supporting the ballot proposal. Opponents such as business groups say they’re not anti-education but worry about budget flexibility. By Kevin Lehman. FOR MONROE.

• SCIENCECURRICULUM: School administrators in St. Joseph County anticipate difficulties implementing the revised science curriculum that the state Board of Education will try to finalize in October. Officials at Sturgis High School and Centerville Public Schools discuss the situation, while the ACLU worries what the curriculum will say about evolution, creationism and intelligent design. The House Education Committee chair, from Romeo, says his panel hopes to accommodate the state board. By Jeffrey Joe Pe-Aguirre. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, ROMEO & ALL POINTS.

• HPVVACCINATION: A Monroe County senator’s proposal that all sixth-grade girls be encouraged to be vaccinated against the virus that causes cervical cancer is moving forward amid some questions about what the new HPV vaccination mandate would cost. A Lake Leelanau lawmaker says she’d have her 8-year-old daughter vaccinated. By John Bronz. FOR MONROE, LEELANAU, CLARE, CADILLAC, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, UP NORTH & ALL POINTS.

• ASIANBUG: The Department of Natural Resources is tackling another invasive pest, the hemlock wooly adelgid, which is on the attack in the Harbor Springs area. By Jacquelyn Halas. FOR PETOSKEY, UP NORTH & ALL POINTS.

• K-16VOTERINITATIVE: Ludington School officials favor the ballot proposal to guarantee state aid to education, but the city manager warns that more dollars from Lansing for schools may mean fewer dollars for municipal police and fire protection and public works. By Brian McVicar. FOR LUDINGTON.

• ADOPTIONFAITH: Legislators from Arcadia Township and Rockford want to allow agencies not to participate in an adoption that violates their religious or moral beliefs. It would also prohibit local or state governments from denying these organizations contracts or grants based on their beliefs. While Republican and Democratic supporters say the proposed bill maintains a separation of church and state, others claim the bill sanctions discrimination by the state. The governor's office tows the line, saying only that Grandholm opposes the bill because it reduces the number of places available for foster care and adoption. By Andrea Byl. FOR GREENVILLE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.