This Week's File

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Jan. 26, 2007 – Week 2

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

STORY TIPS WELCOME: Editors, please feel free to propose story ideas directly to your correspondents or to Eric.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

BIGROCK: The site of Michigan’s first nuclear power plant has been designated a historical site. Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant on Little Traverse Bay near Charlevoix closed in 1997 and the site, which previously served as a gathering place for Native Americans, has been cleaned up. By Michael Carney. FOR PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, UP NORTH, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

         w/BIGROCKTEXT: Text of historical marker to be dedicated later this year at Big Rock Point.

FUTURETAXES: Businesses hurting from Michigan’s economic downturn are looking to Lansing for help, and lawmakers are wrestling with tax problems—including the recent demise of the Single Business Tax and proposals for radical changes in the tax system. We hear from legislators from Three Rivers, Plainwell, Battle Creek and East Lansing, as well as officials of the Small Business Association of Michigan. By Justin Kroll. FOR STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, HOLLAND, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

         w/FOWLERPHOTO. Rob Fowler, president, Small Business Association of Michigan. Credit: Sarah McLeod, Capital News Service.

ALTERNATIVEFUEL: President Bush’s proposal to reduce gas use by 20 percent could put even more pressure on Michigan’s already inadequate road funs, an Evart lawmaker warns. And a senator from Norton Shores says there’s insufficient public support now for imposing a tax on alternative fuels, which are becoming more popular. We also hear from a Manistee County commissioner. By Nick Pelton. FOR CADILLAC, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND & ALL POINTS.

PRISONERLAWSUIT: Michigan inmates have a better chance of using the court system to resolve complaints against the prison system under a new U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The ACLU and a Wayne State University law professor call it a victory for prisoner rights and justice, but the state attorney general’s office is skeptical. By Alexander Scott. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

VACCINEDEBATE: Two Michigan lawmakers are again trying to introduce legislation to vaccinate girls against the cervical cancer-causing Human Papillomavirus (HPV). By Hannah Northey. FOR LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

CORNRIPPLE: Demand for ethanol has doubled prices for corn over the past year—good news for corn farmers but a blow to the wallet of farmers who raise livestock. We talk to a Montcalm County Extension educator and a Michigan State agricultural economist about the implications of the boom in alternative fuels. By Brooke Meier. FOR GREENVILLE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

TRANSFAT: Following the controversial lead of New York City, a Flint lawmaker and an Oakland County commissioner want to ban restaurants from using trans fats in their food, an idea the Michigan Restaurant Association opposes. By Alex Doty. FOR OAKLAND, LAPEER, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

SCHOOLAIDCHAIRALPENA: The Alpena Democratic lawmaker who now chairs the House subcommittee responsible for school aid sounds optimistic about the future of education funding despite the state’s financial woes, and the Alpena superintendent says he’ll continue collaborating on school aid issues. By Erik Adams. FOR ALPENA & ALL POINTS.

SCHOOLAIDCHAIRGRAYLING: With Democrats now in control of the House, the Crawford AuSable schools superintendent promises to keep consulting with the Alpena representative who just took over the key House subcommittee that handles school aid. By Erik Adams. FOR GRAYLING & ALL POINTS.

MEAPSCORES. Innovative programs in a variety of school districts. including Greenville, Three Rivers and Detroit, help account for rising  MEAP scores, educators say. We also interview a Wayne State University education expert. By Brian McVicar. FOR THREE RIVERS, GREENVILLE, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

STUDENTLOANS: Legislation that passed the U.S. House and awaits U.S. Senate action to lower interest rates on federally guaranteed student loans could save Michigan students thousands of dollars. We interview financial aid directors at Western Michigan and Grand Valley State universities. The state Treasury Department notes a major weaknesses in the plan. By Chris Jackett. FOR HOLLAND, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, GREENVILLE, SOUTH BEND, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

         w/STUDENTLOANSTABLE. Graphic showing projected savings for students at 14 Michigan public and private colleges and universities.

BITE&RUN: No more bite and run—that would be the command under a proposal to make it a crime—up to 93 days in jail and a $500 fine—to flee the scene after your dog bites somebody. Lawmakers from Norton Heights and Bay City failed to get their measure though last year but are trying again—this time with the key backing of the Southfield representative who just took over the House Judiciary Committee. The Southfield-based Michigan Humane Society approves. By Eric Freedman. FOR OAKLAND, LUDINGTON, BAD AXE, LAPEER & ALL POINTS.

CNS

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