This Week's File

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March 30, 2007 – Week 10

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

HUMAN SERVICES DIRECTOR AHEAD: Our rescheduled interview with Marianne Udow, director of the Department of Human Services, is set for Monday, April 1. Her department is immersed in a number of controversies, including public assistance and Medicaid costs, gaps in the foster care system and the impact of Michigan’s high unemployment rate on the demand for social services.

JOURNALISM HALL OF FAME REMINDER: The Michigan Journalism Hall of Fame induction dinner will be Saturday evening, April 14, at MSU’s Kellogg Center. Tickets are $55. For details and reservations, call (517) 355-1520 or e-mail hartwigl@msu.edu.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

TEACHERSHORTAGE: At first glance, it doesn’t seem to be a problem that six job openings at Grand Ledge elementary schools drew about 600 applications, but it reflects a growing disparity in the number of certified teachers in the state: a glut of elementary teachers and high demand for math and science teachers. We interview experts at Grand Valley State, the state Education Department and the Michigan Education Association. By Erik Adams. FOR LANSING, HOLLAND, GREENVILLE & ALL POINTS.

INTERLOCK: Repeat drunken drivers and those arrested with unusually high blood alcohol levels may be required to have interlock devices in their vehicles under legislative proposals backed by Mount Clemens and Southfield legislators. Cars couldn’t start if the devices detect any alcohol on drivers’ breath, and drivers would have to foot the bill. The Michigan Licensed Beverage Association endorses the concept but wants a higher BAC threshold. By Michael Carney. FOR MACOMB, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

PRISONERID: Inmates looking to start over when they’re released may face one less hurdle under legislation that would let them use their prisoner ID cards as one of two required pieces of identification to get a driver’s license. Lawmakers from Southwest and West Michigan are among the sponsors. The proposal, has backing from the Corrections Department and Michigan Works! The Secretary of State objects, calling prison ID cards unreliable. And the Southfield lawmaker who chairs the House Judiciary Committee has told the rival officials to discuss possible solutions. By Alexander Scott. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN, SOUTHFIELD, GREENVILLE, SOUTH BEND, OAKLAND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

ETHICS: An ethics package moving through the Capitol is meant to keep lawmakers honest by requiring financial disclosure reports, tightening conflict-of-interest rules and prohibiting state grants to legislators. U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers of Brighton, a former state senator, doesn’t object to the existing disclosure mandate for federal lawmakers such as himself. We interview state representatives from Northville and East Lansing. By Justin Kroll. FOR LANSING & ALL POINTS.

            w/ETHICSINFOBOX: Five House-passed ethics bills awaiting Senate action.

HUNTINGPLATFORMS: Coyote and fox hunters may soon be  able to shoot from on high if a House-passed bill legalizing use of scaffolds and platforms. An Evart lawmaker says the change could help control the state’s growing coyote population, and Michigan United Conservation Clubs backs the measure. The Department of Natural Resources endorses the concept but says the decision should belong to the Natural Resources Commission. For news and outdoors desks. By Nick Pelton. FOR GRAYLING, CLARE, CADILLAC, LUDINGTON, UP NORTH, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, HOLLAND, MARQUETTE, ALPENA, BAD AXE, LAPEER & ALL POINTS.

PHYSICALFITNESS: The principal of a Lansing elementary school likes the idea of requiring more phys ed and health education time for schoolchildren but worries about money to fund those classes. A Sturgis principal agrees that kids need to be more physically active, but both raise practical concerns about legislation drafted by the Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness, Health and Sports to create such a mandate for K-8 children. We also talk to a Burton senator who plans to introduce the legislation and to the state Education Department. By Brian McVicar. FOR LANSING, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, SOUTH BEND, OAKLAND & ALL POINTS.

KIDSBOOK: When Sen. Jason Allen traveled recently around his Traverse City-area district recently, he read “Hidden Michigan” to schoolchildren. When Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land visited classrooms in Orchard Lake and Allegan County, she chose the same book to read. Now Allen wants to designate the book as Michigan’s first official children’s book. The authors are from Traverse City and Frankfurt, and the illustrator is a Detroiter. Co-sponsors are  from Novi, Detroit, Bay City, Troy, Flushing, Howell and Taylor. For news and features desks. By Brooke Meier. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, OAKLAND, LEELANAU, HOLLAND, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, LANSING, CADILLAC & ALL POINTS.

w/KIDSBOOKCOVER: Cover of “Hidden Michigan.” Credit: Mackinac Island Press.

GREENBUSINESS: Business leaders, environmentalists and the Department of Environmental Quality will gather April 25 in East Lansing to discuss strategies for “greening” Michigan companies to grow the state’s battered economy. A Grand Rapids consultant is helping organize the “sustainable business” forum, and a Rochester Hills solar product manufacturer says green companies can succeed in Michigan. For news and business desks. By Hannah Northey. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, OAKLAND, LANSING, GREENVILLE & ALL POINTS.

PETFOODRECALL: Veterinary clinics in Monroe and Romulus are among those fielding questions from concerned dog and cat owners about deadly contaminated pet food. The Michigan Veterinary Association is keeping its members updated on the recall of more than 60 million cans and pouches of contaminated products. By Tanya Bigham. FOR MONROE & ALL POINTS.

MOTORCYCLES: How will you get to work on July 18? Motorcycle maybe? Thirteen House Democrats—most of whom don’t own motorcycles—want to designate the third Wednesday of every July as “Ride Your Motorcycle to Work Day.” The lead sponsor, from Westland, is an enthusiast with a brand-new Harley-Davidson Peace Officer Ultra Classic who got his first motorcycle at age 9. We interview lawmakers from Marquette and Onondaga; other co-sponsors include representatives from Detroit, Norton Shores and Hancock. Meanwhile, the state Medical Society is revving up to oppose expected legislation to repeal the mandatory helmet law—an issue that divides the motorcycle-to-work crowd. By Eric Freedman. FOR MARQUETTE, LANSING, LUDINGTON, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

            w/FARRPHOTO: Paul Farr of Grand Rapids, president of the Michigan State Medical Society. Credit: Michigan State Medical Society.

CNS

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