This Week's File

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To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Sheila Schimpf

UPCOMING INTERVIEW: On Monday, Feb. 14, your correspondents will interview the new commissioner of the Lottery, M. Scott Bowen of Grand Rapids, who has been in the post for only a month. Expected topics will include the impact of casino gaming on Lottery revenue, increased competition from other states and public expectations that Lottery revenues will continue to help fund public schools.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

KILLERWOLVES: Poor Cowboy, a bear-hunting dog savaged by a gray wolf in the Baraga Plains of the Upper Peninsula. And a Skandia woman watched helplessly through her kitchen window as a gray wolf savagely attacked her pet dog in the front yard. Now some lawmakers want to allow the public to use lethal force to protect pets, hunting dogs and livestock from the proliferating gray wolf population. We hear from a Baldwin hunter, an East Jordan hunting group, DNR, the Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, Farm Bureau and an Ishpeming senator. Other sponsors are from Traverse City, Hancock, Wyoming and Auburn Hills. For news and outdoors desks., By Brooke Meier. FOR MARQUETTE, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, CADILLAC, UP NORTH, CLARE, GLADWIN, GRAYLING, ALPENA, BAD AXE, LUDINGTON,  GREENVILLE, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

ANNEXATION: Holland’s mayor braved a snowstorm to give legislators a piece of his mind about legislation that would change the way local governments can annex land, but a Northville official says the current law has too many loopholes. We also hear from the Lapeer city manager. Sponsors are from Saugatuck Township, Algonac, Canton Township, Ishpeming and Taylor. By Andrew McGlashen. FOR HOLLAND, LAPEER, OAKLAND, MARQUETTE, ROYAL OAK, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

JUVENILECOUNSELING: More young lawbreakers could receive intensive counseling instead of juvenile hall under new programs like those in Lapeer, Berrien and Wayne counties. Calhoun, Genesee, Ingham and Kent are heading in that direction too. The Michigan Council on Crime and Delinquency and Michigan Association of Counties say such programs also save tax dollars. By Clay Taylor. FOR LAPEER, SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, LANSING,  MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

REVENUESHARING: St. Joseph, Ionia and Houghton counties are set to rejoin the state revenue-sharing program, meaning more state funds. The state eliminated the program in the 1990s due to budget problems, and Tuscola County last year became the first to return—but its treasurer is still waiting for the green to arrive from Lansing. The Ottawa County treasurer says local governments need the money, but it’s expected to take 19 years to get all 83 counties back in line. By Diane Ivey. FOR GREENVILLE, THREE RIVERS, STURGIS, SOUTH BEND, HOLLAND, MARQUETTE, LAPEER & ALL POINTS.

MASONCOUNTY: Mason and Iosco counties are the only ones of 83 that don’t belong to the Michigan Association of Counties, a move that saves Mason County $10,500 and Iosco County $8,810 aa year in dues. County officials say that state legislators still listen to their concerns and that they’re spending the savings on other priorities. By Matt Flint. FOR LUDINGTON, ALPENA & ALL POINTS.

HOTCARS: Vehicle thefts rose in 2006—with 2005 black Dodge Rams the most often purloined--but still are much lower than 20 years ago, a new report says. A State Police detective with the Macomb Auto Theft Squad says 20-inch wheels and catalytic converters are prize plunder. Wayne, Macomb, Oakland and Genesee counties lead the state.  The state Auto Theft Prevention Authority says there may be a relationship between Michigan’s sour economy and the rising theft rate. By Melanie Trusty. FOR MACOMB, ROMEO, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

         W/HOTCARSINFOBOX: Four counties with the most reported vehicle thefts. Source: Auto Theft Prevention Authority

911SURCHARGE: There’s a push on to extend the deadline for counties to seek Public Service Commission approval for new 911 surcharges on cell phones and similar devices. Until now, only land lines were subject to the monthly fee that covers emergency dispatch services. A Grand Traverse County official says the new surcharge is expected to raise $250,000 a year. Proposed higher-than-expected surcharges by Van Buren and Monroe counties have raised concerns, however. By Harry Gillen. FOR TRAVERSE CITY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MONROE, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

RENAISSANCE: Once the stronghold of the country’s tool-and-die industry, Michigan has been hit hard by outsourcing to low-cost rivals like China and India. Legislation to expand the number of tool-and-die renaissance zones in the state could help reverse that trend, say advocates, including a Romeo tool-and-die company owner, a Monroe senator and the Michigan Manufacturers Association. However, Adrian recently rejected such status for a local company, citing favoritism of one type of local business over others. For news and business desks. By Rob Dale. FOR ROMEO, MACOMB, MONROE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

PRISONBUDGETCUTS: Michigan’s prisons are hemorrhaging money but failing to curb crime, some experts say, and the governor’s proposal to trim the Corrections Department budget by $50 million worries counties that fear fewer state prison spots mean more inmates in county jails. Kalamazoo County’s community corrections director says innovative programs can help reduce the jail population. By Tim Wardle. FOR SOUTH BEND, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

WIRELESSCOUNTIES: Running his engineering business from a rural Southeast Michigan home meant Ray Berg had Internet access only at mind-numbingly slow dial-up speeds. But now Washtenaw, Oakland and Ottawa counties are pursuing a pioneering commitment to provide free dial-up access and low-cost higher-speed access for all their residents, no matter how remote. Macomb and Genesee counties are moving in the same direction. By Whitney Lloyd. FOR OAKLAND, HOLLAND, ROYAL OAK, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MACOMB, ROMEO & ALL POINTS.

CNS

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