This Week's File

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Sept. 5, 2008—Week 1

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Vic Rauch

WELCOME TO THE NEW SEMESTER, CNS EDITORS: Capital News Service and our fall 2008 crew of correspondents, including one returning correspondent, look forward to working with you this fall. It should be an exciting political season in Lansing, with all state House seats up for grabs, as well as at least two congressional contests that are being closely followed nationally. Meanwhile, rival politicians are already positioning themselves for the 2010 races for governor, attorney general and other offices.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

PALIN: Despite questions about Sarah Palin’s experience, gun rights and pro-life activists in Macomb County are welcoming her nomination as the Republican vice presidential candidate, but the head of Planned Parenthood of Mid and South Michigan predicts that Palin’s gender isn’t enough to lure Hillary Clinton supporters to switch to the GOP.  By John Hudson. FOR MACOMB, ROMEO, OAKLAND, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

HEALTHINSURANCE: A small business owner in Monroe says he can’t do much about the rising cost of health coverage for his six employees—except pass the expense on to his customers. Overall, employers are shifting more of the cost to their employees, and some are dropping insurance completely. The Small Business Association of Michigan says a state requirement that all Michigan residents have health insurance—as Massachusetts does—would solve much of the burden for small business owners. By Alison Costello. FOR MONROE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN & ALL POINTS.

DEERBAITINGENFORCEMENT: Hunters this fall may see small, low-flying aircraft more frequently moving over the treetops as DNR officers enforce a ban on baiting deer in the Lower Peninsula. The ban, imposed after a case of chronic wasting disease was detected in Kent County, upset many hunters and the local businesses that rely on them. We hear from a Roscommon-based DNR conservation lieutenant whose district covers 10 counties, including Crawford, Clare, Gladwin and Missaukee, and a Grayling sporting goods store owner. Seven counties in the area have had a baiting ban since 1999 due to bovine TB. By Nico Rubello. FOR GRAYLING, CLARE, GLADWIN, ALPENA, CADILLAC, MICHIGAN SPORTSMEN, UP NORTH & ALL POINTS.

ENERGYPACKAGE: Senate and House negotiators are trying to hammer out a compromise on energy legislation that would reduce rates for businesses and require more production of electricity from alternative sources such as wind and solar. There are big philosophical differences between the rival plans, but there are hopes for a compromise this fall. We hear from lawmakers from Saugatuck and Manistee. By Brittany Kinstle. FOR HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING  & ALL POINTS.

MBTSURCHARGE: Small business owners are unsure so far how the new Michigan Business Tax and its surcharge affect them. We hear from two such owners in East Lansing, a CPA in Grand Rapids and the Small Business Association of Michigan. For news and business desks. By Charles Roltsch. FOR LANSING, GRAND RAPIDS & ALL POINTS.

NORTHEASTSMALLBUSINESS: Small businesses in northeastern Michigan are suffering more than their counterparts elsewhere in the state from current economic woes, regional experts say. We interview the executive directors of the Gladwin County Economic Development Corp. and Target Alpena Development Corp., as well as the president of the Small Business Association of Michigan and an Alpena restaurant owner. SBAM, meanwhile, has two “economic gardening” pilot projects underway to encourage entrepreneurship in Tuscola and Keweenaw counties. By Courtney Bowerman. FOR GLADWIN, ALPENA, CLARE, GRAYLING, LAPEER, MARQUETTE & ALL POINTS.

SEASONALUNEMPLOYMENT:  Michigan’s seasonal unemployment rate rose this summer, despite the addition of more seasonal jobs in the recreational sector. The owner of a pie-baking business in DeWitt bemoans the July 1 hike in the state’s minimum wage from $7.15 to $7.40 an hour, saying it means she puts in longer hours herself and can’t hire as many employees as she needs. The Small Business Association of Michigan said the 25-cents-per-hour rise has deterred other businesses from hiring the number of employees they need. By Diane Ivey. FOR LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

BIOFUELS:  Brazil jumpstarted its biofuel program with government subsidies in 1973, and most vehicles now on the road there run on alternative fuels. Michigan corn growers are responding to the escalating demand for ethanol, while a Lapeer County legislator says market forces—not subsidies—should guide biofuel policy. A GM official says the automaker is working with corn growers and expanding its flexible fuel-compatible models. By Ryan Secord. FOR LAPEER, OAKLAND, GREENVILLE, LUDINGTON & ALL POINTS.

            w/BIOFUELSGRAPHIC: Top 10 Michigan counties in corn production, including Montcalm, Tuscola and Newaygo. Source: Michigan Department of Agriculture

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