This Week's File

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Nov. 7, 2008—Week 10

To: CNS Editors

From: Vic Rauch & Sheila Schimpf

cns.jrn.msu.edu

SHERIFFS AHEAD: Your correspondents will interview Terry Jungel, executive director of the Michigan Sheriffs Association, on Monday, Nov. 10. Possible topics include budget impacts on layoffs and vacant positions, road patrols and overtime; rising cost of health care for jail inmates; crowding and overcrowding; and changing demographics of crime in the state.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

BOTTLEFRAUD: A package of laws has been proposed to stop bottle-return fraud. The problem stems from deposit refunds being collected for non-deposit containers from other states. One proposal calls for allocating $2 million to retrofit container collection machines to identify out-of-state bottles. The proposals are backed by conservation clubs, and opposed by the Michigan Grocers Association. By Charley Roltsch: FOR LANSING, SOUTH BEND, MONROE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS & ALL POINTS.

ROADPROJECTS: Plans are to go ahead with a bridge replacement in Hillman next year, but many other road construction and maintenance projects planned over the next five years in northern Lower Michigan are facing possible delays if revenues keep dwindling. By Courtney Bowerman. FOR ALPENA, CLARE, GAYLORD, GLADWIN & ALL POINTS.

PAVINGPRICES: With rising costs of asphalt and concrete and declining revenues, the state is in a “transportation crisis,” says a Transportation Department official. A key figure in the concrete industry disagrees about one aspect: The cost of concrete hasn’t gone up, he says.  By Diane Ivey. FOR ST. JOSEPH, OAKLAND, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

PASSENGERRAILTRAIN: A $7.7 billion plan to upgrade passenger rail service in the Midwest, including higher speeds on Michigan routes, is in developmental stages. One obstacle to overcome is the potential for delays around the Chicago hub.  By Alison Costello. FOR LANSING, LAPEER, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, SOUTH BEND, ROYAL OAK & ALL POINTS.

HUNTERCHARITY: Hunters willing to donate some of their venison harvest are poised to help ease the hunger crisis. A 1991 state law permits the donation of commercially processed game to charity. Michigan Sportsmen Against Hunger, an alliance of several organizations, is working with 48 meat processors around the state. By Brittany Kinstle. FOR LUDINGTON, UP NORTH MARQUETTE, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, CADILLAC, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

LOSERS: Some candidates blamed the “Obama tide,” others wondered if they campaigned hard enough, but those who lost state House races on Nov. 4 in Macomb County remain optimistic about their future chances. By John Hudson: FOR ROMEO, MACOMB, OAKLAND, LANSING & ALL POINTS.

PUBLICLANDSACT: Thousands of acres of Lake Superior shoreline are among nearly two million acres nationwide proposed for permanent wilderness protection under a bipartisan bill that may get attention in the lame-duck session of the U.S. Senate. Sen. Debbie Stabenow is a co-sponsor and it’s supported by Sen. Carl Levin. But a land rights group is calling the bill a big “land grab.” By Nico Rubello. FOR MARQUETTE, UP NORTH, LANSING & ALL POINTS

CNS

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