This Week's File

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Jan. 30, 2009—Week 2

To: CNS Editors

From: Eric Freedman & Sheila Schimpf

http://cns.jrn.msu.edu

EDUCATION AHEAD: On Monday, Feb. 2, your correspondents will interview state Superintendent of Public Instruction Michael Flanagan. Likely topics will include the financial status of public schools and state aid to K-12 education, charter schools, curriculum changes, career-related education and student progress.

HERE’S YOUR FILE:

ADULTINDUSTRY: A Southeast Michigan senator wants the state to license “adult industry” employees and to impose a $3-per-person tax on patrons of strip clubs. He says the death of a 17-year-old dancer from Wyandotte and the controversial opening of a new adult club in Lincoln Park underscore the need for closer state scrutiny. Proceeds of the tax would go to a  domestic violence prevention and treatment fund. The Michigan ACLU, a national association of adult clubs and a Lansing lawyer for the association’s Michigan chapter attack the constitutionality and wisdom of the proposal. By Thomas J. Morrisey. FOR LANSING, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, MACOMB & ALL POINTS.

ROADS: It’s been 12 years since Michigan raised its gas tax, but now may be the time as the state’s roads crumble. The Mason County Road Commission manager says his budget is down this year because higher fuel prices have reduced gas use, and a Ludington teacher said she’s willing to pay higher taxes to avoid further pothole damage to her car. Legislators from Hart, Norton Shores and Lyndon Township discuss the need to find money to maintain and improve roads. By Jack Johnston. FOR LUDINGTON & ALL POINTS.

SURCHARGEREPEAL: The GOP-led Senate has voted for a second time to repeal the 22-percent surcharge on the Michigan Business Tax, a high priority for business groups, but House Democrats and the governor aren’t rushing to go along. First, they say, the state needs a comprehensive plan to replace the lost revenue. We interview legislators from Shelby and Clinton townships, as well as the Small Business Association of Michigan. By Danielle Emerson. FOR MACOMB, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS JOURNAL, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK & ALL POINTS.

TICKETEDDRIVERS: Motorists who commit minor traffic violations will get the one-time option to take a driving improvement course and avoid license points that could jack up their insurance costs. But the new program won’t  be available for another two years so the Secretary of State’s office has enough time to gear up. The measure was the idea of an Troy senator and championed by the head of the Senate Transportation Committee, from Algonac. By Gabe Goodwing. FOR LAPEER, OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK & ALL POINTS. 

FILMINCENTIVES.  California and Michigan both have great beaches and great musicians, and now Michigan is giving California a run for its money—its movie production money, that is. The state’s year-old tax incentive program for film projects is already paying off, advocates such as a Huntington Woods lawmaker says, with productions such as Clint Eastwood’s “Gran Torino,” which was partly filmed in Royal Oak and Warren. The West Michigan Tourist Association said six production were filmed last year on the west side of the state. One goal now is to lure at least one permanent studio to the state, including one proposed for Allen Park, Meanwhile Southfield-based Lawrence Technological University and the Troy-based Motion Picture Institute agreed on a transfer plan for film production students. By Joe Vaillancourt. FOR OAKLAND, ROYAL OAK, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, GREENVILLE, LUDINGTON, MICHGAN CITIZEN, MACOMB  & ALL POINTS.

COUNTYBUDGETS: A wave of foreclosures and a drop in residential property values mean bad news for cash-strapped counties that depend on property taxes. And that means counties may eliminate non-mandatory services, ranging from sheriff’s road patrols to parks. We talk to the Ottawa County sheriff and clerk, the Emmet County undersheriff and a Michigan Association of Counties official about the tough choices ahead as counties decide what to sacrifice so they can afford what they must do, including jails, child support enforcement and foster care placement. By Alison Costello. FOR HOLLAND, PETOSKEY, UP NORTH & ALL POINTS.

BLUEPRINT: Law enforcement and local government groups say their “Blueprint for a Safer Michigan” and a recent report by the Council of State Governments Justice Center may hold the key to cutting corrections costs in a dire state economy. The Antrim County prosecutor, the Corrections Department and Michigan Association of Counties talk about the challenges. By Tim Weatherhead. FOR PETOSKEY, MICHIGAN CITIZEN, UP NORTH & ALL POINTS.

CARBONCAPTURE: A year-old pilot project 3,000 feet below ground in Grayling is testing carbon dioxide sequestration in an effort to reduce global warming, especially when more coal-powered plants are proposed, including one in Holland. A Western Michigan University geologist and a U.S. Energy Department project manager explain the long-range implications. A Traverse City company is the only company east of the Mississippi using such technology now. We also hear from Clean Water Action and the Michigan Environmental Council. By Andy Balaskovitz. FOR GRAYLING, CADILALC, HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, UP NORTH, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, CLARE, GLADWIN, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS.

MICHIGANWATERS: Two new books praise Michigan’s waters, but not without raising concerns about their environmental health. One, edited by a retired U-M professor, focuses on Nature Conservancy project areas, including the Point Betsie Dunes, Les Cheneaux Islands, the U.P.’s Two Hearted River, Erie Marsh Preserve and a natural area in Newaygo County. The other, by a former environmental advisor to Gov. Blanchard and a grand Rapids photographer, weaves in warnings about climate change, invasive species and fertilizer pollution with pictures from such spots as Lake Superior, Ernest Hemingway’s boyhood home on Walloon Lake, Tahquamenon Falls and a beach at Whitehall. By Eric Freedman. FOR MARQUETTE, LUDINGTON, HOLLAND, PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, UP NORTH, ALPENA, SPORTSMEN, SOUTH BEND & ALL POINTS,

CNS

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