Michigan Report Top Stories

Volume #49, Report #116--Wednesday, June 16, 2010

Subscribe or Request a Free Trial to see more

Senate Activity Report   |   House Activity Report

LAWMAKERS COULD TAP TOBACCO FUNDS TO BALANCE BUDGET

Securitizing the state's tobacco settlement money for a third time was an option proposed during a Wednesday legislative Quadrant meeting on how to solve the current year deficit in the general fund, Gongwer News Service learned.

BUDGET MAYBE DONE IN JULY, OFFICIALS SAY

While it is not likely to come as a big surprise, officials in the administration of Governor Jennifer Granholm do not see any likelihood the needed changes to the 2009-10 budget and passage of the 2010-11 budget will come by June's end, but they are hopeful that a resolution can be reached by early July.

REVENUE STUDY SHOWS D.R.I.C. CLAIMING COMMERCIAL TRAFFIC

A much-anticipated revenue study on the proposed Detroit River International Crossing shows revenues for the rival Ambassador Bridge falling by 45 percent, projects revenues for DRIC would rise almost four-fold over its first 25 years of operation and estimates that 44.2 percent of commercial traffic between Detroit and Windsor would use the DRIC.

BERNERO OUTLINES ECONOMIC PLAN, CALLS FOR TAX CHANGES

An economic plan that focuses on revitalizing manufacturing, boosting international trade and revising the state's business taxes was outlined Wednesday by Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, one of the two candidates running for the Democratic nomination for governor.

HOUSE PANEL REPORTS MEASURES ON ARBITRATION

Two bills, one that would call for compulsory arbitration in labor disputes involving corrections workers and one setting new rules on arbitration for police and fire workers, were sent to the full House by party-line votes from the Labor Committee on Wednesday.

UNEMPLOYMENT RATE DROPS IN MAY TO 13.6%

For the first time in a year, Michigan's unemployment rate was below 14 percent when it fell to 13.6 percent in May, according to figures released Wednesday by the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Development.

DEAN TO ADDRESS STAFFER CONTROVERSY OVER FILM STUDIO DEAL

Rep. Robert Dean (D-Grand Rapids) said he will hold a press conference Thursday to address a news report that his legislative aide planned to make money off of the state through a studio film incentive deal.

HOUSE PANEL OKS BARRING FELONS IN LOCAL OFFICE

A House committee moved quickly Wednesday on a constitutional amendment barring locally elected officials convicted of a breach of the public trust from serving in the public sector.

DILLON CAMP: SPEAKER'S BUSINESS RECORD CLEAN

House Speaker Andy Dillon had nothing to do with two businesses in which his former company, Wynnchurch Capital, invested and that his primary opponent Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero criticized, a spokesperson for the Dillon campaign said Wednesday.

HOUSE PANEL EXPLORING F.O.I.A., D.D.A. CHANGES

Certain records on low-income housing projects would not be subject to the Freedom of Information Act and communities with colleges or universities would be able to create additional downtown development authorities under legislation being considered by the House New Economy and Quality of Life Committee.

SENATE PANEL SCRAPS REFORMS FOR TRANSITION OVERSIGHT

A package of bills originally intended to reform the state's health insurance system would instead oversee the transition to the new federal heath care program under substitutes unveiled Wednesday in the Senate Health Policy Committee.