Michigan Democrats: Helping families with college tuition would boost economy | MLive.com
Michigan Senate Democrats say the state would be investing in talent – and boosting the economy – by granting $9,600 scholarships to college-bound students.
But the Republican head of the Senate Finance Committee said the $1.8 billion price tag might be too much for the state to bear while it works to help businesses create jobs.
Saturday, May 05, 2012
More than a dozen community groups share in city of Muskegon youth recreation funds
More than a dozen community groups share in city of Muskegon youth recreation funds | MLive.com
A federally-supported breakfast and lunch will be served -- opportunities that children from low-income families usually get at school during the academic year.
A federally-supported breakfast and lunch will be served -- opportunities that children from low-income families usually get at school during the academic year.
Are 4-year-olds too young for kindergarten? Michigan Senate votes to change enrollment guidelines
Are 4-year-olds too young for kindergarten? Michigan Senate votes to change enrollment guidelines | MLive.com
Some Michigan children would have to wait a year longer before heading off to kindergarten under a bill that unanimously cleared the state Senate on Thursday.
State Sen. Darwin Booher, R-Evart, said educators have complained that some 4-year-olds have been allowed to start kindergarten, but just aren’t ready socially, causing disruptions in class and often being held back a year.
State law allows children to start kindergarten in the fall if they turn 5 by Dec. 1 of that year. The bill gradually pushes the date up to Sept. 1.
Some Michigan children would have to wait a year longer before heading off to kindergarten under a bill that unanimously cleared the state Senate on Thursday.
State Sen. Darwin Booher, R-Evart, said educators have complained that some 4-year-olds have been allowed to start kindergarten, but just aren’t ready socially, causing disruptions in class and often being held back a year.
State law allows children to start kindergarten in the fall if they turn 5 by Dec. 1 of that year. The bill gradually pushes the date up to Sept. 1.
Muskegon County conducts re-enactment, approves $2 million loan for Brookhaven again
Muskegon County conducts re-enactment, approves $2 million loan for Brookhaven again | MLive.com
In addition to the loan, the financial presentation showed that $940,103 from the general fund and $330,000 from a long-standing public improvement item were used to balance Brookhaven’s budget for 2011.
The county traditionally transfers money from its general fund to help run the nursing home that some deem necessary to serve the rather-large Medicaid population in the county.
The county was sued last month by local talk-radio host and fiscal conservative James Riley, making allegations that the board violated the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act stemming from its closed-session discussions involving the Brookhaven loan.
In approving the re-enactment, several county commissioners made it clear they were not admitting any wrongdoing by conducting the closed session involving a legal opinion.
In addition to the loan, the financial presentation showed that $940,103 from the general fund and $330,000 from a long-standing public improvement item were used to balance Brookhaven’s budget for 2011.
The county traditionally transfers money from its general fund to help run the nursing home that some deem necessary to serve the rather-large Medicaid population in the county.
The county was sued last month by local talk-radio host and fiscal conservative James Riley, making allegations that the board violated the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act stemming from its closed-session discussions involving the Brookhaven loan.
In approving the re-enactment, several county commissioners made it clear they were not admitting any wrongdoing by conducting the closed session involving a legal opinion.
Fisherman's Landing relocation is back Monday before the Muskegon City Commission
Fisherman's Landing relocation is back Monday before the Muskegon City Commission | MLive.com
Commissioner Larry Spataro has several times voiced his opposition to the Sand Products proposal for relocation of Fisherman’s Landing.
He said he is prepared to vote the idea down so that city staff will not waste its time working on a deal that he doesn’t think has commission support.
However, the commission’s direction on the issue is not totally clear.
Commissioner Larry Spataro has several times voiced his opposition to the Sand Products proposal for relocation of Fisherman’s Landing.
He said he is prepared to vote the idea down so that city staff will not waste its time working on a deal that he doesn’t think has commission support.
However, the commission’s direction on the issue is not totally clear.
Americans for Prosperity Announces Massive Ad Launch
Americans for Prosperity Announces Massive Ad Launch
Today Americans for Prosperity (AFP), the nation's largest advocate for economic freedom, held a conference at the National Press Club announcing the release of a $6.1 million ad buy.
The new ad is launching along with nationwide grassroots action that holds President Obama accountable for his wasteful use of taxpayer dollars
Today Americans for Prosperity (AFP), the nation's largest advocate for economic freedom, held a conference at the National Press Club announcing the release of a $6.1 million ad buy.
The new ad is launching along with nationwide grassroots action that holds President Obama accountable for his wasteful use of taxpayer dollars
Environmentalists compared their opponents to mass murderers long before the Heartland Institute
Environmentalists compared their opponents to mass murderers long before the Heartland Institute – Telegraph Blogs
Chris Huhne says climate change is our generation's "Munich moment" and anyone who fails to campaign against climate change is a perfect fit for Winston Churchill's description of an "appeaser" – "someone that feeds a crocodile, hoping that it will eat him last".
Chris Huhne says climate change is our generation's "Munich moment" and anyone who fails to campaign against climate change is a perfect fit for Winston Churchill's description of an "appeaser" – "someone that feeds a crocodile, hoping that it will eat him last".
Get creative Causeway drivers, it's your only option
Editorial: Get creative Causeway drivers, it's your only option | MLive.com
Should MDOT have polled area residents about completely closing the Causeway?
Absolutely.
Should they have given our state lawmakers a heads up so they could handle the fallout?
You bet.
But that train has left the station.
Should MDOT have polled area residents about completely closing the Causeway?
Absolutely.
Should they have given our state lawmakers a heads up so they could handle the fallout?
You bet.
But that train has left the station.
S.O.S. offices need better customer facilites
Letters: S.O.S. offices need better customer facilites | MLive.com
Region 3 Manager Terrence Wilks, who is based in Grand Rapids, has informed me he is in charge of 27 S.O.S. offices, 20 of which do not have public restrooms.
Should this be a statewide average -- 65,000 people a day will not find a public restroom in the S.O.S. office?
Region 3 Manager Terrence Wilks, who is based in Grand Rapids, has informed me he is in charge of 27 S.O.S. offices, 20 of which do not have public restrooms.
Should this be a statewide average -- 65,000 people a day will not find a public restroom in the S.O.S. office?
Let the people vote on emergency manager law
Steve Gunn: Let the people vote on emergency manager law | MLive.com
Simply put, the law allows the state to appoint an emergency financial manager for local governments and school districts that are on the brink of bankruptcy.
The state-appointed managers have wide-ranging powers to balance budgets, including the option of voiding existing union contracts.
Simply put, the law allows the state to appoint an emergency financial manager for local governments and school districts that are on the brink of bankruptcy.
The state-appointed managers have wide-ranging powers to balance budgets, including the option of voiding existing union contracts.
Don't discount the MEA; teachers can dig deep when fighting for their cause
Tim Skubick: Don't discount the MEA; teachers can dig deep when fighting for their cause | MLive.com
The Republicans are also digging deep as they attempt to impose more financial burdens on teacher health and retirement benefits.
The Republicans are also digging deep as they attempt to impose more financial burdens on teacher health and retirement benefits.
Finances for a new jail should be put on the ballot
Letters: Finances for a new jail should be put on the ballot | MLive.com
The figure of $8 million in county savings for the jail has been all over the newspaper in the past year. So, $8 million that we as citizens and taxpayers don't exactly know where it came from (I would say at least some of it came from our pockets), and $8 million that the sheriff says is specifically earmarked for a new jail facility. That seems a little off, doesn't it?
The same people that make the decisions about the county budget have authority over the jail and have made decisions to put this money aside into a jail fund, can't make decisions to use this funding to maintain the current jail facility? No wonder the jail is in its current dilapidated and neglected state. The county "can't" (I think won't) spend the money necessary to maintain a decent and livable jail, but can justify the need for a new, more expensive one after the current facility is deemed almost unfixable? The thing is, the $8 million that the county has saved for the jail isn't going to be near enough for the new plan.
The same people that make the decisions about the county budget have authority over the jail and have made decisions to put this money aside into a jail fund, can't make decisions to use this funding to maintain the current jail facility? No wonder the jail is in its current dilapidated and neglected state. The county "can't" (I think won't) spend the money necessary to maintain a decent and livable jail, but can justify the need for a new, more expensive one after the current facility is deemed almost unfixable? The thing is, the $8 million that the county has saved for the jail isn't going to be near enough for the new plan.
Where is the county possibly going to get the around $40 million more that is needed for a new facility? Our pockets. Whether they ask us or not.Right now the county plans to finance the new jail with some sort of increase in taxes that hasn't been made public yet, and they hope won't be made public until it's already set in stone. They plan to decide on using taxpayer money in a backroom deal without asking the taxpayers, without getting voter approval.If you're concerned about the County using public money for a public facility without asking the public, please call your county commissioner and demand that they put the financing mechanism for a new jail on the ballot.
NELL SCHAEFER/Muskegon
Legislative collaboration to change medical marijuana should be applauded
Tim Skubick: Legislative collaboration to change medical marijuana should be applauded | MLive.com: ...efforts in the Michigan House to fill in the Swiss cheese holes in the state's controversial medical marijuana law, which is now on its way to the Senate.
How should the Hackley Administration building be used?
Take our poll: How should the Hackley Administration building be used? | MLive.com
Muskegon school officials are looking for new ways to use the Hackely Administration Building across from Hackley Park on Webster Avenue in downtown Muskegon. School officials say the building has too much space for district offices.
Muskegon school officials are looking for new ways to use the Hackely Administration Building across from Hackley Park on Webster Avenue in downtown Muskegon. School officials say the building has too much space for district offices.
Why Michigan's presidential vote matters in 2012
Why Michigan's presidential vote matters in 2012 | MLive.com
If Michigan appears to be still up for grabs later this year, you can also expect to be subjected to a lot of nasty television and radio ads during the summer and fall.
That is the price we will pay for being in the middle of the action.
Knowing which issues will sway voters isn’t easy to discern this far out.
If Michigan appears to be still up for grabs later this year, you can also expect to be subjected to a lot of nasty television and radio ads during the summer and fall.
That is the price we will pay for being in the middle of the action.
Knowing which issues will sway voters isn’t easy to discern this far out.
Secretary of State's proposed voting reforms miss the mark
Letter: Secretary of State's proposed voting reforms miss the mark | MLive.com
However, stricter photo ID requirements and regulating volunteer groups, like the League, that conduct voter registration drives are not necessary and will make it more difficult for some people to vote.
Michigan already has voter identification methods that work very well and that meet national standards. There is no evidence of voter impersonation fraud in our elections.
However, stricter photo ID requirements and regulating volunteer groups, like the League, that conduct voter registration drives are not necessary and will make it more difficult for some people to vote.
Michigan already has voter identification methods that work very well and that meet national standards. There is no evidence of voter impersonation fraud in our elections.
Editorial: Fisherman's Landing swap deserves a thorough review
Editorial: Fisherman's Landing swap deserves a thorough review | MLive.com
The Chronicle Editorial Board urges city commission to allow city staff members to thoroughly review this proposal because of the major impact it could have on both job development and tourism in our community.
To dismiss the plan before staff can review it would be a mistake.
The Chronicle Editorial Board urges city commission to allow city staff members to thoroughly review this proposal because of the major impact it could have on both job development and tourism in our community.
To dismiss the plan before staff can review it would be a mistake.
iowahawk: Julia's Circle of Life
iowahawk: Julia's Circle of Life
The continuing adventures of Barack Obama's favorite eyeless, mouthless government dependent
The continuing adventures of Barack Obama's favorite eyeless, mouthless government dependent
Friday, May 04, 2012
From Michigan to Illinois to Ohio, teacher pension problems -- and changes -- fuel political debate
From Michigan to Illinois to Ohio, teacher pension problems -- and changes -- fuel political debate | MLive.com
As dire as conditions are for the Michigan Public Employee Retirement System, be advised it could be worse.
Just look at Illinois.
As dire as conditions are for the Michigan Public Employee Retirement System, be advised it could be worse.
Just look at Illinois.
Wisconsin Recall Amnesia
Review & Outlook: Wisconsin Recall Amnesia - WSJ.com
But it speaks volumes that Democrats are running on everything except their real goal—which is to restore the political dominance of government unions.
But it speaks volumes that Democrats are running on everything except their real goal—which is to restore the political dominance of government unions.
Recycling Eyeglasses Is a Feel-Good Waste of Money
Recycling Eyeglasses Is a Feel-Good Waste of Money - Bloomberg
In a paper published in March in the journal Optometry andVision Science, four researchers compare the full costs ofdelivering used glasses to the costs of instead deliveringready-made glasses in standard powers (like my drugstorereaders, but for myopia as well).
The authors find that recycledglasses cost nearly twice as much per usable pair.
In a paper published in March in the journal Optometry andVision Science, four researchers compare the full costs ofdelivering used glasses to the costs of instead deliveringready-made glasses in standard powers (like my drugstorereaders, but for myopia as well).
The authors find that recycledglasses cost nearly twice as much per usable pair.
Lake Express and GVSU water institute team up May 5 to celebrate Lake Michigan
Lake Express and GVSU water institute team up May 5 to celebrate Lake Michigan | MLive.com
The public will have a chance to tour the 192-foot passenger and vehicle catamaran ferry at its dock in Lakeside, 1918 Lakeshore, on Muskegon Lake.
There is limited seating for two afternoon excursions into Lake Michigan at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
The public will have a chance to tour the 192-foot passenger and vehicle catamaran ferry at its dock in Lakeside, 1918 Lakeshore, on Muskegon Lake.
There is limited seating for two afternoon excursions into Lake Michigan at 11 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
People Not In Labor Force Soar By 522,000, Labor Force Participation Rate Lowest Since 1981
People Not In Labor Force Soar By 522,000, Labor Force Participation Rate Lowest Since 1981 | ZeroHedge
it is just getting sad now.
In April the number of people not in the labor force rose by a whopping 522,000 from 87,897,000 to
88,419,000.
This is the highest on record. The flip side, and the reason why the unemployment dropped to 8.1% is that the labor force participation rate just dipped to a new 30 year low of 64.3%.
it is just getting sad now.
In April the number of people not in the labor force rose by a whopping 522,000 from 87,897,000 to
88,419,000.
This is the highest on record. The flip side, and the reason why the unemployment dropped to 8.1% is that the labor force participation rate just dipped to a new 30 year low of 64.3%.
Thursday, May 03, 2012
Tuesday, May 01, 2012
White Lake Beacon - Whitehall and Montague, Michigan
White Lake Beacon - Whitehall and Montague, MichiganJim Riley, host of WKBZ radio’s EyeOnMuskegon, has filed suit against the Muskegon County Board of Commissioners for alleged violations of the Open Meetings Act and the Freedom of Information Act.
Occupiers Have Big Plans for Big Communist Holiday
Occupiers Have Big Plans for Big Communist Holiday - By Jim Geraghty - The Campaign Spot - National Review Online
It’s the May Day edition of the Morning Jolt.
According to Wikipedia, May Day “has been an important official holiday in countries such as the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, Cuba and the former Soviet Union” — and of course, with company like that . . . the Occupy Crowd.
It’s the May Day edition of the Morning Jolt.
According to Wikipedia, May Day “has been an important official holiday in countries such as the People’s Republic of China, North Korea, Cuba and the former Soviet Union” — and of course, with company like that . . . the Occupy Crowd.
True cost of obesity in America: $190 billion
True cost of obesity in America: $190 billion - Health - Diet and nutrition - msnbc.com
U.S. hospitals are ripping out wall-mounted toilets and replacing them with floor models to better support obese patients.
The Federal Transit Administration wants buses to be tested for the impact of heavier riders on steering and braking.
Cars are burning nearly a billion gallons of gasoline more a year than if passengers weighed what they did in 1960.
U.S. hospitals are ripping out wall-mounted toilets and replacing them with floor models to better support obese patients.
The Federal Transit Administration wants buses to be tested for the impact of heavier riders on steering and braking.
Cars are burning nearly a billion gallons of gasoline more a year than if passengers weighed what they did in 1960.
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