Articles of Interst 5-25-06
Our “Cool City Tour” to 5 different cities was a great success. We picked up TV, radio and print coverage of the fact everyone of Michigan’s cities would be much cooler if they had jobs. We used this as an opportunity to point out the fact that Governor Granholm continues to lead by press release…and a press release is not a plan…especially if there is ultimately no measurable action to save or create jobs.
I repeat myself, but, we are in a single state recession, there have been over 5.3 million jobs created in the United States since August of 2003. Every other state is gaining jobs, participating in a national recovery except one.
SOS Terri Lynn Land will be opening TWO campaign headquarters around the state in early June. We are all invited to attend. Please mark your calendars and for more information go to:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/05/sos_terri_lynn_.html
Strategic Vision released a new poll yesterday that showed Dick DeVos actually leading against Jennifer Granholm and Mike Bouchard and Keith Butler challenging Debbie Stabenow this November.
Please remember, polls are no more than a snap shot in time…we will be in for a very close election for both the Governorship and the U.S. Senate seat….but you can’t help but be pleased with these early numbers and how our candidates are trending up.
For complete poll results and more information go to:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/05/new_strategic_v.html
At next week’s Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Policy Conference, initially, Dick DeVos and Governor Jennifer Granholm were scheduled to meet in debate about Michigan’s most pressing issues. Now, they will only be giving back-to-back speeches. With the amount of attention given to the conference every year, it is a shame that the Governor refuses to engage in debate. The members of the Chamber PAC deserve a debate; the citizens of Michigan deserve a debate. Perhaps Governor Granholm doesn’t debate because she doesn’t have a real solution to stand on.
Here is a great editorial written by Oakland County Judge Michael Warren about the latest moved by Michigan’s Department of Education. Keith Butler issued a release today which I believe reflects the views of most of us when he said: “I know it is not politically correct to say this but, Thank God for Judge Warren for bringing this outrage to our attention.” To see Judge Warren’s editorial go to:
http://migop.blogs.com/blog/2006/05/america_america.html
Later today Governor George Pataki will be visiting Oakland County. He will stop by the “Fallen Heroes” memorial in Oakland County and then proceed to a luncheon fundraiser at Greg Packers home for the MI GOP. Governor Pataki is actively exploring the possibility of entering the 2008 Presidential sweepstakes and is making his second visit to Michigan this year.
Saul Anuzis
STATE STORIES
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/AUTO01/605250389
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Big buyout response buoys GM
Early-leave sign-ups race past 20,000, may put automaker ahead of schedule on turnaround.
Brett Clanton / The Detroit News
DETROIT -- More than 20,000 U.S. factory workers at General Motors Corp. have accepted buyout offers, surpassing the automaker's internal target with a month to go before the deadline, according to people familiar with the situation.
The stronger-than-expected response means GM is well on its way to reaching and eventually exceeding its goal of eliminating 30,000 U.S. hourly jobs by the end of 2008 -- a central piece of its North American restructuring plan.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/114847878758830.xml&coll=5
Tax breaks
Flint Twp. OK for company almost required in U.S. today
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Taxpayers often resent "breaks" given to businesses, as occurred in Flint Township on Monday when Security Packaging went courting with the pitch of creating at least 35 jobs in a vacated Corunna Road building.
But philosophy aside, governments are probably bound to go along with these requests - at worst as a necessary evil, or more optimistically as a truly useful economic development tool.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/OPINION01/605250371/1008
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Keep our schools safe for 'Americans'
Michigan needs to control bureaucrats run amok
Michigan's politically correct bureaucrats almost killed the use of "America" in social studies classes. Fortunately, state school Superintendent Mike Flanagan says he is stopping this nonsense. But taxpayers and parents must remain vigilant against this dumbing down of our students.
The problem began 10 years ago. That's when the Michigan Department of Education eliminated the use of "America" and "Americans" on its Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) social studies testing, according to Karen Todorov, the department's social studies consultant.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/aanews/index.ssf?/base/news-1/1148481678188470.xml&coll=2
City's workers receive overdue reality check
It's fair they share health care cost burden
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Health care benefits are on the table as the city of Ann Arbor starts to renegotiate its union contracts.
And City Council is considering a plan to raise the amount that non-union employees contribute to their health care benefits by $20 per month. They now pay about $80 monthly for families and $20 for individuals.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1148484104308770.xml&coll=7
Portage voters must select way to pay for roads
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Sarita Chourey
schourey@kalamazoogazette.com 388-8575
Property owners in Portage will be asked in November to pick their poison: Continue with special assessments for roadwork or replace them with a general property-tax increase.
The Portage City Council unanimously approved ballot language Tuesday, allowing the question to appear on the November ballot.
http://www.mlive.com/columns/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-2/114847878158830.xml&coll=5
A fair choice
Fenton Twp. factors justify ballot option for sewer work
FLINT
THE FLINT JOURNAL FIRST EDITION
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
While considering a millage rate increase, as opposed to a user charge, for sewer improvements might not be reasonable in many municipalities, special factors make it so in Fenton Township.
Because water quality is so vital in this lakes community, even those not hooked to public sewer lines - or owning beach lots - benefit when pollution is kept in check. Certainly, their property values are enhanced. Additionally, the private wells serving all homeowners here could be threatened by groundwater contamination caused by failing sewer lines.
Bill would designate whether driver is U.S. citizen
5/25/2006, 2:38 a.m. ET
By TIM MARTIN
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — U.S. citizenship status would be disclosed on driver's licenses under a bill pending in the state House.
The bill would require an applicant for a driver's license, if a citizen, to provide a statement attesting to citizenship. The secretary of state would be required to issue a license that notes the driver is a citizen.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/NEWS06/605250429/1008/NEWS
Revision on welfare isn't in Senate bill
House plan limits benefits to 4 years
May 25, 2006
LANSING -- A state House plan to set a four-year lifetime limit on cash assistance for Michigan welfare recipients was not included in a budget measure approved Wednesday by the Senate.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted 38-0 to impose stiffer sanctions on recipients who don't fulfill working or training requirements. The plan doesn't address whether they should be kicked off welfare after four years.
Welfare plans don't match up in House, Senate budgets
5/25/2006, 3:13 a.m. ET
By TIM MARTIN
The Associated Press
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Republican-led state House worked nearly until midnight on its version of next fiscal year's state budget.
House GOP leaders may have to work later and harder than they did Wednesday if they want their ideas to survive the compromise and negotiation phase of setting the spending plan for the fiscal year that begins Oct. 1. The Republican-led Senate and Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm have several differences in their budget proposals, particularly when it comes to welfare.
http://www.mlive.com/news/statewide/index.ssf?/base/news-7/1148551826239540.xml&coll=1
More school money may not mean more cash in hand for districts
Thursday, May 25, 2006
By Judy Putnam
Lansing Bureau
LANSING -- Relief is in sight for hard-pressed school districts: They'll be getting $200 to $230 more per pupil next year under spending plans in the Legislature.
Plus, there's either $35 or $60 more per pupil in equity payments for the lowest-spending school districts or an extra payment to districts losing students, depending on different versions of the 2007 budget starting Oct. 1.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/news-17/1148484121308770.xml&coll=7
The Promise leads KPS to boost spending
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Julie Mack
jmack@kalamazoogazette.com 388-8578
After seven straight years of cuts, Kalamazoo Public Schools is looking at a spending plan that would boost programs and reduce class sizes, thanks to a projected enrollment increase of 450 students next fall.
The 2006-07 budget proposal, to be formally unveiled at Thursday's school board meeting, anticipates a 5.8 percent increase in revenues. Although much of the projected $6 million revenue increase in the $109 million operating budget will be consumed by rising costs, KPS Deputy Superintendent Gary Start estimates that almost $1 million will be available to enhance programs.
http://www.humaneventsonline.com/blog-detail.php?id=15109
'Vlog': The New Campaign Video Blog
By: Matt Lewis
Posted 05/24/06
10:52 AM
Enough Ned Lamont. On the Republican side, I like this Dick DeVos ad, titled: "Stay With Us."
As the Detroit News writes: "The ad is based on a vlog, or video blog, that is featured each week on the DeVos campaign Web site. The vlogs generally feature the Ada businessman out on the campaign trail."
http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=9244
Are we ready for democracy?
by Jack Lessenberry
5/24/2006
Enough to make you sick: Gov. Jennifer Granholm has no opposition in her primary either, which is perhaps the saddest thing of all, when it comes to democracy. She stands for nothing except her own re-election, and a vague promise that she might not be as bad as Dick DeVos.
http://www.wlns.com/Global/story.asp?S=4942296&nav=menu25_2
Campaign to Protect Pedestrians
May 24, 2006 06:49 AM EDT
A new campaign launched at the Capitol promotes safety for everyone on the roads. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land says thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists are killed each year in the US due to traffic accidents. Land and other safety advocates want to remind everyone to be cautious and aware while sharing streets, sidewalks and parking areas.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060523/OPINION03/605230383/1016/METRO05
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Tom Greenwood
Pedestrians and motorists can coexist
W hen warm weather finally hits Michigan, it brings out more than just flowers, robins and family barbecues. It also brings out pedestrians eager to walk, run, skateboard, jog, walk the dog, push a stroller, bike, wheelchair and Rollerblade after being cooped up all winter long.
Unfortunately, it also means more crashes between pedestrians and motorists.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-29/1148482188210070.xml&coll=6
Candidate may miss ballot by 78 names
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
By Nate Reens
The Grand Rapids Press
GAINES TOWNSHIP -- Polls show Cutlerville minister Jerry Zandstra is in a statistical dead heat for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination with two challengers from Oakland County.
Another set of numbers, however, may derail his bid for the seat now held by incumbent Democrat Debbie Stabenow, state election officials told Zandstra on Tuesday.
NATIONAL STORIES
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402400.html
Expanded Worker Checks Would Use Faulty System
By Griff Witte
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A01
A federal database program with a checkered track record could dramatically expand to affect every U.S. employer and worker under provisions of the immigration legislation being considered by Congress.
The program is intended to keep illegal immigrants from working in the United States and to discourage more from entering, but in nearly a decade of small-scale tests, it has had trouble distinguishing between those who are here legally and those who are not. Fixing it and rolling it out nationwide could cost more than $1 billion.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/I/IMMIGRATION?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Immigration bill facing final Senate vote
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senators are betting the U.S. would benefit from giving most illegal immigrants the chance to become American citizens - highlighting their resolve to pass a landmark immigration overhaul.
With approval expected by mid-Thursday, the Senate first had to work through several amendments that did not threaten the overall measure.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/POLITICS/605250357/1022
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Bill heads for Senate approval
Supporters say they are willing to negotiate with House conservatives, who want strict immigration reform.
David Espo / Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- Senate supporters of landmark immigration legislation looked ahead Wednesday to passage of a measure along lines set by President Bush, but they also signaled a willingness to seek common ground with conservatives whose House version would be far tougher on millions of men and women in the country illegally.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052401006.html
Fragile Senate Coalition Set To Pass Bill on Immigration
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A03
The Senate moved to the verge of passing landmark immigration legislation yesterday, scheduling a final vote for today on a bill that would tighten the borders while allowing millions of illegal immigrants to stay in the country and permitting new guest workers to come and go.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402433.html
A Vote For English
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A29
"Of course not." That was Attorney General Alberto Gonzales's answer Sunday on ABC's "This Week" when asked whether he would favor prohibiting bilingual ballots.
"Of course not"? Did he mean, "This is not something about which decent people differ"?
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RAID_ON_CONGRESS?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
House leaders demand FBI return documents
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Some lawmakers are warning of a voter backlash against members of Congress "trying to protect their own" if party leaders keep escalating a constitutional dispute over the FBI's raid of a representative's office.
Yet not long after House Speaker Dennis Hastert and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi demanded on Wednesday the bureau return documents it took, White House aides were in talks with Hastert's staff about the possible transfer of the material, perhaps to the House ethics committee, according to several Republican officials.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/POLITICS/605250360/1022
Thursday, May 25, 2006
House leaders of both parties condemn FBI raid
Laurie Kellman / Associated Press
WASHINGTON -- In rare, election-year harmony, House Republican and Democratic leaders demanded on Wednesday that the FBI return documents taken in a Capitol Hill raid that has quickly grown into a constitutional turf fight beyond party politics.
"The Justice Department must immediately return the papers it unconstitutionally seized," House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., and Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., said in a statement.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402335.html
Breach Was More of the Spirit, Not the Letter, of the Constitution
By Charles Lane
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A10
The FBI raid on Rep. William Jefferson's congressional office was an aggressive tactic that broke a long-standing political custom. But while it might violate the spirit of the Constitution, it might not violate the letter of the document or subsequent rulings by the Supreme Court, legal analysts say.
The issue could turn on whether a court finds that the items seized from Jefferson's office were related to such protected legislative activities as writing, researching and voting on bills. Other things could be fair game for the prosecution, analysts said.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/J/JUSTICE_HASTERT?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Feds say House Speaker not under probe
WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Justice Department twice denied news reports Wednesday that it was investigating House Speaker Dennis Hastert.
The initial statement by department spokeswoman Tasia Scolinos came in response to a report by ABC News that Hastert was under investigation by the FBI to determine his role in a public corruption probe centered around convicted lobbyist Jack Abramoff.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/V/VETS_26_MILLION_IDS?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
VA chief vows accountability for ID theft
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Summoning the Veterans Affairs chief to Capitol Hill, lawmakers are demanding to know why the department waited nearly three weeks to disclose the theft of personal data from 26.5 million veterans.
"Why did they wait so long to tell us, and how are we going to fix it?" said Rep. Bob Filner, D-Calif.
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/OPINION01/605250337/1068/OPINION
ID data, and respect, go missing for vets
May 25, 2006
Everyone who has ever been in the military knows that it requires surrendering some of your individual identity for the good of the squad, the team, the crew. But you don't figure that long after parting company with the service, your identity is going to be stolen from a government computer -- or that the government you served is going to compound the problem by keeping it a secret for two weeks.
http://www.mlive.com/news/kzgazette/index.ssf?/base/columns-2/1148484159308770.xml&coll=7
VA data theft reveals inept government
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
If luck is with the 26.5 million veterans who had vital identification data stolen, the thieves will have no idea what they have.
If luck is with the Department of Veterans Affairs, it won't have a mass firing on its hands.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CIA_LEAK?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Cheney may be called in CIA leak case
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Could Vice President Dick Cheney be a star prosecution witness in the perjury trial of his former chief of staff?
Special Counsel Patrick Fitzgerald suggested in a court filing Wednesday that Cheney would be a logical witness for the prosecution because the vice president could authenticate notes he jotted on a copy of a New York Times opinion column by a critic of the U.S.-led war in Iraq.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402597.html
Libby Told Grand Jury Cheney Spoke of Plame
Vice President May Be Called as Witness
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A01
Vice President Cheney was personally angered by a former U.S. ambassador's newspaper column attacking a key rationale for the war in Iraq and repeatedly directed I. Lewis "Scooter" Libby, then his chief of staff, to "get all the facts out" related to the critique, according to excerpts from Libby's 2004 grand jury testimony released late yesterday by Special Counsel Patrick J. Fitzgerald.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CIA_CHIEF?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
CIA chief likely to be in place this week
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Gen. Michael Hayden could clear a final hurdle and win Senate approval to be CIA director as early as Thursday.
Hayden, the former National Security Agency chief who became the nation's No. 2 intelligence official last year, has come under fire for his stewardship of the Bush administration's warrantless surveillance program.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402449.html
Make No Law
Today the Senate Judiciary Committee will consider bills on warrantless wiretapping. None should move.
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A28
THE SENATE Judiciary Committee is scheduled today to mark up legislation dealing with the National Security Agency's program of warrantless domestic surveillance. What kind of bill it will report out is anyone's guess. Three different bills are floating around -- one by Chairman Arlen Specter (R-Pa.), one by Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and one by Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) -- and they would do wildly different things. What the committee should do now is clear: nothing. Any legislation is premature, because most members of the committee still have no firm sense of what the NSA surveillance program consists of.
http://www.mlive.com/news/muchronicle/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1148489109162190.xml&coll=8
Big Chill planned to ice the public's right to know
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
In what can only be seen as a pathetic acknowledgment that it has abandoned its constitutional compass, a lost Bush Administration has put newspapers and reporters on notice that they are now the enemy. A Big Chill is coming to ice the public's right to know.
Attorney General Alberto Gonzalez announced Sunday that prosecution, possibly under a 1917 espionage law never before used against America's free press, will be pressed into service to thwart the printing of any new classified information.
http://www.mlive.com/news/grpress/index.ssf?/base/news-2/1148482036210070.xml&coll=6
Waive late charges for drug plan
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
There is no need for the government to play hardball with elderly and disabled citizens who missed the enrollment deadline for the new Medicare prescription-drug program. Congress and the White House should allow for sign-ups without penalty when enrollment reopens in November.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_IRAQ?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Bush and Blair to discuss Iraq's future
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, besieged by complaints about their wartime leadership, are discussing Iraq's future and the role of their troops there.
Ahead of the leaders' meetings Thursday and Friday, aides were attempting to tamp down any expectations of troop withdrawal announcements, despite public opposition to the war in both the U.S. and Britain.
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ISRAEL?SITE=MIDTN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT
Bush, Olmert try to form pressure on Hamas
WASHINGTON (AP) -- President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert are trying to build pressure on Hamas to accept their conditions for negotiating Mideast peace, but there are no indications that the radical Palestinian group will change its tune.
During Olmert's Washington visit that ended Wednesday, Bush pushed him to talk with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Hamas' bitter rival, before unilaterally setting new boundaries for Israel.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060525/POLITICS/605250383/1022
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Clintons keep separate lives
They are still a very married couple, although former president leaves Hillary's politics alone.
Patrick Healy / New York Times
Bill and Hillary Clinton flew to Chicago together last month to deliver speeches a few hours and a few miles apart. And like any couple, they thought about having dinner at day's end. But life is not so simple when you are married to a Clinton.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402436.html
The Shadow of a Marriage
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A29
The two sides of Hillary Rodham Clinton -- the opposites that make her potential presidential candidacy such a gamble -- came into sharp focus Tuesday morning at the National Press Club.
For the better part of an hour, the senator from New York held forth in a disquisition on energy policy that was as overwhelming in its detail as it was ambitious in its reach.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/05/24/AR2006052402334.html
McCain Returns Donations Made to PAC
By Chris Cillizza
Special to The Washington Post
Thursday, May 25, 2006; Page A15
Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) returned $20,000 in campaign contributions from two prominent Texas businessmen after staff members for his political action committee discovered that there was an investigation into one of their companies.
The donations were made to Straight Talk America -- McCain's leadership political action committee -- by Sam and Charles Wyly, billionaire brothers who have been major players in Republican fundraising for years. Each cut a $5,000 check to Straight Talk, as did Sam's wife, Cheryl, and Charles's son, Charles III.
MIRS Capitol Capsule, Wednesday, May 24, 2006
John Reurink (517) 482-2125
Strategic Vision Poll: DeVos Up By Three
The momentum in the 2006 race for Michigan governor is continuing to trend toward Republican gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVOS, according to a new poll released today by Strategic Vision.
The survey, which has a margin of error of three percentage points, shows DeVos leading incumbent Gov. Jennifer GRANHOLM by a 45-42 margin with 13 percent of voters undecided. The results were collected May 19-21 and included telephone interviews with 1,200 likely Michigan voters.
The governor's job approval number also slid in the survey to 41 percent with some 44 percent of residents indicating they disapprove of the job the governor is doing. That 41 percent job approval rating comes in as voters give incumbent U.S. Sen. Debbie STABENOW (D-Lansing) a 48-percent approval rating and U.S. Sen. Carl LEVIN a 49-percent approval rating.
Voters also continue to be less than enchanted with the direction the state is heading. Some 61 percent said Michigan is headed in the wrong direction with only 28 percent indicating things were going in the right direction.
The survey also shows that Oakland County Sheriff Mike BOUCHARD is cementing his position as the front-runner in the race for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination. In a match-up with his two possible opponents (Rev. Keith BUTLER and Jerry ZANDSTRA) Bouchard is polling 39 percent (this question was asked of Republicans only) compared to 29 percent for Butler, 15 percent for Zandstra and 17 percent undecided.
Michigan also continues to like U.S. Sen. John McCAIN. The survey found that 38 percent of Republicans would pick the Arizona Senator for the GOP presidential nomination. Next in line was former New York Mayor Rudy GUILIANI with 24 percent and Massachusetts Gov. Mitt ROMNEY with 15 percent.
Democrats favored U.S. Sen. Hillary CLINTON (D-N.Y.), who netted 33 percent support, compared to 2000 presidential nominee Al GORE, who had 15 percent.
Senate Drops Hunting Age To 10
Children as young as 10 will be able to hunt and a new hunter apprentice program will be set up under legislation the Senate gave its blessing to today.
Under HB 5192, the minimum age for a hunting license would be lowered from 12 to 10. In addition, minors would be allowed to hunt on land other than the family homestead. Children 12 or older would also be able to hunt deer, bear or elk. Currently the age limit is 14.
HB 5192, sponsored by Rep. Scott HUMMEL (R-DeWitt), is accompanied by SB 1105, sponsored by Sen. Michelle McMANUS (R-Lake Leelanau), which creates the hunter apprentice program.
Under that program, children under 17 could hunt on non-family land if accompanied by a person 21 or older.
The two bills are part of a series of recommendations that the were made by a Hunter Recruitment and Retention Work Group set up by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) director last year to tackle the non-growth in the so-called "fin and fur" community.
Conservationists are concerned that while the number of hunters has remained relatively stable (865,000 in 2002) the percent of Michiganders that are hunting is declining. Hunting license sales have dropped one to two percent a year and hunting isn't as popular as it once was among young people.
Both bills passed by the Senate today would also require the DNR to report how minimum hunting age reduction impacted the recruitment of new hunters to the appropriate House and Senate committees.
During Senate consideration, Sen. Liz BRATER (D-Ann Arbor) cautioned that the measures allow kids as young as 12 to hunt with mentors who aren't required to have hunter safety training.
HB 5192 passed 29-9 vote while SB 1105 passed on a 32-6.
GONGWER- Volume #45, Report #100 --Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Larry Lee (517) 482-3500
BUDGETS WIN UNANIMOUS SENATE OK; WELFARE CHANGES OMITTED
The Senate has finished all its initial work on the 2006-07 budget, and in almost unprecedented manner: all 10 bills passed unanimously. Notably and in stark contrast to the House, the Senate's version of the Department of Human Services budget does not include the significant changes to welfare policies that House members have approved.
And even other budgets that faced opposition in the Senate Appropriations Committee passed unanimously. Traditionally at least one Senate member has opposed at least some of the budgets, but there was no one taking that role this day.
HUMAN SERVICES (SB 1090