Cross-posted to MichiganLiberal.com.
In This Week's Edition
- Governor Delivers State of the State Address
- What's Happening in Washington?
- Looking Ahead to November...and 2008
- Legislature Update
- Around the State
- Opinion Roundup
- Sound Bites of the Week
Michigan By the Numbers
- Years since Michigan was admitted to the Union: 169.
- Employees at Ford's Wixom plant, which the company will close: 1,567.
- State of the State addresses attended by Frank Kelley: 45.
- Attendance at this year's Auto Show: 759,310.
- Height of the Ambassador Bridge: 135 feet above the Detroit River.
- Michigan Business Activity index for 2005: 107, down three points from 2004.
Governor Delivers State of the State Address
Governor Granholm was both optimistic and forceful in her fourth her fourth State of the State address. Despite the state's gloomy economic climate, made worse by Ford Motor Company's decision to close the Wixom assembly plant, the governor emphasized the state's successes in luring jobs to Michigan and keeping existing ones here.
Granholm's most intriguing proposal was the "Michigan Health First Partnership," under which half a million low-income residents would receive state-paid health coverage. As she did last year, the governor focused on increasing the percentage of high-school graduates who go on to college. This year, she called on lawmakers to stiffen graduation requirements and again proposed financial aid to college students.
The governor also called for
- A hike in the minimum wage,
- Less paperwork for businesses,
- A state-run 401(k)-like plan for those without one at work,
- Computerization of patients' medical records,
- A 20-percent rollback of insurance rates, and
- Limits on oil companies' windfall profits.
The Detroit News was highly critical of the governor, calling her "an old-school liberal, devoted to the discredited programs of the New Deal and Great Society and enamored of central planning."
Republican legislative leaders thought the governor's address was long on rhetoric but short on substance. House Speaker Craig DeRoche (R-Novi) was especially critical of the governor's health-care plan. He said, "There will never be a government-provided solution that will be better than what could be provided by the private sector."
The Free Press applauded the governor for her optimism but wished she'd offered more details of her plan to provide health coverage to the uninsured and increase the number of college-bound students.
Granholm's claim that Michigan has added jobs raised an interesting question: whose statistics can you believe?. The governor based her number of a survey of households, while the Republicans relied on payroll figures compiled by the federal Labor Department.
What's Happening in Washington?
Latest of the House GOP Shakeup. He might be temporarily in charge of the House Administration Commitee, but Representative Vern Ehlers asked committee staffers to turn over their resumes and intends to talk with them about their role on the committee.
Latest on Alito Nomination. Samuel Alito, nominated by President Bush for the Supreme Court, appears headed for confirmation, perhaps as early as Monday. Senator Stabenow said that she would not only vote "no" on Alito's confirmation, but would join in a filibuster to block the nomination.
In Brief. In a News op-ed, Repesentative Candice Miller (R-Harrison Township argued that Iraq is making progress toward becoming a democracy and argued against imposing a timetable on the Iraqis to become self-governing.
Looking Ahead to November...and 2008
DeVos Appears on TV. Appearing on "Off the Record," likely GOP gubernatorial candidate Dick DeVos said he'll articulate his economic plan "at the appropriate time when people are paying attention". The Lansing State Journal said that "it seems silly" for DeVos to criticize the governor for not improving Michigan's economy without offering much on what he'd do differently.
Secretary of State Unveils Voting Reform Proposal. Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land proposed a 20-point plan aimed at improving Michigan elections. Her proposals include allowing 16-year-olds to preregister to vote; overhauling the rules governing recounts and putting constitutional amendments on the ballot; defining who may help absentee voters cast their votes, an issue in last year's Detroit election; and allowing local election officials to clean voter lists by creating an "inactive voter" file.
A copy of Land's proposal (10 pages, pdf) is available on her website.
Poll: Stabenow Well Out in Front. According to the latest Rasmussen survey, Senator Debbie Stabenow is ahead by a wide margin against her potential GOP challengers. She leads Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard by 56 to 31, Reverend Keith Butler by 54 to 34, and Reverend Jerry Zandstra by 58 to 30.
Jerry Zandstra: Stealth Candidate? He's still a long-shot, but George Weeks of the News believes that Jerry Zandstra is winning Republican conservatives' hearts and minds. Weeks says that he's doing well at GOP gatherings, especially in west Michigan. Zandstra is from Grand Rapids.
Update on Ballot Proposals. A coalition of religious leaders has formed Michigan Chooses Life, which will try to get a constitutional amendment defining life as starting at conception on the November ballot.
Backers of a guaranteed school-funding proposal said they'll wait until late February to submit their petitions to give the legislature time to act.
In Brief. Former state representative. Patricia Godchaux, a moderate from Birmingham, will challenge U.S. Representative Joe Knollenberg (R-Bloomfield Hills) in the Republican primary....Justice Michael Cavanagh will run for another term on the state Supreme Court....The Lansing State Journal suggests that the anti-incumbent mood in Canada's federal election might spread south of the border.
Legislature Update
Ergonomics, Tax-Cut Bills Go to Governor. The Senate followed the House's lead and passed legislation barring Michigan from imposing stricter workplace ergonomic standards than those imposed by federal law. Meanwhile, the House approved legislation that would lower business taxes by $50 million and cut regulatory red tape for businesses. However, it is unclear whether the governor will sign either of these measures.
Lawmakers Tackle Graduation Standards. Tougher graduation standards, endorsed by the governor and the state's education chief, have run into some resistance. Representative Brian Palmer (R-Bruce Township) introduced legislation that would would drop the foreign-language requirement from the proposed standards and allow students to opt for a "personalized alternative curriculum." The News called on lawmakers not to "dumb down" the curriculum proposal, arguing that Palmer's alternative reinforces the "not everyone needs to go to college" mentality. Lu Battiglieri, the head of the Michigan Education Association, noted that his organization has endorsed stronger standards for years but cautioned that school districts will need flexibility, and will require more money, to implement them.
There's another controversy surrounding Representative Palmer's bill. Some educators believe that language relating to the science curriculum could open the door to the teaching of "intelligent design" in the classroom.
Bills in the Hopper. Senator Thomas George (R-Portage) has re-introduced legislation that would charge Medicaid patients less for services if they exercise regularly and don't smoke....Representative John Moolenaar (R-Midland) introduced legislation that would require the state to pay for background checks for school employees....Four Democratic senators have introduced legislation that would ban the sale of detergent containing more than 0.5 percent phosphorous....Representative Tim Moore (R-Farwell) introduced a bill that would allow firearm owners to carry unloaded weapons in their trunks, even if they don't have a hunting license....Under legislation proposed by Representative Rick Jones (R-Grand Ledge), a military ID would have the same validity as a driver's license.
Around the State
Detroit Councilwoman's Finances Raise Questions. The News reported that Councilwoman Alberta Tinsley-Talabi made loans to her husband and brother from her re-election fund and failed fully document those loans as well as other transactions. Tinsley-Talabi argues that she didn't break state election laws, but a spokeswoman from the Department of State says she needs to explain what she's done with the money.
Court Upholds Sale of State Land to Toyota. The state Supreme Court cleared the way for the state to sell 690 acres of land in the Ann Arbor area to Toyota. The case went to court after the state refused to sell the parcel to a group of developers who made a higher offer for it. The News defended the court's decision, arguing that the Toyota facility could attract jobs to the area.
Detroit Items. Of all the current City Council members, Sheila Cockrel was the biggest spender on her re-election campaign. She spent $269,000 to win another term. Councilmember Jo Ann Watson is sponsoring an ordinance that would make it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving.
Michigan in Brief.Governor Granholm reportedly offered Ford Motor Company incentives to keep production jobs in Michigan....A grand jury heard testimony in the federal investigation of Geoffrey Fieger's contributions to John Edwards's presidential campaign....Nestle Waters North America and environmental activists settled a long-running legal dispute over extracting water from a well near Big Rapids.
Local Stories. A member of Dearborn Heights' school board faces recall because of truancy. He missed two-thirds of last year's meetings....County Executive Robert Ficano started his annual series of town hall meetings around Wayne County....By a 4-3 vote, Farmington Hills City Council opted to stay in the SMART regional transportation system....Warren City Council president Jim Fouts introduced a "zero-tolerance" city ethics ordinance....Facing a $50 million deficit, Pontiac is scrambling to avoid a state takeover of its finances....Macomb County commissioners passed an ordinance that bars county employees from accepting gifts worth more than $50.
Opinion Roundup
The Free Press warned that mandatory minimum school funding could divert funds from other state needs such as Medicaid and road repairs....The State Journal believes that it's time to reconsider the issue of doctor-assisted suicide. State voters defeated a broad assisted-suicide proposal in 1998....The Traverse-City Record Eagle assailed President Bush for his assaults on Americans' privacy and constitutional rights and called on Americans to tell him, "enough is enough." The State Journal called the president's latest justification of his surveillance program "ever more contorted, ever more unreasonable."...Chris Christoff of the Free Press pointed out that Michigan has very weak laws governing campaign contributions, which might open the door to a mini-Abramoff scandal....The Free Press called on state colleges to do more to cut waste and inefficiency.
Not Strictly Political, But... The News selected 10 recent films that, in its view, "made waves". They include "Brokeback Mountain," "Fahrenheit 9/11," and "Thelma and Louise."
Sound Bites of the Week
"Her glass wasn't just half-full; it was sloshing over the rim."--The Free Press's Brian Dickerson's reaction to Governor Granholm's State of the State address.
"I wake up in the morning saying, 'I dissent,'"--Justice Michael Cavanagh.
"If Dubya names enough justices, we may have to worry about Plessy v. Ferguson."--Jack Lessenberry of the Metro Times.