MEDC exec goes to Pacific to raise money for state

Tom Walsh: MEDC exec goes to Pacific to raise money for state | Tom Walsh | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
"On Wednesday this week, Paul Brown is to take off on a business trip to Hawaii, Guam and Saipan, the largest of Northern Mariana Islands in the western Pacific Ocean.
Tough duty for a Michigan public servant in February, eh?
Incredulous as it may sound, Brown, vice president of capital markets for the Michigan Economic Development Corp., is generating money for Michigan's treasury by peddling the state's expertise in running small-business lending programs to other states and U.S. territories."

UM, lecturers reach deal before right-to-work law

UM, lecturers reach deal before right-to-work law | Crain's Detroit Business
"ANN ARBOR — The University of Michigan says it's reached a tentative agreement on a five-year contract with a union representing 1,500 lectures ahead of the effective date for the state's right-to-work law.
The Detroit News reported that the Ann Arbor-based school and the Lecturers' Employee Organization announced the agreement Wednesday.
The deal replaces one that expires April 20.In Detroit, Wayne State University faculty union members completed voting at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday"

Neighbors sue owner of $5.5 million lakefront mansion, trying to stop parties and special events

Neighbors sue owner of $5.5 million lakefront mansion, trying to stop parties and special events | MLive.com
"Built on three lots along Lake Michigan, the modernistic 3-story home is listed for $5.5 million, making it the most expensive real estate listing in West Michigan."

With Carl Levin not seeking reelection, 6 people who may run for his U.S. Senate seat

With Carl Levin not seeking reelection, 6 people who may run for his U.S. Senate seat | MLive.com
"“The impact is that you now have a lot more grassroots enthusiasm because now you have two huge races,” he said, which will rally the base to get to the polls.
Turnout was an issue for the Democrats in 2010, when Snyder trounced the Democratic nominee, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero."

Demos will be jazzed.
GOPers better get goin'!

Public Employee Pension Systems Raided To Pay Film Studio Bills

Public Employee Pension Systems Raided To Pay Film Studio Bills [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
"Under a deal made in 2010 by then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm, the State of Michigan Retirement Systems is on the hook for those missing payments. Michigan Motion Pictures Studios was formerly known as Raleigh Studios."

Fed: Detroit-based Ally Financial the only one of 18 banks tested that couldn't weather severe slump

Fed: Detroit-based Ally Financial the only one of 18 banks tested that couldn't weather severe slump | Crain's Detroit Business:
Detroit-based Ally Financial Inc., the auto lender majority-owned by U.S. taxpayers, was the only one of 18 of the country's largest banks tested that could not withstand a deep recession and maintain capital above a regulatory minimum - a sign of how higher standards and supervisory prodding are strengthening the financial system, the Federal Reserve said."

NAPOLITANO: A divine right of arms

NAPOLITANO: A divine right of arms - Washington Times
"The president and his big-government colleagues want you to believe that only the government can keep you free and safe, so to them, the essence of this debate is about obedience to law."

Student sues GVSU over guinea pig, awarded $40K

Student sues GVSU over guinea pig, awarded $40K | wzzm13.com:
"GVSU said it was a prohibited pet but Velzen said her doctor prescribed the guinea pig as a companion animal to help her deal with chronic depression.
As part of the settlement, GVSU has agreed to grant future requests by Velzen to live with a guinea pig or similar companion animal."

Question of the Day: Should local governments be involved in the trash business?

Question of the Day: Should local governments be involved in the trash business? | MLive.com
"Currently, Norton Shores homeowners chose their own trash, yard waste and recyclables hauler -- a longstanding responsibility in the city's short 45-year-old history, officials said."

All Whitehall School District bus tires deflated; school closed as a result

All Whitehall School District bus tires deflated; school closed as a result | MLive.com

Violence Against Women Act--Passed in GOP-Controlled House--Covers Transgenders

Violence Against Women Act--Passed in GOP-Controlled House--Covers Transgenders | CNS News
 "The new law does not provide a definition for transgender or bisexual. 
However, the American Psychological Association defines transgender as “an umbrella term for persons whose gender identity, gender expression, or behavior does not conform to that typically associated with the sex to which they were assigned at birth.
Gender identity refers to a person’s internal sense of being male, female, or something else; gender expression refers to the way a person communicates gender identity to others through behavior, clothing, hairstyles, voice, or body characteristics.”

Salazar: 28% of ‘Recoverable Oil ‘ Now Off-Limits in National Petroleum Reserve

Salazar: 28% of ‘Recoverable Oil ‘ Now Off-Limits in National Petroleum Reserve | CNS News
"Outgoing Interior Secretary Ken Salazar signed a directive that places 28 percent of the “estimated economically recoverable oil” in the National Petroleum Reserve in Alaska off-limits.
The 22.8-million acre reserve in Alaska’s North Slope has been protected as an oil resource for the United States since 1923."