Thursday, January 17, 2013
2013 State of the State, Gov. Rick Snyder
2013 State of the State, Gov. Rick Snyder [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
The biggest expansion included the call for a $1.2 billion increase in state-funded road and infrastructure spending. Revenue sources for that money could include increases in vehicle registration and fuel taxes.
The biggest expansion included the call for a $1.2 billion increase in state-funded road and infrastructure spending. Revenue sources for that money could include increases in vehicle registration and fuel taxes.
Wednesday, January 16, 2013
State of the State 2013: Gov. Rick Snyder proposes road funding, changes to voting, education
State of the State 2013: Gov. Rick Snyder proposes road funding, changes to voting, education | MLive.com
“The big deal is roads – road funding,” Snyder strategy director Bill Rustem told reporters prior to Snyder’s speech. “
Snyder wants it done early because he knows it is going to be a tough issue, Rustem said.
The road money plan could include raising vehicle registration fees.
It also would shift the tax system from the current 19-cent per gallon tax paid at the pump to a percentage of the wholesale cost of gasoline, which would rise with inflation and could bring in more money.
Snyder also would consider backing local options to raise more money at the county level, such as additional vehicle registration fees.
Both Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed Michigan needs more money for road repairs and transportation system improvements.
Other topics:
Elections and voting: Snyder is expected to back some form of online voter registration and no-reason absentee voting. It would require some steps aimed at security, such as entering Social Security numbers with registration and other features.
Jobs: Snyder is expected to push for ways to better help Michigan workers develop the skills needed for high-tech, health care and other high-demand job areas. It's not clear how much of that will come up in tonight's speech, however. One item that is expected to be mentioned is a special emphasis on military veterans for some types of jobs. Snyder also is expected to announce other steps, including accreditation of a veterans affairs agency, to help better deliver services to veterans.
Education: Great Start and other early childhood education programs could get more of an emphasis in the state budget, which will be proposed in early February. Snyder also is expected to renew his call to expand the state’s Education Achievement Authority. It now includes 15 schools in Detroit, but it could potentially expand to include many of the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools in the state. Proposals that could have put the EAA in state law and expanded that program fizzled in the state Legislature late last year, but likely will be resurrected.
Social services: Snyder is expected to address expanding a program that would put more Department of Human Services workers into elementary schools. The goal would be to help children and families get basic services, so educators can focus more on education. Much of the emphasis could be on Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and Pontiac.
“The big deal is roads – road funding,” Snyder strategy director Bill Rustem told reporters prior to Snyder’s speech. “
Snyder wants it done early because he knows it is going to be a tough issue, Rustem said.
The road money plan could include raising vehicle registration fees.
It also would shift the tax system from the current 19-cent per gallon tax paid at the pump to a percentage of the wholesale cost of gasoline, which would rise with inflation and could bring in more money.
Snyder also would consider backing local options to raise more money at the county level, such as additional vehicle registration fees.
Both Republicans and Democrats have generally agreed Michigan needs more money for road repairs and transportation system improvements.
Other topics:
Elections and voting: Snyder is expected to back some form of online voter registration and no-reason absentee voting. It would require some steps aimed at security, such as entering Social Security numbers with registration and other features.
Jobs: Snyder is expected to push for ways to better help Michigan workers develop the skills needed for high-tech, health care and other high-demand job areas. It's not clear how much of that will come up in tonight's speech, however. One item that is expected to be mentioned is a special emphasis on military veterans for some types of jobs. Snyder also is expected to announce other steps, including accreditation of a veterans affairs agency, to help better deliver services to veterans.
Education: Great Start and other early childhood education programs could get more of an emphasis in the state budget, which will be proposed in early February. Snyder also is expected to renew his call to expand the state’s Education Achievement Authority. It now includes 15 schools in Detroit, but it could potentially expand to include many of the lowest-performing 5 percent of schools in the state. Proposals that could have put the EAA in state law and expanded that program fizzled in the state Legislature late last year, but likely will be resurrected.
Social services: Snyder is expected to address expanding a program that would put more Department of Human Services workers into elementary schools. The goal would be to help children and families get basic services, so educators can focus more on education. Much of the emphasis could be on Detroit, Flint, Saginaw and Pontiac.
FAA grounds Boeing 787s, issues emergency AD to cover risk of battery fires
FAA grounds Boeing 787s, issues emergency AD to cover risk of battery fires | Airline Biz Blog
“As a result of an in-flight, Boeing 787 battery incident earlier today in Japan, the FAA will issue an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and require operators to temporarily cease operations.
“As a result of an in-flight, Boeing 787 battery incident earlier today in Japan, the FAA will issue an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and require operators to temporarily cease operations.
Muskegon County officials hear Nelson Neighborhood opposition to juvenile facility for Craig School
Muskegon County officials hear Nelson Neighborhood opposition to juvenile facility for Craig School | MLive.com
Hammersley told the neighborhood group that she will take the message back to the county and the process will continue as she promised to keep the neighborhood and all citizens in Muskegon County informed.
Hammersley told the neighborhood group that she will take the message back to the county and the process will continue as she promised to keep the neighborhood and all citizens in Muskegon County informed.
Michigan Steel in Muskegon and sister company Rothbury Steel showing signs of financial problems
Michigan Steel in Muskegon and sister company Rothbury Steel showing signs of financial problems | MLive.com
With the closure of the Kurdziel Iron Foundry in Rothbury in 2009, a Makary business purchased the facility at 2625 W. Winston Road and opened it to great fanfare with state and local officials in April of last year.
The state of Michigan contributed $2.56 million through Grant Township and the Oceana County Road Commission to improve Winston Road from the foundry to U.S. 31 to assist in launching the company with 50 employees.
At the time, the company projected 300 jobs at Rothbury Steel, because larger castings could be produced than with the equipment at Muskegon Steel.
Hardy said her agency visited with Rothbury Steel officials late in 2012 and found operations continuing with about 60 to 70 employees.
At the time of the Rothbury Steel opening, then company President Chris Moein told MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle that business was “booming” at Michigan Steel and the company was employing 200 people in Muskegon.
Historically, Michigan Steel has employed about 120 workers, according to information from Muskegon Area First.
With the closure of the Kurdziel Iron Foundry in Rothbury in 2009, a Makary business purchased the facility at 2625 W. Winston Road and opened it to great fanfare with state and local officials in April of last year.
The state of Michigan contributed $2.56 million through Grant Township and the Oceana County Road Commission to improve Winston Road from the foundry to U.S. 31 to assist in launching the company with 50 employees.
At the time, the company projected 300 jobs at Rothbury Steel, because larger castings could be produced than with the equipment at Muskegon Steel.
Hardy said her agency visited with Rothbury Steel officials late in 2012 and found operations continuing with about 60 to 70 employees.
At the time of the Rothbury Steel opening, then company President Chris Moein told MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle that business was “booming” at Michigan Steel and the company was employing 200 people in Muskegon.
Historically, Michigan Steel has employed about 120 workers, according to information from Muskegon Area First.
Blue Storm Ravages California City
Blue Storm Ravages California City | Via Meadia
This is what a blue death spiral looks like. Years and years of unsustainable pension promises, profligate spending and poor fiscal leadership slowly add up until the money runs out and there’s nothing left to pay for the services that keep the city running.
Bankruptcy can help get a city’s finances back on track, but it’s extremely difficult to run a city on a shoestring budget, as San Bernardino is now learning.
It is truly unfortunate that the good citizens of San Bernardino are caught up in this mess. In the meantime, this should serve as a warning to the rest of us.
This is what a blue death spiral looks like. Years and years of unsustainable pension promises, profligate spending and poor fiscal leadership slowly add up until the money runs out and there’s nothing left to pay for the services that keep the city running.
Bankruptcy can help get a city’s finances back on track, but it’s extremely difficult to run a city on a shoestring budget, as San Bernardino is now learning.
It is truly unfortunate that the good citizens of San Bernardino are caught up in this mess. In the meantime, this should serve as a warning to the rest of us.
Meese: Obama Could Be Impeached If He Uses Executive Order For Gun Control
Meese: Obama Could Be Impeached If He Uses Executive Order For Gun Control | RealClearPolitics
NEWSMAX: So, if the president unilaterally overrides the Second Amendment via an executive order, would this be Constitutional?
Would it be legal?
And how should Congress respond?
MEESE: Well it would not be legal, it would not be Constitutional and, indeed, if he tried to override the Second Amendment in any way, I believe it would be an impeachable offense.
MEESE: Then, it would be up to the Congress to take action, such as looking in to it to see if, in fact, he has really tried to override the Constitution itself.
In which case, it would be up to them to determine what action they should take — and perhaps even to the point of impeachment.
NEWSMAX: So, if the president unilaterally overrides the Second Amendment via an executive order, would this be Constitutional?
Would it be legal?
And how should Congress respond?
MEESE: Well it would not be legal, it would not be Constitutional and, indeed, if he tried to override the Second Amendment in any way, I believe it would be an impeachable offense.
MEESE: Then, it would be up to the Congress to take action, such as looking in to it to see if, in fact, he has really tried to override the Constitution itself.
In which case, it would be up to them to determine what action they should take — and perhaps even to the point of impeachment.
What Closing the Gun-Show Loophole Won’t Do
What Closing the Gun-Show Loophole Won’t Do - By Clayton E. Cramer - The Corner - National Review Online:
It is an article of faith that closing the “gun-show loophole” would make America a safer place. But that is what it is: faith.
.....This might seem surprising, and at first glance, it is.
Except for one little detail: Criminals appear not to buy guns at gun shows, because guns are expensive. It is so much cheaper to steal guns instead.
It is an article of faith that closing the “gun-show loophole” would make America a safer place. But that is what it is: faith.
.....This might seem surprising, and at first glance, it is.
Except for one little detail: Criminals appear not to buy guns at gun shows, because guns are expensive. It is so much cheaper to steal guns instead.
The Legislature's Newest Members
The Legislature's Newest Members [Michigan Capitol Confidential]
Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, 91st District - N 1195 HOB -
(517) 373-3436 - ColleneLamonte@house.mi.gov
Personal Career: Having never run for political office before, Lamonte got in the race for the 91st House District and won in 2012, unseating Rep. Holly Hughes. Lamonte won by less than 400 votes.
Work Experience: She previously worked as a math and science teacher at Muskegon High School.
Education: Before becoming a teacher, Lamonte studied at Saginaw Valley State University.
Personal: She and her husband, Jeff, have two children.
Collene Lamonte, D-Montague, 91st District - N 1195 HOB -
(517) 373-3436 - ColleneLamonte@house.mi.gov
Personal Career: Having never run for political office before, Lamonte got in the race for the 91st House District and won in 2012, unseating Rep. Holly Hughes. Lamonte won by less than 400 votes.
Work Experience: She previously worked as a math and science teacher at Muskegon High School.
Education: Before becoming a teacher, Lamonte studied at Saginaw Valley State University.
Personal: She and her husband, Jeff, have two children.
Production of corn ethanol as an automotive fuel source should cease
Guest view of Mark J. Perry: Production of corn ethanol as an automotive fuel source should cease | MLive.com
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) case for E15, a fuel blend consisting of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has completely fallen apart, as evidenced by the recent report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) that E15 can cause accelerated engine wear and failure, resulting in costly repairs for unsuspecting consumers.
The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) case for E15, a fuel blend consisting of 15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline, has completely fallen apart, as evidenced by the recent report from the American Automobile Association (AAA) that E15 can cause accelerated engine wear and failure, resulting in costly repairs for unsuspecting consumers.
Welfare Spending Increases Poverty Instead Easing People Out Of It
Welfare Spending Increases Poverty Instead Easing People Out Of It - Investors.com
All told, overall welfare spending for the decade will be $11 trillion — "roughly one-quarter of cumulative federal spending," the Budget Committee reports.
And that doesn't even include state spending on welfare, which, when added to federal benefits, was more than $1 trillion in fiscal 2011.
That's enough, the Budget Committee tells us, "to mail every household in poverty a check for $60,000 each year."
All told, overall welfare spending for the decade will be $11 trillion — "roughly one-quarter of cumulative federal spending," the Budget Committee reports.
And that doesn't even include state spending on welfare, which, when added to federal benefits, was more than $1 trillion in fiscal 2011.
That's enough, the Budget Committee tells us, "to mail every household in poverty a check for $60,000 each year."
Gun Control by Executive Order?
Gun Control by Executive Order? - Scott Coffina - National Review Online
Executive orders are not constitutionally sanctioned or prohibited, but once signed, they have the force of law.
Presidents have utilized them to drive policy within the executive branch since the dawn of the republic. In some cases, presidents have acted quite aggressively through executive orders.
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War; President Roosevelt established internment camps during World War II; and President Truman mandated equal treatment of all members of the armed forces — all through executive orders.
Significantly, all three of these actions were rooted in the president’s constitutional authority as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, in the midst of national emergencies
Executive orders are not constitutionally sanctioned or prohibited, but once signed, they have the force of law.
Presidents have utilized them to drive policy within the executive branch since the dawn of the republic. In some cases, presidents have acted quite aggressively through executive orders.
President Lincoln suspended the writ of habeas corpus during the Civil War; President Roosevelt established internment camps during World War II; and President Truman mandated equal treatment of all members of the armed forces — all through executive orders.
Significantly, all three of these actions were rooted in the president’s constitutional authority as commander-in-chief of the armed forces, in the midst of national emergencies
Mentally challenged girl, 15, 'gang raped under her desk during class as teacher did NOTHING'
Mentally challenged girl, 15, 'gang raped under her desk during class as teacher did NOTHING' | Mail Online
A mentally challenged 15-year-old New York girl endured a brutal gang rape as she was trapped beneath her by two boys with her teacher only feet away, alleges a lawsuit filed Friday.
The special needs student, identified only by the initials K.J., was allegedly sexually assaulted for 10 minutes as another student 'hit her on the head whenever she tried to escape,' during a science class at Martin De Porres Academy in Elmont, N.Y.
A mentally challenged 15-year-old New York girl endured a brutal gang rape as she was trapped beneath her by two boys with her teacher only feet away, alleges a lawsuit filed Friday.
The special needs student, identified only by the initials K.J., was allegedly sexually assaulted for 10 minutes as another student 'hit her on the head whenever she tried to escape,' during a science class at Martin De Porres Academy in Elmont, N.Y.
As he was saying… | Hernando Today
As he was saying… | Hernando Today
"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government cannot pay its own bills.
It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, 'the buck stops here.'
"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
— Sen. Barack H. Obama, March 2006
What an incriminating and indicting statement uttered by the president, who has rung up more debt than the first 43 put together.
By his own words he is a colossal failure as a leader as he continues to have trillion-dollar deficits with no sign of addressing the issue in a realistic way.
"The fact that we are here today to debate raising America's debt limit is a sign of leadership failure. It is a sign that the U.S. government cannot pay its own bills.
It is a sign that we now depend on ongoing financial assistance from foreign countries to finance our government's reckless fiscal policies. Increasing America's debt weakens us domestically and internationally. Leadership means that, 'the buck stops here.'
"Instead, Washington is shifting the burden of bad choices today onto the backs of our children and grandchildren. America has a debt problem and a failure of leadership. Americans deserve better."
— Sen. Barack H. Obama, March 2006
What an incriminating and indicting statement uttered by the president, who has rung up more debt than the first 43 put together.
By his own words he is a colossal failure as a leader as he continues to have trillion-dollar deficits with no sign of addressing the issue in a realistic way.
Tuesday, January 15, 2013
70 years ago today, Strom Thurmond’s mistress was put to death
70 years ago today, Strom Thurmond’s mistress was put to death - Palmetto Public Record
On this day in 1943, a South Carolina woman named Sue Logue was executed along with her brother-in-law, George Logue, and a down-on-his-luck plasterer named Clarence Bagwell.
The Logues had hired Bagwell to kill their neighbor, who had previously killed Sue Logue’s husband over a feud concerning a dead calf.
What makes this story interesting is that before Sue Logue’s arrest, she had been having an affair with an Edgefield County school superintendent named Strom Thurmond.
Yes, that Strom Thurmond. Logue was a teacher in Thurmond’s district, and rumor has it that the two had once been “caught in the act” in the future senator’s own office.
When police surrounded Logue’s house to arrest her, Thurmond — by now a local judge — even intervened in the standoff to ensure that she came quietly (no pun intended).
What makes the story even more interesting is that before Logue was to be executed, Thurmond rode with her from the Columbia women’s penitentiary to the prison which housed Death Row, and even managed to “get it in” one last time before his mistress was executed.
On this day in 1943, a South Carolina woman named Sue Logue was executed along with her brother-in-law, George Logue, and a down-on-his-luck plasterer named Clarence Bagwell.
The Logues had hired Bagwell to kill their neighbor, who had previously killed Sue Logue’s husband over a feud concerning a dead calf.
What makes this story interesting is that before Sue Logue’s arrest, she had been having an affair with an Edgefield County school superintendent named Strom Thurmond.
Yes, that Strom Thurmond. Logue was a teacher in Thurmond’s district, and rumor has it that the two had once been “caught in the act” in the future senator’s own office.
When police surrounded Logue’s house to arrest her, Thurmond — by now a local judge — even intervened in the standoff to ensure that she came quietly (no pun intended).
What makes the story even more interesting is that before Logue was to be executed, Thurmond rode with her from the Columbia women’s penitentiary to the prison which housed Death Row, and even managed to “get it in” one last time before his mistress was executed.
Cheap energy today: The best friend and salvation of the poor
Cheap energy today: The best friend and salvation of the poor | AEIdeas
"”Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the US price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” ~Stephen Chu, US Secretary of Energy
“Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” ~President Barack Hussein Obama
Willis Eschenbach responds (emphasis mine) on Watts Up With That (the world’s most viewed site on global warming and climate change):
Here’s my problem with these brilliant plans.
Regardless of whatever hypothetical possible future benefit they might or might not bring in fifty years, right here and now in the present they are absolutely devastating to the poor."
"”Somehow we have to figure out how to boost the US price of gasoline to the levels in Europe.” ~Stephen Chu, US Secretary of Energy
“Under my plan of a cap-and-trade system, electricity rates would necessarily skyrocket.” ~President Barack Hussein Obama
Willis Eschenbach responds (emphasis mine) on Watts Up With That (the world’s most viewed site on global warming and climate change):
Here’s my problem with these brilliant plans.
Regardless of whatever hypothetical possible future benefit they might or might not bring in fifty years, right here and now in the present they are absolutely devastating to the poor."
Muskegon doctor returns to closed abortion clinic, calls it a 'crime scene'
Muskegon doctor returns to closed abortion clinic, calls it a 'crime scene' | MLive.com
According to police reports released to MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle after a Freedom of Information Act request, police investigating the broken door reported unsanitary conditions throughout the clinic, including used hypodermic needles in unsecured containers, “blood on the floor and walls in multiple locations” as well as dripping from a sink trap in a patient room, and “uncovered buckets containing unknown fluids” in the operating room.
According to police reports released to MLive and The Muskegon Chronicle after a Freedom of Information Act request, police investigating the broken door reported unsanitary conditions throughout the clinic, including used hypodermic needles in unsecured containers, “blood on the floor and walls in multiple locations” as well as dripping from a sink trap in a patient room, and “uncovered buckets containing unknown fluids” in the operating room.
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