"PORT HURON — Michigan Department of Transportation crews plan to begin building a new $5.5 million Port Huron welcome center this week.The agency says the 7,200-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in early summer 2015."
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
No money for potholes, but plenty for "welcome to our potholes" center-------MDOT building $5.5M Port Huron welcome center
MDOT building $5.5M Port Huron welcome center | Crain's Detroit Business:
"PORT HURON — Michigan Department of Transportation crews plan to begin building a new $5.5 million Port Huron welcome center this week.
The agency says the 7,200-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in early summer 2015."
"PORT HURON — Michigan Department of Transportation crews plan to begin building a new $5.5 million Port Huron welcome center this week.The agency says the 7,200-square-foot facility is expected to be completed in early summer 2015."
How to Pass a Detroit Bailout the Majority Party Opposes
How to Pass a Detroit Bailout the Majority Party Opposes [Mackinac Center]
Republicans hold majorities of 59 to 51 in the House and 26 to 12 in the Senate, yet none of them represent Detroit.
Given these obstacles, Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal earmarking $350 million in state money to Detroit over 20 years must be “dead on arrival,” right?
Not hardly.
In fact, even though it won’t solve Detroit’s fiscal or infrastructure problems, and diverts money that could be used for critical needs elsewhere, (like filling potholes; MDOT estimates it costs $20 to fix a pothole, so that $350 million could fix 17.5 million potholes statewide), the bailout has a good chance of being approved thanks to a tactic I’ll call the “budget shuffle.”
Here’s how it works:
Every year the Michigan Legislature passes an annual budget authorizing billions of dollars of spending.
Total spending this year is around $51.3 billion, and the governor has proposed $52 billion in the next fiscal year (which begins Oct. 1).
Read the rest at link
Republicans hold majorities of 59 to 51 in the House and 26 to 12 in the Senate, yet none of them represent Detroit.
Given these obstacles, Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposal earmarking $350 million in state money to Detroit over 20 years must be “dead on arrival,” right?Not hardly.
In fact, even though it won’t solve Detroit’s fiscal or infrastructure problems, and diverts money that could be used for critical needs elsewhere, (like filling potholes; MDOT estimates it costs $20 to fix a pothole, so that $350 million could fix 17.5 million potholes statewide), the bailout has a good chance of being approved thanks to a tactic I’ll call the “budget shuffle.”
Here’s how it works:
Every year the Michigan Legislature passes an annual budget authorizing billions of dollars of spending.
Total spending this year is around $51.3 billion, and the governor has proposed $52 billion in the next fiscal year (which begins Oct. 1).
Read the rest at link
13 Worst Predictions Made on Earth Day, 1970 | CNS News
13 Worst Predictions Made on Earth Day, 1970 | CNS News:
"In 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated - okay, "celebrated" doesn't capture the funereal tone of the event. The events (organized in part by then hippie and now convicted murderer Ira Einhorn) predicted death, destruction and disease unless we did exactly as progressives commanded.
Behold the coming apocalypse as predicted on and around Earth Day, 1970:"
Even a few extra days didn't help their claims.
"In 1970, the first Earth Day was celebrated - okay, "celebrated" doesn't capture the funereal tone of the event. The events (organized in part by then hippie and now convicted murderer Ira Einhorn) predicted death, destruction and disease unless we did exactly as progressives commanded.Behold the coming apocalypse as predicted on and around Earth Day, 1970:"
Even a few extra days didn't help their claims.
Hot Trailer: Dinesh D'Souza's 'America'
Hot Trailer: Dinesh D'Souza's 'America' - Deadline.com
"Having made the second-highest-grossing political documentary of all time, the team behind 2016: Obama’s America is now, as promised, following up with America.
Sending up some fireworks of his own to rival the ones 2016 generated, producer-writer and kind-of host Dinesh D’Souza says of his new documentary.
“We answer the central moral challenge of America’s critics, which is that America’s greatness is based on theft, plunder and oppression.”
Listen for other red-button phrases from interviewees describing the USA as “the new evil empire” and a “predatory colonial power” as well as referring to Mount Rushmore as “a symbol of oppression and genocide to our people.”
Director John Sullivan’s film comes out two years after its predecessors — hitting theaters on the Fourth of July.
Here’s the new trailer. which was first unveiled tonight on Fox News Channel’s The Kelly File:"
"Having made the second-highest-grossing political documentary of all time, the team behind 2016: Obama’s America is now, as promised, following up with America.
Sending up some fireworks of his own to rival the ones 2016 generated, producer-writer and kind-of host Dinesh D’Souza says of his new documentary.
“We answer the central moral challenge of America’s critics, which is that America’s greatness is based on theft, plunder and oppression.”
Listen for other red-button phrases from interviewees describing the USA as “the new evil empire” and a “predatory colonial power” as well as referring to Mount Rushmore as “a symbol of oppression and genocide to our people.”
Director John Sullivan’s film comes out two years after its predecessors — hitting theaters on the Fourth of July.
Here’s the new trailer. which was first unveiled tonight on Fox News Channel’s The Kelly File:"
Repeating Inaccurate Claim About School Funding Does Not Make It True
Repeating Inaccurate Claim About School Funding Does Not Make It True [Michigan Capitol Confidential]:Except, according to state data, neither statement Schauer made April 23 was accurate.
The Oakland Press reported Schauer's claims of a reduction in spending on K-12 education without challenging them.
"Public education has been cut dramatically, it's been systematically privatized," said Schauer, walking alongside running mate Lisa Brown, Oakland County's clerk.
"What I've seen here at (West Bloomfield High School) is amazing.
They're doing more with less, they've felt the state budget cuts, but there are great students, incredible teachers that are motivated and highly trained and we need to support them more."
Overall, state and federal funding for K-12 education has increased from $12.7 billion in 2011-12 to $13.4 billion in 2013-14, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency.
State dollars spent on K-12 education have increased every year Gov. Rick Snyder has been in office, going from $11.01 billion in 2011-12 and $11.21 billion in 2012-13 to $11.6 billion in 2013-14, according to the Senate Fiscal Agency.
And, according to state financial documents, the West Bloomfield School district receives about $357 more per student this school year than it did in 2010-11, which was Gov. Jennifer Granholm's last budget.
The West Bloomfield School District has lost just under 800 students since 2010-11.
State pension funds allow for 13th check
State pension funds allow for 13th check | Lansing State Journal | lansingstatejournal.comState laws that provide for — and in certain circumstances require — payment of the 13th check remain on the books.
Michigan’s Office of Retirement Services has not paid such a bonus to state government retirees since 2001 or to school retirees since 2002 and “does not expect to issue a 13th check in the foreseeable future,” said Kurt Weiss, a spokesman for the state’s Department of Technology, Management and Budget.
However, “there are no active plans right now to amend or repeal the legislation” providing for the 13th checks, Weiss told the Detroit Free Press.
That’s a mistake, even if relatively few retirees are eligible to receive the checks if and when they are issued, said Steve Harry of Lansing, a former employee of the Office of Retirement Systems who writes a blog about public policy issues and has researched the 13th check issue.
“It’s a crazy idea:
Pensioners get a bonus when a strong stock market results in big gains for the pension fund, but they don’t suffer when stocks are down,” Harry said.
“It is a great deal for them — not so great for the taxpayers who are forced to make up the difference when those pension funds are short.”
The state “should make it clear that there’s nothing like that any more — at all.”
Security holes in power grid have federal officials scrambling | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times
Security holes in power grid have federal officials scrambling | Business & Technology | The Seattle Times: “There are a lot of people going through various stages of denial” about how easily terrorists, or anyone, could disrupt the power grid, he said. “If I could write a tool that does this, you can be sure a nation state or someone with more resources could.”In Congress, the vulnerability of the power grid has emerged as among the most pressing domestic security concerns. It is also among the most vexing."
This will bring in the tourists!----With higher parking fines looming, Detroit plans to spend up to $8 million repairing broken meters
With higher parking fines looming, Detroit plans to spend up to $8 million repairing broken meters | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
If you’ve parked in downtown Detroit often enough, you’ve probably pulled up to a broken meter.
City officials estimate that about half of the 3,404 parking meters are broken at any given time.
But that could change soon:
The city is considering spending up to $8 million to fix the meters.
The repairs are a high priority since the city announced this month thattickets for an expired meter would more than double, to $45.
If you’ve parked in downtown Detroit often enough, you’ve probably pulled up to a broken meter.City officials estimate that about half of the 3,404 parking meters are broken at any given time.
But that could change soon:
The city is considering spending up to $8 million to fix the meters.
The repairs are a high priority since the city announced this month thattickets for an expired meter would more than double, to $45.
Societal collapse----Highland Park in financial emergency, Snyder says
Highland Park in financial emergency, Snyder says | Crain's Detroit Business:
"Gov. Rick Snyder has confirmed that a financial emergency exists in the Detroit enclave of Highland Park.
The Highland Park City Council has seven days to select one of four options to deal with the problem.
....... Highland Park owed about $19 million as of January, including $18 million to Detroit for water and sewer services.
State-appointed emergency managers are in charge in Detroit, Allen Park, Flint, Hamtramck and several school districts."
"Gov. Rick Snyder has confirmed that a financial emergency exists in the Detroit enclave of Highland Park.The Highland Park City Council has seven days to select one of four options to deal with the problem.
....... Highland Park owed about $19 million as of January, including $18 million to Detroit for water and sewer services.
State-appointed emergency managers are in charge in Detroit, Allen Park, Flint, Hamtramck and several school districts."
Alaskan Polar Bears Threatened…By Too Much Spring Ice
Alaskan Polar Bears Threatened…By Too Much Spring Ice | CNS News
Five meters of ice– about 16 feet thick - is threatening the survival of polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea region along Alaska’s Arctic coast, according to Dr. Susan J. Crockford, an evolutionary biologist in British Columbia who has studied polar bears for most of her 35-year career.
That’s because the thick ice ridges could prevent ringed seals, the bears’ major prey, from creating breathing holes they need to survive in the frigid waters, Crockford told CNSNews.com.
Five meters of ice– about 16 feet thick - is threatening the survival of polar bears in the Southern Beaufort Sea region along Alaska’s Arctic coast, according to Dr. Susan J. Crockford, an evolutionary biologist in British Columbia who has studied polar bears for most of her 35-year career.That’s because the thick ice ridges could prevent ringed seals, the bears’ major prey, from creating breathing holes they need to survive in the frigid waters, Crockford told CNSNews.com.
U.S., UK advise avoiding Internet Explorer until bug fixed
U.S., UK advise avoiding Internet Explorer until bug fixed | Reuters:"The Department of Homeland Security's U.S. Computer Emergency Readiness Team said in an advisory released on Monday that the vulnerability in versions 6 to 11 of Internet Explorer could lead to "the complete compromise" of an affected system."
Ted Cruz Demands Answers from the Obama BLM Regarding Texas Land Dispute
Ted Cruz Demands Answers from the Obama BLM Regarding Texas Land Dispute:
"In a show of support to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s pushback against the Obama BLM’s attempted land grab of the Red River Boundary Compact and the associated lands, Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has sent a letter of inquiry to the head of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)."
"In a show of support to Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott’s pushback against the Obama BLM’s attempted land grab of the Red River Boundary Compact and the associated lands, Texas U.S. Senator Ted Cruz has sent a letter of inquiry to the head of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM)."History for April 29
History for April 29 - On-This-Day.com:
1429 - Joan of Arc led Orleans, France, to victory over Britain.
1813 - Rubber was patented by J.F. Hummel.
1852 - The first edition of Peter Roget's Thesaurus was published.
1913 - Gideon Sundback patented an all-purpose zipper.
1927 - Construction of the Spirit of St. Louis was completed for Lindbergh.
1945 - In a bunker in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun were married. Hitler designated Admiral Karl Doenitz his successor.
1945 - The Nazi death camp, Dachau, was liberated.
1952 - IBM President Thomas J. Watson, Jr., informed his company's stockholders that IBM was building "the most advanced, most flexible high-speed computer in the world." The computer was unveiled April 7, 1953, as the IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing Machine.
1974 - U.S. President Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of secretly made White House tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal.
1990 - The destruction of the Berlin Wall began.
1992 - Rioting began after a jury decision to acquit four Los Angeles policemen in the Rodney King beating trial. 54 people were killed in 3 days.
1998 - The U.S., Canada and Mexico end tariffs on $1 billion in NAFTA trade.
Birth anniversary of media magnate William Randolph Hearst (1863-1951).
Happy Birthday! Andre Agassi, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jerry Seinfeld
1429 - Joan of Arc led Orleans, France, to victory over Britain.
1813 - Rubber was patented by J.F. Hummel.
1852 - The first edition of Peter Roget's Thesaurus was published.
1913 - Gideon Sundback patented an all-purpose zipper.
1927 - Construction of the Spirit of St. Louis was completed for Lindbergh.
1945 - In a bunker in Berlin, Adolf Hitler and Eva Braun were married. Hitler designated Admiral Karl Doenitz his successor.
1945 - The Nazi death camp, Dachau, was liberated.
1952 - IBM President Thomas J. Watson, Jr., informed his company's stockholders that IBM was building "the most advanced, most flexible high-speed computer in the world." The computer was unveiled April 7, 1953, as the IBM 701 Electronic Data Processing Machine.
1974 - U.S. President Nixon announced he was releasing edited transcripts of secretly made White House tape recordings related to the Watergate scandal.
1990 - The destruction of the Berlin Wall began.
1992 - Rioting began after a jury decision to acquit four Los Angeles policemen in the Rodney King beating trial. 54 people were killed in 3 days.
1998 - The U.S., Canada and Mexico end tariffs on $1 billion in NAFTA trade.
Monday, April 28, 2014
John McCain to host Hillary Clinton in Sedona, Ariz.
John McCain to host Hillary Clinton in Sedona, Ariz.:
"Since leaving the State Department last year, Hillary Rodham Clinton has racked up scores of accolades and appeared on many a big stage. Still, it might come as a surprise that a past Republican presidential nominee -- specifically, the one who is among the loudest critics of Clinton's handling of the Benghazi terrorist attacks -- would invite her to his desert retreat for a lofty conversation about leadership values.
This is precisely what Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has done."
"Since leaving the State Department last year, Hillary Rodham Clinton has racked up scores of accolades and appeared on many a big stage. Still, it might come as a surprise that a past Republican presidential nominee -- specifically, the one who is among the loudest critics of Clinton's handling of the Benghazi terrorist attacks -- would invite her to his desert retreat for a lofty conversation about leadership values.This is precisely what Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) has done."
New Poll: Obama’s Approval Crashes; Only 27% Believe Administration is Transparent
New Poll: Obama’s Approval Crashes; Only 27% Believe Administration is Transparent:
"Approval of Obama among Democrats stands at 71 percent, near its 69 percent record low (September 2013). For independents, 28 percent approve, which is also near the 25 percent all-time low among this group (July 2013). And approval of Obama among Republicans hits a new low of five percent."
"Approval of Obama among Democrats stands at 71 percent, near its 69 percent record low (September 2013). For independents, 28 percent approve, which is also near the 25 percent all-time low among this group (July 2013). And approval of Obama among Republicans hits a new low of five percent."Sources: Lump sum Detroit pension payment could save Michigan 45%
Sources: Lump sum Detroit pension payment could save Michigan 45% | The Detroit News
Lansing — The state of Michigan could pay nearly half the $350 million Gov. Rick Snyder has pledged toward Detroit pensions to settle the city’s bankruptcy if lawmakers provided the cash up front, The Detroit News has learned.
Detroit’s latest debt-cutting plan spells out for the first time a mathematical method for the state to make a lump sum discounted payment of the present value of $350 million over 20 years, which three sources tell The News would be about $190 million — a 45 percent savings. The sources spoke on condition anonymity because of ongoing confidential negotiations.
Detroit employees skip work ahead of privatization of garbage collection
Detroit employees skip work ahead of privatization of garbage collection | MLive.com
DETROIT, MI -- The upcoming privatization of garbage collection in Detroit has some city employees skipping work, leaving trash pickup services behind schedule, officials said Saturday.
DETROIT, MI -- The upcoming privatization of garbage collection in Detroit has some city employees skipping work, leaving trash pickup services behind schedule, officials said Saturday.
The city's Department of Public Works Director Ron Brundidge issued a statement saying trash collection is about two days behind schedule, in part because of extra bulk trash and yard waste that normally comes this time of year.
There's also been a slowdown due to some workers staying home, he said.
"Due to the upcoming transition to privatized trash collection in the city, we also have been experiencing a large number of DPW employees not showing up for work," Brundidge said.
New IRS bombshell: ‘Most audacious power play yet’
New IRS bombshell: ‘Most audacious power play yet’:
It was the nearly silent bombshell of the IRS scandal, but it may have been one of the most significant.
That is especially true considering the target is primarily known as one of the fiercest critics of President Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton, the latter considered the Democrat’s leading presidential contender in 2016.
When the IRS stripped the Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty, or PHC, of its tax-exempt status, it did not cause splashy headlines and a chorus of the nation’s leading conservatives did not howl in protest.
However, the IRS’ revocation of the center’s 501(c)(3) status may have been the most audacious power play yet by the left in its use of the department to wage war on conservatives."
It was the nearly silent bombshell of the IRS scandal, but it may have been one of the most significant.
That is especially true considering the target is primarily known as one of the fiercest critics of President Obama and Bill and Hillary Clinton, the latter considered the Democrat’s leading presidential contender in 2016.
When the IRS stripped the Patrick Henry Center for Individual Liberty, or PHC, of its tax-exempt status, it did not cause splashy headlines and a chorus of the nation’s leading conservatives did not howl in protest.
Why are more women arrested for drunk driving? Number increases nearly 20 percent since 2003
Why are more women arrested for drunk driving? Number increases nearly 20 percent since 2003 | MLive.com:
"LANSING – FBI statistics show a growing number of women are being arrested for driving while drunk as well as for causing more alcohol-related deaths since 2003.
"What we've found is that whether it's judges, probation officers, or treatment practitioners, they are seeing more women going through the system for DWI," Erin Holmes, research scientist with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, said.
According to FBI statistics, between 2003 and 2012, the latest statistics available, annual DUI arrests among women increased from 174,000 to 211,000 – a 21 percent increase nationwide. Conversely, DUI arrests among men dropped by nearly 17 percent nationally from 780,000 to 650,000."
"LANSING – FBI statistics show a growing number of women are being arrested for driving while drunk as well as for causing more alcohol-related deaths since 2003."What we've found is that whether it's judges, probation officers, or treatment practitioners, they are seeing more women going through the system for DWI," Erin Holmes, research scientist with the Traffic Injury Research Foundation in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, said.
According to FBI statistics, between 2003 and 2012, the latest statistics available, annual DUI arrests among women increased from 174,000 to 211,000 – a 21 percent increase nationwide. Conversely, DUI arrests among men dropped by nearly 17 percent nationally from 780,000 to 650,000."
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