BlogrollRandom sections of our blogroll - changes when the page is refreshed |
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on July 29th, 2011. Here are today's top stories -
FLINT JOURNAL: Group gathers to rally against emergency financial manager law – The group Stand Up For Democracy gathered panelists at a church on Thursday to speak against the state's emergency financial manager law in a townhall meeting. About 80 people gathered at Woodside Church on East Court Street near Mott Community College. State Rep. Woodrow Stanley, D-Flint, spoke against the law, saying it gives emergency financial managers too much power.
AP: Mich. budget director wary as debt deadline nears – Michigan draws about $400 million a week from federal funds that could suddenly dry up next week if the nation hits its debt limit and cannot pay its bills.
WWMT: Unemployment rates rise in West Michigan – In Kalamazoo unemployment rose from 8.7 percent in May to 9.3 percent in June. In Grand Rapids the rate went from 8.3 to 8.9. Battle Creek's unemployment rose from 9.2 percent to 9.6, and in the Holland/Grand Haven market the rate went from 8.4 to 9 percent.
LSJ: GM invests $7.5M in state solar energy firm – General Motors Co.'s venture capital arm said Thursday it has invested $7.5 million in Sunlogics, a Rochester Hills-based solar energy system provider, which will lead to the creation of 310 jobs.
FREE PRESS: State: Tuition hikes at Michigan State University, Wayne State University didn't break rule — technically – Michigan State and Wayne State universities did not go over a cap in the state budget on how much tuition could be raised without losing some state aid, state budget director John Nixon ruled Thursday.
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on July 26th, 2011.
Here are today's top stories –
Here are today's top news stories…
WILX (with video): State Workers Rally Outside Governor's Office in Detroit - About one thousand state workers from five different unions took to the sidewalk outside Governor Snyder's Detroit office Monday afternoon, hoping to get their point across. "Instead of taking more from the people who are providing services, they can look at the contractors," Ed Mitchell, UAW 6000 president, said. A few months ago, a coalition of state employees released several ideas for streamlining government and saving money, and it didn't include layoffs or benefit reductions.
WLNS (with video): Michigan State Workers Rally in Detroit - Monday, State employees picketed outside Cadillac Place, Governor Snyder's Detroit office. State employees are not happy over some of the concessions he's asking for. Union representatives for State workers say they have a better solution. State workers want to know where the shared sacrifice is. They're out here protesting Governor Snyder's proposed cuts, and they're raising their voices loud and clear.
WXYZ: UAW says negotiations with State of Michigan will fight “anti-worker agenda" - In April, thousands of union members rallied in front of the State Capital to protest the state budget and tax plans that called for layoffs and cuts in benefits. On Monday several hundred gathered again to voice their concerns on the eve of the start of contract negotiations. Governor Rick Snyder has said in the past that many state workers are simply paid more than the state can afford, and that cuts need to be made. The union disagrees. "It's no secret that Governor Snyder wants to dramatically reduce the compensation of our hard-working members, but we know there are more effective ways to save the state money," said Cindy Estrada of Local 6000.
AP: State Employees Protest - Some state of Michigan employee unions rallied at a state office building in Detroit. The midday event at the Cadillac Place on Monday comes as Gov. Rick Snyder's administration seeks $145 million in concessions from state employees to help balance the state budget for the fiscal year that starts in October. Those discussions [...]
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on July 22nd, 2011. Here are today's top news stories…
GRAND RAPIDS PRESS: State of Change: How Michigan's business tax revenue will fall and income tax revenue will rise Down and up: How state revenue from business taxes will fall and income tax revenue will rise under this year's tax changes.
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Some say tuition hikes at MSU, WSU really surpass 7.1% cap Matt Lockwood, a spokesman for WSU, said in a written statement: "The state budget director has asked all Michigan public universities for certification that their tuition will not increase by more than 7.1% in the coming school year. We have begun that process and are confident that we are in compliance with the state's tuition restraint incentive."
DETROIT FREE PRESS: Detroit 3 automakers hope to reduce health care costs in next UAW contract General Motors, Ford and Chrysler hope to work with the UAW to lower their health care costs for active workers in contract talks that begin next week, but the union plans to resist higher costs for its members.
DETROIT NEWS: Prisons director: Security a concern in privatizing meal service Michigan's prisons director says he has serious reservations about privatizing food and other services, as called for in its recent budget. Dan Heyns said in an interview with The Detroit News he shares security concerns that Corrections officers have expressed about allowing more workers not employed by the Department of Corrections into the state's 34 prisons.
LSJ COLUMN: Schneider: Inquiry response time leaves something to be desired Average citizen Pamela Heos got blown off recently by the folks in Gov. Rick Snyder's office, and it looks like somebody will go to the woodshed for it.
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on July 18th, 2011.
Here are today's top stories -
MLive: Column: Michigan's sweeping tax changes affect just about everyone, but maybe not equitably – That's not likely to console a taxpaying couple making $55,000 who will lose their homestead credit, deductions for their two kids and will pay a higher tax rate in the future than under the old tax law. That's hardly a unique couple and in 2013 their tax bill will be $739 higher, according to the House Fiscal Agency. Now suppose one of the spouses is threatened with unemployment. And suppose Gov. Rick Snyder’s considerable tax shift from businesses to individuals indeed provides job security. Accept that on a broad scale and you can argue that $1.4 billion in higher income taxes is worth it. Snyder does that with conviction. The question is whether that $1.4 billion is being generated equitably. Emerging analysis suggests that is tougher to argue.
Detroit Free Press: Letters: Teacher tenure reform open to many abuses – I have been an educator for more than 36 years, during which I learned that the easiest way to be labeled "difficult" and "ineffective" is to advocate for educational standards and for better working conditions. When I read the quotations of the present-day legislators in Lansing, I recognize them for the ignorant statements they are. I've met the present-day legislative type many times in my university classrooms: bigoted, small-minded, completely given over to their ideology, resistant to the smallest shred of sympathetic imagination that would unite them with human beings a speck different from themselves and their (usually) privileged circumstances. These are the people who make educators ineffective, because they refuse to open themselves up to what education offers them — an enlargement of mind and soul, not merely the "skills" or "tools" to get a well-paying job.
Grand Rapids Press: GVSU hikes tuition by 6.9 percent, raises salaries by 1.9 percent – Grand Valley State University students will pay about $630 more for tuition, a 6.91 percent hike that falls in line with Gov. Rick Snyder's suggested cap – but is slightly above the state average. University leaders said Friday the [...]
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on July 7th, 2011.
Here are today's top news stories from around the state. Don't forget to join us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest breaking information straight to your inbox in the fight to protect Michigan's people sign up on our website.
WOOD TV: Privatization protests at veterans home
Protestors went public with a message Wednesday evening, upset over proposed changes at the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans… The union representing current workers says privatizing these jobs would impact the care that veterans receive. “Most of the veterans — their biggest complaint is that they don’t feel like they have a voice in this whatsoever,” said Mark Williams, a nurse aid and union president. “They pay out of their VA benefits to live here. They feel that they should have a say in who takes care of them.”
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on June 29th, 2011.
Happy Wednesday! Thanks to everyone who turned out for a very special event in Monroe last week! Here's your news…
WILX: Layoffs Unknown Territory for Lansing Fire
It’s all because of budget cuts, and it could have been worse. Originally 68 of them got layoff notices. Half of them took demotions, and then, to save 23 positions, they made concessions… “This will directly impact our response times,” said Webber.
WJRT: Chesaning school board unanimous vote: Trim $1.7 million from budget
WeAreThePeopleMichigan posted this on June 28th, 2011.
Happy Tuesday! We're looking forward to our Veterans Event tonight in Monroe with Congressman Dingell. There are many other events happening all over the state, probably a couple in your area. Visit our website to sign up or text MI to 225568 and we'll let you know!
Meanwhile, on with today's news…
LSJ: Dozens protest Lansing police cuts
More than two dozen people gathered Monday evening outside Lansing City [...]
|
|
Conversation