Saturday, November 07, 2009
Viewpoints
Politics Blog
Libby Spencer: This is why it takes so long to get anything done in DC. The House finally passed a bill extending … Continued
Washington Bureau Blog
Nick Assendelft: Michigan will receive a $363,609 grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation to make transit … Continued
Raging Bullard
George Bullard: Another health care report:
If you're not outraged by the House proposed health care reform, you … Continued
Detroit City Hall Insider
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The Nov. 3 general election
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AP Headlines
Politics
- Obama to speak to House Dems as health vote nears - 05:01 AM
- Decision day for health care in the House - 03:48 AM
- Details emerge about Fort Hood suspect's history - 03:35 AM
- Guests for the Sunday TV news shows - 03:12 AM
- - 11:54 PM
- AP Sources: Rampage gun purchased legally - 09:50 PM
- Revolutionary War hero becomes honorary US citizen - 09:48 PM
- Obama will push health bill in Saturday Hill visit - 07:45 PM
- Lawmakers' briefing causes confusion on wounded - 07:21 PM
State Politics
Michigan lures teachers to inner cities
Michigan will be one of the first states to participate in a national program that overhauls the training of math and science teachers and encourages them to work in urban schools with the biggest problems. Through a program unveiled Friday and run by the Woodrow Wilson National Fellowship Foundation, students would have their master's degree training in teaching paid for if they agree to teach for three years in an urban area. - 11/07/2009
Lawmaker trips questioned
Four Michigan congressmen took their wives on all-expense-paid domestic and international trips for work this year, raising questions among government watchdogs about the legal practice of outside groups paying for spouses' travel. - 11/07/2009
Audit: Some MDOT bridge checks fall short
Lansing -- Transportation officials failed to inspect some bridges, looked at deteriorating bridges less often than required by state law and did not check for erosion under bridges over rivers, Michigan's auditor said Friday. - 11/07/2009
Granholm, GOP still disagree on how to pay for education
Clinton Township -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Thursday she'd sign a measure the House passed Thursday that would use stimulus money to help lessen school cuts. But whether it gets past the Senate is uncertain. - 11/06/2009
Former top lawmakers endorse Cherry for governor
The four former Democratic Speakers of the House dating back to 1975 today endorsed Lieutenant Gov. John Cherry for governor. The ex-lawmakers said Cherry's long-time service in the Legislature as well as his seven years as Gov. Granholm's lieutenant make him most qualified for the job. - 11/05/2009
State House bill would restore most of school aid money
Lansing -- Cuts to K-12 schools would be lessened under a supplemental school aid appropriations bill passed by the House today and headed to the Senate. - 11/05/2009
Political Insider
Democrats, GOP spin Mike Nofs' win in 19th District
Republican and Democratic party leaders had vastly different takes on the significance of Tuesday's lopsided victory for the GOP in the state Senate race in the 19th District, which includes all of Calhoun County and most of Jackson County. - 11/05/2009
Governor asks Michigan Legislature to pass revenue-raising measures
Clinton Township -- Governor Jennifer Granholm said today she has asked the Legislature to pass three revenue-generating measures that will save $212 million in cuts for Michigan schools. It has one week to act. - 11/05/2009
Recall of 55 Michigan State Police on again
Lansing -- The on-again, off-again recall of 55 laid off State Police troopers is on again. - 11/05/2009
Funding question keeps 55 state troopers idled
Lansing -- The 55 laid-off State Police troopers who were to return to work next week under terms of the recently passed budget have been told not to report until state officials get a better handle on tax collections, aides to Gov. Jennifer Granholm said Wednesday. - 11/04/2009
State lawmaker pushes for same-sex marriage in Michigan
Lansing -- In the wake of Tuesday's passage of a gay rights ordinance in Kalamazoo, a state representative today introduced a plan to overturn Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage. - 11/04/2009
Monica Conyers' sentencing delayed until Jan. 15
Detroit -- The sentencing date for former Detroit City Councilwoman Monica Conyers has been pushed back to Jan. 15, according to documents filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Detroit. - 11/04/2009
Michigan caseworkers afraid for lives due to delays in state aid
State social workers struggling with mounting welfare, food stamp and Medicaid caseloads said today they fear for their lives after being assaulted or threatened by frustrated recipients. - 11/04/2009
State agencies face 20% cut in next Mich. budget
Lansing -- Gov. Jennifer Granholm is "preparing for the worst" by asking state departments to cut their budgets by 20 percent for next year, aides said today. - 11/03/2009
Open seat in Michigan Senate to be filled
Lansing -- A special election for an open seat in the Michigan Senate pits a current and former state lawmaker against each other. - 11/03/2009
National Politics
Health care vote may slip
Controversies over insurance coverage for abortions, illegal immigrants unresolved
Washington -- Amid intense lobbying by the Obama administration, House Democratic leaders struggled Friday for the final votes needed to pass sweeping health care legislation, offering fresh concessions to abortion opponents and working to ease concerns among Hispanic holdouts. - 11/07/2009
Jobless bill adds 20 weeks unemployment pay in Michigan
Washington -- President Barack Obama said new figures released Friday showing the national unemployment has hit the double-digit mark -- 10.2 percent -- are a sobering reminder of the challenges still facing the U.S. economy. - 11/07/2009
ACORN offices raided in New Orleans
New Orleans -- State investigators raided ACORN offices on Friday, taking away computer hard drives and documents as part of a probe into alleged embezzlement and tax fraud when the organization's national headquarters was based in New Orleans. - 11/07/2009
Obama to sign jobless benefit extension today
President Barack Obama is expected to sign into law today a bill that extends unemployment benefits for workers in Michigan and other hard-hit states as well as expands a popular tax credit that could boost home sales. - 11/06/2009
Protesters: Kill health care plan
Washington -- Chanting "Kill the bill," thousands of conservatives rallied at the Capitol on Thursday against the Democrats' health care overhaul plan, labeling it a government takeover of the nation's medical system. - 11/06/2009
Dems advance climate bill without Senate GOP
Washington -- Senate Democrats sidestepped a Republican boycott Thursday, pushing a climate bill out of committee in an early step on a long and contentious road to passage. - 11/06/2009
Relief close for Michigan's jobless
Tens of thousands of Michigan's jobless workers who've run through their last unemployment benefits could see checks resume by mid-December if the House, as expected, passes an extra 20 weeks of benefits today for Michigan and other hard-hit states. - 11/05/2009
AARP endorsement gives House health bill a boost
Washington -- The second-ranking House Democrat predicted that historic health care legislation will be passed Saturday as the AARP, the nation's premier lobbying group for the elderly, announced it was signing on to the bill. - 11/05/2009
Senate Democrats advance climate bill without GOP
Washington -- Senate Democrats sidestepped a Republican boycott Thursday, pushing a climate bill out of committee in an early step on a long and contentious road to passage. - 11/05/2009
Analysis: Independents rule in off-year election
Washington -- Republicans emerged from Tuesday's elections energized by victories in Virginia and New Jersey, but their leaders immediately began maneuvering to avoid a prolonged battle with conservative activists over what the party stands for and how to regain power. - 11/05/2009
Health bill moves closer to vote
Washington -- House Democratic leaders struggled Wednesday to strike a deal that would restrict the use of federal money to pay for abortions under sweeping health care legislation headed for debate on the House floor this week. - 11/05/2009
House votes to speed up tougher credit card rules
Washington -- The House voted 331-92 on Wednesday to impose immediately tough new rules -- set to take effect in 2010 -- for credit card companies after complaints of increased interest rates and steep new fees. - 11/05/2009
U-M panel probing U.S. security after Gitmo
Ann Arbor -- A panel at the University of Michigan Law School is probing the future of U.S. security as the clock ticks down for the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. - 11/05/2009
Senate approves unemployment benefits extension
Washington --The Senate unanimously voted tonight to extend an additional 20 weeks of unemployment benefits in Michigan and other hard-hit states. - 11/04/2009
Decision 2009
Republicans take 2 key gov contests
Washington -- Independents who swept Barack Obama to a historic 2008 victory broke big for Republicans on Tuesday as the GOP wrested political control from Democrats in Virginia and New Jersey, a troubling sign for the president and his party heading into an important midterm election year. - 11/04/2009
