I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
LANSING — The Michigan legislature is getting ready to head out for a two week holiday, and that has education advocates fuming.
The legislature has until Nov. 21 to override Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s line item veto of J-20 funding. In addition, the Senate has yet to act on a bill that would send the remaining $184 million in stimulus money to restore some of the funding cuts approved in a cuts only budget signed into law by Granholm in Oct. If the Senate does not approve the bill, which Granholm said she would sign, by Nov. 20, schools will see the first state school aid fund checks reflecting a cut in per pupil funding of $165, plus a proration approved by Granholm of an additional $127 per pupil.
Sources in the Senate say the Republican dominated chamber plans to gavel into session Wednesday, but will conduct no business and then gavel out of session and head off for a two week hunting recess. The House has no action planned Wednesday either.
In a blistering release from the Michigan Association of School Administrators, William Mayes, the group’s executive director lambasted lawmakers for the “unearned vacation.”
“This defies logic” added Mayes, “Schools are being forced to make severe cuts to and massive layoffs, and the legislature goes on holiday.”…
“If they were really serious about this economic and school crisis, they would roll up their sleeves and get to work.”
How severe are the cuts?
The Jackson Public Schools announced yesterday that it had an estimated $2.4 million budget gap to close, and as a result it’s shutting down an alternative middle school, and laying off staff across the district.
A’Lynne Robinson, spokesperson for the school, said it was the result of the trifecta of cuts, prorations and enrollment declines.
She said legislators should listen Wednesday when educators, parents and students from around the state rally at the capitol.
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