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The Michigan Messenger going forward

By Staff Report | 11.16.11

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 [...]

Colorado-based abstinence program provided false and misleading information to Michigan students

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.16.11

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.

Class action lawsuit filed against MERS over unpaid taxes

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By Todd A. Heywood | 11.15.11

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.

Schuette fights important mercury regulations

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By Eartha Jane Melzer | 11.14.11

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.

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Bill introduced to extend unemployment for 99ers

By Todd A. Heywood | 12.20.10 | 12:14 pm

U.S. Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) has introduced legislation to extend unemployment insurance another 14 weeks for Americans who have exhausted their 99 weeks of benefits, according to a report on MLive.com.

The bill has been referred to committee and is unlikely to pass the House if brought out of committee and to the floor for a vote.

Congress passed legislation last week, which President Barack Obama signed into law, which continued unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans. The bill included extending the Bush era tax cuts for all income levels, but did not include any benefit extensions for 99ers.

Republicans in Congress refused to extend benefits earlier this month saying the cost would increase the national debt. They negotiated with Obama to create the combined tax cut and unemployment extension legislation.

Comments

  • Anonymous

    Why do they hail this bill as extending unemployment? I cannot believe the spin the press people of both parties can put on a particular subject.

    All this bill did was fund the program already given to this nations unemployed. But read the headlines, unemployment extended. That is totally false. So the poor can again be relegated to the food lines,even though the headlines are trying to garnish praise for not allowing that.

    Let all the rich enjoy their income and estate tax cuts. They need it,I suppose. But, lease Dont help the people who were working and now can’t . Great Country.

  • Anonymous

    Dear Mr. or Mrs. Career Politician,
    Did you KNOW…there are multitudes of individuals caught without work right now? Did you know that without help they have no way to survive? Hmmmm Perhaps you know about them but are convinced they are unworthy…perhaps your thinking that laziness or other undesireable traits plague them. Perhaps you are convinced, like some over zealous types, that some will JUST HAVE TO SUCCEED OR FALL THROUGH THE CRACKS! Hmmmm Although I can think of a number of appropriate things to say at this moment, the single thing that is outstanding….LOVE THY NEIGHBOR!
    May those of you that have had influence and failed to use it for the many unemployed 99′ers in Michigan find yourselves similarly; that is without work! Fair is fair, right? 99′ers have been decidely sacrificed, while others that have had the opportunty and privilege remain properous…suffer not and even pay less taxes. Well I am of the consideration that ALL you encumbent politicians, should go without my vote. Actually, I have heard the same from others. 7 years from now the economists will, I believe completely, find this time we are in to be called a DEPRESSION!
    I am equally sure that I will somehow survive, but I won’t forget the mean spirit! Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!

  • Anonymous

    I say Canada here I come. I hear it’s nice there.

  • Anonymous

    I am 56 years old and I have worked since I was 14 years old. Always striving to climb that ladder – taking out student loans and paying them back; putting money in my 401K, giving back to my community; paying a lot of income and property taxes and overall supporting my country and my government. Until two years ago, I never once drew unemployment. I was laid off 2 years ago and have sent hundreds and hundreds of resumes out and applied for positions with Walmart, Costco, Burger King, etc. So….I am not too proud to take a job at any level. I would gladly go back to work. For the politicians that think we are out here just waiting for another handout, get real and get connected. You have no idea the cost to us – not just financially. Many of us have not only lost our homes and savings due to your lack of oversight and greed, we also lost our dignity, self-confidence and pride. I am an American. My grandfather, father, brothers and husband fought in WWI, WW2, Vietnam and Korea. They believed in and fought for this country. What you politicians have done and continue to do is criminal at best. Many of you should be prosecuted and in some countries you would be. The same politicians that spout off about the growing deficit and how extending unemployement to us “bums” would make it worse, well you are the same politicians that go on in your speeches about “what the American people” want. You have no idea what the “American people” want. You don’t even know who we are. Quite honestly, I am sick to death of each and every one of you.

    • Anonymous

      I couldn’t have said it better. I am 60 years old and, for the first time, collecting unemployment. I have also sent hundreds of resumes and even targeted the ‘supposedly’ senior friendly companies but to no avail.
      I have no assets whatsoever and went to social services for help over a month ago … still waiting after having been sent from place to place. Having managed departments for more than 30 years, I am nauseated every time I go to one of these state agencies at how inefficient their processes are and how slowly the employees work. I observe this and am perplexed as to why I am sitting there helpless and unemployed when I should be in there reorganizing these poorly run organizations. Reorganizing and improving efficiency could offset any extra funds dispersed to help the unemployed. The waste in these poorly run state organizations is far more responsible for the state being on the verge of bankruptcy than money given to help people during this very difficult economic time.
      Corporate execs trying to increase profits for their shareholders by farming out jobs to other countries and eliminating jobs for Americans should be penalized for every job they eliminate here. Their greed and lack of concern for the future of this country is sickening. And congress allows this to happen .. even more sickening since they are supposed to represent AMERICANS … they don’t care as long as they are hob nobbing in Washington, being paid well and receiving numerous perks that the average American only dreams of. Selfishness and greed will cause this once great country to self destruct.

    • Anonymous

      Hear hear, You should run for the senate, i’ll vote for you.

      • Anonymous

        LOL! And you as well … :)

  • Anonymous

    we need to have are own egypt uprising here and call it the (REPUBLICAN UPRISING)

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