Great Lakes Politics

Stabenow Bill Waives Financial Penalties for Americans Trapped in War Zone

Posted by fnemecek at 04:11 PM | Permalink

Granholm Appoints Joseph Sheeran as Judge of 18th Circuit Court

Posted by fnemecek at 04:05 PM | Permalink

Governor Granholm Makes Appointments

Posted by fnemecek at 04:04 PM | Permalink

The Prussian stateman Otto Von Bismarck remarked in 1867 that, "Politics is the art of the possible."  Some historians have viewed that sentiment as setting the bar incredibly low for the body politic - even though Von Bismark was the man who in January of 1871 united 25 previously independent states into what we now know as Germany.

As I look at the current race for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, however, I can't help but wonder if the bar really could be set any lower.

Earlier this month, Republicans in the U.S. Senate introduced a proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution that would ban desecration of the American flag.  U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) voted in favor of this amendment, even though there hasn't been a public act of flag burning in years.

Of course, Stabenow's vote wasn't the thing that made me start wondering if the bar could possibly be set any lower.  Instead, it's the fact that her Republican challengers, Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard and Rev. Keith Butler of Troy, have each publicly criticized Stabenow for voting in favor of Republican's proposed amendment.

So, to recap for everyone at home, first the Republicans sponsor a constitutional amendment that was so important that it had to wait until an election year before they did anything and then they criticize a Democrat for going along with them on it.

I ask you, could our standards in American politics really get any lower?

Interested readers can read the Lansing State Journal's coverage of Stabenow's vote as well as Butler's and Bouchard's critisism of it at http://www.lsj.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060713/NEWS01/607130344/1001/news

Posted by fnemecek at 08:27 AM | Permalink

Congressman Sandy Levin : Press Release : New National Report Confirms Problems Remain With Rx Drug Program

Posted by fnemecek at 03:41 PM | Permalink

Google announced this morning that they are opening an office in Michigan and hiring 1,000 new employees. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D-MI) and James C. Epolito, President of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, released a statement on the tax incentives that brough Google to Michigan as well as the economic impact of this move. It's available on-line at http://www.michigan.gov/gov/0,1607,7-168-23442-147032--,00.html

We doubt today's move will have any impact on this November's gubernatorial election. However, if they manage to pull off a couple more of these deals in the coming months, they might be on to something.

Posted by fnemecek at 03:26 PM | Permalink

Michigan Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Carl Levin (D-MI) announced on Friday that Michigan will receive $3,498,000 in fiscal year 2006 federal grants from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Detroit area is also eligible for additional DHS transportation and port security funding.

“There is no issue more important than keeping our citizens and neighborhoods safe, and these grants will help meet the security challenges of a post-9/11 world,” said Stabenow. “I am especially pleased Secretary Chertoff responded favorably to the letter we sent him last year noting the importance of the Port of Detroit, the unique security risks this busy border community faces, and the need for federal support.”

“This federal funding is a solid step towards securing some of Michigan’s most vulnerable areas,” said Levin. “These important grants will help state and local authorities to protect the people of Michigan from a wide range of potential dangers.”

Chemical Sector Buffer Zone Protection Program: Michigan will receive $1,553,000 to secure sites identified as key targets for chemical attacks. With this funding, Michigan will develop plans to protect the areas directly around these sites, as well as the surrounding communities. The list of award sites within Michigan will remain classified for security purposes.

Buffer Zone Protection Program: Michigan will receive $1,945,000 to secure sites identified as critical infrastructure and key resources by developing measures to make it more difficult for terrorists to conduct surveillance or launch attacks near these potential targets. The list of award sites within Michigan will remain classified for security purposes.

Transit Security Grant Program: Three Michigan transportation systems are eligible to apply for grants to secure public transit systems: the Detroit Department of Transportation and Suburban Mobility Authority for Regional Transportation (SMART) for intra-city bus systems; and rail system funding for the City of Detroit. The grant awards are expected to be announced later this year.

Port Security Grant Program: The Port of Detroit is eligible to apply for federal grants to enhance the security of the nation’s most critical seaports as identified by the United States Coast Guard. The grant awards are expected to be announced later this year.

Posted by fnemecek at 03:44 PM | Permalink

Granholm Says Alternative Energy Development Critical to Diversifying Economy In her weekly radio address, Governor Jennifer M. Granholm (D-MI) on Friday announced she has signed a package of legislation that will, for the first time, create incentives for consumers who buy alternative fuel vehicles and service stations that make ethanol and biodiesel available to their customers. “The state that put the world on wheels will be the state that makes those wheels independent of foreign oil,” Granholm said. “As more E-85 and flex fuel vehicles are produced by the Big Three automakers, it is essential that we make biodiesel and ethanol products more widely available to encourage their use.” Granholm said a portion of the $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund is being targeted to developing alternative energy production in Michigan. As the automotive capital of the world, Michigan is a logical choice to be the center of alternative energy research and production. The seven-bill package reduces the gas tax by 36 percent on fuel that contains ethanol and by 20 percent on biodiesel blends. The legislation also provides grants to service station owners who want to renovate or expand their existing stations to make E-85 and biodiesel available and allows for the creation of new agriculture renaissance zones to help spur additional ethanol and biodiesel plants. The legislation is just another step in the path to energy independence: • Since 2003, four new ethanol plants have broken ground, quadrupling our state’s production of corn-based fuel. • Later this month the state’s first biodiesel plant will open in Bangor. • In its first round of funding, more than 80 alternative energy companies applied for funding from the $2 billion 21st Century Jobs Fund. • The state has partnered with General Motors, Mejier, and CleanFUEL USA to significantly increase the number of stations where ethanol is available for purchase. Michigan’s federal partners are also engaged in the effort to promote the use of alternative energy. Earlier this week, U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) challenged oil companies and Michigan service stations to dramatically increase the number of ethanol pumps available to motorists by 2008. Also, Senator Carl Levin (D-Mi) visited local service stations where E-85 fuel is available to encourage other stations to provide E-85 fuel. “All of these are important steps to fulfilling Michigan’s next great destiny – making our state and our nation independent of foreign oil,” Granholm said.

Posted by fnemecek at 03:36 PM | Permalink

A new series of posts will launch on this site the week of July 10, 2006 (when the Michigan House of Representatives returns from its Independence Day Recess).

Please check back then. 

Posted by fnemecek at 03:44 PM | Permalink