Michigan
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5:06 p.m.
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Though we usually think of Carl Levin as Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman, he is also a lifetime Detroiter who is concerned about the state's economy. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry got his take on our future. Hear Audio Story I......
Jack Lessenberry - 3:41 p.m.
Five UM Dems rode to the office of Congressmen Mark Schauer, Enthusiastic to support health care at its most critical hour. We were greeted with signs, catchy chants, and a giant bald eagle, Though saddened that propaganda baby photos are apparently legal. – But creative messaging seemed to be a part of the teabagger identity - Not many would call us “ugly,” [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - 3:17 p.m.
Jay Kaplan, ACLU of Michigan LGBT Project Staff Attorney Glad to see that more than a dozen U.S. Senators , including Michigan’s own Carl Levin, have sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), urging them to lift the ban on gay men donating blood. ...
ACLU of Michigan - 12:42 p.m.
"Climate science has been discredited." --Henry Payne, Detroit News editorial board meeting with climate scientists in attendance. November, 2009 Just in time for tomorrow's traveling circus (outlined below), the EPA released a draft of its greenhouse gas inventory last week. Thankfully, Henry Payne already got out ahead of that last November, and declared climate science discredited bas...
Michiganliberal - 12:02 p.m.
The views expressed herein are those of the author and do not in anyway reflect that of the UMCD, MFCD, MDP, or DNC… they may however reflect the RNC but we’d have to call them and they aren’t answering anymore. 1) The owners of Village Apothecary and Amer’s both think Granholm’s new proposal to help finance [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - 10:49 a.m. - 2 clicks 
Kande Ngalamulume rocks! The East Lansing Democrat seeking to challenge Rep. Mike Rogers now has a sort of unofficial campaign song. You can sing it to the tune of "I want Candy " (even though Kande pronounces his first name KON dee.) "I know a guy who's tough but neat He's so fine, he can't be beat He's got everything that I desire Sets the campaign trail on fire "I want Kande, I want Kande ...
Livingston County Democrats - 7:44 a.m. - 3 clicks
Sean McCann (candidate for 60th House), Robert B Jones (candidate for 20th Senate), and other Kalamazoo Democrats march in today's parade The rain held off, just long enough. We were towards the front, along a very short parade route, so I got to double back when we were done and see the rest of the parade, including the Republican contingents - Rep. Larry DeShazor, Rep. Tonya Schuitmaker,...
West Michigan Rising - Sat 3:24 p.m. - 5 clicks
Every Monday, while I'm driving around for work, I hear the voice of the newest addition to the Republican field for the 105th District. It's Greg MacMaster , who not only does the weather for one of the northern Michigan Tee Vee stations (7 & 4), but also for WUPS (98.5). (Personal disclaimer: MacMaster's radio forecasts regularly fill me with a murderous rage, but that&#...
Michiganliberal - Sat 9:48 a.m. - 6 clicks
Remember the fantasy movie TRANSFORMERS? Evil monsters, "Decepti-cons", would pretend to be useful machines before revealing their true destructive nature... ...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Sat 5:03 a.m. - 8 clicks
It's been a week of embarrassment for Detroit, thanks to two former leaders and convicted felons. But Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry thinks we may be looking at this the wrong way. Hear Audio Story I haven't talked to Detroit Mayor......
Jack Lessenberry - Fri 7:26 p.m. - 8 clicks
As you’ve probably noticed, the Students for Life group at the University of Michigan has recently ramped up their publicity efforts on campus. We can’t help but feel at least a little flattered, as they seemed much more energized after FemDems reported our experiences with Arbor Vitae. The banners, fliers and chalking that have popped up [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - Fri 6:42 p.m. - 8 clicks
Lt. Governor John Cherry reminds us in this week’s radio address about the importance of getting everyone in Michigan counted in this year’s census. Hello, this is Lt. Governor John Cherry. Census Day is April 1, and it’s time for everyone in Michigan to be counted. As chair of Michigan’s Complete Count Committee, I’m proud to [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Fri 3:49 p.m. - 8 clicks
From the AP : LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- The Michigan AFL-CIO on Friday endorsed Democratic gubernatorial candidate Virg Bernero, igniting a battle for union endorsements in the race. The state AFL-CIO represents over 600,000 active and retired members in 59 unions throughout Michigan, including the United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the Americ...
Michiganliberal - Fri 2:42 p.m. - 11 clicks
Once again, distinguished College Democrats member Amanda Caldwell has been in the news! She was featured in a story on the Alternative Spring Break trip that she and other University of Michigan students took to volunteer in a Texas elementary school last week. It aired on ABC5 Rio Grande Valley (KRGV). Go Blue! ...
University of Michigan College Democrats - Fri 1:13 p.m. - 6 clicks
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed herein reflect only the views of the author and do not represent the opinions of the College Democrats at the University of Michigan (UMCD), the Michigan Federation of College Democrats, (MFCD), the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP), or the Democratic National Committee (DNC): This Daily Daily is going to roughly be divided into things you should care [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - Fri 9:23 a.m. - 7 clicks
Cross-posted at Eclectablog.com It must be tough being an MI-07 Republican these days. After organizing a "CODE RED!!!" protest against Rep. Mark Schauer , they ended up being out-numbered by Schauer supporters at least five-to-one on the day of the event. I think this sign says it all: Michigan OFA Director, Garrett Arwa (left) and friend Much more with lots of photos aft...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Fri 8:05 a.m. - 9 clicks
Republican Kent County Commissioner Art Tanis announced Thursday he will not seek another term. Tanis, from Walker, said he will not seek a fifth term. From the GR Press: WALKER -- Kent County Commissioner Art Tanis announced Thursday he will not seek another term. Tanis, R-Walker, said he will not seek a fifth term. Tanis, 65, said he wants to spend more time with his family, traveling after hi...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 6:30 a.m. - 8 clicks
A Press Release from Dillon: Kent County Sending $43,000 in Taxpayer Dollars to Wayne County Business Commissioner Brandon Dillon's Local Vendor Preference Policy would have kept money in Kent County (Grand Rapids)- At today's Kent County Commission meeting, Commissioner Brandon Dillon (D-Grand Rapids) spoke out against a recent decision by the Kent County Purchasing Department to award 2 ...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 5:49 a.m. - 7 clicks
As you all know, I'm working with David LaGrand, so I'd love to see you head out and march with us in Grand Rapids. But whereever you are, help support your local candidates in their first parade of the year. It's fun and shows the strength of a campaign out of the blocks: The parade season starts on Saturday, 13 March at 11:00 am. We hope that you will march with the LaGrand Team. ...
West Michigan Rising - Fri 5:49 a.m. - 7 clicks
Rep. Mark Schauer (D, MI-07) Rep. Dale Kildee (D, MI-05) and Rep. Bart Stupak (D, MI-01) have all co-sponsored a bill that would repeal NAFTA . There a total of 28 sponsors of the bill originally introduced by Rep. Gene Taylor (D, MS-04). H.R. 4759 is short and to the point! The bill is introduced: “To provide for the withdrawal of the United States from the North American Free Trade Agreement...
Far Left Field - Fri 4:21 a.m. - 9 clicks
In case you need another reason to despise Wal-Mart and/or the 'war on drugs:' In 2008, Casias was the Associate Of The Year at the WalMart store in Battle Creek, despite suffering from sinus cancer and an inoperable brain tumor. At his doctor's recommendation, Casias says he legally uses medical marijuana to ease his pain. Always good to follow a doctor's orders, right? WRO...
Michiganliberal - Fri 1:41 a.m. - 9 clicks
All West Michigan Democrats should plan to attend and vote at the Michigan Democratic Party's Endorsement Convention on April 17 at Cobo in Detroit. This is a historic convention where, for the first time, we'll endorse our candidates for Attorney General and Secretary of State. The Party and the candidates need to know that West Michigan will make its voice heard and is a force within the...
West Michigan Rising - Thu 2:07 p.m. - 9 clicks
LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today passed a plan sponsored by State Representative Vicki Barnett (D-Farmington Hills) that bans legislators from voting on a bill when a conflict of interest is present. This plan is part of a wave of government reforms that House Democrats have passed to tighten ethics laws and make elected officials more accountable to the people they...
Michigan House Democrats - Thu 2:06 p.m. - 7 clicks
Thank you to everyone who has responded to our call, asking for your help to determine what the Coalition for Progress and the legislature can do to move Michigan forward in 2010. Your responses, whether via e-mail , Facebook or Twitter have been extremely helpful. While CFP is committed to protecting the Stem Cell ballot language and fighting for “Hire Michigan First” we want to give ever...
Michigan Coalition for Progress - Thu 12:01 p.m. - 9 clicks
Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero is proposing starting a State bank of Michigan. Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry believes the idea is at least worth thinking about. Hear Audio Story Virg Bernero, the mayor of Lansing and a leading candidate for the......
Jack Lessenberry - Thu 9:27 a.m. - 6 clicks
Connie Saltonstall's burgeoning campaign to challenge Bart Stupak in the 1st District has already raised $8,500 through Act Blue. She's now also listed to the Act Blue page called Send the Democrats a Message They can Understand . I found out about this by way of rumblings that the national progressive movement is getting behind her candidacy, not just with rhetoric but with cash. ...
Michiganliberal - Thu 8:49 a.m. - 8 clicks
First off, let me say that if I could, I would grab Bart Stupak by the lapels and shake him silly for his obscene obstruction of health insurance reform and his inflicting his religious views on the rest of the country. I find it offensive and enraging and, as a Michigander, he's a tragic embarrassment to me on this issue. Period. That said, unless the Democrats find just the right candidate...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 7:28 a.m. - 8 clicks
Note: This is a repost of yesterday's diary, which almost, but not quite, made it to the Rec list. Given all the buzz over Ministry of Truth's excellent diary going national , I figured that this is the perfect time to give Stupak's primary challenger as much of a shot in the arm as possible. Please rec if you think it worthy; hopefully it'll give Saltonstall as much exposure as possible, tha...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Thu 7:28 a.m. - 8 clicks
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Progressive Activists to Celebrate, Educate in Ann Arbor Ann Arbor, MI – March 10, 2010 – Progressive activists including United Farmworkers’ President Arturo Rodriguez, co-director of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, Dean Baker and famed radical activist Bill Ayers will convene in Ann Arbor March 12-14 as part of a conference focused...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Wed 6:29 p.m. - 11 clicks
Last year the state launched Pure Michigan, a national advertising campaign to boost tourism. Now the legislature is debating what to do next. Jack Lessenberry looks at the record. Hear Audio Story One of the few bright spots in the......
Jack Lessenberry - Wed 6:01 p.m. - 12 clicks
From the Governor’s Office: Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today will meet with officials at Google in California to thank them for their ongoing investment in Michigan and encourage the company to include the state in the testing of Google fiber, its new ultra-high speed fiber optic broadband network. Earlier today, Granholm met with venture capitalists [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Wed 5:00 p.m. - 14 clicks
Governor Granholm visited Merrill Tool and Machine yesterday. Merrill is a great example of a Michigan company that is diversifying into wind energy manufacturing and creating jobs through the Recovery Act. Merrill Tool and Machine is using a grant and an advanced-energy manufacturing tax credit (also called a 48c tax credit) funded through the Recovery Act [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Wed 4:46 p.m. - 13 clicks
If anyone is looking for a sign that the economy is on its way to recovery, they need only look to the recent drop in Michigan’s unemployment rate – that’s right, a DROP. In January, the unemployment rate in Michigan went from 14.5% to 14.3%. A drop of .2% is incontrovertibly small, but when you consider [...]...
University of Michigan College Democrats - Wed 2:47 p.m. - 13 clicks
Yesterday, there was some exciting news in the world of Bart "Mr. Coathanger" Stupak, as local county commissioner and former schoolteacher Connie Saltonstall announced that she's going to challenge Stupak in the Democratic primary based on his anti-choice/anti-HCR stance: WASHINGTON – Michigan’s Bart Stupak, a Democratic congressman who could help bring down health care reform...
DailyKos (Michigan) - Wed 2:46 p.m. - 10 clicks
Spoon bending , Mike Cox style : LIVONIA, MI—Mike Cox today said Democrats’ plan to get into the banking business, grow an already bloated state government with a massive new spending program and leave families on the hook for the bank’s losses is irresponsible. "It sounds like there's nothing to it, but that's like saying the Sistine Chapel is just paint on plaste...
Michiganliberal - Wed 2:03 p.m. - 8 clicks
From Ye Olde inbox: WASHINGTON, D.C. – United States Senators Jeff Merkley (OR), Carl Levin (MI), Ted Kaufman (DE), Sherrod Brown (OH), and Jeanne Shaheen (NH) put forward a new proposal today to help prevent taxpayer bailouts of financial firms by limiting high-risk speculation, also known as proprietary trading. ...snip... “With this bill, we attempt to rein in risky proprieta...
Michiganliberal - Wed 12:40 p.m. - 9 clicks
On the latest Two Joes podcast , Joe DiSano makes a prediction: Someone might challenge Bart Stupak in the primary over Stupak's abortion politics. Most of us, by now, are aware that such a thing happened earlier this week. Well, in DiSano's defense, he made his prediction before that happened. How do I know? I'm on in the first segment of the show, talking a bit about Joe Schwa...
Michiganliberal - Wed 10:45 a.m. - 10 clicks
A bunch of stuff has happened. It's all probably worthy of mention, but not anything I can really muster the energy necessary for individual posts. So, we'll go with this: --Ask and ye shall receive: Bart Stupak has a primary challenger over his role in the health care debate. I like Stupak for a lot of other things he does, but this isn't terribly surprising. On the other ha...
Michiganliberal - Wed 7:24 a.m. - 9 clicks
The jobs of Michigan Secretary of State and Attorney General are vitally important for the state's residents. Yes, the state's residents renew their drivers' licenses and get their license tabs from the secretary of state's office. But the office also makes sure that elections are carried out properly in the state. And that's crucial if a democracy is to live up to its name. And the attorney gen...
Livingston County Democrats - Wed 6:02 a.m. - 12 clicks
The Detroit papers are reporting that Bart Stupak will have a primary challenger. The move is both understandable, but also points to a potential fracturing in west Michigan politics. Connie Saltonstall is a former county commissioner, who ran against Kevin Elsenheimer (MI 105) in 2008. As she expressed her reasons to the Free Press "I believe that he has a right to his per...
West Michigan Rising - Tue 10:03 p.m. - 15 clicks
No, but it looks like Bing does. The last thing this country needs is more Bushenomics. We're still trying to recover from the Bush Recession. You just don't solve a problem by doing the same thing twice. (Press Photo/Rex Larsen) from Grand Rapids Press story ....
West Michigan Rising - Tue 12:40 p.m. - 12 clicks
A new study on the effects of term finds that they’ve been a disaster for the state. Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry explains… Hear Audio Story There’s plenty of historical evidence that the vast majority of Americans have firmly......
Jack Lessenberry - Tue 10:49 a.m. - 12 clicks
This year's Bay County Democratic Party Chicken Dinner was a great success. The room was full of committed Democrats in Bay County ready to fight for a Democratic victory in 2010! Party members and elected officials were joined by a host of speakers including:U.S. Senator Carl LevinU.S. Senator Debbie StabenowU.S. Congressman Dale KildeeU.S. Congressman Bart StupakState [...] ...
Bay County Dems - Mar 8 - 11 clicks
This year, as required by the Constitution, the federal government will count every resident of the United States. Held once every 10 years, the U.S. Census is critical to determining how much federal money Michigan gets, and how strong our voice will be in the U.S. House of Representatives. For that reason, it is absolutely essential that everyone return their census forms to ensure that everyone...
Bay County Dems - Mar 8 - 9 clicks
Looks like the GOP in the 6th Congressional District want some of the fun that is happening in the 3rd Congressional District in Grand Rapids: From the Kalamazoo Gazette: KALAMAZOO - Jack Hoogendyk, a conservative Republican activist and former state representative from Texas Township, is testing the political waters for a potential August primary challenge to U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 8 - 18 clicks
Organizing for America Strategy Session on the 2010 Elections Time: Saturday, March 13 from 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Host: Jennifer Warner Contact Phone: 269.270.9466 Location: Eberhard Center, Rm 215 AB 301 West Fulton Grand Rapids, MI 49504 Join Organizing for America for our 2010 Strategy Briefing in your area. The Strategy Briefings are a chance to talk with OFA staff and other v...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 8 - 13 clicks
From WLNS TV 6 : One local group is speaking out against some of the state's highest paid people. It all centers on legislation over whether to increase state employee salaries. Progress Michigan, a government watchdog organization based in Lansing, says the group business leaders for Michigan is being hypocritical. ... snip .... David Joos, CEO of Consumers Energy, is a member of bus...
The Upper Hand - Mar 8 - 12 clicks
Last week, Michigan’s leaders were dismayed when the state failed to win any of the federal "Race to the Top" education money. Michigan Radio’s Jack Lessenberry looks at what happened. Hear Audio Story For years, one of my teaching colleagues......
Jack Lessenberry - Mar 8 - 10 clicks
The last thing Michigan's 8th District Republican Rep. Mike Rogers wants this year is a strong Democrat to run against him. After all, Rogers wants to be free to run around the country and help elect other Republicans to Congress, rather than bother having to explain to the citizens of this area why he deserves to be sent back to Congress for another term. But a vigorous Democrat with strong, app...
Livingston County Democrats - Mar 8 - 12 clicks
It has been just about one year since Secretary of State candidate Jocelyn Benson visited Kalamazoo College, her first stop in Kalamazoo on her indefatigable campaign for the Democratic nomination. I was there, and wrote about it for West Michigan Rising, one of many articles lost when our files disappeared in a server migration. As I recall, we had three students, her aide, 20th Sen...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 6 - 17 clicks
Scheduled for the next Kent County Democratic Party Meeting, 10 March, 7:00 pm at the Teamsters at 3315 Eastern. Secretary of State Candidate Jocelyn Benson Attorney General Candidate Richard Bernstein and our friend Mark Brewer, Chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. Should be an informative meeting. ...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 6 - 17 clicks
"We have outsourced a substantial portion of our manufacturing operations to countries in Asia…" The far right already has its Tea Party. Now, it's got a Mad Hatter. Because you'd have to be mad, right, to think that what Michigan needs is a corporate CEO. Because those CEOs have done a lot for the country, and for Michigan, right? Wrong. Now it's clear that Rick Snyder is...
The Upper Hand - Mar 5 - 15 clicks
The Gratiot County Golf Course in St. Louis, Michigan has been added to the Superfund National Priorities List. Superfund is the federal program that investigates and cleans up the most complex and uncontrolled hazardous waste sites in the U.S. The Gratiot County site lies east of the Hidden Oaks Golf Course on Monroe Road. From 1956 to 1970, the nearby Velsicol Chemical burned their hazardous wa...
Black Bear Speaks - Mar 5 - 12 clicks
With Congressman Sander Levin’s surprise elevation to the House Ways and Means Committee chairmanship… our state suddenly has vast clout in Congress. Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry takes a look at what this means… Hear Audio Story One night......
Jack Lessenberry - Mar 5 - 12 clicks
In this week’s radio address, Governor Granholm said that on the eve of National Consumer Protection Week (March 7-13), the state is seeking to protect consumers with debt problems from ending up in even more precarious financial situations. Hello, this is Governor Jennifer Granholm. You see and hear the commercials on TV and radio. Soothing voices [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Mar 5 - 16 clicks
Races are getting more and more clear as we enter March. On the Democratic side for Governor, Dan Kildee has decided not to run asserting that it would cause a split in in both labor and progressive organizations between himself and Virg Bernero. Not wanting to see that, Kildee has stepped aside. All due respect to Alma Wheeler Smith, I don't expect this field to change, we now have a...
West Michigan Rising - Mar 5 - 13 clicks
Because I live less than a half block from the hollow, burned out shell that was once the Thompson Block, I went to the Ypsilanti City Council meeting on Tuesday. I wanted to tell Council that the inaction on the Thompson Block has affected me, my family, and my neighborhood. I wanted Council to know that there are no simple solutions to the problems this fire has caused, and that there are ...
Trusty Getto - Mar 4 - 13 clicks
For the second year in a row, Michigan was third in the nation for major corporate expansions. Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today announced Site Selection magazine has named Michigan the No. 3 state in the nation for major new corporate facilities and expansions in 2009. “We just witnessed a thrilling global competition where many times the difference [...]...
Governor Jennifer Granholm: The Conversation - Mar 4 - 12 clicks
Bing Goei has announced he's running for the 75th State House District (eastern Grand Rapids). I'll let my readers comment on the photo images Goei's campaign got out. And so, the Civil War within the Kent County Republican Party expands. It's a battle royal between the Establishment and Teapublicans. Interesting that no Teapublican has entered the 29th State Senate race....
West Michigan Rising - Mar 4 - 12 clicks
If you want to know the meaning of hypocrisy, take a minute to observe those much-touted millionaire CEOs from Michigan aka Business Leaders for Michigan in action. With their usual flair for faulty, bended statistics and green eyeshade vision, Business Leaders for Michigan wrote state lawmakers urging them to take back a 3% raise slated for state employees who have been hammered already with b...
The Upper Hand - Mar 3 - 13 clicks
John Garcia, ACLU of Michigan communications intern Long before I knew Kerouac, Bukowski, or Nabokov, I knew Dr. Seuss. “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham” were staples during my childhood. The fact that I attended a Lutheran Parochial school and Dr. Seuss just happened to be Lutheran only gave me more opportunities to get better acquainted with his s...
ACLU of Michigan - Mar 3 - 9 clicks
Thanks to the efforts of our members, the Coalition for Progress helped move "Hire Michigan First" in the State Senate, moved "Prevention First" out of State House Committee and fought back against Senate efforts to gut the voter approved stem cell research amendment. But there is still more work to be done to get Michigan moving in the right direction. With the 2010 elect...
Michigan Coalition for Progress - Mar 2 - 14 clicks
John Dingell has been working for health care reform longer than just about anybody else in America. Despite all the setbacks of the last year, he is still out there fighting. That was obvious on Saturday (February 27, 2010) at the Michigan Democratic Party State Central Committee meeting in Livonia. Congressman Dingell brought people to their feet with a stirring call for reforming a system that...
Livingston County Democrats - Mar 1 - 13 clicks
Last week, Richard Weigel, Assistant Superintendent of Educational Quality for Ypsilanti Public Schools , was offered the Superintendent job at Niles Public Schools in Niles, MI . Although I'm happy for Richard, his departure marks a sad day for Ypsilanti. Richard was one of the most dedicated, motivated and talented school administrators I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. Although h...
Trusty Getto - Feb 27 - 14 clicks
