Sept. 20, 2002 CNS Budget

NOTE: CNS articles are for the exclusive use of CNS member publications. Any other use is prohibited under federal copyright laws.
To download the text of a story, follow the link for that article and highlight the text. Copy the text (under the Edit menu of your browser) and paste it into your text editing program.
If you have any problems, contact Doug Pratt at cns@msu.edu or at 517-353-9569.
Messages to the Editors
SAD NOTE: Funeral services will be held Saturday for Jim Heil, Holland Sentinel news editor, who drowned last weekend in a kayak accident in Lake Michigan. Jim, 40, was a Capital News Service correspondent in 1983, covering the U.P. Before joining the Sentinel, he was a reporter for several years for the Petoskey News-Review, another CNS member paper. In addition to Saturday’s service in Holland, a memorial service also will be held Sunday in Petoskey.
BUDGETS: Our group interview with state budget officials sparked several stories for now and later, including pieces on fire-protection grants, school aid, and the state’s early-out retirement program.
CITIES NEXT: Michigan Municipal League leaders will provide our group interview Monday, answering questions about roads, trash, sewers and more. Let your correspondent know if you have a query.
Articles for week of Friday, Setember 20, 2002
EDUCATION — While other programs are being cut or frozen, Michigan’s public schools and colleges face the new state budget year relatively intact. By Stella Thevenin. FOR EAST LANSING, MIDLAND & ALL POINTS.
EARLYOUT — State government really doesn’t have a “brain drain” because of the early-out retirement program, officials insist, even though more workers are leaving than expected. By Danny Layne. FOR LANSING & ALL POINTS.
FIREGRANT — Carson City’s volunteer fire department is small, but the $2,000 it hopes to get from the state to protect state buildings is important. By Aleks Tapinsh. FOR GREENVILLE.
UNINVITEDGUEST — Asian carp are about to invade the Great Lakes and there’s not much hope of stopping them, state officials admit. By Matt Furst. FOR HOLLAND & ALL POINTS.
ENERGY — A proposal to establish an “alternative-energy zone” is advancing in the Legislature, although the Monroe area site originally specified in the measure is gone. By Krista Chambers. FOR THREE RIVERS & ALL POINTS.
PRESCHOOLPROGRAM — A cut in state funding for a pre-school program is distressing some Higland Park parents who depend on the help. By Katie Morell. FOR MICHIGAN CITIZEN.
HEALTHCARE — A trade group is pushing a House bill to help cut the soaring costs of health insurance for small-business employees. By Stella Thevenin. For EAST LANSING & ALL POINTS.