May 1, 2015 Budget

Capital News Service Budget – May 1, 2015
To: CNS Editors
From: Perry Parks & Sheila Schimpf
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LAST REGULAR FILE: Today is our last regular file of the semester. We enjoyed working with you this academic year and look forward to doing so again in the fall.
BONUS WEEK AHEAD: Next Friday, May 8, will be our traditional end-of-semester Bonus Week file when we re-offer some still-timely stories you may not have had space for earlier. Of course, CNS subscribing news organizations are free to continue using any of our other archived stories and visuals.
CORRECTION: The drug naloxone can be used to help restore a patient’s breathing after a heroin or opioid overdose. The April 27 Capital News Service story “Heroin problems outpace Michigan’s solutions” incorrectly stated that the drug could restart a user’s heart.
HERE’S YOUR FILE:
SPEEDLIMITS: Lansing legislators have introduced a package of bills that could result in speed limit changes and a reduction in “speed traps” set by local governments by ensuring that all speed limits are set by behavior and safety analyses through the Michigan State Police, Michigan County Road Association and the Michigan Department of Transportation. We speak with members of the MSP, MDOT and the Michigan Townships Association to get their takes on this issue, and speak with a senator who introduced similar legislation two years ago. By Josh Thall. FOR ALL POINTS
STATEPOLICEDIVERSITY: The Michigan State Police Department is undergoing new efforts to increase diversity in a largely white male police force. Efforts include a school-based program that instills the values of the police force from a young age and will hopefully encourage a new, diverse, generation of troopers. We speak to multiple State Police personnel along with the State Police director to explore the necessity of diversity among Michigan’s biggest police force. By Cheyna Roth. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE & ALL POINTS.
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FEMALEOFFICERS: One of the State Police’s diversity issues is a 9-to-1 ratio of men to women troopers. MSP Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue, the department’s first director, has made the problem a priority, with increased focus on recruiting women. Women-only recruitment seminars and a bigger focus on a positive officer presence in K-12 schools are two focuses that the MSP has used. Begun last year, the conferences have only been held in Southeast Michigan, but Etue expects to see these seminars in locations like Grand Rapids and Muskegon in the near future. By Brooke Kansier. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, MUSKEGON, BIG RAPIDS & ALL POINTS.
CIVILFORFEITURE: Legislators are taking steps to reform Michigan’s civil asset forfeiture laws that civil liberties advocates say encourage abuse by law enforcement and infringe on the rights of Michiganders. House Speaker Kevin Cotter says the current law is a reversal of the presumption of innocence and lacks transparency. Critics say many departments aggressively seize assets to bolster tight budgets, although this issue isn’t addressed by the proposed legislation. With comment from lawmakers, the director of the Michigan State Police, and the ACLU. By Caitlin McArthur. FOR ALL POINTS.
 
WRONGFULCONVICTIONS: Thirty states across the country offer compensation for those who can prove their innocence after spending time in prison for a crime they didn’t commit. Michigan is not one of those states. Legislation recently introduced attempts to change this. We speak to the legislation’s sponsors and wrongful conviction advocates and learn more about this legislative push. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, TRAVERSE CITY, MANISTEE, MUSKEGON, BIG RAPIDS & ALL POINTS.
SCHOOLSAFETY: State officials are pleased with the progress a new school safety program has made this year. The program allows students to submit confidential tips by text, email, or phone app for the first time in Michigan. Changes have been made to improve how Michigan State Police tip-collectors communicate with students and schools. We speak to the Cadillac Area Schools superintendent, the Michigan State Police and an inspector who oversees the program. By Elizabeth Ferguson. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, CADILLAC & AND ALL POINTS.
DETROITCOMEBACK: Detroit has been heralded as a comeback city after its release from emergency management and an increase in developments downtown. But some advocates are concerned that changes to the city that for many symbolizes Michigan’s fortunes are ignoring the large number of low-income residents. We talk to legislators, a Detroit writer, Gov. Rick Snyder, and multiple experts to explore the concerns surrounding Detroit’s evolution. By Cheyna Roth. FOR ALL POINTS.