Oct. 13, 2017 – CNS Budget

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Oct. 13, 2017 — Week 6
To: CNS Editors
From: David Poulson and Sheila Schimpf
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/
For technical problems, contact CNS technical manager Tony Cepak at (517) 803-6841 or cepak@msu.edu.
For other matters, contact Dave Poulson: poulsondavid@gmail.com;
Here is your file:
USEDCARS: Attention business editors. Sales of used cars and trucks in Michigan are rising, thanks in part to more vehicles coming off leases. They’ve been increasing for the past five years and show no signs of slowing. Unlike other states, Michigan sales of new and used vehicles tend to be less cyclical. We talk to dealers in Traverse City and Cheboygan and an executive with the East Lansing-based Michigan Automobile Dealers Association. By Carl Stoddard. FOR CHEBOYGAN, SAULT STE. MARIE, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU, LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS

CRANE: Some lawmakers want to reverse 100 years of conservation and allow hunting of Michigan’s sandhill cranes. The move comes as hundreds of the 5-feet tall birds are expected to land at the  annual CraneFest on Big Marsh Lake in Bellevue. A Cedar Lake representative recently introduced a resolution asking the Natural Resources Commission, whose chair is from Marenisco, to add them — with a 6- to 7-foot wingspan — to a list of  game species, and to seek U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service approval for a hunting season. Cosponsors include legislators from Hudsonville, Grant, Manton, Walker, Clare and Lake City. Bill passed committee. Supporters say that the birds damage crops, particularly freshly planted corn. Conservationists say the birds still require protection. By Jingjing Nie. FOR MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, HOLLAND, LUDINGTON, STURGIS, THREE RIVER, GLADWIN, OCEANA, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, BAY MILLS, CHEBOYGAN, PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, CADILLAC, CRAWFORD COUNTY, GREENVILLE, BIG RAPIDS, MANISTEE, LAKE COUNTY, HERALD-REVIEW AND ALL POINTS
W/CRANEPHOTO: Sandhill cranes can grow up to 5 feet tallwith a wingspan of up to 7 feet. Credit: https://pixabay.com/en/sandhill-crane-bird-ornithology-1833587/

ORANGESNOW: A Plainwell company is turning orange traffic barrels into surfaces to ski on. It gives ski resorts, including Caberfae, Crystal Mountain and Caberfae, a jump on the season, and homeowners could also establish a small hill in their backyards. But don’t count on it as a hedge against global warming. By Stephen Olschanski, FOR CADILLAC, PETOSKEY, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, TRAVERSE CITY AND ALL POINTS.
w/ORANGESNOWPHOTO1: A Plainwell company, mSnow, is turning orange traffic barrels into artificial skiing surfaces for use in backyards and ski resorts. Credit: mSnow
and ORANGESNOW PHOTO2: A Plainwell company, mSnow, is turning orange traffic barrels into artificial skiing surfaces for use in backyards and ski resorts. Credit: mSnow

NOSTRICTER: For the third time in six years,lawmakers are trying to prevent state agencies from creating rules tougher than federal regulations. They back a bill that would allow only the Legislature to do that, unless there are exceptional circumstances. It would apply to rules that regulate things as diverse as business, pollution, manufacturing. Supporters say stricter rules put Michigan companies at an economic disadvantage. Critics say federal rules should be minimum requirements and states should be able to approve stricter regulations. We hear from Midland and Rockford senators. By Kaley Fech. FOR ALCONA, LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS


MEDICAIDLEAD: Michigan received $24.8 million in Medicaid funding to abate lead- contaminated buildings last January, the first state  to tap that source for lead cleanup. But a lack of contractors, awareness and reluctance to fill out paperwork has made it difficult to put those dollars to work. That has an impact in West Michigan, not just Flint. By Jack Nissen. FOR LUDINGTON, MANISTEE, HOLLAND, BIG RAPIDS, TRAVERSE CITY, PETOSKEY, CADILLAC, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS

GREENFRAUD: A fraudulent green energy scheme in Detroit cheated Chinese investors of $4,475,000, according to a federal indictment and Securities and Exchange Commission suit against the project promotor. He promised an eco-friendly “green energy” waste processing facility to recycle paper, process other waste and produce synthetic fuel. The Michigan Economic Development Corp. refused to authorize tax-exempt bonds for the project. Much of the money went to personal items such as Green Bay Packers tickets, his wife’s dental work and an $89,000 Cadillac. Investors who put in $500,000 each expected to qualify for U.S. visas. By Eric Freedman. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS & ALL POINTS.

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