Fire protection, charter schools on Byrum's Senate list

By STELLA THEVENIN
Capital News Service
LANSING –Two major issues that Sen. Diane Byrum, D-Onondaga, will work on during the legislative session include money for the fire protection grant for communities and whether Michigan should have more charter schools.
The grant goes to communities that serve state-government facilities or universities in their areas. “If the fire protection isn’t restored, that could be a severe cut for the cities of Lansing and East Lansing,” said Larry Steckelberg, Byrum’s chief of staff.
The fire protection grant is waiting for the Legislature’s approval and Gov. John Engler’s signature. The Legislature reconvenes on Tuesday.
Steckelberg said “for those two weeks this will be our main focus for our communities.”
“The fire protection grant will be especially important for cities such as Lansing and East Lansing,” he said.
Secondly, the charter school law will be discussed, especially whether or not a cap should be placed on the number of them.
© 2002, Capital News Service, Michigan State University School of Journalism