September 16, 2016 Budget

Sept. 16, 2016 — Week 2
To: CNS Editors
From: David Poulson and Sheila Schimpf
http://news.jrn.msu.edu/capitalnewsservice/
For technical problems, contact CNS technical manager Pechulano Ali, (517) 940 2313,
pechulan@msu.edu.
For other issues contact David Poulson, poulsondavid@gmail.com, (517) 899-1640
CORRECTION: Editors note that a story that moved Sept. 7 called, Waters rise, gas prices drop and boats boom in summer 2016 has been updated to correct the length of the “looper” trail, the time it takes to complete it and where increased traffic was noted.
Here is your file:
Schools and local governments face elections without candidates
NOBODYRUNNING: No candidates are running in more than 150 local government races in the November election. That includes school board races where candidates may be discouraged by lengthy six-year terms and difficult funding challenges. The Michigan Association of School Boards says its campaign to recruit candidates has reduced races without contenders, but more are needed. We talk to school officials in Sturgis Public Schools, Wolverine Community Schools, Ishpeming Public School District and Sault Ste. Marie Area Schools and MSU’s Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. By Karen Hopper Usher. FOR SAULT STE. MARIE, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, CHEBOYGAN and ALL POINTS.
W/NOBODYRUNNINGSIDEBAR: A MSU political leadership program teaches you how to run for office. By Karen Hopper Usher. FOR ALL POINTS.
State lawmakers could stop local governments from taxing plastic bags
PLASTICBAGS: Lawmakers are considering banning local governments from taxing plastic bags, a source of revenue that some communities say they need to battle difficult to handle waste. Washtenaw County passed a tax on plastic bags set to go into effect next April. The state move, which could hit the House floor soon, would void that ordinance and tothers We talk to the bill’s co-sponsor from Midland; the chair of the House Commerce and Trade Committee from Argentine Township; Michigan Recycling Coalition; the Grocers Association a Washtenaw County commissioner and the Michigan Environmental Council. Cosponsors are from Traverse City, Clarklake, Harrison Township and Frankenmuth.By Ray Wilbur. FOR GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, TRAVERSE CITY, LEELANAU AND ALL POINTS.
Schools could benefit from state reform of how they can spend local tax dollars
SINKINGFUND: School districts could have an easier time paying for security systems and classroom electronics if lawmakers  broaden the use of millages they collect. Supporters say it’s the best shot they’ve had in decades to better leverage what are called sinking funds as long-time opponents are reassured by provisions that limit their use. Still critical needs like replacing aging buses are not covered by the proposal. By Alexander Smith. FOR ALL POINTS.
The need for technology skills by Michigan students is getting attacked on multiple fronts
CSLEARNING – Lawmakers, university officials and local schools have taken up the fight to improve how well students learn to be high tech producers and consumers. We talk to Michigan State University officials who are creating new classes for student teachers,  officials looking to make computer programming meet a foreign language requirement while schools like Ludington have a full-time technology coach. By Bridget Bush. FOR LUDINGTON, MANISTEE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS AND ALL POINTS.
Hefty increase in beer tax proposed, criticized
BEERTAX – Michigan beermakers say a plan to raise the tax on beer falls flat just as the state’s craft beer industry is booming. By Anthony Harvey. FOR LANSING CITY PULSE, GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, ALL POINTS.
Bill to reduce zero tolerance policies in schools has bipartisan support
ZEROTOLERANCE – Lawmakers are considering easing mandatory expulsions from school for some offenses involving weapons other than guns and violence. By Caitlin DeLuca. FOR ALL POINTS.
Chumming ban upsets anglers
CHUMMINGBAN: The new state ban on scattering fish parts and eggs to lure fish in trout streams is angering many guides and anglers who argue it will damage Michigan’s fishing tourism economy. Chumming is especially helpful in fall and winter, when steelhead metabolism slows and fish are less likely to bite. The Natural Resources Commission say chumming carries the risk of spreading disease. We talk to fishing guides from Newaygo, as well as the Michigan and Ohio DNRs, MUCC and Trout Unlimited. By Marie Orttenberger. FOR CADILLAC, CHEBOYGAN, GREENVILLE, LUDINGTON, PETOSKEY, BIG RAPIDS, OCEANA, ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, SAULT STE. MARIE, HOLLAND, MANISTEE, LAKE COUNTY, HERALD-REVIEW, STURGIS, THREE RIVERS, BLISSFIELD, HARBOR SPRINGS, LEELANAU, MARQUETTE, ST. IGNACE, BAY MILLS, CRAWFORD COUNTY, GLADWIN & ALL POINTS.
w/CHUMMINGBANPHOTO1: Lake Erie steelhead. Credit: Wikipedia Commons  W/CHUMMINGBANPHOTO2
Book tells story of sailor’s survival of Lake Huron shipwreck
SHIPWRECK: A new book about a Lake Huron shipwreck 50 years ago explains how a sailor survived bitter cold on board a raft and a lifetime of guilt as the only one to escape alive. w/SHIPWRECKBOOKCOVERPHOTO AND SCHUMACHERPHOTO. By Natasha Blakely. FOR ALCONA, MONTMORENCY, CHEBOYGAN, ST. IGNACE, LUDINGTON, PETOSKEY, TRAVERSE CITY, MARQUETTE, SAULT STE. MARIE, HOLLAND, MANISTEE, LUDINGTON, LEELANAU, BAY MILLS, HARBOR SPRINGS AND ALL POINTS