Environment

Michigan farm officials oppose federal authority expansion over water

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Michigan farm officials are fighting an attempt by the federal Environmental Protection agency to regulate small bodies of water, saying that a new permit process would make construction and farming more expensive and time-consuming. It would affect “anyone who puts a shovel in the ground,” said Laura Campbell, manager of the Michigan Farm Bureau’s agricultural ecology department. Farmers will need more permits approved by the EPA for things like nutrient applications, basic pest control and adapting new land for farming, she said. EPA is suggesting new rules under the Clean Water Act that would give it jurisdiction over more bodies of water. That includes water that could run into a stream that is already under its jurisdiction and areas that are only wet during flood seasons.

Government

Townships appeal tax breaks for big box retailers

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — The battle against a property tax advantage for big box retailers has been taken to the Michigan Court of Appeals. Large retailers such as Meijer, Target and Best Buy can appeal to the Michigan Tax Tribunal to have their properties assessed at the “true cash value” which usually results in lower property taxes. The communities with big box stores lose tax revenue. “True cash value” is defined by the tax tribunal as the “fair market value or the usual selling price of property.”

Tax tribunal decsions in favor of a Home Depot in Breitung Township and a Lowe’s in Marquette Township were recently fought in the Court of Appeals. Attorney Stacy Hissong represented both townships in the appeal.

Government

Little-known agencies affect everyday life

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Sick of watching training videos of how to safely work in an office and how to avoid passing on a virus to your coworkers when you get a cold? Don’t blame the governor or the Legislature. Safety and health training and education are the work of the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration. In fact, many agencies you’ve never heard of have a powerful influence on Michigan residents, most of them involved in the creation and enforcement of rules and regulations. “Every law has rules,” said Andy Such, director of environmental and regulatory policy at the Michigan Manufacturers Association.

Government

More motorists injured in construction zones but fewer killed

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Serious injuries from Michigan road construction crashes are on the rise although the actual number of crashes, deaths and all injuries has dipped. The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently tallied 2013 construction zone accidents:

107 serious injuries, up from 57 the year before
4,080 crashes, down from 4,592 in 2012
10 deaths, down from 15 in 2012
1,112 total injuries, down from 1,181 in 2012

A work zone is defined by the Michigan Vehicle Code as a portion of a street or highway that is between a “work zone begins” sign and an “end road work” sign. The data has not been analyzed yet, but there is some speculation that the lower number of crashes points to the intelligent traffic systems set up by MDOT, said Angie Kremer, traffic incident management engineer for the department. These systems consist of electronic signs along the expressway that update drivers about construction conditions, giving them more time to prepare for stopped or slowed traffic, Kremer said. In 2012, there were 609 total deaths in work zone crashes in the U.S. Michigan’s 15 deaths ranked at about the average.

Environment

Some wastes would be reused, not landfilled, under bills

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Coal ash could be used in concrete, lime ash could be used for farming and copper sand could be made into shingles under legislation that would allow certain industries to sell byproducts that they now throw away. These byproducts can’t be used now because they are classified as hazardous materials that can potentially harm the environment. But recently introduced “beneficial reuse” legislation would provide parameters for testing their toxicity. If the byproducts passed the test, they could be sold and reused rather than sent to expensive landfills. The bills will be discussed in committee and possibly reported out on April 17.

Business & Economy

Economic outlook for state depends on where you are

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Michigan’s economy is on the rise, according to a recent survey. In many areas of the state more people are reporting they are in excellent or good economic shape. The exceptions are the Upper Peninsula, rural areas and Detroit. The latest State of the State survey out of Michigan State University indicates that many Michigan residents are doing better financially than they were a year ago. And they expect to be doing better still this time next year.

Business & Economy

State may encourage industry by easing limits on breweries

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — The explosion of craft beer in Michigan has the Legislature hoping the industry could benefit from relaxed regulation. Numerous bills related to the beer and wine industries were passed in the House recently, many of them designed to encourage the industry to expand. The legislation would raise the limit of barrels produced by a microbrewery from 30,000 to 60,000. As of now, a brewer that produces more than 30,000 barrels can no longer be considered a microbrewery. Microbrewers are given some tax breaks and have some flexibility in the rules of the industry, such as the ability to sell growlers, or containers that can be filled to go.

Government

They know where you were—but maybe only for 48 hours

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Legislation requiring police to delete license plate numbers collected by automatic high speed cameras may be coming to Michigan. Rep. Sam Singh, D-East Lansing, wants to restrict how long police can store license plate numbers from automatic license plate readers. Singh wants police to delete the data after 48 hours. There are no limits on how long the data is kept now. The automatic license plate readers are placed on both patrol cars and stationary objects, such as road signs and traffic lights, and capture photos of passing vehicles’ license plates.

Education

Preparation for trades could count toward graduation under proposed legislation

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING — High school students could learn algebra while working with metal under legislation pending in the Senate. The bills sponsored by Rep. Ed McBroom, R-Vulcan, and Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, would give students more flexibility in classes they could take in high school. They could take an agricultural science or anatomy class in place of the traditional second year science class, swap a foreign language class for an industrial art class and fulfill the Algebra II requirement with classes that incorporate the material differently. The Michigan Merit Curriculum enacted in 2006 allows little flexibility for students to explore a career field, McBroom said. All around the state there have been unintended consequences popping up because of the rigid requirements, McBroom said.

Health

Tooth decay widespread, but so is the war against it

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By ASHLEY WEIGEL
Capital News Service
LANSING – One of the greatest health risks for Michigan children is right under their noses. Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease for children, said Angela Minicuci, public information officer of the Michigan Department of Community Health. More than half of all third graders—58 percent—have some tooth decay, according to the Department of Community Health, and 25 percent of those problems are left untreated. Dentists are distributing toothbrushes and educational materials in schools to students and teachers during February, said Tom Kochheiser, director of public affairs for the Michigan Dental Association, because it is National Children’s Oral Health month. Tooth decay is a big issue afflicting children, even though it is preventable through regular brushing, flossing and a healthy diet, Kochheiser said.