Government

Prisons face security level questions

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By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — During the past five years, Michigan’s prison population has dropped by nearly 8,000 and 20 facilities have closed, leaving the Department of Correction with one question to answer: Where should it keep those who stay? Matching prisoners’ security risks to the appropriate facility has become a never-ending game. The department tracks the number of prisoners within the system, as well as their security rank — Level I presenting the lowest risk and Level IV presenting the highest — and adjusts its facilities accordingly. However, some experts question the accuracy of the department’s evaluation process. Inmates are evaluated annually — twice annually if they’re new to the system — to determine if they should be moved to a different security level facility or if they should stay put.

Government

Higher fishing, hunting fees could hurt seniors, lawmaker claims

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By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Recently proposed increases to state hunting and fishing fees could disproportionately hurts seniors, one legislator said, even for some who haven’t hunted or fished for years. Rep. Scott Dianda, D-Calumet, said the array of possible changes to hunting and fishing licenses — including senior deer hunting licenses increasing from $6 to $8 on top of a $4 base fee — isn’t fair to his older constituents. “I know everything is on the table here, but I’d hate to see retirees pay more for their licenses,” Dianda said. “I know there are people who are buying licenses that don’t go hunting any more, but still want to support the Department of Natural Resources” (DNR). Dianda said some seniors in his district buy licenses to support the DNR so younger people can enjoy the amenities it provides.

Transportation & Roads

Good news, pothole dodgers: orange cones coming soon

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By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — With the backing of a $3.7 billion proposal for road and bridge maintenance from Gov. Rick Snyder, the Department of Transportation (MDOT) is set to move forward on 14 highway construction projects in Northern Michigan this year. The projects are laid out in the department’s five-year plan, which includes 50 road and 12 bridge renovation projects between 2013 and 2017 in the North and Superior regions. James Lake, communications specialist for MDOT’s Superior Region, said most these projects were in the works years before they began surfacing in five-year plans, meaning even without all of the money requested by Snyder, this year’s projects will be able to move forward. The renovations are set to begin with the resurfacing of a 6.3-mile stretch of M-37 in Wexford County between M-115 and 4 Road, which could start in March, depending on weather, said Bob Felt, communications specialist for MDOT’s North Region. The other four Lower Peninsula projects are set to start during early in the summer and include two minor alterations to US-31 in Emmet County, restoration of a 5.5-mile stretch of M-88 in Antrim County and 1.5 miles of rehabilitation to US-31 near Traverse City.

Education

More Michigan med school grads, too few residency spots

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By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Despite three new medical colleges opening within a three-year span, Michigan likely won’t see an increase in doctors, but rather an increase in the exodus of graduates to other states, experts say. Oakland University, which opened its medical program in 2011, admitted 50 students in its inaugural class and 75 more in 2012. Central Michigan University’s medical school, set to open this summer, plans to admit about 60 students into its class and Western Michigan University plans to take 50 for its pioneer class in August 2014. All intend to increase admissions annually during their first few years. However, that increase will have little effect on the number of physicians practicing in the state, particularly in the already-underserved areas of Northern Michigan, because the state doesn’t have enough graduate medical education (GME) programs to accommodate them, said Sheri Clarke, president of the Michigan Association for Medical Education.

Government

Longer shifts tested at two prisons

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By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — In an effort to save money in one of Michigan’s most costly departments, correctional facilities throughout the state are considering increasing shifts from eight hours to 12 hours, a concept that’s being met with mixed reactions. Two prisons are giving the two-shift system a trial run, Muskegon Correctional Facility, which has had 12-hour shifts since it reopened last fall, and Newberry Correctional Facility. The issue is under discussion at several other prisons. Correctional officers at Newberry voted to accept the administration’s proposal to test 12-hour shifts Jan. 15, said Kris Kangas, president of the Newberry chapter of the Michigan Corrections Organization, the union representing the guards.

Business & Economy

Hunting, fishing provide economic boost

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By KYLE CAMPBELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Despite drought conditions, low water levels and a rash of disease in the white-tailed deer population, fishing and hunting remained a boon to the Michigan economy in 2012. With more than 1.19 million fishing licenses and more than 2.39 million hunting licenses purchased from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) between last March 1 and Jan. 17, 2013, the state surpassed its total revenue from the previous year by more than $375,000. The license sale year runs until the end of February, but Denise Gruben, manager of licensing and reservations for the DNR, said most sales occur before the end of the calendar year. Despite the increase, Sharon Schafer, the head of the DNR’s Budget and Support Services Division, said the state still lags about $400,000 behind projections for the fiscal year, which began last Oct.