PhilGoBlue Has Left the State

by: philgoblue

Thu Jul 02, 2009 at 11:00:00 AM EDT

So, pick up the slack WMR bloggers ...  

Information on Getting In the Muskegon Labor Day Parade

by: philgoblue

Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 09:52:00 AM EDT

Bazzani Associates Becomes Newest Clean Corporate Citizen

by: philgoblue

Wed Jul 01, 2009 at 02:00:00 AM EDT

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester recently welcomed Bazzani Associates of Grand Rapids as the newest member of the Clean Corporate Citizen (C3) Program. Bazzani Associates is the first design and architectural building firm to become a member of the C3 Program, and helps to transform Michigan's building trade by constructing Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certified green buildings in Michigan.

Cherry Announces $10m Grant for Muskegon Lake Restoration

by: philgoblue

Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 14:22:11 PM EDT

The Recovery Act grant will improve aquatic habitat for fish and other species by removing over 180,000 tons of degraded lake bottom sediment and restoring 10,000 feet of Lake Muskegon shoreline now hardened by materials including foundry slag, broken concrete, and sheet metal.

Cherry said:

"This grant will create or retain 125 construction and engineering jobs, help
restore an important waterway in Michigan, and continue Michigan's economic recovery
and transformation. It's the kind of win-win result that is the focus of our
Green Jobs for Blue Waters Initiative we announced in April."

Great news for Michigan -- of the 50 different NOAA coastal restoration projects being funded from the Recovery Act, only one is receiving more than Muskegon Lake ($10.5m for restoring wetlands on the Hackensack River in Jersey City -- if you've been there, you'll know why they need the money). A full listing is here.

The LG wrote about cleaning up Muskegon Lake last year at BFM -- it's a sorely needed project and will be great for West Michigan.

The Nefarious Gay Agenda: In Kalamazoo You Can't Be Fired Because of Who You Love

by: philgoblue

Tue Jun 30, 2009 at 13:04:01 PM EDT

Nice to see a brave city commission.

Depressing to believe there are still people who think otherwise.

UPDATE by memiller:

I had talked with Don Cooney on Sunday, so I had an idea this would be a 7-0 vote. Getting to unanimity was a big deal, like it used to be back in the '50s and '60s for the Supreme Court on civil rights and desegregation cases. It says that those who have been elected to lead the city are all agreed that non-discrimination should be the law.

This will not, however, stop those against it from circulating petitions to bring to a vote of the citizens. It seems certain that they will be able to collect enough signatures, so it will appear on the ballot, most likely this November.

That is also when the City Commission is up for election, so it will probably become an issue in the election, and may even generate one or two single-issue candidates for the Commission race. The filing deadline for City Commission is absurdly late, 30 days before the election. This means we could have a bunch of candidates who crop up at the filing deadline, and little time to sort them out.

I just wanted to quote one paragraph from the Gazette article:

"Job openings or available housing are not going to be advertised," [Charles] Ybema said. "This entrenches the 'Who do you know?' phenomena. There are concerns about the rights of freedom of speech and religion. ... There are still public-restroom issues."

Why on earth would jobs and housing not be advertised? Huh? Restrooms?? Sheesh.

Calling Michigan Women to Go Run! This July

by: philgoblue

Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 22:06:56 PM EDT

The White House Project is seeking applications for its award-winning Go Run political training program for women.  This year's participants will join a robust group of over 6,000 alumnae throughout Michigan and the U.S. who have utilized the training as a launching pad to run for office, manage campaigns, and become vocal and visible leaders in the political arena.  Women are encouraged to apply online.

The goal of 2009 Michigan Go Run -- a multi-day workshop led by state and national experts -- is to create a permanent, nonpartisan pipeline to women's political leadership throughout the state of Michigan.  Across the U.S., the innovative Go Run program has been instrumental in propelling a diverse group of women into positions of political leadership, having trained over 6,000 women since its creation in 2004.

"Though I had an idea that I wanted to run for office, Michigan Go Run solidified my nerve, and reminded me why I was embarking on this exciting but challenging journey," said Laura Davis, a 2008 Michigan Go Run alum who won her race for the Ingham County Commission later that year.  "In total, the training was a completely life-changing experience."

Go Run utilizes the expertise of local and national leaders to provide the basic constructs of running for office - from campaign strategy to fundraising to communications. Through its regional offices across the country, The White House Project trains some of the most underrepresented women in our political system: 41% of its alumnae are women of color; 46% earn less than $30,000 a year; and 50% are under the age of 35.

Scheduled to take place July 10th through 12th at Saginaw Valley State University in Saginaw, 2009 Michigan Go Run will train participants in the fundamentals of campaign strategy, fundraising and communications.

Applications are now open and available on The White House Project's website.  Travel and childcare stipends, as well as tuition scholarships, are available based on financial need.  Sponsorship opportunities are also available.

Photos from Rosalynn Bliss Gathering

by: philgoblue

Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 12:57:29 PM EDT

Huck's Birthday Bash

by: philgoblue

Mon Jun 29, 2009 at 12:04:16 PM EDT

At Huck's home seven miles north of Greenville.

Swimming, boat rides, bon fire, food, beer and pop.

For details on address and donation levels (just $30.50 per person) call 810-449-9819 or email frank.surmann@gmail.com

Redistricting Michigan in 2010

by: pbratt

Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 23:04:30 PM EDT

Introduction

In recent months astute political analysts have noted that the real prize in the 2010 election is control of the redistricting process that will follow in the year to come.  While redistricting occurs on every level of government throughout the 50 states, many observers note the importance of redistricting United States House Districts.  In the 2001-2002 redistricting cycle following the 2000 Census, many states, including Texas and Pennsylvania, underwent an aggressive Republican gerrymandering developed to maximize GOP gains in 2002 and 2004.  This strategy largely succeeded, allowing the Republicans to further their control of many state delegations.  

Perhaps the most aggressive GOP redistricting (with the exception of Tom Delay's Texas redraw) came in Michigan.  Since the adoption of the 1964 Constitution, the state legislature has controlled the redistricting process, with the governor having veto power over the plan.  The redistricting plans offered in 1965, 1971, 1981, and 1991 by the state legislature were rejected by the federal courts, which decried the partisan nature of both the Democratic and Republican plans.  Given that the Republicans controlled the State Senate during each of four cycles (and the Democrats controlling the State House), the plans that were eventually approved by the federal courts strived to adhere to the 1964 State Constitution's demand that districts be "compact, contiguous, and avoid breaking up political subdivisions (such as municipalities)."

This situation did not repeat itself in 2001. The Michigan Republican Party, which controlled the executive branch starting in 1990 and the State House in 1995, while maintaining its hold on the State Senate, drafted new legislation to guide the redistricting of federal and state legislative districts.  MCL 3.61 (PA 221 1996) often known as the Congressional Redistricting Act, guided redistricting of congressional seats, while State Legislative Redistricting Standards Act (MCL 4.261) charted redistricting of the State House and Senate. Both laws largely adopted the standards established by the Michigan Supreme Court during the previous redistricting battles.  

Brewer's Interview with Rick Albin

by: philgoblue

Sun Jun 28, 2009 at 15:22:25 PM EDT

RIP MediaMouse

by: philgoblue

Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 20:26:24 PM EDT

MediaMouse -- "a left and progressive group blog providing independent news, media, analysis, and commentary covering Grand Rapids, Michigan and beyond" announced last week it's closing up shop.

While I can't say I agreed with what they wrote a lot of the time -- I'm a Democrat, not an anarchist -- they did provide a valuable resource and will be missed.

I'm not sure what this means for The Bloom Collective with which MediaMouse was affiliated.

ObamaZoo National Day of Service for Health Care

by: memiller

Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 14:45:22 PM EDT

Imagine you have healthcare
It's easy if you try
Freedom to choose your doctor
Cov'rage money can't buy
Imagine first class treatment
When you're unemployed

Imagine no insurance
No greedy middleman
No premium, no co-pay
A single payer plan
Imagine a long illness
And you don't lose your home

CHORUS:
You may say I'm a dreamer
I'm not dreaming by myself
I hope someday you'll join us
2nd time we'll join them
And the world can live in health

Can you say "Universal"?
I wonder if you can
Now try "Comprehensive."
Does this sound like a plan??
It's worked for years in Europe
Canada & Japan

Below the fold for pictures; more later after the rally.

Hoekstra and Upton Vote Against Great Lakes Cleanup

by: philgoblue

Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 14:32:55 PM EDT

that spending $26 billion to clean the lakes would bring benefits of at least $80 billion.

Twitter Pete Hoekstra and Fred Upton voted against brining Michigan taxpayer money back to our state by refusing to support appropriations for Great Lakes restoration.

Friday, the U.S. House passed appropriations for the Interior and Environmental Protection Agency that includes $475 million for cleaning up Great Lakes waterways, fighting invasive species and helping wildlife. It passed 254-173.  All Michigan Democrats voted for the bill. All Republicans, except Vern Ehlers and Candice Miller voted against cleaning the lakes.  Unbelieveable that Michigan congressmen would voted against the Great Lakes.  Their extremism knows no bounds.

According to the Detroit News money includes:

• $147 million to clean up highly toxic rivers and harbors that feed into the lakes.

• $60 million to prevent and remove invasive species.

• $98 million to refurbish areas near shores and to prevent "non-point" pollution, such as fertilizer and oil run-off.

• $105 million to restore and protect habitat and wildlife.

• $65 million to monitor progress of cleanup.

Chairman Brewer on WOOD-TV Sunday

by: philgoblue

Sat Jun 27, 2009 at 09:01:12 AM EDT

Expect a New Grand Rapids City Manager By Early August

by: philgoblue

Fri Jun 26, 2009 at 06:00:00 AM EDT

Mayor George Heartwell said he expects the commission to make a hiring decision in early August after getting the list of finalists in July.

Besides any external candidates the firm finds, there are three internal candidates besides DeLong. They include: Acting Deputy City Manager Greg Sundstrom, Human Resources Director Mari Beth Jelks and Assistant to the City Manager and Purchasing Manager Director Jose Reyna.

So get a bug in the ear of your City Commissioners now before it's too late.

Call NOW for Clean Energy!

by: memiller

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 22:24:40 PM EDT

The bill received some media attention at the time it passed out of the Energy and Commerce Committee, but since then has been overshadowed by the growing debate over health care. I'm very surprised that the leadership has brought this vote on so soon. I hope that means they've done the whip count and it is in hand. I'm still nervous.

Late this year, the world will gather in Copenhagen to begin the next round of climate negotiations, the follow-on to Kyoto. If the United States arrives there having done nothing positive, it will be a disaster. There will be no pressure on China and India to do anything if we do not. And our per capita emissions are so much greater than theirs, that we will look like complete hypocrites if we complain about them.

We need to do this, no matter what the cost. But a Congressional Budget Office study released this week showed that the actual net cost will be surprisingly small.

So - the Michigan connection? There are three House members who are 'on the fence', as my source from Repower America tells me. Freshman Democrats Mark Schauer, and Gary Peters, and veteran Republican Vern Ehlers. It surprises me that Schauer and Peters are not sure to vote for legislation so necessary and so good for Michigan, but the coal companies have been blitzing the airwaves to generate 'astroturf' (fake grassroots), and lots of anti- calls have evidently been coming in. Ehlers is a scientist who knows the score on this, and might actually vote against his party,if he gets enough cover to do so.

That's where you come in. I know we have readers in Ehlers district. If you care about the environment, and have ever thought about calling your representative about an environmental issue, now would be the time. We can't afford to lose this vote because some of our Congressmen don't know there are as many of us who care what kind of planet we leave our children as there actually are.

Schauer - 202 225 6276
Peters - 202 225 5802
Ehlers - 202 225 5144
---------------------
UPDATE (7:18, 26 June): HB 2454 passes 219 - 212! What a squeeker! But we're taking our first baby steps towards fighting climate change.
---------------------
UPDATE 2: The Michigan delegation voted right down party lines on this one.

Report on the Cherry Forum on Streamlining Government

by: philgoblue

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 17:37:14 PM EDT

Topics of concern included the state's role in promoting economic growth, encouraging sustainability and the separation of powers between states and municipalities.

A formal proposal [from the Cherry commission] is expected to be implemented by early 2010....

MadeInMichigan: GM Picks Michigan for Small Car Plant

by: philgoblue

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 17:30:01 PM EDT

Congrats to everyone who wanted it MadeInMichigan.

Now, let's keep the parts plants in Michigan too.

Schauer Endorses Cherry for Governor

by: philgoblue

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 17:13:04 PM EDT

Washington Post: Land is out, endorses Bouchard

by: pbratt

Thu Jun 25, 2009 at 09:14:46 AM EDT

Bouchard Scores Major Endorsement: Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land will end her gubernatorial exploratory committee today and endorse Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard's bid, according to a strategist close to Bouchard. Land and Bouchard will appear together at two stops -- one in Grand Rapids and the other in Troy. Land's support is an early boost for Bouchard, who lost badly to Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D) in 2006, because she hails from the Republican-rich western part of the state and has impeccable social conservative credentials. Bouchard will still face a tough primary fight against state Attorney General Mike Cox, Rep. Pete Hoekstra and businessman Rick Snyder in 2010.

http://voices.washingtonpost.c...

If Cillizza is correct, I think that this endorsement helps Bouchard gain some momentum.  However, I can't see Land's endorsement helping him gain lots of votes in western Michigan.  Land, while well known, doesn't have the same endorsement creed that can appeal to primary voters such as DeVos.  In the end, I think that Land's withdrawal is being high-fived around the Hoekstra campaign, as a major regional opponent in the Congressman's home region is out, and he can troll for votes in SE Michigan while seeking to bank votes back in western Michigan.  If State Senate Tom George drops out, Hoekstra will have much of the western part of the state for himself, putting the three east side candidates (Bouchard, Synder and Cox) at a greater disadvanatge.