lottery

Stateside for Wednesday, May 8th, 2013

Stateside Staff — Wed, 08 May 2013 21:21:53 +0000

On today's program, we explore the idea of secret work groups crafting public policy in Lansing, and how transparent Michigan's government should be.

And we look at whether expanding the lottery to the internet is a good idea.

We'll also hear how new technology being developed here in Michigan might be able to help authorities identify potential threats in airports or in large crowds.

The week in Michigan politics: Roads funding, lottery and welfare, human rights in Royal Oak

Jack Lessenberry, Christina Shockley and Emily Fox — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 11:58:42 +0000

This week in Michigan politics, Jack Lessenberry and Christina Shockley discuss funding proposals to fix Michigan’s roads, the number of lottery winners on welfare, and how a human rights ordinance is moving forward in Royal Oak.

In this morning's news: spending cuts, lottery winners on welfare, Lansing Marathon boosts security

Emily Fox — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:18:58 +0000

Federal cuts to affect schools

"The state of Michigan doesn't plan to lay off any of its 48,000 workers because of automatic federal spending cuts. [But] federal education funding will drop $54 million and affect special education programs, after-school programs and aid for schools with more students in poverty," the Associated Press reports.

14 percent of lottery winners are on welfare or live with someone on welfare

Michigan has found 3,500 lottery winners, representing around 14 percent of all winners, who either got welfare or lived with welfare recipients. As the Associated Press reports, "Human Services Director Maura Corrigan says some lottery winners are no longer getting public assistance because of the law signed a year ago. But she says 'loopholes' still let lottery winners collect some Medicaid benefits."

Lansing Marathon ramps up security

"The two thousand runners expected to take part in this Sunday’s Lansing Marathon can expect to see tight security along the 26.2 mile course. The added security is in response to Monday’s deadly bombing at the finish of the Boston Marathon," Steve Carmody reports.

Commentary: Secret lottery

Jack Lessenberry — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 13:02:54 +0000

Presidents, governors and legislators come and go, but one thing remains the same. Politicians are all for full disclosure and transparency in government -- until they themselves get power. Then, there are things they want to keep us from knowing.

That’s where journalists come in. We think that in most cases, the public has the right to know what’s going on, even if that is inconvenient for the government. In fact, maybe even especially if it is inconvenient for the government. When you have any government doing things secretly without any oversight, that’s not democracy.

Win the lottery, lose your privacy?

The Associated Press — Sat, 22 Sep 2012 09:07:03 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Multistate lottery winners in Michigan could remain anonymous under a measure being considered by the Michigan Senate.

The bill would prohibit the disclosure unless the winner agrees to it in writing. Lottery officials are authorized to disclose a multistate game winner's identity.

Sterling Heights Republican and bill sponsor Tory Rocca says winners should be allowed keep their privacy, particularly for their own safety.

Lottery officials say few states require anonymity and identifying winners is important to show people win prizes.