Virg Bernero

Lansing City Council delays budget vote

Steve Carmody — Tue, 08 May 2012 16:38:57 +0000

The Lansing City Council is taking more time to review next year’s budget plan.

Council has delayed its vote on the budget from May 14th to May 21st.

Councilwoman Carol Wood says there are “holes” in the mayor’s budget plan.

“Those holes have not been plugged. All we’re being told is they might be filled," says Wood, "And I can’t pass in good conscience for the taxpayers of the city of Lansing. I can’t pass a budget that way.”

Supporters turn out for public hearing on proposed Lansing casino

Steve Carmody — Tue, 13 Mar 2012 02:57:39 +0000

Lansing business and union leaders came out to a public hearing last night to support a proposed casino project in the city’s downtown.

The Sault Ste Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians wants to build a $245 million dollar casino next to the city's downtown convention center.

Two previous community forums drew a parade of casino critics who warned gambling will increase crime and cause other problems in the capitol city. Last night, it was the supporters' turn to make their case.

Lansing mayor talks about 'the State of the City' tonight

Steve Carmody — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:37:32 +0000

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero will deliver his State of the City address this evening. The mayor is expected to stress Lansing is rebounding from the recession in tonight’s speech.

Over the weekend, the mayor’s office called attention to a new survey that found Lansing is leading the nation’s metropolitan areas in the growth of manufacturing jobs.

But Lansing’s job picture is complex. Last week, the state labor department reported Lansing’s December jobless rate stood at 6.9 percent, nearly 1.5 percent lower than December 2010.

However, the actual number of people with jobs in Lansing remained unchanged. The only difference was nearly 4,000 people left the job market.

The site of the mayor’s speech is part of the message. Mayor Bernero will speak at a former electric power plant, that after a $182 million renovation has become the headquarters for an insurance company. The mayor is also expected to talk about another project, a controversial plan to build a casino in downtown Lansing.

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, vocal supporter of the Occupy movement (audio interview)

Mercedes Mejia and Jennifer White — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 21:03:29 +0000

The Occupy movement has expanded beyond Wall Street. A number of cities in Michigan have Occupy demonstrations, including Detroit, Grand Rapids, and Lansing.

Lansing Mayor, Virg Bernero says he's been "..protesting Wall Street since before it was fashionable." He welcomes the demonstrators.

"It costs money to arrest people and to cordon off areas. And so our goal was to not arrest anybody, and we made that clear when they got here."

Fast Track or Prudent Pace?

Steve Carmody — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 04:12:32 +0000

The Lansing city council is facing November deadlines to act on a pair of high dollar agreements. But at least one council member complains they are not getting all the information they need about the deals.

The Lansing city council scheduled time last night to discuss a proposed tax deal involving the capital city’s airport and a land swap deal with a local college. But both discussions were cut short because of a lack of information.

Contract talks continue in Lansing

Steve Carmody — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 19:14:57 +0000

Time is running out for the city of Lansing to win new contract concessions from its labor unions. Meanwhile, another round of layoff notices will soon go to some city employees.

Lansing’s mayor’s office continues to negotiate with union leaders seeking 3 million dollars in concessions before the city’s new budget takes effect July 1^st. Mayor Virg Bernero says the city and the unions are talking in good faith to avoid possible layoffs.

Lansing city council leaders to discuss budget

Steve Carmody — Fri, 13 May 2011 15:09:24 +0000

The city of Lansing is facing a projected $20 million dollar budget deficit.

On Monday, the city council is scheduled to vote on a budget intended to close that gap. As it stands now, the city may have to lay off dozens of police officers and firefighters, as well as making other painful spending cuts to balance the budget.

Lansing mayor proposes eliminating 200 city jobs

Steve Carmody — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 23:13:29 +0000

Lansing mayor Virg Bernero says he's presenting his 2012 fiscal year budget plan with a heavy heart. The city is facing a $20 million budget gap next year. Bernero says this requires a tough and painful response.

He's proposing eliminating 200 positions. One hundred and thirty of these jobs are currently filled. Bernero's budget fall particularly hard on the city's public safety department. More than 50 Lansing police officers would be laid off and three fire stations will be closed under Bernero's budget. Bernero says he doesn't relish cuts, but with employee costs being the largest part of the city's budget, he has little choice.

Bernero says the need for deep spending cuts might be lessened if state revenue sharing is not as deep as proposed by Governor Snyder. He says Lansing voters could help as well if they approve a millage increase on the May 3rd ballot.

But Bernero says he has to propose a budget now with the "cards" the city's been dealt. Bernero says the city has already made all the easy cuts.

Bernero to deliver Lansing budget plan today

Zoe Clark — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 12:41:58 +0000

Lansing Mayor, and former Michigan gubernatorial candidate, Virg Bernero delivers his city's 2012 budget to the Lansing City Council tonight. It's being reported this morning that Bernero will propose a budget that contains $20 million in cuts.

The Lansing State Journal reports:

In the run-up to Monday's formal budget presentation, Bernero's staffers have sent signals about the magnitude of possible cuts. Among the most notable: the potential closure of three fire stations and elimination of 60 positions in the Fire Department.

As the Lansing State Journal explains, Lansing, like many other cities and townships across the state, is, "caught between competing budget pressures. First is the drop off in revenue from local property taxes and from promised aid from the state government. City budgeters also have to cope with rising costs, particularly on pensions and on health care for workers and retirees alike."

"It’s happening in Lansing" - The State of the City of Lansing

Steve Carmody — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:09:46 +0000

Lansing mayor Virg Bernero delivered his sixth state of the city address last night. He had a lot to say about past accomplishments, but said next to nothing about the city’s projected $15 million budget deficit.

Look around and see for yourself, it’s happening in Lansing.

Lansing mayor Virg Bernero told the audience during his state of the city address. To that end, Bernero spoke a lot about recent business investment in the capitol city.

He didn’t speak directly to Lansing’s projected $15 million budget deficit. He did suggest part of the budget problem can be found across the street from Lansing city hall at the state capitol.

City budgets across Michigan are on life support. The loss of property tax values means the loss of property tax revenue. High unemployment means the loss of income tax revenue. And the continued failure of state government to manage its own budget problems has cost of tens of millions in state shared revenues.

Bernero also said Lansing needs to work with its neighbors to deal with a variety of regional problems.

Lansing Mayor Bernero delivers State of the City address

Zoe Clark — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 11:37:35 +0000

Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero delivered his sixth State of the City address last night. As Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody reports, he had a lot to say about past accomplishments but said next to nothing about the city's projected $15 million dollar budget deficit:

"Look around and see for yourself, it's happening in Lansing," Bernero said. That was the theme of Lansing mayor Virg Bernero's state of the city address.
To that end, Bernero spoke a lot about recent business investment in the capitol city. He didn't speak directly to Lansing's projected $15 million budget deficit.
He did suggest part of the budget problem can be found across the street from Lansing city hall at the state capitol.
"City budgets across Michigan are on life support. The loss of property tax values means the loss of property tax revenue. High unemployment means the loss of income tax revenue. And the continued failure of state government to manage its own budget problems has cost of tens of millions in state shared revenues," Bernero said.
Bernero also said Lansing needs to work with its neighbors to deal with a variety of regional problems.

Bernero was the Democratic nominee in Michigan's 2010 Gubernatorial race. He lost the race to his Republican opponent Rick Snyder. Snyder delivered his first State of the State address as Governor last Wednesday evening.

City of Lansing facing $15 million budget deficit in FY12

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Mon, 20 Dec 2010 21:07:49 +0000

The City of Lansing is facing a potential $15 million budget deficit. City Finance Director Jerry Ambrose says there is a growing chasm between Lansing’s projected spending needs fiscal year 2012 and the city’s projected revenue. FY2012 begins June 30th, 2011. Ambrose says the city expects to spend $118 million next year delivering city services, but city revenues are only expected to reach $103 million. Ambrose says in a written statement:

Snyder, Bernero disclose money spent in 2010 gubernatorial race

Zoe Clark — Fri, 03 Dec 2010 11:55:03 +0000

As we've been reporting, yesterday was the last day for candidates who ran in Michigan’s 2010 election to report how much money they raised during the campaign season.

According to Republican Governor-elect Rick Snyder’s campaign finance reports, he spent almost $11 million during the campaign; $6 million of which was his own.

The Associated Press reports that Snyder’s largest donors were, “Pistons owner Karen Davidson and former Bechtel Group co-owner Stephen Bechtel and his wife, Elizabeth, of San Francisco.”

Snyder’s opponent in the race for governor, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, raised a little under $2 million and qualified for a little more than $1 million in public funds.

What's next for Virg Bernero?

Zoe Clark — Wed, 17 Nov 2010 15:13:51 +0000

The Lansing State Journal takes a look today at what Lansing Mayor Virg Bernro has been up to since losing the Michigan gubernational election earlier this month to Republican Rick Snyder.

In an article titled, "After failed bid for governor, it's business as usual for Lansing Mayor Virg Bernro," the LSJ reports:

Bernero wants to turn his attention to economic development... and preparations for 600 new jobs at General Motors Co.'s Lansing Grand River plant. There's also "a few other things we haven't even yet announced economic-wise," Bernero said. Lansing's cash-strapped budget also should keep him occupied, he said. "I am the mayor," Bernero said. "I'm excited about doing the job and I'm excited about where we are...You'll have to stay tuned."

Last year, Bernero won a 2nd four-year term as Lansing mayor.

When asked whether he would run for another political job, Bernero told the LSJ, it was, "hard to say," and that there's, "plenty of time to think about it."

Republican party sweeps in Michigan's big races

Mark Brush — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 05:55:01 +0000

Update 1:53am: The race in the 9th district has been called. Gary Peters (D) has defeated Rocky Raczkowski (R).

Update: 1:07am Waiting on one race in Michigan. The race for Michigan's 9th congressional district between Gary Peters (D) and Rocky Raczkowski (R) has yet to be called. So far, of the 15 Michigan congressional districts 9 have gone to republicans and 5 have gone to democrats.