Mark Brush

U.S. Senator Carl Levin announced his retirement

Saying he wants to focus on his last two years in the Senate without the distraction of a campaign, Sen. Carl Levin announced he would not seek re-election in 2014.

The Washington Post wrote "don't let his rumpled suits or avuncular glasses fool you..."

Levin is ready for a fight.

The former civil-rights lawyer is famous for his deep policy knowledge - he spends more than 20 hours getting ready for hearings so he'll "know when the B.S. is flying," and he nailed George W. Bush administration officials with his precise questioning.
As Senate Armed Services Committee chairman, Levin has spearheaded some key proposals on national security. He fought tirelessly to end the Iraq war, which he opposed from the start.

Flint tries to collect unpaid taxes

Flint is trying to cut into a $19 million budget deficit. Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody reports the city hopes to collect on past taxes:

To chip away at part of that, city officials plan to pressure people who haven’t paid their city income taxes for a while. The city estimates that it’s owed between $300,000 and $400,000 in unpaid income taxes for just 2010.

Consumers Energy halts drilling practice after explosion

The Associated Press reports Consumers Energy says it has halted projects throughout Michigan that involve the same drilling method used before a deadly Detroit-area house explosion. Consumers Energy says employees and contractors are conducting a review of projects involving boring. Fifty-eight-year-old Daniel Malczynski died in the Royal Oak blast last month.

Update 8:23 p.m.

President Obama released this statement about Sen. Carl Levin's announcement:

If you’ve ever worn the uniform, worked a shift on an assembly line, or sacrificed to make ends meet, then you’ve had a voice and a vote in Senator Carl Levin. No one has worked harder to bring manufacturing jobs back to our shores, close unfair tax loopholes, and ensure that everyone plays by the same set of rules. As chairman of the Armed Services Committee, Senator Levin is a true champion for all those who serve, and his tireless work will be missed not just in his home state of Michigan, but by military families across our country. Michelle and I wish Carl, Barbara and their family all the best, and I look forward to working with Carl over the next two years as we continue tackling some of our nation’s toughest challenges.

5:32 p.m.

U.S. Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) announced that he will not seek re-election in 2014.

Levin has been serving in the U.S. Senate since 1979.

He released the following statement:

I have decided not to run for re-election in 2014.

This decision was extremely difficult because I love representing the people of Michigan in the U.S. Senate and fighting for the things that I believe are important to them.

Michiganders could have the chance to pet and take photos with bear cubs, under legislation approved by the House, and passed by the Senate last month.

Senate Bill 48 would amend the state's "Large Carnivore Act."

More from the Associated Press:

The bill approved by a 56-52 vote Thursday would free up facilities to allow the handling of bear cubs up to 9 months old or weighing no more than 90 pounds...

The legislature passed a similar bill last session, but it was vetoed Snyder. It had been tied to another bill Snyder had concerns about, but he encouraged the Legislature to re-introduce this bill on its own this session.

MPRN's Jake Neher reported on last month's Senate vote on the bill.

Senator Rebekah Warren was one of the Senators who voted against the bill.

She says lawmakers should put residents’ safety ahead of the financial benefit of a single business.

“It’s just this reminder that wild animals do always have the potential to be dangerous, to act in a way that’s unpredictable that could result in harm to our citizens.”

The bill will now go back to the Senate for final approval and then make its way to Gov. Rick Snyder's desk where it will likely be signed into law.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Senate has voted to authorize $21 million in emergency spending to dredge Great Lakes harbors grappling with record-low water levels.

The bill passed 31-5 Thursday and now heads to the House.

The short-term fix would buy time while Gov. Rick Snyder's administration and legislators search for permanent revenue to help water-starved harbors. The federal government has cut back on dredging and the lakes continue declining.

Dredging involves removing sediments so water is deep enough for boats and barges. The bill specifies 49 dredging projects to be done.

The legislation also would authorize the spending of $23 million from a trust fund to buy land and improve land for public recreation.

Detroit was one of 35 cities to receive a letter from the U.S. Olympic Committee asking for a bid on the 2024 Olympics.

ABC News reported the letters were sent "to gauge the interest of cities that may have the ability to host an event with the scope and scale of the Olympic Games."

Maybe they haven't been reading the headlines about Detroit lately.

Mayor Bing politely declined their invitation this morning.

Here's his statement:

“While we appreciate the opportunity and recognize that we have successfully hosted many major sporting events, including the NCAA Final Four; MLB All-Star Game; NFL Super Bowl; two World Series; and nine NHL Stanley Cup finals, this decision is not an easy one. With our rich history of hosting major events and Detroit’s prime location on an international border, we recognize that this makes Detroit an appealing candidate to potentially host the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics.

"However, the bid calls for a $10 million upfront bid process payment and adding more than a $3 billion operating budget commitment -- not including cost associated with venue construction and other infrastructure cost.

"Unfortunately, due to the timing and uncertainty of Detroit’s long-term financial stability, we must respectfully decline to participate.”

Some supporters aren't giving up. On the "Detroit 2024 Summer Olympic Games Support" Facebook page, this was posted: 

Pay no attention to what Mayor Dave Bing said about Detroit not bidding for the 2024 Summer Olympic Games. We all agree that he won't be Mayor of Detroit next year. Financial issues or not the Detroit Olympic Movement will keep moving.

This morning, U.S. District Judge Bernard Friedman heard arguments for and against Michigan's 2004 constitutional amendment that bans same-sex marriage and civil unions.

There was some speculation that Judge Friedman could rule on the case today.

Instead he decided to wait before issuing his decision.

He said he wanted to wait to see how the U.S. Supreme Court rules on two cases dealing with same-sex marriage. Those cases are set to be heard later this month.

MPRN's Rick Pluta was at the hearing this morning and live tweeted the hearing.

Big court challenge against Michigan's ban on same-sex marriage

In 2004, Michigan voters banned same-sex marriage and civil unions.

That ban is being challenged in federal court, and MPRN's Rick Pluta reports a decision could come today:

...a federal judge could rule as soon as today on a challenge to the state’s ban on same-sex marriage and civil unions. This occurs as the U.S. Supreme Court is about to hear two cases dealing with gay marriage. In the Michigan case, a lesbian couple sued not because they want to be married, but because they want to be parents.

No united front from Detroit

Yesterday morning, an aide to Mayor Dave Bing indicated Bing would support Detroit City Council's challenge against the state.

Last night, we found out that wasn't the case. 

Michigan Radio's Sarah Cwiek covered the story for us. Bing said he tried to figure out a way to support City Council's challenge against the state's finding that the city is in a financial emergency and that there's no plan to end it.

"However, when it became clear to me that the Council wanted to go further and request a hearing to appeal the pending appointment of an Emergency Manager or request an enhanced consent agreement— I decided that the fighting must stop now. 

"We must focus on working together so that we can remove the need for an Emergency Manager in the required 18 months."

Fighting continues over Detroit School Boards emergency manager

From the Detroit Free Press:

The Detroit school board filed a motion in Wayne County Circuit Court accusing Roy Roberts, the state-appointed emergency financial manager, of violating a Feb. 20 court order that confirmed the board's authority over the school system's academic operations.

In 1973, there were around a half a dozen wolves in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Today, there are around 700, and some hunters and legislators want to establish a hunting season for the wolves.

Others want to stop that effort.

If the group "Keep Michigan Wolves Protected" succeeds in collecting enough signatures, you'll be asked to vote on a potential wolf hunt in November 2014.

The group has to collect 161,305 petition signatures by the end of March 27.

With three weeks left, Keep Michigan Wolves Protected says it has already collected more than 100,000 signatures.

Detroit City Council members have been hoping they could put up a united front against an emergency manager with Mayor Bing.

Now it looks like they have some support in that effort.

At a council meeting this morning, one of Mayor Bing's staffers said he would support the council's effort to challenge the state.

The city plans to contest the state financial review panel's finding that Detroit is in a "financial emergency" and that the city has no plan to address the problem.

Detroit Council working on plan to counter emergency manager

The council will meet this morning. The Detroit News reports they want to hear more from Mayor Dave Bing:

The full panel plans to meet at 9 a.m. today to study its options for appealing Gov. Rick Snyder's determination that the city is in a financial emergency, paving the way for an emergency manager.

Council members have asked Bing to come to the table and said they may vote on a response to the governor by Thursday. The city has until Monday to appeal.

Bill aimed at stripping DNRs power to manage for biodiversity clears Senate

Senator Tom Casperson-R (Escanaba) has a victory. His bill, Senate Bill 78, would keep the Michigan Department of natural resources from setting aside land for the purpose of maintaining biological diversity. The Senate passed that bill along a party line vote. 26 Republicans for, 11 Democrats against. You can read more about this legislation from Michigan Radio's Rebecca Williams.

Lansing casino project loses court decision

A federal judge has issued an injunction last night against the tribe that wants to build the casino - the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians.

Michigan Radio's Steve Carmody has been following this story:

U.S. District Judge Robert Jonker granted the state's motion for an injunction pending resolution of the Attorney General's lawsuit. The judge says the tribe cannot apply to the federal government "to have the … property taken into trust unless and until it obtains a written revenue sharing agreement with the other federally-recognized Indian Tribes in Michigan."

Just in case you were thinking about it, you might want to reconsider walking into a school at 6 a.m. dressed in camouflage, a flak jacket, and a holster.

When a 21-year-old airman from the Selfridge Air National Guard appeared at L'Anse Creuse High School in Harrison Twp. this morning, he caused several schools to shutdown.

From the Port Huron Times Herald:

Blocking a Detroit emergency manager

Gov. Snyder announced his plans last Friday. Talk of blocking an emergency manager followed.

More from the Detroit News:

Protest against a potential emergency manager in Detroit gained momentum on multiple fronts Monday, with Democratic lawmakers, unions and community activists vowing to fight through the courts and possible federal intervention.

Matt Helms of the Detroit Free Press reminds us that Detroit's bond rating "is deep into junk territory." An emergency manager appointment might help the rating, but it also might hurt it: 

...Moody’s...notes that Michigan’s new emergency manager law, Public Act 436, which takes effect March 28, also provides a clearer path to a Chapter 9 municipal bankruptcy, an option Snyder, state Treasurer Andy Dillon and many city officials said they want to avoid taking.

"Right-to-work" goes on tour

 They won't push right to work in the Pure Michigan campaign anymore, but there is a road tour. 

Americans for Prosperity along with several Republican state representatives are touring cities in Michigan singing the praises of the state's new 'right-to-work' law.

MLive' Sarah Stonestreet was at the meeting in Jackson last night: 

The visit was part of a right to work town hall tour to speak on the positive aspects of the issue and was the first stop of the event, which is scheduled to visit 11 cities by March 28. Other stops include Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Traverse City and Brighton.

 
Storm coming, but will mostly miss Michigan
  The southwest corner of the state might get clipped with up to five inches possible, but the rest of us are in the clear. If you're heading south, drive carefully. From MLive: 

If you are driving south along I-75 later today through Ohio, you will be dealing with a mess.

If we're lucky, we can catch a glimpse of a migrating bird or two as they pick their way north, but most pass over without us ever knowing.

The Cornell Lab of Ornithology describes it this way in their Round Robin blog:

An invisible river of animals, rivaling any scene from the Serengeti but consisting of half-ounce birds that pass quietly overhead, in the dark.

As the Obama Administration began making its case against 'the sequester' - the mandatory, across-the-board budget cuts that were never supposed to happen - delays at airports was one of the big issues they highlighted.

Here's Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood at a press conference on Feb. 22, where he said more than $600 million will have to come out of the Federal Aviation Administration budget.

So what will this mean at Detroit Metro?

LaHood said the majority of FAA employees will be furloughed for one to two days per pay period.

Michael Martinez writes for the Detroit News that airport officials don't expect cuts this month, but they do expect them next month:

Gov. Snyder announced today that he agrees with a state financial review team finding that Detroit is in a "financial emergency." His announcement clears the way for a state-appointed emergency manager. Snyder has a candidate in mind, but wouldn't give up any details on who he has chosen.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing reacted to the news this way: