Governor Snyder talking trade in Canada today
With a momentum building for a new international bridge spanning the Detroit River after Michigan voters rejected a ballot proposal aimed at delaying the project, Governor Snyder is in Toronto today to attend a conference on public-private partnerships.
MPRN's Rick Pluta reports:
The governor is expected to announce an agreement with other Great Lakes states on a Canadian trade office. Canada is Michigan’s biggest international trading partner. The governor’s economic plans envision a thriving Chicago-to-Montreal trade zone with Michigan as a center point.
Snyder is also expected to meet with Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty. Both are expected to meet with the press afterward.
Detroit seeks to avoid cash crises
Last week, the Detroit City Council rejected a proposed contract with the law firm Miller Canfield. The firm was hired to counsel Mayor Bing on the city’s financial stability agreements.
The 'no' vote led to an impending cash crisis because the state said the city could not access $30 million in bonds to cover debt.
Mayor Bing announced furlough days for city workers would be coming as a result.
The Detroit News reports city council will review their decision today.
Day 28 of the Kwame Kilpatrick trial
The public corruption trial of the 'Kilpatrick Enterprise' resumes today after a week long break.
The Detroit News reports Avinash Rachmale is on the witness stand.
A Detroit businessman will spend a third day describing threats and extortion demands by ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s close friend and co-defendant in the City Hall corruption trial... The Lakeshore Engineering Services founder has told jurors of $1.7-million payouts to Kilpatrick pal Bobby Ferguson for no-show work. The money was part of a series of extortion payments Rachmale allegedly paid to keep Ferguson happy, protect city deals and help ensure future city contracts.
Both the Detroit News and the Detroit Free Press are live-blogging the trial.
