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Politics & Government
6:16 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Snyder: Proposal 2 is not a referendum on right-to-work laws

Credit Office of Governor Rick Snyder / Wikimedia Commons

Governor Rick Snyder says Proposal 2 should not be viewed as a referendum on whether Michigan becomes a right-to-work state that outlaws compulsory union membership.

Proposal 2 would guarantee collective bargaining rights in the state constitution.   

Governor Snyder opposes Proposal 2. He says it not only guarantees collective bargaining, but would be a sweeping re-write of labor laws as they deal with public employees.

“Proposal 2 could be devastating, in my view, of what it could do to the economic recovery in Michigan, but people need to make their own assessment of how to vote,” he said.

But he said rejecting the proposal would not convince him Michigan is ready to become a right-to-work state. 

“I don’t view it as just a green light to go ahead,” he said.

The governor has asked the Legislature to stay away from the right-to-work debate because it’s too divisive. But he has not said what he would do if the Legislature sent a bill to his desk.

One of the leading proponents of right to work in the Legislature says he won’t push the issue until he has the governor’s support.

Politics & Government
6:14 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

State Rep. will not receive jail time for drunken driving

Republican state Representative Bob Genetski
Credit Photo courtesy of Rep. Genetski's office
Republican state Representative Bob Genetski

State Representative Bob Genetski will serve no jail time for his drunken driving conviction handed down last month.

The Republican from Saugatuck will have to complete 40 hours of community service. He’ll also have to pay fines and court fees.

Genetski was pulled over for driving while intoxicated in January by a Michigan State Police officer. His blood alcohol level was .08 an hour and a half after his arrest.

A jury found him guilty last month.

The maximum penalty would have been 93 days in jail. It could also come with up to 360 hours of community service, and a maximum $500 fine.

Jail time is unusual for first-time offenders.

Environment & Science
5:50 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Worried about fracking, citizens group sues the DNR

Steve Losher lives in Barry county, and he's worried. So worried, he and the rest of the citizens in the non-profit group called the Michigan Land Air Water Defense are suing the state. 

They're upset about what they believe could happen once the Department of Natural Resources auctions off the mineral rights to gaming areas in Barry and Allagen counties. It's a totally typical auction - the DNR does this kind of thing twice a year since about 1920. 

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Politics & Government
5:08 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Stateside for Wednesday, October 24, 2012

On today's show Cyndy speaks with Charley Ballard about Michigan. Are we better off than we were four years ago?

We talk about the role of alcohol in Detroit's history with Detroit news writer, Bill Loomis.

Andy Markovitz and Emily Albertson, co-authors of “Sportista: Female Fandom in the United States," speak about women's role in sports fandom.

In Stateside's third and final installment of our look at Michigan's film industry, we speak with Scott Watkins about the incentives' sustainability.

Auto
5:07 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Ford, GM move to stem losses in Europe

Both Ford and General Motors announced steps this week to reduce their losses in Europe.

The region is experiencing a disabling recession that's expected to last at least through 2015.

Car sales are abysmal in Europe, down more than 30-percent from normal demand.

Ford says it may lose a total of one billion dollars in the region for the entire year.

General Motors' losses might be more than that.

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Politics & Government
5:03 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Voting rights hotline and volunteers ready for Election Day

A voting rights group says it will be on call on Election Day.

Volunteers will staff a hotline that voters can call if they experience problems casting a ballot.

Jocelyn Benson is with the Michigan Center for Election Law.

She says the phone number will be on yard signs outside most precincts.

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Sports
4:18 pm
Wed October 24, 2012

Spirit of Detroit suits up for the Tigers, Bing talks trash

The Spirit of Detroit is ready for Game 1 of the World Series.
Credit Matt Helms / Twitter
The Spirit of Detroit is ready for Game 1 of the World Series.

This photo was tweeted out by Matt Helms, City Hall reporter for the Detroit Free Press.

Helms writes in today's Detroit Free Press that Mayor Bing has been trash talking with San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee.

The two have made a wager, writes Helms, "the losing mayor has to visit the other team’s city to participate in a day of service for youth and youth programs."

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