Politics

Snyder Leads Bernero 2-1 In Latest Election Poll EAST LANSING – Another poll of Michigan voters released Tuesday shows Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder leading Democrat challenger Virg Bernero by nearly 2-to-1.

Republican Snyder Spent $7.6 Million To Win Party's Gubernatorial Primary ANN ARBOR - Republican Rick Snyder spent $7.6 million to win his party's gubernatorial primary, and Democrat Virg Bernero has the public funding system to thank for his campaign avoiding serious money troubles.

Michigan Ranked 39th In Per Capital Federal Spending In 2009 LANSING - Michigan ranked 39th overall in per capita federal spending in 2009, according to a report from the U.S. Census, with overall spending about $1,000 less than the national average.

Michigan Falls Short On Race To Top Funds From Lack Of Educator Pathways LANSING - Michigan came closer to being a finalist for federal "Race to the Top" money for schools in the second round of the program, but fell short primarily for a lack of pathways for aspiring educators and improving teacher effectiveness, according to reviews of the state's application.

Michigan Budget Targets Could Be Reached By Thursday LANSING - No deal on the 2009-10 and 2010-11 fiscal year budget Tuesday, but officials said they are optimistic targets could be reached as soon as Thursday with conference committees acting next week.

Tax Revenues Improve In 2Q For Most States - Except Michigan LANSING - Tax revenues improved for most states during the second calendar quarter of 2010, a national report said, but not in Michigan.

Michigan Budget Impasse Puts Another State Shutdown At Risk LANSING - The Senate's adjournment Tuesday until September 7 assured yet another budget would go into the last days of the fiscal year and now puts the government at risk of a third shutdown in four years unless Governor Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature can strike a deal before midnight October 1.

Michigan Video Game Makers, Athletes Clash On Right Of Publicity Law LANSING - Athletes from or living in Michigan were before the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday opposing legislation they said would dismantle the state's common law right of publicity by allowing video game makers to use their persona without consent.

Small Business Association Of Michigan Endorses Snyder For Governor LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan has endorsed Republican Rick Snyder, an Ann Arbor Venture Capitalist, for Governor.

Granholm Says State Gaining Economic Momentum LANSING - The latest round of economic development announcements shows Michigan is gaining momentum in terms of building jobs, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and Michigan Economic Development Corporation President Greg Main said Tuesday, but Granholm also worried that concerns about a double-dip recession could actually trigger a second round of the national recession.

Bernero Contends 3 Debates Set - Snyder Says Not So Fast LANSING - Lansing Mayor and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Virg Bernero contends there will be three debates across the state against his Republican opponent Rick Snyder a Venture Capitalist from Ann Arbor. But the Snyder campaign said Bernero is, "getting the debate cart before the horse."

Bill Would Limit Use Of Public-Private Partnerships For Detroit River Crossing LANSING - A revised version of a bill that would authorize the construction of the Detroit River International Crossing would limit the use public-private partnerships solely to the DRIC project, a key senator said Tuesday.

Crossover Vote Gave Snyder Republican Primary Win LANSING - Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Snyder had called on Democrats and independents to support his campaign, and pundits have said those crossovers helped turned the election for him.

Good Message, Split Ideaologies, Big Help Leads Primary Wins LANSING - What does it take to surprise the political establishment and hatch two unexpected winners who win by huge margins in a primary? Message, split opposition, lots of help from lots of friends, a political mood that embraces change, and lots of money, even if it isn't your own money.

Michigan Gets $141 Million To Cover Health Pre-Existing Conditions LANSING - The state would have $141 million in federal funds to subsidize coverage under pools for those with pre-existing conditions through a supplemental approved on a party-line vote Wednesday by the House Appropriations Committee.

Former Rep. Schwarz Joins Snyder's Gubernatorial Campaign LANSING - Former U.S. Rep. Joe Schwarz will lead the charge for the Ann Arbor venture capitalist Rick Snyder's bid to attract Democrats and independents into the Republican primary to back his bid for the GOP nomination.

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Snyder Releases Tax Returns LANSING - Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder made his 2007 and 2008 tax returns public on Friday, proving that as expected he's got some serious money in the bank, but doesn't have the massive wealth of 2006 GOP nominee Dick DeVos.

One Year Later, Savings Question Still Dogs State Employee Pooling Plan LANSING - House Speaker Andy Dillon's call for a single health insurance pool for all government employees made headlines last July, but in the 12 months since then, questions about how much such a plan would save have overcome efforts to move the proposal forward.

Petition To Let Michigan Residents Opt Out Of Federal Health Plan Fails LANSING - A petition to allow Michigan residents to opt out of new federal health care requirements will not see the ballot in November because supporters did not have time or money to collect the needed signatures, supporters said.

Granholm: State On Upward Climb Out Of Recession LANSING - In announcing a number of new corporate projects that she said would bring or retain more than 10,800 jobs to the state, Gov. Jennifer Granholm said the state can hope that it is finally starting to emerge from the long economic downturn that has plagued it like no other state.