Monday, July 13, 2009

Slow News Day

At 4:11 PM, the Detroit News is featuring Drew and Mike back at WRIF as the lead story. The Freep has a piece on the meaning of cat purrs. No, I'm not kidding.

Not much to work with there - so here are a some tidbits to chew on:

  • Aiyeeeeee - Michigan's budget deficit is getting bigger. Tax collections are down 13% - $1.8 billion - for the year, a $120 million drop spread between the general and school aid funds in the past two months.

  • MIRS rats out your Legislature. That budget problem? It will just have to wait, as the legiscritters, who did nothing over their vacation, are now going to leave town for various conferences. Republicans are attending the "free-market" American Legislative Exchange Council annual meeting in Atlanta this week, and don't plan on holding any votes this month at all. They consider their job done. There is also the National Conference of State Legislatures in Atlanta staring the 20th in Philly. The House might vote on something the last week of the month, maybe, who knows.... just figure September. Sorry to all the schools and cities that have to work on budgets right now.

  • A judge rules that the new GM can help Delphi out of bankruptcy. Lots of legal hurdles remain though, go read if you are in to that sort of thing.

  • The MI House Democrats are introducing legislation that will target insurance companies who deny vaild claims. Raise your hand if you think this will go anywhere in the Senate. No? Of course not. But kudos to the Dems for trying.

  • Governor's residence in Lansing goes green with the addition of a Mariah/MasTech Windspire wind turbine from Manistee, new "smart" sprinkler system from A&H Lawn Service Inc. of Saline, Green Meadows Lawn Care & Landscaping of Clinton and HydroLogic of Minneapolis, solar panels coming soon from Uni-Solar, and a patch of green roof over the garage from LiveRoof of Spring Lake and Permaloc Corp. of Holland. All these items were donated - big thanks to these Michigan companies who will save us some taxpayer money, and provide a showplace for residential energy efficiency items. The biggest savings will come from the turbine, knocking off $1,200 from a yearly electric bill of almost $11,000. What, are they running NORAD down there or something? Geez.

  • Never would have guessed that gasoline would be this cheap - down 15.6 cents in the past two weeks for an average of $2.49, $1.68 a gallon lower than it was this time last year. Might help clear out the SUVs from the lots.

  • My Mom just called to inform me that Marcy Wheeler said the word "blowjob" on MSNBC. Not sure it what context - but you go Marcy! Bet that opened some ears. Probably going to insist on a 5-second delay whenever they have bloggers on after today.

  • President Obama will be in Warren tomorrow, no real details yet on what he will be talking about at this invitation-only town hall meeting. Since it is at MCC, the belief is that it will be about worker training and addressing the auto industry. Your favorite paparazzo will be there, barring unforeseen car issues (don't have the new used one yet) or omission from the press list. Wish me luck.