Gongwer:
UNIONS SUPPORT 'RACE' APPLICATION
Arguably one of the primary roadblocks to Michigan qualifying for federal "Race to the Top" funds in the first round of the grants was removed Monday with the Michigan Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers Michigan agreeing to sign the second round application.
TALKS ON RETIREMENT PACKAGE PICK BACK UP, STILL NO DEAL (MiTech link to full story)
After ending the week with both sides claiming the other had to reach out, it appeared Monday as though the two lead negotiators on a retirement package for school employees were once again trying to get to a compromise.
GRANHOLM SAYS KAGAN 'BRILLIANT' CHOICE FOR SUPREME COURT
Governor Jennifer Granholm said her Harvard Law School classmate Elena Kagan will be a great choice for the U.S. Supreme Court and told reporters that had President Barack Obama asked her, she would have recommended Ms. Kagan be his choice for the court.
STATE REVENUES TOPPLE 6.1% FROM YEAR AGO
State revenues look worse than a year ago, with the state collecting 6.1 percent or $537.7 million less through April, according to a report released Monday by the House Fiscal Agency.
CAMPAIGN FINANCE NETWORK WARNS AGAINST DRAFT RULING ON CONTRIBUTIONS
A draft ruling from the state on corporate contributions could mean such contributions are not open to public scrutiny and could do long-term harm to the state's democracy, a group that oversees campaign finance issues warned on Monday.
SALTONSTALL PULLS OUT OF 1ST DISTRICT RACE
Connie Saltonstall, the first Democrat to get into the 1st U.S. House District race to challenge U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, has now followed Mr. Stupak in pulling out of the race.
MIRS has a total different take on the retirement package:
No Retirement Conference Committee Scheduled
"No conference committee has been slated for Tuesday and Chair Jud GILBERT (R-Algonac) describes the odds of a conference report on a public school employee retirement plan passing this week as "long.""
And let's give some points to Rick Synder...
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"It's like someone wanting a job but declined to fill out an application."
- Rich STUDLEY, CEO of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce on gubernatorial candidate Rick SNYDER's decision not to fill out the Chamber's (or any other interest group's) questionnaire.
Of course the Chamber is going to dis him now. Republicans must serve the wealthy business interests in this state or pay the price. What, you thought that the voters mattered? Better think again.