Thursday, March 19, 2009

Gongwer News Highlights, March 18, 2009. NOW WITH DEMOCRATIC SUPPORT, PROPERTY TAX PROPOSAL PASSES SENATE In a reversal of fortunes, a proposed constitutional amendment that would assure that property owners do not pay any more property tax when their assessed values drop was approved by the Senate Wednesday on a 29-8 vote. HOUSE PASSES TRANSPORTATION STIMULUS SPENDING Spending for $873 million of the state's transportation federal stimulus funds, which will support more than 130 projects around the state, cleared the House overwhelmingly Wednesday. HOUSE HALTS VOTE ON EXPANDED SINKING FUNDS Movement on final passage of sinking fund legislation came to a halt when disagreements erupted between the two parties Wednesday. FIRST BUDGET CLEARS SENATE SUBCOMMITTEES The first proposed budget for 2009-10 to undergo a legislative vote was reported from the Senate Appropriations Energy, Labor and Economic Growth Subcommittee Wednesday and the measure was cut from Governor Jennifer Granholm's proposal. REGULATORY PANEL GETS SERIES OF SMOKING BAN TALKS UNDERWAY In the first of at least three committee hearings that revived the issue of a workplace smoking ban, several familiar faces testified at a Wednesday House committee about the health and economic reasons for eliminating smoking in bars and restaurants, and, on the flip side, opponents to the ban said they would lose customers and many businesses would close, especially small establishments and those that compete with casinos that wouldn't have a ban. SUPREME COURT SEEKS COMMENT ON RECUSAL RULES The Supreme Court has formally published three alternative rules that would govern circumstances when justices would be disqualified from deciding cases due to bias or conflicts of interest. The procedure is the first step toward possible adoption of a rule as early as this fall, with public hearings likely to follow, though the court could also decide not to adopt any change in the current system. AMBASSADOR BRIDGE HAS INITIAL APPROVAL FOR BONDS With more time to consider the issue, and more members in attendance, the Strategic Fund Board approved an inducement resolution for the Detroit International Bridge Company's proposed bonds for a second span of the Ambassador Bridge. HOUSE PANEL APPROVES PHARMACEUTICAL IMMUNITY REPEAL With the same cast returning for a repeat performance before the House Judiciary Committee that pushed the issue on both sides last session, the panel approved a package that would essentially erase the state's product liability immunity law and put prescription drugs under consumer protection laws. SENATE COMMITTEE REPUBLICANS APPROVE 'POP-UP' TAX CREDIT In a continuation of last week's measures to shelter taxpayers from property tax costs in harsh economic times, the Senate Finance Committee approved a bill that would essentially relieve homeowners of the so-called "pop-up" tax. Republican members of the panel approved the measure after much talk from Democrats about whether it served its intended purpose and from Republicans that while no tax breaks are perfectly equitable, something has to be done to help "the real people." Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 52, March 18, 2009. Full access requires subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library. [Red Tape Blog] 11:25:29 AM     Current Employment Opportunities: Help Wanted: The Hackley Public Library has a part-time opening for a Circulation Clerk at the main circulation desk.  This is a Classification A postion, 19 hours per week and 52 weeks per year.  The applicant must be willing to work three evenings and Saturdays.  Present schedule, which is subject to change in the future, is:   Monday 6 hours 1:00 pm to 8:00 pm Tuesday 3 hours 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Wednesday 3 hours 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Saturday 7 hours 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Starting Pay:  on the salary scale is $9.43 per hour. Primary Functions: works at the main public service desk checking assorted materials in and out of the library.  Issues library cards, answers and directs incoming telephone calls, and assists library users with circulation questions. Requirements:  Must be able to type a minimum of forty-five (45) net words per minute with no more than eight (8) errors OR key data at 6200 kph with 95% accuracy.  Must be familiar with  common office  procedures such as filing, record keeping, and telephone technique.  Must be friendly, able to provide outstanding public service, and have good reading skills.  Keyboarding and reading skills will be tested. Applications:  are available at the library or printed out from the emploment application links below.  Applications must be delivered/submitted to the Hackley Public Library, 316 W Webster Ave., Muskegon, MI 49440 Due:  no later than 5:00 pm Tuesday, March 24, 2009.   Employment Application in PDF or Word. 11:16:04 AM

© Copyright 2009 Jocelyn Shaw. Last update: 4/1/2009; 2:33:46 PM. Photo curtesy of Marjorie O'Brien