As the state considers new standards for statewide testing of students, some also see hope for Michigan's educational system in the sweeping reforms recently announced by the state. Others see promise in the state's application for $526 million in Race to the Top federal funds, meant to stimulate innovative school reform efforts.

Still others say Michigan can learn strategies from other states that have found ways to improve learning and accountability. Here's a look at how some of them could work, especially in the state's largest district, Detroit Public Schools.

For the full article, see Chastity Pratt Dawsey, Robin Erb, and Lori Higgins, "Big ideas for Michigan schools; Solutions from other states can aid achievement", Detroit Free Press, February 9, 2010.

In arguing for his bill to limit the number of state furlough days, Rep. Paul Opsommer, R-DeWitt, makes a number of reasonable, essential points.

Nevertheless, his House Bill 5331 should stay where it is - bottled up in a House committee.

Opsommer's solution targets procedure when he is actually describing a political problem.

Almost 20 years ago, the voters of Michigan decided they didn't like who their neighbors were sending to Lansing. Instead of getting better candidates, they chose, via legislative term limits, to eject everyone, regardless of quality. This inflexible "solution" has left the state with its own set of problems - big ones.

Opsommer's idea doesn't present nearly the hazards of term limits, but it shares the trait of inflexibility. Why six days and not eight? Why not four instead of six?

The state is relying heavily on furloughs because the Legislature and governor cannot resolve their political problems to do something else.

A more profitable approach might be for Opsommer to rally the fellow members of the Capital Caucus - 11 members of the House and Senate who represent mid-Michigan. This group is looking to have a bigger impact under the Capitol dome this year. If members could agree to present a united front on budget questions - not on solutions, but on the need for a more adult debate - they could find that role.

For the full editorial, see "Leave furlough restriction on the shelf", Lansing State Journal, February 9, 2010.

BERNERO, ENTERING GOV. RACE, SOUNDS POPULIST THEME

DETROIT - Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, in opening his campaign for governor Monday, sought to separate himself from the state political establishment and even his own Democratic Party as he vowed to purge business as usual in the Capitol.

BUDGET COMPLETED; OFFICIALS STILL MUM ON PROPOSALS

Governor Jennifer Granholm and her staff have completed work on the 2010-11 budget, but officials will say nothing about what tax proposals and cuts are planned for the document that will be presented to the Legislature on Thursday.

GRANHOLM: RENTAL CAR FEE COULD PAY FOR TOURISM PROMOTION

A few bucks charged on rental cars picked up near Michigan airports could be a way to finance the state's Pure Michigan campaign, Governor Jennifer Granholm said over the weekend.

GRANHOLM STILL PUSHING CHICAGO LOCK CLOSURE

The federal government's new $78.5 million plan to prevent Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes is insufficient, Governor Jennifer Granholm said Monday, but she will wait, at least for now, for the courts to act or for additional evidence to bolster the case for closing the Chicago-area locks.

STATE, A.F.S.C.M.E. AGREE ON CONCESSIONS

The 2,000 members of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees still have to concede, but union officials have reached a tentative agreement with the state to accommodate that union's share of the $50 million in payroll cuts the Granholm administration is trying to achieve in the current fiscal year.

SNYDER STAFF SAYS AD HAS SPURRED INTEREST

Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Snyder's "tough nerd" ad has helped his campaign spark interest among the general public and helped bring focus to his status outside of the "professional politicians that have done damage to the state," staff members told reporters Monday.

ROAD TRIP PLANNED FOR GAS TAX BID

Money for road and bridge projects will be on the agenda for the House Transportation Committee as it hits the road discussing legislation raising gasoline and diesel taxes this month.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG CARVE-OUT TO DILLON POOLING PLAN PROPOSED

One of the recommendations out of workgroups assigned to further study House Speaker Andy Dillon's health care pooling legislation is a proposal creating a statewide prescription drug pool for government employees that would be separate from any other insurance coverage.

FIRST QUARTER REVENUES SEE SLIGHT DROP

Tax collections for the state were down 1.9 percent for the first quarter of the 2009-10 fiscal year compared to the year prior, the House Fiscal Agency said Monday in releasing its revenue report.

TAYLOR GOING TO MILLER CANFIELD

Former Chief Justice Clifford Taylor will join the Detroit-based law firm of Miller Canfield as an of counsel attorney later the month, the firm announced on Monday.

HOSPITALS SEEK MORE ATTENTION TO MEDICAID CASH FLOW

The Michigan Health and Hospital Association has asked the departments of Community Health and Human Services to put more people on processing Medicaid applications and claims to ease cash flow problems for its members.

CONSUMERS ORDERED TO REFUND IMPROPER SURCHARGE

Consumers' electric customers will see an $86 million refund over the next 18 months from money improperly collected for the decommissioning of the Big Rock Nuclear Power Plant. The Public Service Commission found Monday (case No. U-15611) the utility used those decommissioning funds for general operations rather than depositing them in the Big Rock fund as required.

P.S.C. APPROVES OFFSHORE WIND GRANTS

Two sets of researchers will share $1.6 million to further explore the feasibility of developing offshore wind power in the state under two grants approved Monday by the Public Service Commission.

2010 MICHIGAN FAMILY FISH CONSUMPTION GUIDE POLL

The Department of Community Health is currently compiling the 2010 Michigan Family Fish Consumption Guide, and is looking for comments on the design and content of the document. The department has posted a poll at http://www.surveymonkey.com/MDCHfishadvisory to collect comments. The current fish advisory is posted at http://www.michigan.gov/eatsafefish

Source : Gongwer News Service : Michigan Report, Volume #49, Report 25, February 8, 2010. Full access requires a subscription or a visit to a subscribing library such as the Michigan State University Main Library.

Four-day deal: Atlanta schools in northern Michigan initially looked at switching to a four-day school week for financial reasons. District officials soon discovered the move has potential to benefit academics.

Hours not days: Michigan is one of the few states that does not have a required number of days for schools to meet written into state law. Schools are supposed to be in session for at least 1,098 hours.

Change ahead: Michigan will require most districts to be in session for at least 165 days next academic year and for 170 days in 2012-13, still among the lowest in the nation.

For the full article, see Tim Martin, "Four-day weeks for schools fuel new debate; Rural district realizes more savings, better attendance", Lansing State Journal, February 8, 2010.

When first planned in the 1990s, the state's $230-million Gateway project in Detroit was supposed to link I-75 and I-96 to the Ambassador Bridge with no fuss, no muss.

Guess again.

Multiple lawsuits now entangle state and federal officials, bridge owner Manuel (Matty) Moroun and a forlorn, landlocked Lafayette Bait Shop in a multifaceted dispute over how the Gateway was built.

Moroun is the defendant in several of the lawsuits, sued by both the City of Detroit and the Michigan Department of Transportation for how he built his portion of the Gateway. Meanwhile, Walter Lubienski, owner of the shack that houses the Lafayette Bait Shop, has sued the City of Detroit and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency over how his tiny parcel was all but cut off amid the Gateway ramps.

At stake: Millions of dollars in penalties and construction fees, and uncounted hours lost by motorists getting on and off the bridge.

For the full article, see John Gallagher, "Gateway project is 95% done, except in court; State, Detroit, bridge firm, bait shop all make claims", Detroit Free Press, February 7, 2010.