Lansing politics

Local journalists review the top news stories in March

Current State — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 20:52:24 +0000

From the appointment of Detroit’s emergency manager to the ongoing fallout from Right to Work, March was a dramatic month in Michigan. And in Lansing, officials finally unveiled a controversial plan to address the city’s long-term structural budget shortfalls.

Members of Lansing Financial Health Team discuss report

Current State — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 22:14:34 +0000

In Lansing, city leaders and many others have begun digging into pages of new recommendations for addressing long-term city revenue shortfalls. Former mayor Dave Hollister led the 14-person effort that began last November. The blue-ribbon Financial Health Team divided its work into two areas: long-term costs and debt and a regional approach to cutting and streamlining.

Legal setback for Lansing casino plans

Current State — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:52:35 +0000

A federal judge has dealt a blow to a Michigan Indian tribe seeking to build a casino in downtown Lansing.

Current State #37 | March 5, 2013

Current State — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 23:36:56 +0000

Today on Current State: The local impact of federal budget cuts; climate change in Michigan; Michigan farmers markets; the new dynamics of the Michigan Supreme Court; and Lansing's new city attorney designate.

Lansing Mayor nominates first woman, African American as city attorney

Current State — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 22:24:52 +0000

If Mayor Virg Bernero has his way, Janene McIntyre will be Lansing’s next city attorney. She would succeed Brigham Smith, who left for a similar job in Connecticut earlier this year.

McIntyre is a Lansing native and Cooley Law School graduate, currently working with the public finance practice groups at Foster Swift Collins and Smith in Lansing.

If approved by the city council, she would become Lansing’s first female, and first African-American, city attorney.

Current State’s Scott Pohl speaks with McIntyre about the new opportunity.

Current State #23 | February 13, 2013

Current State — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:30:52 +0000

Today on Current State: City Pulse's Andy Balaskovitz on the latest Lansing city council squabble, potential sale of city's Board of Water and Light; Neighbors in Action features ePIFanyNOW; solutions to record low water levels in Great Lakes ; an "owl prowl"; and Business Leaders for Michigan CEO Doug Rothwell.

Latest Lansing City Council squabble, privatizing Water & Light

Current State — Wed, 13 Feb 2013 18:08:00 +0000

The Lansing city council is having an intense squabble involving technology and transparency. Two unresolved issues appear to be at the heart of the dispute.

First, did a city employee erase information from the city-issued laptop of council person Kathie Dunbar?

Second, should a full council session involving “computer usage”-- presumably related to the incident -- have been closed to the public and the media?