Current State #15 | February 1, 2013

Today on Current State, a discussion about no-fault auto insurance reform, the historic Hill Auditorium at U-M turns 100, a play about Lansing's Urbandale neighborhood and a chat with concert pianist Paul Barnes.

Governor Rick Snyder and other Republicans are calling for reforms to the state's landmark auto no fault insurance law.  They claim the law, which provides for unlimited lifetime medical benefits, often from brain and spinal cord injuries, has led to excessive rates for Michigan drivers.

Current State host Mark Bashore talks with Pete Kuhnmench, a lobbyist for the Insurance Institute of Michigan, and Butch Hollowell, a spokesman for the Coalition for Protecting Auto No-Fault (C-PAN).

2013 brings the 100th anniversary of one of Michigan's most storied music venues: the University of Michigan's Hill Auditorium.  Current State's Peter Whorf visited Hill Auditorium this week for a number of conversations with the auditorium and University Musical Society staff.  He first spoke with U-M music student Charlie Reishl.

Students and faculty in the Residential College of Arts and Humanities have written a play about Lansing's historic Urbandale neighborhood.  The play titled "Urbandale: A Place, A People, A Story" is a year in the making.  Today we welcome MSU Residential College of Arts and Humanities assistant professor Laura DeLind, RCAH professor Anita Skeen and MSU senior Julia Kramer, who were involved in the writing process.

Paul Barnes is professor of piano at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Music.  He's appeared in many concerts throughout the U.S., Europe, the Middle East and Far East.  Tonight, Paul Barnes performs at MSU's Cook Recital Hall in a program of 21st century compositions with an emphasis on the music of Phillip Glass and other modern composers.