Gary Austin
Congress Could Soon Consider New Vehicle Recall Regulations
The rules say now if automakers take too long to initiate a recall they could be fined no more than $35 million. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx says that provision should be revised. He says the fine should be increased to as much as $300 million...
Today Legislators Discuss Road Funding Plans
State lawmakers in Lansing are considering new legislation that would allocate at least $500 million to help get the state's roads repaired. This would be in addition to money already earmarked for projects statewide.
One proposal being reviewed would tie warranties in with any work that is done...
Michigan Lawmakers Review New Student Testing Proposal
It's time for the state to discontinue the Michigan Educational Assessment Program or "MEAP" test. That's the contention from a number of business and education groups who say the new "Smarter Balanced" exams should be given instead.
The Education-Trust Midwest, the Detroit and Grand Rapids Chambers of Commerce along with the group Business Leaders for Michigan, among others, w
Michigan’s High School Graduation Rate Improves
A new survey is out this week and it finds it 2012 the nationwide high school graduation rate was 80%. Michigan's rate was 76%. That's up from 74.3% in 2011.
State School Superintendent Mike Flanagan hopes to improve on those numbers...
New Survey is Out On Michigan Minimum Wage Issue
The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has commissioned a new study and finds most--nearly 74%--believe local family owned businesses will have a tougher time dealing with a minimum wage hike when compared to large chains. Mitchell Research and Communications did the survey...
How Could the Rough Winter Effect Fishing in Michigan?
The experts are saying at this point there's no telling what kind of an impact the brutal winter will have on this year's Michigan fishing season but we should know soon. The big concern is all the snowfall we've had over the past several months and the subsequent flooding in many places...
The Long Range Goal: Additional Jobs for Michigan
Encourage more foreign companies to expand to the Great Lakes region. That's the objective of the Council of Great Lakes Governors. Along with Michigan seven other states are represented. Now it's been announced former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is getting involved...
Ford Profits Hampered By Brutal Winter
Taking into account what retailers and manufacturers were up against in the first three months of the year analysts say the news from Ford Motor Company today was not totally unexpected.
When compared to the first quarter last year earnings dropped nearly 40% with Ford reporting a profit of about $990 million...
Michigan Gun Owners Applaud Action Taken By State Senate
Today the Michigan Senate approved legislation supporters say will protect gun owners' privacy by making firearms records confidential.
Under the legislation these records could not be requested under the Freedom of Information Act. They would only be available to law enforcement under certain conditions...
Fewer Have Been in the Buying Mood
Today the Michigan Retailers Association is out with a new report on retail sales. In all nearly 100 retailers were questioned. When the tally was complete here's what was determined:
When compared to last year at this time the study found 37% said business had improved...