LG John Cherry has an op-ed in the Detroit News today that talks about his plan to restore the Michigan Promise Scholarship with a water bottle tax. Go read it, but here's the best part (emphasis mine):
Right now, bottlers across the state remove water from our wells essentially for free, and we lack the necessary funding to safeguard this precious resource. In other words, we're losing one resource -- our talented work force -- while giving away another resource, our water, for free.
You don't need a Ph.D. in mathematics to solve this terrible equation. It's time for the bottlers to pay their water bill, just like you and I do. We can use the proceeds from that water bill to fund the education that our young people need to compete, as well as protecting the water resources that Michigan desperately needs.
By conservative estimates, a charge of 10 cents per bottle, paid by bottling companies that operate in Michigan, would raise $118 million per year. The cost of the Michigan Promise Scholarship, on the other hand, is about $100 million per year. Not only would this modest charge on each bottle of water that leaves Michigan raise enough funds to pay for the entire Michigan Promise program, we'd still have $18 million a year to spend on wetlands regulation and other conservation initiatives. [...]
This is the people's water, and the people deserve to get something in return.
Ironically, employers like to point out they need an educated workforce to be successful and profitable, and Nestle, the parent company of Ice Mountain, is no exception.
Like every Michigan employer, we rely on an educated workforce.
Yet Nestle is complaining that Cherry's proposal penalizes Michigan employers, risks jobs, and that bottlers may resort to supplying products from outside the state in order to remain competitive on the price consumers pay for bottled water products.
A Nestle Water Company spokesman also claimed that the tax would nearly double the price consumers paid for a case of water.
"Let's look at the math," said Flaherty. "Most bottled water is purchased in cases of 24 bottles of .5 liter size, for about or less than $4.00 per case -- putting the price per bottle at about 16 cents. A 10-cent per bottle tax on Michigan manufactured products nearly doubles the price for consumers, and would be unsustainable in the highly competitive beverage marketplace.
"Consumers are very savvy, and rarely could be convinced to pay nearly double for Michigan-produced bottle water when lesser-priced options exist," said Flaherty. "I challenge you to ask consumers if they'd pay $6.50 for a case when they can pay less than $4 for the same product made elsewhere."
True, consumers are savvy, but we also care about educating our children. I have a suggestion for Nestle. You pay the 10 cent tax per bottle on the water you currently get for free without passing it on to consumers and in return you'll get an educated workforce, an improved "corporate neighbor" image and the gratitude of citizens who just might go out of their way to buy your product. I'd say that's a win-win for everyone involved. After all, your company admitted that bottled water profits were down in part because of public criticism. Why would you want to anger us even more?
I just finished my trip to the Middle East, where I visited Israel and Dubai. You may have read my blog post about touting Michigan's Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative in Israel, where I was able to secure commitments from two Israeli water technologycompanies to locate in Michigan. To be clear: we will never sell our water abroad; but rather will position Michigan as a center of excellence for global water technologies. As the world's thirst for increasingly scarce fresh water grows, we want Michigan to reap enormous economic benefits by becoming the home of businesses who sell technologies that assist other states in solving their water scarcity problems.
We set our sights high when it came to advanced battery technology in Michigan. We began by positioning Michigan to lead in advanced batteries just a few years ago, and the payoff was enormous. Michigan received $1.2 billion of the $2 billion that the Federal Government allocated for advanced battery research and development. This has resulted in a number of companies who will be manufacturing advanced batteries for the new generation electrical automotive engine making Michigan their home-- securing jobs for our future. I believe we can do the same with water technologies bringing even greater benefits to our state.
Following my stops in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, I travelled to Dubai, one of the largest and fastest growing cities in the Middle East. There, even this Wolverine was proud to be the first state official to visit MSU's Dubai campus (and yes, I heard the U-M/OSU score already!). I also visited the American University-Dubai where I addressed the class of Professor Youssef Beydoun. One of Professor Beydoun's students is from Saginaw Valley State University where she is studying for a degree in Political Science, specializing in International Relations. She expressed to me her concern for the future of the Michigan Promise which is assisting her in paying for her education.
Both schools are emerging as great educational institutions in Dubai. Students at MSU's Dubai campus frequently travel back to East Lansing for at least a semester of classes, and receive the same degrees as students here in Michigan - and also pay tuition back to MSU as well. MSU-Dubai is helping all MSU degrees obtain more international exposure and marketability, and I was pleased to be able to visit its campus.
After a long week on the road, I'm thankful to be back home in Clio for Thanksgiving, where I'll enjoy the company of good friends and family. I wish your family a safe and happy Thanksgiving!
This week I've been in Israel, on a trade mission to cultivate water technology economic development in Michigan. As co-chair of the joint Michigan-Israeli working group on water technology, I know there's great opportunity to diversify our economy and create jobs -- while leveraging our most precious natural resource, the Great Lakes.
I want to be clear: I am not proposing to sell Michigan's water. Companies seeking to use our water should locate here in Michigan -- where they can have all the water they need. Instead, through our Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative, I want to position Michigan as North America's center of excellence for water technology. Right now, water technologies are a $500 billion global market -- but by 2020, that market is expected to grow to nearly $1 trillion. That means great opportunity for Michigan's economy -- and that is why we intend on seizing the opportunity, much as we did to become the Nation's leader in advanced battery technology.
Michigan's unique position in the water technology field proves we are at the forefront of this technology. Michigan's location in the middle of the Great Lakes, which contain about 20 percent of the world's supply of fresh water, has primed the state's successes in agriculture, tourism and the auto industry. We need to continue to protect water resources and use it wisely for economic development purposes that include retention of current businesses and the attraction of new ones.
We were the first state to sign an official agreement with Israel to develop water technologies for export in the United States. Due to its arid location, firms in Israel have a strong need to effectively and efficiently use their scarce water resources. Michigan is poised to help them do just that. With the Green Jobs for Blue Waters initiative, we can provide Israeli companies with the assistance they'll need to be successful in the U.S.. With our water resources and top-notch higher education system, we can provide the perfect environment for water technology research and development. And, with our hard-working advanced manufacturing base, we can improve products and bring them to market faster than ever.
I've had an opportunity to meet with a number of CEOs from water technology firms while in Israel, and spoke at the 5th Annual International Water Technologies & Environmental Control Exhibition in Tel Aviv yesterday. The meetings went well, and I'm excited for the work we will do in months to come to build Michigan's Blue Water Economy.
Together with Israel, I believe we can seize what is undoubtedly a historic moment. We can prove that protecting natural resources, promoting economic growth, and creating jobs of the future all go hand in hand -- and there's no better place to prove it than in Michigan.
WE MUST GET JOHN CHERRY in THE Governors office and Andy Dillon should be thrown out as turncoat Dillon , speaker of the Michigan House of representatives throws in with Republicans!
http://goodmorningflint.blogsp...
The Michigan Energy Fair presented by The Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, returns to Manistee County Fairgrounds in Onekema, MI, June 26 - 28th(Friday thru Sunday). This has become the go to event for presenters, exhibitors and enviro-tech gurus in Michigan. Last year's attendance was well over 6000 people and Governor Jennifer Granholm gave the keynote address.
With more than 20 years of service in the Michigan Legislature as a State Representative, State Senator and Minority Leader, Cherry has received many awards and honors, including recognition from The Detroit News as one of Michigan's Most Effective Legislators. Cherry was named the 2005 Conservationist of the Year by the Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) and is the immediate past Chair of the Great Lakes Commission. He also has served as Chair of the National Lieutenant Governor's Association.
Cherry's focus on families and education has meant that more of Michigan's children have the opportunity to go to college. He has led the Lt. Governor's Commission on Higher Education & Economic Growth, making a series of recommendations that have brought higher education into the larger discussion of creating and retaining jobs here in Michigan. He also serves as a gubernatorial appointee to the Midwest Higher Education Compact.
Cherry's interest in politics began as a teenager through organizing and political activism. He took a job as administrative assistant to former State Senator Gary Corbin, later serving as political director for the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO until his election to the Michigan House. As a legislator, Cherry focused on the issues that were most important to Michigan citizens - families, the quality of life in Michigan, the environment and Michigan's great outdoors. He has authored and co-sponsored several milestone Michigan laws dealing with workers' rights, environmental protection and conservation.
Saturday's keynote will be by Representative Dan Scripps (D-Leland). Dan is no stranger to the netroots or environmental group circles. He is considered by many to be a leader in environmental policy.
He is dedicated to creating good-paying jobs now, expanding educational opportunities to more residents and protecting our special way of life in Northern Michigan.
Dan owns his own consulting business, and has worked with the Leelanau Conservancy to develop a farmland protection strategy for Leelanau County. He has served as co-chair of the economic development committee for his local chamber of commerce and as vice president of the Leelanau Children's Center.
An environmental attorney, Dan has emerged as a statewide leader in environmental and energy issues, and was invited to participate in a think tank panel on Climate Change and Energy Policy Solutions at the Rothbury Music Festival in July 2008. He is a strong supporter of Second Amendment rights and is an avid fisherman.
Sunday's keynote is Scott T. Harrison, CEO of Azure Dynamics.
Mr. Harrison comes to Azure Dynamics from Hayes Lemmerz, a two billion US dollar per annum Tier 1 auto supplier, where he was Group President responsible for two global businesses. Before joining Hayes Lemmerz in 2001, Mr. Harrison worked for Fisher Scientific Inc., where he was Vice President and General Manager of the Lab Equipment Group. Mr. Harrison began his automotive career with General Motors where he spent seven years in various positions of increasing responsibility at the Delco Chassis Division. During this time he participated in GM's Supervisor Exchange Program with Toyota Motor Corporation. With 17 years of direct experience in the automotive industry, Mr. Harrison has a strong record of sales growth, lean implementation, new product introduction as well as operations and supply chain experience
"Our goal is to offer Michigan residents educational information on how to
build or improve the efficiency of your home and business through our workshops. Then, you
can walk right over to the companies that sell the products. This is not only an educational event
but a place to engage the consumer with the companies in the sustainable energy field," stated
Jennifer Alvarado, GLREA Executive Director.
This year will include tours of Douglas Valley CSA Wineries, Michigan's first LEED-H Platinum Certified home built by Hybrid Homes and MasTech Manufacturing, the plant that produces the Windspire wind turbine. A kid's tent and musical entertainment will also be featured along with approximately 120 vendors and exhibitions, educational programs and speakers.
Michigan innovators like Billy Durant, Ransom E. Olds, Henry Ford, and Walter Chrysler built the auto industry that put the world on wheels. Innovators like Walter P. Reuther helped the auto industry build the modern American middle class and a standard of living second to none. At the start of the Second World War, it was General Motors' president William Knudsen who stepped aside to serve his country, turning the factories of the Big Three into the Arsenal of Democracy that helped us win the war.
We know Michiganders know how to build, and we know how to innovate. It's time to do both.
Yesterday, I visited GM's Romulus Engine plant to talk to workers, plant managers, and local union leadership about the future of our auto industry. There, I saw the faces of our auto industry the national media often overlooks: the hard working men and women who have built Michigan. The Romulus plant has a reputation for quality and environmental stewardship. Last year, it was ranked in the top ten most productive engine plants in North America by the Harbour Report. Romulus workers also were honored in 2003 and 2006 as exemplary "Michigan Clean Corporate Citizens". The workers I met were proud of the job they do, and with the high quality products they turn out -- they should be!
I told Labor Secretary Solis and Dr. Ed Montgomery, White House Director of Recovery for auto communities and workers, that only protecting and increasing employment -- American employment -- will help move us out of the recession we're currently in. Fortunately, GM has a new, innovative labor agreement with the UAW to build subcompact cars here in the U.S., at an existing plant. GM has also announced it will not make cars in China available for sale in the United States. These are the right steps to take in reinventing an great American icon like General Motors, and the only way we'll turn our economy around.
For decades, innovators have called Michigan home. In times of hardship, Michiganders pull together. We innovate. We build. We look to a better, brighter future. I'm confident that despite Monday's wrenching news, we have brighter days to look forward to.
I look forward to working with Congress and President Obama to help protect and restore Michigan's most precious natural resource - not only for the environmental benefits, but also because we can leverage the Great Lakes to advance Michigan's economic recovery! Yesterday, I presented Nancy Sutley, Chair of the White House Council of Environmental Quality with the MI-Great Lakes plan that was developed with public input from meetings I attended all over Michigan - along with comments on blogs like this one. I will keep you updated as we move forward on implementing the plan.
Since today is Great Lakes Day, please leave a comment below or email me about your favorite Great Lakes memory. To live in Michigan is to love the Great Lakes, and I'm sure nearly every reader has a great story to share. I look forward to reading your responses!
(From my remarks "The Blue Economy - Great Lakes Protection and Michigan's Economic Transformation" delivered at the Federal Reserve Bank's symposium on Fresh Water and the Great Lakes Economic Future, 11/10/08)
I come to this discussion today, obviously, as the Lieutenant Governor of THE Great Lakes state and as the immediate past chair of the Great Lakes Commission.
But just as importantly, underlying all that, is the personal connection I feel to Michigan’s water and woods. As an upland hunter and person who enjoys spending time on the water, I understand the attraction that our amazing natural resources have to people all across the Midwest. I recognize the tremendous impact that Michigan’s water has on the course of their lives and our local economies.
So it is important today, as we focus on big ideas and broad concepts, that we also remain mindful of the profound impact our work and discussions can have on a family, a town, or one tiny stretch of pristine beach somewhere on our shoreline.
I hope you read my blog post today at mi.barackobama.com. With only four days left until the most important election of the last eighty years, I'm doing everything I can do to help create the change we need by electing Barack Obama and Joe Biden.
Please join me in working hard these last four days to elect Barack Obama president, and read my blog post to learn about all the reasons why Senator Obama will be a partner for Michigan in the White House. Eight years of Bush policies is enough!
Join the Granholm Cherry Ground Crew, a grassroots effort to support great Democratic candidates in Michigan!
We're traveling across the state to keep Michigan blue in 2008. Knocking doors and talking to voters is the most effective way to win elections, so we'll be going door-to-door for Gary Peters in Oakland County this Sunday, September 7. With a strong showing of support, we can make a major difference in Gary's closely contested race.
We'll be meeting at the Peters for Congress Volunteer Center in Clawson at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, and will be out canvassing until 4:30.
I spent my morning walleye fishing in the Tawas Bay with Dave Dickman, a local insurance agent and city councilman. It was a beautiful morning. Great sunshine and the water had a low chop which is not the best condition for walleye fishing. Because walleyes have such great visual acuity, fishing for them is generally better at night or on overcast days. Rough water also tends to break up light penetration into water so walleye fishing can be more productive when the water is a little more choppy than was the case on Thursday. "Walleye" chop is a popular term among those who seriously pursue walleye.
Consequently, we chose to go 'fishing' instead of 'catching'. That allowed Dick and I to spend most of our time speculating on why the sports fishery on Lake Huron has become so challenged. Most of the discussion rests on a reduced population of forage fish. Various explanations are offered for that ranging from the zebra mussel disrupting the food chain to the voracious appetite of the cormorants who have made a startling comeback in recent years.
Above: P.H. Hoeft State Park on Lake Huron (photo: janet.powell)
This week's tour began with a stop at the City of Cheboygan, and featured a very unique program. For the past 35 years, the Noble Odyssey Foundation has operated a US Navy Sea Cadet Program under the leadership of Captain Luke Clyburn. Today the program operates out of Cheboygan. In terms of mission, the Noble Odyssey Foundation brings together young people, adults, and scientists interested in developing and supporting underwater research programs to enhance public understanding of the Great Lakes' science and history.
Exciting as this mission appears to be, it obscures an absolutely fascinating story of how a character-building program for young people has been used to uncover a spellbinding story of the geological history of the Great Lakes as told by the underwater formations of the Lakes themselves. It is a story of drowned forests, massive waterfalls, glacial rivers, and sunken beaches. All of this has been discovered by 30 years of academic research assisted by the US Navy Sea Cadets stationed on the Great Lakes.
Knocking on someone's door and asking for their vote is the most effective way to win an election. Candidates can't knock on every door themselves though. They need your help. And, it's easy and fun to do. Well, maybe your definition of fun is a little different than mine, but please stay with me while I give you a personal account.
A couple of weeks ago I got a voice mail from someone asking me to help the Ground Crew. They were going to be in my hometown of Canton knocking on doors for Dian Slavens, the Democrat running for the open State House seat here in my hometown.
What's the Ground Crew? It's an effort by Gov. Granholm and Lt. Gov. Cherry to put some boots on the ground and help candidates running for the State Legislature. Volunteers knock on doors, distribute literature and generally get the word out about Democratic candidates.
I couldn't go that day (many of you will remember I was in Washington, DC getting the politics out of my mind < / snark >. Actually, the Lear household wanted to visit the new ball park, but I digress.) So when an email came last week to turn out for State Representative Marc Corriveau's re-election campaign, I thought it was time to get a look at the effort first hand. Marc represents the 20th House District which adjoins mine and includes precincts in Canton.
Tuesday was an amazing day on the Detroit River. My first visit was to the Rouge Oxbow Project at the Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan. In its original course, the Rouge River meandered through the farm that became the grounds of the Henry Ford Museum and Historic Greenfield Village. Then in the 1970's, to prevent flooding in the river basin, the Army Corp of Engineers constructed a flood control project through a concrete realignment of the river for approximately nine miles. The effect of the realignment was to isolate several "oxbows" in the old river bed.
These "oxbow" ponds suffered from the same degradation that plagued the Rouge River itself. They became littered with trash and other discarded remnants of modern living, not to mention the pollutant loadings from the industrial runoff from surrounding facilities. These waters were unsightly, hazardous, and there probably are not enough adjectives to fully describe the condition they fell into.
(Welcome back LG Cherry! - promoted by wizardkitten)
Pam and I started our day at Thornton's Restaurant in St. Joseph. A friendly, family restaurant, Thornton's breakfast menu features a signature item-Big Bob's Big Bomb. The Big Bomb is an outrageously huge omelet whose consumption will earn you a place on Thornton's Hall of Fame. I passed up the opportunity to leave a historical mark at Thornton's, but we had a great breakfast anyways.
After breakfast we headed to Muskegon. The name "Muskegon" comes from the Ottawa Indian term "Masquigon" which refers to a marshy river or swamp. The area was home to native Americans from the earliest of times. Wikipedia points out that when the Wisconsinian glaciations retreated "nomadic; Paleo-Indian hunters" moved into the area. Subsequently in time, Muskegon became inhabited by the Ottawa and Potawatomi tribes.
Muskegon Lake, our first stop, can be found at the mouth of the Muskegon River. During the lumbering era, the banks of Muskegon Lake, which served as a natural harbor on the Lake Michigan shoreline, became a site for a number of sawmills for logs floated down the Muskegon River. Later as the State industrialized, factories replaced the sawmills. The legacy of the area is a body of water contaminated by toxic sediments, industrial waste, and the filling of shallow water habitat and wetlands.
The Tour is intended to highlight how regional partners in the Great Lakes States and Canadian partners are embracing the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration Agenda; and to draw further attention to the need for the federal government to match the regional commitment. The timing of this effort is critical. Both presidential candidates have pledged their commitment to Great Lakes restoration. Great Lakes advocates must be prepared to press our agenda as the new federal government takes power next January.
Today, you are lucky to see anyone on the sidewalk outside the AC plant. What a surprise to Flint drivers to see signs of human life back at the corner, horns were beeping as Obama signs were lifted in salute. The occasion: Senator McCain's trip to Mexico to talk trade. Remember back, during the Michigan primary when Senator McCain told Michigan workers, "I have some bad news for you, there is going to be more job loss". Now we know why, Senator McCain has become Senator McSame.
"It's time to go back to the old Engler style of leaving the bloody bodies in the street," one source declared. ~ Mirs News, Friday, June 20
Last Thursday started out like any other day in the State Senate, where the Republicans are normally in control, 22-17. But Thursday was special, because on Thursday, a handful of the Senate Republicans were missing in action, which meant that the GOP had control of the Senate by only one vote.
And when Bruce Patterson is one of those votes, anything can happen.
As some of you may recall, Patterson introduced legislation some time ago, that would amend the laws governing Charter Townships and property annexation. This is an issue near to his "heart" (ahem) because of the upcoming special election in Northville, which Patterson represents. 414 acres of Northville land may be annexed by Livonia. Patterson's legislation addresses that.
Mike Bishop has promised, over & over & over again, to deliver Patterson's annexation legislation. Patterson doesn't follow BFM, so he doesn't realize that the only thing Mike Bishop delivers is obstruction. So now, with only about 6 weeks until voters go to the polls, Patterson decided he was done waiting for Bishop. He's had enough of that, bucko.
Lt Gov John Cherry (follow him on Twitter!) will be meeting with Rt. Hon Hilary Benn, the UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. The Lt. Gov and Benn will meet to hold a press conference and sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the United Kingdom and the State of Michigan. The Memorandum which pledges Michigan and the UK to work jointly toward reducing emissions of greenhouse gases and partner to increase climate-friendly commerce.
The press conference will be held from 9:00 until approximately 9:15. After the press conference, Cherry and Benn will meet with members of Governor Granholm's Climate Action Council, which is comprised of representatives from public interest groups, environmental organizations, utilities, the manufacturing sector, and other key industries, universities, and state and local governments. This meeting will last until approximately 9:45am, and the public is welcome to observe.
The meeting will take place Monday morning (5/12/08), at 9:00am, in Governor Jennifer M. Granholm's southeast Michigan office at 3022 West Grand Blvd., 14th Floor, in Detroit.
Cherry has a history of involvement in environmental affairs and alternative energy, but is taking this particular meeting in place of the Governor. Governor Granholm is unable to attend.
More on the Michigan Citizen Action Council here and here.
Flint Area Congregations Together (FACT) brings people of faith together to revitalize neighborhoods and strengthen families in the Flint region. Religious congregations created FACT to provide families in Genesee County with a voice in the future of the city and region. FACT assists congregations in developing ministries to reach out and improve their communities.
FACT was formed in 2006, by clergy and lay leaders from seven different denominations, and now includes about 15 churches. The organization addresses "creeping blight," and issues poverty, violence, inadequate education, blight, and other concerns facing Flint and the region. The first area of focus is west of Dupont Street, east of Clio Road, north of W. Pierson Road and south of Home Avenue.
Not sure of the agenda of the meeting, but it's great that they'll have his attention for a while. Organizations like FACT are on the front line of the war against poverty & related issues, so Cherry's involvement in this is good to see.
Saturday's keynote will be by 
Lt Gov John Cherry (
