Thursday, May 9, 2013
The Marketplace Fairness Act was approved this week in the U.S. Senate, and is headed to the Republican-controlled U.S. House for consideration. Both Michigan's senators voted for the bill, which would require merchants to collect state taxes on internet
Michigan's U.S. Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, both Democrats, voted in support of a bill that requires merchants to collect state sales taxes for online purchases. The Marketplace Fairness Act passed the U.S. Senate 69-27 on Monday. Next up, the legislation goes to the GOP-led House. President Barack Obama has previously said he supports the bill. Supporters say the bill would level the paying field for traditional local retailers and collect much needed tax revenue for state. Opponents, including anti-tax activists and retailers, say it will be overly burdensome on small businesses and would effectively result in a tax increase. Neither Levin nor Stabenow issued public statements after Monday's vote explaining their support of the…
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Patterson likens GOP House Speaker's leadership style to Adolf Hitler.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson apologized to the Jewish community after comparing GOP House Speaker Jase Bolger's leadership style to Adolf Hitler on Friday, according to the AP. On Friday, Patterson tweeted, “To those offended I apologize." Patterson had called Bolger "Adolf Bolger" duing a taping of "Off the Record" for public television, the report indicated. He said Bolger had embarrassed himself with recent behavior, including removing Democrats from committee assignments after Democrats compalined about GOP lawmakers leaving a hearing on auto insurance legislation, the report indicated. Read more on the Oakland Press.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Patterson says county has added about 45,000 jobs between 2012 and 2013.
Oakland County Executive L. Brooke Patterson says he is optimistic about the county's economic outlook, bouncing back after losing 60,000 jobs in 2009 by adding about 45,000 jobs between 2012 and 2013. Patterson made his remarks April 25 at the Economic Outlook Luncheon at the Marriot in Troy. Featured speakers included George Fulton and Donald Grimes of the Center for Labor Market Research.
Tuesday, April 30, 2013
Village reminds residents that brush and limbs cannot be mixed with leaves.
The final leaf pick-up service for the Village of Lake Orion is Monday, May 6. Any leaves that are raked to the curb by Monday will be picked up by the Village leaf vacuum, according to a post on the Lake Orion official web site. This is the final leaf pick-up for the season. Brush and limbs cannot be mixed with leaves. Compost/yard waste collection service will be provided by Rizzo Environmental on the regular garbage pick-up day until Nov. 25. See here for more information.
Thursday, April 25, 2013
Event, now in 21st year, takes place May 11.
- GOVERNMENT
-
Thursday, April 25
Submitted by OrionONTV On May 11, letter carriers across the country will head out on their routes hoping to collect donations of dry goods and canned goods along the way. Postal customers are asked to leave out bags of goods which will help feed the hungry locally. Visit www.nalc.org/commun/foodrive/ for more information.
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Restrictions in effect May 1 through Sept. 30.
The Village of Lake Orion recently announced summer outdoor water use restrictions, which apply to all properties connected to the village water system. The restrictions go into effect May 1 and continue through Sept. 30. According to the restrictions, which are posted on the village web site, all outdoor watering shall take place only on the following days: Odd-numbered addresses Even-numbered addresses View the full restrictions here.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Rochester's thriving Main Street honored at National Main Streets Conference in New Orleans.
Rochester's treasured downtown earned a major accolade on Sunday. The National Trust for Historic Preservation announced Sunday that Rochester was chosen as a 2013 Great American Main Street Awards (GAMSA) winner. With the distinction, Rochester is recognized as a national leader in embracing sound historic preservation practices and building strategic partnerships. Kristi Trevarrow from the Rochester Downtown Development Authority traveled to New Orleans over the weekend to accept the award at the National Main Streets Conference. "We're very excited about it," Trevarrow said. Trevarrow said the distinction isn't just a one-year honor. "Once you're a Great American Main Street, you're always one," she said. Trevarrow said the DDA was …
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Flights at community events and the 2013 Thunderbirds' season have been canceled, according to the U.S. Air Force.
Detroit Tigers fans can keep their eyes on the field Friday during opening day. That's because Selfridge Air National Guard Base will not be participating this year in the annual flyover at Comerica Park. Potential federal sequester cuts have not only affected the beloved baseball flyover, they have also grounded goodwill flights during community events, including parades, trade shows, F-22 demonstration flights and more for the remainder of the 2013 fiscal year, according to the U.S. Air Force. "Given the current federal budget environment, the Air Force has stopped all aviation support to community events, to include our traditional fly-over of the Tigers' home opener," Technical Sgt. Dan Heaton, 127th Wing spokesman at Selfridge Air …
The Michigan Democrat talks about bipartisanship, budget and more during a visit to residents at Fox Run senior living community in Novi on Wednesday.
U.S. Senator Carl Levin, D-MI, brought good news and bad news to about 200 residents gathered at Fox Run senior living community in Novi on Wednesday. "The good news is that after about three years, the United States Senate has adopted a budget," he said. "The bad news is that the House of Representatives has also adopted a budget." Levin said both sides will have to come to an agreement on the final budget, which reaches out as far as 10 years. The key issue is the deficit. While the Republican-controlled House and Democratic-controlled Senate agree on the need for reducing it, he said, they differ widely in how to accomplish that goal. "The Republican approach is you simply cut spending on every domestic program," he said, adding the …
Monday, April 1, 2013
“Having a place to call home is the American dream,” County Executive L. Brooks Patterson says. “Fair Housing Month reminds us there should be no barriers to achieving that dream.”
- GOVERNMENT
-
Monday, April 1
Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson has declared April as Fair Housing Month in recognition of the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Federal Fair Housing Law under the Civil Rights Act. He urges residents to contact Oakland County’s housing counselors if they think they have been the victims of housing discrimination. “Having a place to call home is the American dream,” Patterson said. “Fair Housing Month reminds us there should be no barriers to achieving that dream.” Fair housing laws guarantee all citizens equal opportunity in securing housing of their choice regardless of race, color, sex, national origin, age, marital status, religion, disability or family status. Laws apply to the sale, rental, financing and …
Marie T
5:38 pm on Thursday, May 23, 2013
I wish that would work. I don't believe that it would encourage more thoughtful posts. How would it be monitored or managed it? People have to want to make a difference. There are two choices we all make--will this help the discussion or will it hurt the discussion? I know what I choose, yet I am unable to control what others choose. more ›