U.S. to commit $78.5M to try to halt Asian carp

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration says it will spend $78.5 million to halt the giant Asian carp, which officials fear could spread and possibly endanger the Great Lakes region's $7 billion fishing industry. Federal officials say they'll consider opening navigational locks on Chicago-area waterways less frequently to prevent the carp from overrunning the Great Lakes. Top officials of the Obama administration were meeting today with governors from several Great Lakes states, including Michigan. Michigan has asked the Supreme Court to order navigational locks closed to block the carp from reaching Lake Michigan, but has so far been denied. Officials announced last month that genetic material from the carp had been discovered in Lake Michigan for the first time. Read Tuesday's Lansing State Journal for more on this report.

State will allow schools to count students later if classes canceled Wednesday

LANSING -- With a winter storm looming, Wednesday stands out as a potential snow day. But it's also spring Pupil Count Day, when officials count the number of kids in seats in each local school district. The resulting number determines 25 percent of the district's state funding for the year. Does that mean area schools are less likely to close Wednesday? Nope. The Michigan Department of Education issued a memo today giving school districts permission to count kids on the next scheduled day that school is in session. "We'll always put student safety first," said Jennifer Bradford-Vernon, spokeswoman for the Grand Ledge school district. "The state allows for uncontrolled events like weather-related school closings," Steve Serkaian, spokesman for the Lansing School District said Tuesday before the state issued its memo. "In cases where a snowstorm blankets a good portion of the state, we would expect that approval," Serkaian said. Each school district gets more than $7,300 in state aid for each student who is counted. The spring count determines 25 percent of funding; a September count determines the other 75 percent. Last fall, dozens of school districts around Michigan closed due to the H1N1 virus during the designated period for statewide tests that assess student achievement. The Michigan Department of Education extended the testing window to accommodate schools that had to close.

East Lansing eyes millage bump

EAST LANSING - A property tax increase is among several options the city is considering to address a two-year, $5 million budget deficit. City officials are talking about raising property taxes to make up for $500,000 they expect to lose from tax revenues due to depreciating home values. The proposed increase amounts to one-half of a mill. A homeowner with a house valued at $200,000 would end up paying an additional $50 a year, City Manager Ted Staton said. The owner of a $200,000 house would pay $1,947 for the city’s millage and 1 percent administrative fee. The city’s current property tax is at 19.28 mills. The tax increase would require city council approval. The city is legally allowed to raise property taxes up to 9/10ths of a mill without a public vote. “As we recapture values when the housing market rebounds, the council would be in a position to roll that millage back,” Staton said. The city employs about 400 and has a general fund budget of about $35 million. Read Tuesday's Lansing State Journal for more on this report.