The first meeting of a Kalamazoo workgroup to address homelessness is scheduled for Tuesday. State lawmakers have a number of issues to consider as they return from summer break. A WMU wide receiver is the MAC West Division player of the week.
A workgroup established to examine the issue of homelessness in the city of Kalamazoo is tentatively scheduled to hold its first meeting Tuesday. The city announced the formation of the group Friday after some homeless residents had camped in Bronson Park for nearly two weeks. They were protesting proposed new rules regulating city parks and they say a lack of affordable housing and other options in Kalamazoo. Under the agreement, the city is allowing use of a former fire station as a site for homeless people to gather for the next 30 days. The Kalamazoo City Commission is also scheduled to meet Tuesday night.
(MPRN) Lawmakers return to Lansing this week. They only have nine session days scheduled between now and November. That’s because it’s an election year and lawmakers will be spending a lot of time in their districts. But they say they’ll get plenty done. The leadership in the state House is still nailing down its agenda. But some bills that will likely come up in the House include one to get rid of the expiration date for certificates of employability for convicted felons. A spokesman for the House Republicans says lawmakers also plan to continue work on legislation to improve the state’s mental health system.
(MPRN) The state has to finalize the November ballot soon. And that means when the Legislature returns this week it has to decide whether to adopt two controversial ballot initiatives. One would increase the state’s minimum wage. Another would require employers to offer paid, earned sick time. The business community has said the proposals would end up costing taxpayers in the long run. And Democrats are worried if the Legislature passes the proposals – it would only be to make changes to the law later. Republicans haven’t said that is their intention. And there’s still no word from Republican leaders if they’ll put the measures up for a vote.
(Michigan Radio) Some state lawmakers want to block a pending change to the way Michigan teachers are evaluated. The change would increase the weight of student growth in the evaluation process. The bill’s Republican sponsor says the change is “grossly unfair” and predicts it may force teachers out of the profession. The state House Education Reform committee takes up the bipartisan bill on Thursday.
Western Michigan University wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge has been named the Mid-American Conference West Division offensive player of the week. The junior caught eight passes for 240 yards and two touchdowns in the Broncos’ 55-42 loss to Syracuse Friday night. Western will play Michigan Saturday at noon in Ann Arbor.
In men’s soccer, Western Michigan lost Illinois Chicago 1-0, in a match that wasn’t over until early Tuesday morning. It was delayed for nearly three hours Monday night due to weather. The Broncos have now lost three straight. Western will play Michigan Friday in Ann Arbor.