LANSING �?? Gov, Jennifer Granholm may want to double the tax rate on non-cigarette tobacco products in an effort to plug part of next year's budget hole with $45 million in expected revenue, but she is not alone. Several states have already introduced bills to increase the tax on other tobacco products and two Southern
ANN ARBOR - March 20 isn�??t just the day before spring. It�??s the day the funding tries up for SBIR and STTR grants used by innovative technology companies to provide early stage seed funding from the federal government. But Lisa Kurek Managing Partner of Biotechnology Business Consultants in Ann Arbor has been urging her clients
TRAVERSE CITY - SEEDS will present initial findings from their baseline assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions from Grand Traverse County residents, businesses and visitors including strategies for reducing emissions on March 5 at the Traverse Area District Library. With a clear picture of where our emissions are coming from we can develop targeted strategies
DETROIT - The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, passed by Congress on February 13, 2009, makes significant changes to the COBRA continuation coverage rules. The most publicized change is the federal government subsidy of COBRA continuation coverage premiums for up to 9 months for certain individuals who are qualified beneficiaries due to a
DETROIT - It's not just Detroit-based automakers taking it on the chin with soft auto and truck sales, even Toyota Motor Corp. reported sharply lower sales last month, as consumer confidence remains low. GM's sales fell 53 percent, Ford's sales dropped 48 percent, while Toyota's declined 40 percent. Ford, which has so far sidestepped the
LANSING - Whether it is through new legislation or amending the old deal, the Detroit Caucus intends to reengage discussions with the governor, lawmakers and county and city officials on how to implement a new plan for Cobo Center, members of the caucus contend. Meanwhile, Detroit Mayor Kenneth Cockrel Jr. said he would not use
LANSING - Entrepreneurs that are driving Michigan's economy will be honored at the Michigan Celebrates Small Business event on April 30th at the Lansing Center in Lansing. "Each year the event gains momentum, and this year is no exception," said Carol Lopucki, State Director of the Michigan Small Business & Technology Development Center. "The event
LANSING - In hopes of getting as much as $750 million of the $2 billion in federal stimulus money to promote advanced battery manufacturing, legislative leaders have launched an effort to expand the tax benefits the state offers for high tech battery makers. The Senate Commerce and Tourism Committee expects to report SB 319 on
TRAVERSE CITY - Common Sense Solutions of St. Louis has joined Appia Communications' rapidly-growing nationwide network of partners. Appia provides managed IT and telecommunications services to small and midsize companies and organizations. Common Sense Solutions is a technology provider to hundreds of construction and service companies throughout the Midwest. "Our partnership with Appia is an
LANSING - Residents who want to put up small-scale solar, wind, geothermal or water energy devices on their property could see help from the state ensuring the device doesn't spike their tax bill under legislation before the House Energy and Technology Committee. The panel heard testimony Tuesday on HB 4103 , which would require the