The Pulice Report

Matt Watroba's Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.

As always, Michigan's own Matt Watroba offers a spirited performance. A true musical treasure.

Arresting Site of the Month, January: Michigan Future Inc.

It has a mission "...to be a source of new ideas on how Michigan can succeed as a world-class community in a knowledge-driven economy." The non-partisan, non-profit Michigan Future Inc. features a leadership council with members from a wide range of area organizations, and its online component is filled with opinion and statistics that zero in on the challenges -- and the opportunities -- the present economic downturn presents. As such, I've chosen it as the "Arresting Site of the Month" for January.

Lou Glazer is the group's president and a co-founder, and is a frequent contributor to the site's blog. Glazer offered up his take on Michigan as a whole, and Detroit in particular, in a revealing metromode piece from September 2007, well before the financial meltdown in the fall of 2008. He has made 2010 predictions, which include his belief that Michigan's economy will improve only when we make strides in higher education.

Read about Michigan Future Inc's initiatives in three core areas, its numerous reports, and other information from an organization that clearly has a deep commitment to, as its motto states, "helping build a more prosperous Michigan."

Keith Olbermann: Special Comment on Health Care Reform

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy

Please watch this impassioned plea from Keith Olbermann, Truly must-see TV.

NPR's "Remaking Michigan, Retooling Detroit"

Last week, National Public Radio aired the series "Remaking Michigan, Retooling Detroit." I wasn't able to hear these pieces when they aired, but I've gone back to listen, and applaud NPR for their usual in-depth treatment. Hopefully, people around the country were able to get a more accurate sense of the region, as we have what generously can be described as a big screen image problem. All in all, the network covered plenty of ground, and it was a job well done.

Arresting Site of the Month, March: Michigan Recovery & Reinvestment Plan

Focusing on the impact Michigan will feel as a result of the stimulus package -- the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) -- that President Obama signed into law on February 17, Governor Granholm and her staff have assembled an online resource that lays out the details, answers questions, and provides links that allow citizens to dig deeper to uncover additional information. As such, I've selected the Michigan Recovery & Reinvestment Plan pages (at Michigan.gov) as the "Arresting Site of the Month" for March. Now, these pages are not an individual "site," per se, but as they help clarify and demystify the stimulus package, I feel strongly they merit this monthly award.

Check out the tax cuts for Michigan families, which include the suspension of taxation of unemployment benefits and the deduction for sales tax on automobile purchases. Also see the tax benefits for Michigan businesses, among them bonus depreciation and expanded small business expensing. There also is a page that focuses on grant information. 

Also note the link near the bottom of the page to Recovery.gov, which gives a national snaphot of the package, including the State-By-State Jobs Impact and ARRA Summary and Funding Breakdowns. 

Hopefully, these pages will help us all better understand this complicated matter. I'll announce the next Arresting Site or Blog of the Month on Monday, April 6. Please submit candidates for that award by Monday, March 30. Thanks.

 

Watching the Inauguration on the Big Screen

My wife Mary and I witnessed the extraordinary presidential inauguration today from cozy, warm seats inside Canton’s Emagine Theater. Joining us were hundreds of our fellow citizens eager to see a new era begin. When Barack Obama took the oath of office, the entire audience stood as one, relieved to witness this historic moment. Simply outstanding. Kudos to the theater staff for the professional manner in which they handled the event, and to MSNBC, whose live feed was beamed onto a pair of screens at the Emagine, as the cable outlet arranged likewise at many other theaters across the country.

Just Hours to Go!

At last.

Arresting Site of the Month, December: AutoJobsMatter.org

Anyone whose livelihood is tied directly or indirectly to the automotive industry knows just how vital it is to their economic health, and to that of the country as a whole. Unfortunately, many in Congress just don’t get it, and would prefer to kick General Motors, Ford, and Chrysler to the curb, rather than approve the much-needed, overly-debated bridge loan. Two forward-thinking Detroit-area residents have said ‘Enough!’

Steve Still and his wife, Jenny Arnold-Still, have just launched a website that demonstrates clearly why we still need the Big 3, and helps dispel numerous misconceptions. (In the spirit of full disclosure, my wife and I have known Steve and Jenny for years, we’re also friends with Steve’s daughter, and I’m working a contract position for a business that administers the main website of one of the aforementioned companies; hence, I have a vested interest in this matter. Nonetheless, this isn’t about us, it’s about millions of people who soon could be out of work). As such, I have selected AutoJobsMatter.org as my “Arresting Site of the Month” for December. Please note the calls to action, including the December 4 rally in the Motor City, the auto industry fact sheet, the link that takes you to a printable window sign that will allow you to show your support, and more. Learn about Steve and Jenny, and spread the word about their important, fact-filled online resource.

Note: Nominations for January’s site or blog of the month are due on Monday, December 29, and I’ll announce the winner on Monday, January 5. Thanks for your participation.