By AP

LANSING, MI – Uneasy legislative negotiators say a proposed cut in state payments to local governments is too deep.

Thursday's conference committee meeting has been delayed as House and Senate lawmakers struggle to approve a $163 million cut in revenue-sharing payments to cities, townships and villages.

The estimated 15% cut was agreed to by the Legislature's top Democrat and Republican.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – A state House panel has taken a small step toward restoring the Michigan Promise college scholarship.

AUDIO:

The House Appropriations Committee adopted a budget bill to fund the scholarship close to its current level. But the effort remains largely symbolic until a revenue source is identified to generate $120 million.

House Appropriations Committee Chairman George Cushingberry says the bill won't move any further until that happens.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – State lawmakers are expected to continue budget negotiations through the night and into Friday morning.

Legislators are waiting to vote on budget bills from House and Senate conference committees. Major discrepancies on where to cut and how deep are slowing the process.

Democratic state Representative Fred Durhal sits on the General Government budget committee. He says the Senate proposal for cutting to local government revenue sharing goes too far.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Michigan Republicans are heading to Mackinac Island to look over the 2010 crop of gubernatorial candidates as well as two possible 2012 presidential candidates.

Current Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty and ex-Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney will give keynote speeches Saturday. Romney also ran for president last year.

Five of the six gubernatorial candidates will meet for a 90-minute radio debate Saturday morning hosted by the Michigan Taxpayers Alliance. Tim Rujan of Bay Port wasn't invited.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

Lansing, MI – The state House Appropriations Committee has taken a step toward rescuing the Michigan Promise college scholarship from the budget axe. There are now dueling bills on the House floor. One would fund the scholarship. At the same time, a higher education budget bill zeroes out money for the Promise. The effort to keep the scholarship is still waiting on a revenue source that would generate $120 million.

By Rob South, WKAR News

LANSING, MI – A union which represents about a quarter of the City of Lansing's workforce picketed in front of Mayor Virg Bernero's Campaign headquarters Wednesday. Teamsters Local 580 has been without a contract for three years.

About a dozen Teamsters showed up for the rally carrying signs claiming Bernero is "anti-family" for not settling the union's contract. Other city unions have agreed to eliminate medical coverage for family members of retirees. The deals only apply to new-hires and not current city employees.

By AP

AUBURN HILLS, MI –

Shavonte Zellous scored 23 points and Deanna Nolan added 22 as the Detroit Shock easily cruised to a 72-56 victory over the Indiana Fever on Wednesday night in Game 1
of the Eastern Conference finals.

The Shock, seeking their fourth straight trip to the WNBA finals, have knocked out the Fever in each of the last three post-seasons. Game 2 is Friday night at Indiana.

Katie Douglas led Indiana with 16 points.

By AP

CLEVELAND – Carlos Guillen hit two of Detroit's three home runs to help Rick Porcello and the Tigers defeat Cleveland 11-3 on Wednesday night, the Indians' season-high 10th straight loss.

Porcello (14-9) allowed one run and six hits over five innings as the Tigers won their third straight. Detroit entered play 2 1/2 games ahead of Minnesota in the AL Central. The Twins open a four-game series in Detroit on Monday.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – It appears Michigan's community colleges may survive the budget debate at the state Capitol without any budget cuts.

The House and Senate budget committee dealing with funding for community colleges unanimously approved a budget bill that maintains current spending.

Democratic Representative Fred Miller chaired the committee.

By Scott Pohl, WKAR News

MASON, MI – Ingham County Register of Deeds Curtis Hertel Junior has announced the launch of a new system designed to help residents prevent property fraud.

Subscribing to the system is free. Those who register will get a phone call or an email any time a property document is filed in their name.

Hertel says victims could find a cloud on their title when they try to sell their home, or be billed for a mortgage they hadn't applied for. He says the easiest way to commit property fraud has been to forge a quit-claim deed.