By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Conservative business groups are putting pressure on Republican lawmakers to fund repairs to the state's aging bridges and roads through a gas tax increase.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Michigan State University and the University of Michigan are getting multi-year grants from the federal government to study advanced energy issues.

Michigan State University will get $12.5 million over five years
to investigate the underlying chemical principles of materials used
to turn heat into electricity.

The University of Michigan will get $19.5 million over the next five years to study materials that could be used to turn solar energy into electricity.

By AP

LIVONIA, MI – The chief executive of an advanced battery company says a nearly $250 million grant from the federal government is a "kick-start" to opening three facilities near
Detroit and making it possible to be competitive in the United States.

A123 Systems Inc. President and CEO David Vieau says the Watertown, Mass.-based company will develop lithium-ion battery technology for Chrysler Group LLC at new facilities in Livonia, Romulus and Brownstown Township.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm held a conference call this morning with the Legislature's Republican and Democratic leaders to continue negotiations on the budget. The state's new fiscal year begins in eight weeks.

The state's facing a deficit of $1.8 billion in its General Fund. It would be almost a billion dollars bigger without federal stimulus money to help cover a shortfall in Michigan's School Aid Fund.

By Jerome Vaughn, Michigan Public Radio Network

DETROIT, MI – Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm joined the Vice President in Detroit Wednesday as he announced more than $2 billion in automotive technology grants. Granholm says local lawmakers are responsible for gathering support in Washington for the funds. She says battery technology will be critical to the state's future economy:

"Michigan has put $700 million into battery credits, pack assembly, cell manufacturing, research and development and the integration with the vehicle," she said.

By AP

DETROIT, MI – The Obama administration says 11 Michigan manufacturers and research facilities will receive more than $1,000,000,000 of $2,400,000,000 in grants for development of the next generation of electric vehicles and batteries, more than any other state.

Michigan and Indiana combined will receive the largest portion of the grant money. Battery makers, along with General Motors, Ford, Chrysler LLC and Dow Chemical Company are receiving grants.

By Mark Bashore, WKAR News

EAST LANSING, MI – Michigan's infant mortality rate and foster care population will go up if proposed state budget cuts to human services are passed. That's the view of advocacy groups who gathered Wednesday at the State Capitol.

Some are calling for an increase in the state beer tax to address the issue. Jack Kresnak is President of the group "Michigan's Children." He says a 5-cent hike on beer would raise $111-million:

By AP

DETROIT, MI – Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm says she would rather take in prisoners from California than those from Guantanamo Bay.

Granholm told reporters Wednesday she needs to hear from the Department of Homeland Security before making decisions about accepting Guantanamo detainees. Federal officials say a maximum security prison in Standish and the military penitentiary in Fort Leavenworth, Kan., are among possible locations to hold 229 foreign fighters now detained in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – State Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop says Governor Granholm should make her revenue proposals public.

Bishop says the governor gave legislative leaders in closed-door budget negotiations a list of ways she thinks the state could collect more money through taxes. Bishop says if the Senate's proposals for program cuts are public knowledge, the governor's revenue list should be as well.

By Kevin Lavery, WKAR News

LANSING, MI – Hundreds of people concerned about the future of the Library of Michigan rallied at the state capitol and the Michigan Historical Center Wednesday. They fear state budget cuts could shut down all or part of the state library.

AUDIO:

Last month, Governor Granholm transferred responsibility for the library to the Department of Education. Under her executive order, much of the library's vast collection would be scattered over many physical locations.