By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – A state Senate committee approved a $628 million budget cut for Michigan's K-12 schools.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has been making sweeping cuts this week in an effort to plug the state's $1.7 billion deficit for the coming fiscal year.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Thousands of state workers will have today off. It's the first of six unpaid furlough days government employees will take this summer to help make up a budget shortfall.

The unpaid holidays for 37,400 government employees are expected to save the state about $20 million.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – The state House Education Committee approved legislation Thursday that would threaten Michigan's worst performing schools with closure if they cannot raise proficiency levels. About three dozen schools are targeted with proficiency levels below 30%.

The committee heard myriad testimonies since the bills were introduced in early April. They heard from charter school organizers, the state superintendent and the state teachers union, all of whom support the bills.

By AP

TAYLOR, MI – Officials have taken another step toward the creation of a massive airport city by signing an agreement to form the Aerotropolis Development Corp. in Taylor.

Backers say the deal could create 64,000 jobs and add $10 billion in annual economic activity by luring aviation-related businesses to the area. Signed Wednesday, the agreement needs the governor's signature before becoming final.

The proposed land is between Detroit Metropolitan Airport and the freight-oriented Willow Run Airport.

By AP

LANSING, MI – Former Michigan AFL-CIO President Frank Garrison has died. He was 74.

The AFL-CIO says Garrison, who led the union for nearly 13 years
until retiring in 1999, died around 4 a.m. Wednesday. The cause of
death was not immediately released.

Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm says the Lansing resident was a labor leader for more than 40 years who fought for better lives for workers. He was a former member of United Auto Workers Local 699 and was executive director of the UAW Community Action Program from 1982-86.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – Governor Granholm says eliminating the Michigan Promise college scholarship is an unacceptable option for helping to balance the budget.

The Michigan Promise scholarship helps thousands of students and their families with money for college or job-training after high school. Senate Republicans say dropping the scholarship will save the state $140 million that's badly needed to retire a growing budget deficit.

By AP

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Supreme Court is giving judges more authority over how witnesses dress in court after a Muslim woman refused to remove her veil while testifying in her
small claims case.

The high court voted 5-2 Wednesday to approve a statewide court rule letting judges regulate the appearance of witnesses. Two dissenters said there should be an exception for people whose clothing is dictated by their religion.

By Laura Weber, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – State Senators approved sweeping budget cuts Wednesday in Lansing.

AUDIO:

The state Senate Appropriations Committee spent the day cutting big numbers out of the budget for the coming fiscal year. Almost 150 (m) million dollars was carved out of higher education spending. Much of that came from financial aid for students attending public and private universities.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING, MI – The Michigan Supreme Court says judges may order women not to wear face-covering veils when appearing in court. The court adopted the rule by a 5-2 vote. And it refused to adopt an exception for clothing that reflects a sincerely held religious belief.

By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network

LANSING (MI) – Michigan's unemployment rate surged to 14.1% in May. That's a jump of more than a full percentage point from the month before.

AUDIO:

There are 682,000 people out of work in Michigan and looking for jobs. When people who've given up looking, or are working part-time but seeking full-time employment are figured in, the rate of unemployment and under-employment goes to more than 20 percent.