By Rick Pluta, Michigan Public Radio Network
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wkar/local-wkar-883352.mp3
LANSING, MI –
Security will be tighter than normal at the state Capitol Wednesday evening. More than a thousand protestors are expected when Governor Granholm delivers her State of the State address.
AUDIO:
The managers responsible for safety and security at the Capitol say there will be more precautions than usual because an unusually large number of protestors is expected. A tea party group; students opposed to eliminating the Michigan Promise college scholarship; and protestors demanding a moratorium on home foreclosures have all reserved space on the Capitol lawn.
Steve Benkovsky is the executive director of the Michigan Capitol Committee. He says a State of the State address typically draws between 50 and 500 protestors. This year, he's expecting a crowd of 1,000 to 1,200.
"This is a little larger than usual," he says.
Benkovsky says the Capitol building will be closed to anyone who does not have a ticket to attend the speech. He says allowing another thousand people in would pose a threat if there were a fire or some other emergency.