LANSING - Today Senator Hansen Clarke (D-Detroit) joined fellow legislators, officials from the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, police officers, prosecutors, and civil rights activists for a press conference introducing the Michigan Anti-Bias Crime Statute. This new legislation will replace the current criminal offense of “ethnic intimidation” with one more accurately entitled “bias motivated crime.”

LANSING -Senate Democratic Leader Mark Schauer (D-Battle Creek) continued his steadfast support for Michigan schools and the students who are the future of this state by passing the 2008-2009 K-12/School Aid Budget yesterday. The budget included an increase in per pupil funding between $56 and $112 on a sliding scale based on existing funding, ensuring lower funded schools received the greatest increase. Nearly all of the school districts in Sen. Schauer’s district will receive the maximum foundation allowance increase of $112 per pupil, significantly closing the gap between the highest and lowest spending districts.

LANSING, Mich. –– State Senator Tupac A. Hunter (D-Detroit) introduced a two-bill package of legislation yesterday to provide insurance coverage for audiological screening, diagnosis, treatment and costs of hearing aids for individuals who suffer from hearing loss.

LANSING-Today State Senator Glenn S. Anderson applauded Governor Granholm’s announcement of a new development project in Wayne County’s Redford Township. Southfield developer JNCC LLC, a partnership of Farmington Hills-based Triangle Development Co. and Southfield-based Jonna Construction, will use a state brownfield tax credit to build senior independent living units and multi-family condo units at the site of the old Catholic Central High School.