The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Michigan legislature" ...
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Under the Influence
Dixon discovers that Michigan's beer and wine distributors are protected by state law from competition, with none of their customers getting any price breaks. Dixon and the Free Press conducted a survey that indicated beer and wine prices had a tendency to be higher in Michigan than in neighboring states. The prices are so high that Northwest Airlines had to truck beer from Minnesota to Lansing's Metro Airport instead of buying the beer locally. Wholesalers retain this control because the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association spends hundreds of thousands of dollars each year to make campaign contributions to legislators, paying for legislators' lavish vacations, and picking up their bar and restaurant tabs. Dixon found that out of the 148 people elected to the Michigan House and Senate in 2002, all but 9 received contributions from the beer and wine wholesalers' political action committee.
Tags: Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesalers Association; Michigan legislature; Michigan Liquor Control Commission; Michigan campaign finance; Northwest Airlines; beer and wine wholesalers' political action committee; Michigan Campaign Finance Network; alcohol wholesaler lobbying
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Fit to be tied
Governing reports on the failures of deadlocked legislatures throughout the country. The story points to the example of Washington State House of Representatives, where "a 49-49 tie between Republicans and Democrats ... has bogged down legislation and set nerves on edge almost continuously in Olympia for the last three years." The article looks at ties four other legislative bodies: the Maine, South Carolina, Arizona and Missouri Senates. The report reveals a variation of power-sharing agreements that legislators come up with in order to solve the deadlocks created by voters.
Tags: elections; voting; bills; Democrats; Republicans; GOP; Michigan House of Representatives; Arizona Senate; public confidence; senators; ballots
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Prisoners of the City
In 1982 the citizens of Cleveland passed a referendum requiring that "every temporary or regular officer or employee of the City of Cleveland, including members of all City boards and commissions, shall be or become bona fide residents of the City of Cleveland." Since then many city employees such as firefighters and police officers have pushed for the repeal of the requirement, wanting the freedom to live with their families anywhere near or around the city. Some feel the requirement denies them the right to live where they please, and denies their children the better schooling than is offer in Cleveland's Municipal School system. Other city employees feel that the requirement is necessary to keep tax dollars in the city and keep property values up in neighborhoods where city employees live. Some city employees testified in favor of state legislation prohibiting the residency requirement, a similar measure was introduced to Michigan's state legislature and passed in 2000.
Tags: City government; residency requirements; city officials; Cleveland
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WNEM 5 Investigates: Truancy on Trial
A WNEM-TV investigation looks into whether lawmakers are showing up for Michigan House and Senate sessions. The report reveals that only a few attend every session, and provides a list of the lawmakers with the most absences. The story finds that attendance has become better in recent year.
Tags: TAPE; TRANSCRIPT; legislature; voters; elected
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Vacant buildings, empty promises
A Detroit News investigation found that there are 1,181 vacant structures within one block of Detroit public schools; parents and students have had to deal with rapes, drug deals, and other violence in the areas surrounding some public schools; the article also outlines a resolution that would force the Michigan Legislature to create emergency demolition zones within 750 feet of all Detroit public schools.
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No title (id: 9120)
Detroit Free Press documents the power special interests have over the Michigan legislature by focusing on one state senator notorious for exploiting the favors of lobbyists, who give him thousands of dollars in campaign and other contributions, August - November 1992.
Tags: None
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No title (id: 7348)
Detroit News discovers convicted child molesters, murderers, drug dealers and other criminals driving public and private school buses in Michigan; led to legislature passing law mandating criminal checks on all bus driver applicants, June - October 1990.
Tags: MI CR Smith
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No title (id: 4219)
Detroit News publishes series on the state of the criminal justice system in Michigan and proposals in the state legislature to alter it; series addresses such topics as sentencing, young criminals, plea bargaining, the insanity defense, bail, parole and the death penalty, Feb. 23 - March 2, 1986.
Tags: MI