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Another measure with job possibilities, Issue 2, would allow the state to issue $400 million in bonds to continue the Clean Ohio conservation and revitalization program, which seeks to counter sprawl by preserving the state's natural areas. The measure was woven into an economic stimulus package lawmakers passed this year.
Two other initiatives will appear on the ballot but carry no potential economic implications. Issue 1 would provide for earlier filing deadlines for statewide ballot issues. Issue 3 is a constitutional amendment proposed alongside the recently approved Great Lakes Water Compact, which strengthens legal protections for the use of water from the five Great Lakes and their connecting channels.
The amendment's goal is to protect the rights of landowners "to make reasonable use" of water that runs on or through a property.
A potential measure would have asked voters to give most full-time workers seven paid sick days a year, but labor leaders dropped Issue 4 from the ballot after Gov. Ted Strickland came out against the measure.
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On the Net:
Vote Yes On Issue 5 Committee (for the current law): http://www.yesonissue5.com
Ohioans for Financial Freedom (against the current law): www.ohioansforfinancialfreedom.com
Vote No Casinos, http://www.votenocasinos.com/?gclid=CPz0tMS715QCFQL8iAodW1mPlA
MyOhioNow, http://www.yesonissue6.com/
Oct 06 13:39
By TANVEER ALI
The Detroit News
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LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Brandon Knight entered the alternative energy engineering program at Lansing Community College in 2006 with an eye toward owning a business dedicated to developing solar panels, wind turbines and perhaps even other energy sources that people haven't heard of yet.
He believes alternative energy holds the future for him and the state.
"It is quite clear to our generation how things are moving in the world. Alternative energy really provides benefits," Knight said. "The big draw to me is the balance between the environment and the economy, and this improves both."
Knight, 25, is among a number of students toward whom the state's educational institutions are tailoring programs in alternative energy. With demand spiking worldwide for more eco-friendly options, and the days of guaranteed jobs in the auto industry becoming a thing of the past, some educators agree overall interest in the alternative energy field is increasing.
All 15 of the state's public universities are offering courses devoted to alternative energy. The state has also identified 88 universities, colleges and educational centers for a worker retraining program with a focus on green jobs.
"The single most important step to address the global energy needs is education," said Margaret Wooldridge, a mechanical engineering professor at the University of Michigan.
"You essentially want to let the students go eyes open."
Wooldridge has taught an "Advanced Energy Systems" class that has grown from 41 students to 60 in three years, with a waiting list.
At Michigan State University, the introductory class of "Earth Environment and Energy" has 170 students this semester, compared with 30 when it was introduced six years ago.
Experts say green energy jobs are coming to Michigan.
"There aren't 20,000 jobs in the solar manufacturing world right now," said Mark Beyer, spokesman for Detroit-based alternative energy advocate NextEnergy.
"The education is more process-driven, to get students to understand the technologies, than tell them this is what the future is going to be."
At the University of Michigan, at least 60 courses are recognized by the Phoenix Energy Institute as alternative energy-oriented classes. Michigan State has 75.
In 2003, Wayne State University added an interdisciplinary master's degree and certificate programs in alternative energy. While only 10-12 students receive a diploma in alternative energy each year, Wayne State Dean of Engineering Ralph Kummler expects the number to grow once the economic benefit is based less on potential and more on readily available jobs.
One institution converting education into jobs is the Michigan Institute of Aviation and Technology in New Boston. Traditionally known for turning out airplane mechanics, the school recently expanded offerings in its power technology school.
With 30 years in the auto industry, Bruce Lazarus enrolled in the institute's wind turbine technician program after he was laid off from his engineering position with Chrysler in November.
"Electricity has to be built on site," said Lazarus, of South Lyon, who holds a master's degree from Central Michigan. "(Wind) is a renewable energy we can put up anywhere."
Lazarus, 48, graduated in August and has accepted a position with Siemens Wind, traveling the country helping bring wind turbines online.
His 22-year-old son is joining the same program and is hoping for a similar job.
NextEnergy's Beyer and other energy experts say Michigan's green sector will grow once companies move on new state standards requiring power companies to produce 10 percent of the state's electricity from renewable sources by 2015.
According to a report by the Anderson Economic Group, Michigan has the potential to generate nearly 60 percent of its total electricity output from such sources as wind, dams and ethanol. In 2005, only 3.3 percent came from renewable sources, compared with 8.8 percent nationally.
In another analysis by the American Wind Energy Association, Michigan has the potential to become a leader in wind energy -- a field it estimates could produce more than 30,000 jobs.
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Information from: The Detroit News, http://www.detnews.com
Oct 05 15:47
By CATHERINE TSAI
Associated Press Writer
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DENVER (AP) -- From postponed trips to changing spending habits and new jobs, the troubled economy has changed Coloradans' lives in ways big and small.
Denver Public Schools secretary Bernice Adolf, 56, and her husband once spent Friday nights eating out at the fast-casual chain Chipotle Mexican Grill, or at places with happy hour specials. Now they fix meals like spaghetti at home and then go for a walk.
"We're trying to save wherever we can," said Adolf, of Wheat Ridge.
This year, the couple decided against a trip this year to Rawlins, Wyo., to visit family. She remembers being able to book a hotel for two for $57 a few years ago, but prices are around $87 now, she said. Gas prices also are up, so a trip will have to wait until she can save some money.
"I have license plate renewals coming up. Food's gone up too," she said outside Albertson's, where she went to take advantage of a $1 sale on several items Friday.
Even shopping habits have changed. She likes eating salad greens, even though it's more expensive than lettuce. "You have to pick and choose what food you want," she said.
U.S. home prices are down, unemployment rates are rising, lending has tightened and the government has had to step in to aid ailing financial giants. Last week, President Bush signed a $700 billion package aimed at preventing a further free fall and freeing up credit so people can buy homes or cars.
It might not be soon enough to keep commission-only car salesman Chris Henderson of Greenwood Village from switching jobs.
By this time last year, Henderson estimates he had earned at least $70,000. His last paycheck for 110 hours of work was $449.
Last spring, he and his wife downsized from a 4,000-square-foot home to one that is 2,500 square feet. Henderson, 40, said he is unwilling to sacrifice the education of his 3-year-old daughter, who attends a private preschool that costs about $1,200 a month.
Now he is considering putting away the suit and tie and becoming a commercial truck driver.
He praised the dealership where he works but said there's little bosses can do for employees when customers are reluctant to step on the lot.
"They tell us, 'Hang in there.' We've been hanging since summer," he said.
"Americans aren't raised to work to be broke. You work to raise your family. They say ride it out. I don't choose to destroy my credit and go into debt to do it," Henderson said.
In Lakewood, Dori and Steve Starr are closing Dori's Quilts and Lodge Furniture because of slow sales. A sign inside says: "Thanks W for driving us out of bidness. Where's our part of the $700 billion bailout."
"Our main thing we sell are log beds and quilts," Dori said. "When you're thinking your house is worth less than you paid for it, spending money on the house -- it doesn't cheer you up."
Steve Starr called the bailout an abomination. "It certainly isn't helping us. We're the ones who are hurting," he said.
Construction company assistant superintendent Paul Rak insists business in Denver is still good for him. He has been flipping properties on the side with hopes of retiring at age 62.
"I thought I'd go into early retirement, but it ain't gonna happen," said Rak, 54. "The way the country is going right now, it looks worse for me at 62 than 54. Better spend what I have now because the investments might not be worth a penny when I get there."
He recently bought a used Hummer by trading in his truck and putting down $8,000 more. Though he still puts extra money toward retirement, he's decided to enjoy life today.
"If I'm going to work 'til I die, I'm going to work until I die, but I'll have a Porsche and Hummer in the driveway," he said.
There may be a bright spot. Summer scooter sales were strong at Sportique Scooters in Englewood, where store manager Ray Kite estimates sales over the last two to three months are up 70 percent for scooters that can get 80 miles per gallon.
"Everyone likes the idea of saving where they can," he said.
Oct 04 18:47
By KRISTEN WYATT
Associated Press Writer
BOULDER, Colo. (AP) -- University of Colorado freshman Darian Salehy loves college life so far -- except for one thing.
"It's all white people," Salehy mused on the Boulder campus lawn recently, looking at fellow students headed to class.
Salehy, of Iranian descent, fears that the state's flagship university, currently about 9 percent non-white, might become less diverse if Colorado passes a ballot measure banning government consideration of race or gender in university admissions, contracts and state spending.
The measure is similar to ones approved by voters in California, Michigan and Washington state, as well as one on the Nebraska ballot this year. It's part of a state-by-state push by former California regent Ward Connerly, who tried but failed to get the question on ballots in Arizona and Oklahoma this year.
Affirmative action isn't dominating national political headlines -- or even getting a lot of talk in Colorado, where it's just one of 14 ballot measures facing voters and has been overshadowed by the presidential race and financial crisis.
The Colorado Board of Regents has not taken a position on the amendment, though Democratic Gov. Bill Ritter opposes it, saying it would undercut state education efforts. In Nebraska, the State College Board of Trustees and the University of Nebraska both oppose it.
Proponents are unswayed by the fact that the numbers of students of color have declined at flagship schools in states that have passed similar measures. In California, where an affirmative action ban passed 12 years ago, student enrollment among some minorities has dropped despite state efforts to target the poor and non-racial measures to attract a diverse student body.
"For a variety of reasons, people of color lag behind whites -- and Asians, to some degree -- on standardized tests," said Vikram Amar, a law professor at the University of California-Davis who has studied the effects of California's affirmative action ban.
"The sad reality is, there's no easy way to achieve racial equality without focusing on race."
The University of Colorado does not award "points" toward admission for underrepresented groups. But officials do consider race and gender as factors when they have more applicants who meet academic criteria than they have room for.
CU law professor Melissa Hartis working to defeat the amendment. She said she's struggling to fight a misperception that the university uses quotas or accepts students of color who shouldn't be there.
"Some mornings, I wake up and think, 'It's a hard battle.' Some days I wake up and think, 'Most people in Colorado do not want this,"' Hart said. "So I don't know. I think it could go either way."
Oct 02 21:17
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FARGO, N.D. (AP) -- The president of North Dakota State University says he wants to hire and promote more women faculty members and diversify NDSU's faculty, staff and student body.
NDSU President Joseph Chapman said in his 10th state of the university speech that the school has received a multimillion dollar grant to help find more women professors in science, technology and engineering. He said a Diversity Center will be established along with a President's Council on Global Outreach.
"Our students will not be fully prepared for a diverse, global work world if they are not part of an inclusive university environment," Chapman said in prepared remarks.
Other goals include being among the top 15 computer centers in the world, and becoming one of the top 100 universities in the number of National Merit Scholars enrolled, Chapman said.
During Chapman's tenure, NDSU's enrollment has grown from 9,700 to 13,229 and the school has moved from NCAA Division II to NCAA Division I in athletics.
Chapman, 66, said he has no plans to retire as long as people support his work.
"I don't know what I'd rather be doing," he said.
Jo Ann Miller and Larry Reynolds were named NDSU distinguished professors. The award brings a $20,000 pay raise and a $5,000 annual budget for teaching or research.
Miller, who joined NDSU's faculty in 1989, conducts the Concert Choir and University Chorus, and teaches undergraduate and graduate conducting and literature courses.
Reynolds, who came to NDSU in 1985, is the director of the Cell Biology Center and co-director of the Center for Nutrition and Pregnancy.
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Information from: The Forum, http://www.in-forum.com
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