Dave Camp praises 2-year transportation bill

Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland, praised the passing of a transportation bill that includes the Stop Invasive Species Act, which aims to combat Asian carp from entering the Great Lakes. The House on Friday passed the Transportation Reauthorization Conference Report, H.R. 4348, by a vote of 373 to 52. “This bill helps provide the funding that cities and towns depend on to develop and maintain the infrastructure they need to attract businesses and create jobs," Camp said. "House Republicans ensured that the provisions in this conference report promote job creation and do not add to the national debt." 


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Greater Michigan Art Exhibition in Midland 'strongest in a decade'

Rebecca Zeiss has entered the Greater Michigan Art Exhibition since she was 18, she said, "some years making it, and some years, not." And this year she found the work most carefully chosen, the pieces given room to breathe, she said, by juror Robert Schefman, the Midland artist took top honors. "I'm so very honored, especially to be selected by someone like Robert Schefman, who is at the top of the top in the art world," she said. "It's all amazing."


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Rep. Dave Camp says Affordable Care Act will prevent citizens from fulfilling American dream

The upholding of the Affordable Care Act by the Supreme Court could keep people from fulfilling the American dream, said Rep. Dave Camp, R-Midland. Camp, chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, said Thursday the Court's decision will only slow the economy further and hinder Americans from finding the jobs they need to fulfill the American dream. "This decision says you must buy a product or pay a tax," Camp said. "This is the first time in the history of this country that a law would allow for the taxation of inactivity." Camp said the taxes associated with this legislation may well approach $800 billion.


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Midland High's Alex Rapanos earns MVP award in high school all-star baseball game

Alex Rapanos never lost sight of the destination. The vehicle, however, changed. The Midland High graduate played in his final high school baseball game Tuesday night at Comerica Park, earning Most Valuable Player honors in the West's 16-6 win over the East in the Michigan High School Baseball Coaches Association All-Star Game. Rapanos was 2-for-2 with a triple, walk, two RBIs and two runs scored. "It's the end of your high school career, and I've been playing high school ball for four years," Rapanos said. "To end it at Comerica, playing in a game with the caliber of players that were there ... I can't think of a better way to go out."


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Midland Public Schools approves budget that would spend $7 million out of fund balance

Midland Public Schools Board of Education approved a budget Monday that would spend $7 million out of the schools general fund. The district’s board approved an estimated expenditure budget of $82. 7 million while revenue is projected to be around $75.7 million. According to the story, the district currently has a fund balance of $12.8 million. According to the report, Associate Superintendent Linda Cline said the difference could be closer to $4 million at the end of next year with “budget variance.”


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Rep. Dave Camp calls domestic energy bill 'common sense reform'

The Domestic Energy and Jobs Act was passed by the House last week, and Rep. Dave Camp is hoping the bill will put Americans back to work. Camp, R-Midland, voted in favor of the bill which passed with a 248 to 163 vote. The bill aims to help lower gas prices and push for the development of domestic energy resources. “As we enter summer, Michigan families, the tourism industry and farmers continue to struggle with gas prices by paying 19 cents more per gallon than the national average," Camp said.  "While we may not be able to control all the factors leading to high prices at the pump, I believe we must do everything we can to help bring down energy prices."


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Midland to host farmers market, live music, fireworks on Fourth of July

Fourth of July festivities in downtown Midland will start early, last through the night and consist of everything from fresh fruits to aerial explosions. The festivities start at 7 a.m. Wednesday, July 1, as the Midland Farmers Market open throughout the morning and early afternoon on Ashman Street near the Tridge in Chippewassee Park, Midland Parks and Recreation Manager Marcie Post said. Events continue into the evening with musical performances in the park leading up to the annual Fourth of July fireworks display, Post said.


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