Latest news with #TomCochran
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
State panel calls for 25% pay hike for governor, lawmakers, other elected officials
LANSING — A state commission on April 30 called for 25% pay increases for Michigan lawmakers and top elected officials, but the plan appeared to be dead on arrival at the Capitol. Under the Michigan Constitution, pay hikes approved by the State Officers Compensation Commission don't get approved unless there is an affirmative vote by both chambers of the Legislature. There hasn't been the political will to approve any pay increase since that law took effect, after a 2002 referendum. Michigan's governor, lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state and members of the Legislature, have not had a pay hike since 2002 and have all had one pay cut since then. Michigan Supreme Court justices received a 2023 pay increase to $181,643, up from $164,610. But they still make less money than the judges of the Michigan Court of Appeals, who sit under them and who receive automatic pay increases that match those that state government employees receive. Michigan Court of Appeals judges are paid $195,625. "We think it's just and fair," commission chairman Tom Cochran, a former state lawmaker and former Lansing fire chief, said of the unanimous recommendation for across-the-board pay hikes by the seven-member panel, whose members are appointed by the governor. The commission arrived at its recommendation after considering inflation, the years that have elapsed since the last pay increase, and the amounts that elected officials in comparable states are paid. "We need to pay people … a fair wage," or it will be too difficult to get good candidates to run for office, Cochran said. Under the law, the Legislature could take the 25% recommendation and either approve it or reduce it proportionally across the board, giving everybody instead a 5% pay increase, for example. But the Legislature couldn't pick and choose among the proposed pay hikes and give, for example, a 25% pay hike to the justices and no increase to everybody else. Also, any increases the Legislature approved would not take effect until after the next election. House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, said April 30 he's opposed to the recommendation. "We're not going to raise our pay, we're not going to entertain that at all," Hall said at a news conference. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is paid $159,300, plus a $54,000 tax-free expense allowance. The salary ranks 19th nationally and is less than the Michigan governor made in 2010, which was $177,000, plus a $60,000 expense allowance. Michigan's governor is paid less than the governors of California, Illinois, New York, and Pennsylvania, but more than the governors of Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Wisconsin, according to a staff report considered by the commission. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is paid $111,510, plus an $18,000 tax-free expense allowance. The salary ranks 21st nationally and is less than Michigan's lieutenant governor made in 2010, which was $123,900, plus a $20,000 expense allowance. Attorney General Dana Nessel is paid $112,410, with no expense allowance. The salary ranks 39th nationally and is $12,000 less than Michigan's attorney general was paid in 2010. The average salary for a county prosecutor in Michigan is just under $140,000, according to a letter two of Nessel's deputies sent the commission, arguing for an attorney general pay hike. Nessel, who can't run for attorney general again because of term limits, spoke out in favor of a pay hike for the attorney general in a 2023 interview with the Free Press, saying "the hardest-working Supreme Court justice doesn't work as hard as the single attorney general." In addition to a 25% pay hike, the commission recommended an $18,000 expense allowance for the attorney general. Secretary of State Jocelyn Bension is paid $112,410, with no expense allowance. The salary ranks 23rd nationally and is $12,000 less than Michigan's secretary of state was paid in 2010. In addition to a 25% pay hike, the commission recommended an $18,000 expense allowance for the secretary of state. Members of the Michigan Senate and House of Representatives are paid $71,685, plus a $10,800 tax-free expense allowance. The salary ranks fourth nationally, as many legislatures are considered part-time, and is less than Michigan lawmakers were paid in 2010, which was $79,650, plus a $12,000 expense allowance. Contact Paul Egan: 517-372-8660 or pegan@ This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: State panel calls for 25% pay hike for governor, lawmakers, officials
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nine cities win major awards for promoting healthy lifestyles among residents: 'We are proud'
A duo of powerhouse organizations have awarded $745,000 in grants to nine cities focused on projects that support community health and wellness. On Jan. 18, the American Beverage Foundation for a Healthy America (ABFHA) and United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) announced their small, medium, and large city winners of the 2025 Childhood Obesity Prevention & Environmental Health & Sustainability Awards. Chapel Hill, North Carolina, took first place in the "small city" category for Wheels of Wellness — which provides bicycles, safety equipment, and skills workshops in underserved communities while promoting an active lifestyle benefiting long-term physical and environmental well-being. The other two small city honorees were Lima, Ohio, and Issaquah, Washington, respectively. The top prize in the "medium" category went to Akron, Ohio. According to Bayer, the U.S. has more than 6,500 food deserts. While nutrient-deficient, ultra-processed foods are easily obtainable, fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food items are not. Ultra-processed foods aren't only harmful to childhood development, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and reduced academic performance, per USCM, but they are also bad for the environment, demonstrating how human health is deeply interconnected with that of the planet. For one, ultra-processed foods require significantly more energy to produce, as the Soil Association explained, so they are responsible for more heat-trapping pollution than homegrown or regeneratively farmed goods — and that's before taking into account transportation. However, Akron's Mobile Market will bring grocery stores directly to people in food deserts, ensuring they have access to healthy foods at affordable prices. Savannah, Georgia, and Bridgeport, Connecticut, were the other two "medium city" grant recipients. As for the "large city" category, first-place recognition went to the Plant, Pick & Plate Program in Fort Wayne, Indiana, which teaches fifth- to ninth-grade students about gardening and cooking. The collaborative initiative — whose partners include the city's Community Development Department and the Purdue Fort Wayne Extension — also supports community connection. Portland, Oregon, and New Orleans received second and third-place honors, respectively. "[We] are proud to partner with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to help drive community-based solutions that directly address today's most pressing challenges," ABFHA president and CEO Kevin Keane said in a media release. "We look forward to building on our shared commitment to advancing health and sustainability nationwide." "This partnership continues to show how public and private entities can collaborate to solve complex problems," USCM executive director and CEO Tom Cochran said in a statement to E+ELeader. "Investments in mobility are investments in a healthier, more sustainable future." Which of these factors would be your main motivation for installing solar panels? Energy independence Lower power bills Helping the planet No chance I ever go solar Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
