State Roundup

Lansing
Supreme Court plans hearings on 4 ballot issues

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — The Michigan Supreme Court has scheduled hearings today on whether it should order four voter-initiated proposals onto the Nov. 6 ballot.
The court set the hearings following appeals from backers of plans to strengthen collective bargaining rights, allow eight more casinos, require a two-thirds vote in the Legislature to raise taxes, and block a planned bridge to Canada.

The Board of State Canvassers has deadlocked on a series of votes to place voter initiatives on the ballot. The board has two Democrats and two Republicans, and it requires at least one member of each party to vote in favor of a resolution for it to pass.

On Monday, the Democrats voted to place the tax, bargaining and bridge issues on the ballot. The one Republican present voted no.

Detroit
Police: Student attack not likely to be hate crime

DETROIT (AP) — A Michigan State University student said he was attacked at an off-campus party by two men who asked if he was Jewish, and when he said he was, punched him and then stapled his mouth.

“It’s shameful that in 21st century America, such religious hatred exists in our country,” Zach Tennen, a 19-year-old sophomore, said in a statement emailed to The Associated Press. “No one should ever be subjected to the horror I experienced.”

But police in East Lansing said Tuesday the incident probably isn’t a hate crime, and neither police nor Tennen’s statement provided details about the attack, including how many people were present.

East Lansing police did not return several calls from The Associated Press asking for more information. The department’s statement said the assault was “not likely a hate crime,” but did not explain the criteria for classifying a case as a hate crime or why the Tennen assault did not rise to that level.

The statement said police have located two witnesses and identified a potential suspect, who “does not live in the area.”

Tennen, who is from the Detroit suburb of Franklin, was recovering Tuesday from jaw surgery and did not immediately respond to a message left with follow-up questions. The attack took place early Sunday.

Lansing
Police to keep using surveillance street cameras

LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Lansing police say they plan to continue using public video surveillance cameras despite a request from the American Civil Liberties Union to stop.
The ACLU on Tuesday released a report about the cameras, calling them ineffective and an unnecessary intrusion on privacy.

The Lansing State Journal reports police say the cameras are one of many tools used to fight crime. Police say there is no evidence the cameras have been used inappropriately.

Cameras have been installed in 13 places around the city, with the first set going up in 2008. Police say crime statistics are used to determine locations.

The ACLU argues that the cameras haven’t deterred criminals or helped police solve major violent crimes.