State Roundup

Grand Haven Family appeals dismissal of sledding death lawsuit GRAND HAVEN, Mich. (AP) -- The family of an 11-year-old boy who died after a 2009 sledding accident is appealing a decision to dismiss a lawsuit filed following his death. The Grand Haven Tribune reports the family of Chance Nash of Nunica sued the Duncan Park Commission, saying the commission's negligence was responsible for the accident and his death. The child hit an obstruction while sledding in Duncan Memorial Park on Dec. 31, 2009. The lawsuit was dismissed earlier this year, with a judge ruling that the Duncan Park Commission was immune. The family's lawyer John Tallman says an appeal was filed Friday. Park officials have said that Duncan Memorial Park is a "passive park" that is required to be left in its natural state, except for cleared trails and roadways. Columbus Ohio House bill would urge Mich-Canada partnership COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- The Ohio House is considering a proposal that would urge Michigan lawmakers to pass a bill allowing a public-private partnership with Canada to build a second bridge over the Detroit River. The Blade of Toledo reports the bill before a House committee is similar to one recently passed in the Ohio Senate. Ohio state Rep. Terry Boose, a Norwalk Republican, sponsored the bill and says the motivation is jobs. He says more than 300,000 jobs are tied to exports with Canada. The Michigan bill would create an entity to partner with Canada for the construction of the $2 billion bridge. It has stalled in committee. A current proposal would have Canada fund the project and collect tolls to make up for Michigan's share. Detroit Mich., counties could get millions in tax lawsuit DETROIT (AP) -- Michigan's school aid fund could get $50 million to $100 million and most of the state's counties could collectively claim millions more following a judge's ruling in a lawsuit against two mortgage giants. The Detroit Free Press reports Tuesday that the money could follow a ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Victoria Roberts in a class action lawsuit. An appeal is expected. Oakland County said Friday it could get as much as $1.5 million from its own claim that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac illegally avoided taxes when filing real estate documents. The mortgage companies have claimed they are exempt as government entities. The newspaper says the tax amounts to $860 on every $100,000 of a real estate sale. Published: Wed, Mar 28, 2012