Grand Rapids Institute for Information Democracy

Analysis:

This story is typical of the local news “personal profile” style of segment. The actual news value of the piece is rather low, which little information that would actually help a viewer to be better informed about their community or the world at large. Rather, this piece is meant to be entertaining with the purpose of attracting viewers and higher ratings. Hence the irrelevant and sensationalized details such as the “cross” left in the charred remains of the barn.

Story:

Newsreader – Their jobs were in the air after a fire tore through an Allegan County Blueberry farm. But, they’ve bounced back against all odds while others are singing the Blueberry Blues. 24 Hour News 8’s Brad Edwards is back from Saugatuck now with more on the story…Brad?

Reporter – Good evening Susie and that’s right, drought has turned many a farmland into dry and dusty dirt land, and for one, the bite was twice as harsh. A freak fire toasted their dream 6 months ago. “There’s no way you’ll come back,” most said–they replied “just watch.”

Reporter – Just beyond the cattails lays a tale of the comeback. Krupka’s, it’s called, for the married Krupkas.

Reporter – 30 years, huh? Harold, does it seem like it’s been that long?
Farmer – Yes.

Reporter – Hahaha!

Reporter – This is Harold’s dream. 40 years ago it was a few acres, now…

Wife – …we have 11 farms with 350 acres.

Reporter – Harold’s right-hand woman-his wife, Connie.

Wife – We like ’em this way, right off the bush.

Reporter – And they’re really good. And Harold isn’t just any old Harry…

Wife – Everybody in the world knows Crazy Harold. And Harold’s crazy. And we love each other.

Reporter – Most of their years were flush with smiles. Not this one.

Reporter – Worst you’ve ever had?

Farmer – Yah, this is the worst, ya.

Reporter – No season was ever drier. They’ve weathered it with massive irrigation. On the flipside of the summer sizzle, the frost-bitten January morn when this happened, they drove strait through from Florida.

Wife – Neither of us talked, and when we pulled up that driveway…I never saw Harold like that, it was sad. It was the worst day of our life, it was like a funeral.

Reporter – Torched, except for the wooden letters of the Krupka’s sign, a sign made by Harold’s dad who died shortly before the fire.

Wife – And those letters were laying on the ground and had not burnt.

Reporter – Amongst fire, the wooden letters just fell. And rising from that spot…

Wife – …was a steel cross.

Reporter – …and you thought?

Wife – I didn’t know what to think, it gave us goosebumps.

Reporter – Not sure what to do at first, they then rebuilt in a mere few months. It is what it is, maybe not a bona-fide blueberry miracle, but it’s at least a guy they call Crazy and his sweetheart determined to harvest their passion.

Reporter – Do you toast a berry?

Wife – Haha, it’s not like a glass of wine!

Reporter – And the comeback really started when they stared rebuilding only 4 months ago, and they supply some biggies, like Yoplait Yogurt and Dunkin’ Donuts. Their official harvest season begins tomorrow. Tom?

Time: 2:40

Analysis:

This article is an original piece by a GR Press reporter and it was framed around the comments of local US representative Vern Ehlers on his observations of Bush’s comments on the issue of global warming at the G-8 summit. The piece starts with Ehlers being quoted as saying “It clearly indicates a change in attitude,” “He’s put a lot of money into research and the results are starting to come in.” This is followed by quotes from Tom Leonard, executive director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, who says “I don’t see any evidence of a shift,” “The Bush administration has been denying this for a long time”. The article then lists a series of points showing how the Bush has addressed environmental issues, noting things such as white house officials editing out mentions of global warming in EPA policy documents, Bush’s failure to follow through a campaign pledge to reduce emissions, and the resignation of his first EPA administrator over policy issues.

The final person quoted is local US representative Peter Hoekstra. The article says that Hoekstra “thinks Bush hopes to convince the world it must draw up air quality standards that apply equally to everyone.” So the article, while containing some important contextual information in the middle, starts and ends with two partisan figures making statements about what they think the President is going to do on the issue of global warming. The reporter never states what Bush actually said at the recent G-8 summit on the issue of greenhouse emissions, rather, it gives the reader this information filtered through the perspective of two local politicians. Also, the headline frames the piece in terms of Ehlers comments, that Bush may be changing policy on Global warming. And yet, no evidence to support this conclusion, other than the two representatives’ remarks, is given to the reader.

Story:

Ehlers says Bush may be warming up to old argument
Sunday, July 10, 2005
By Steven Harmon
The Grand Rapids Press

GRAND RAPIDS — President Bush isn’t about to join the global warming crowd, but he may be warming up to it.

That’s what U.S. Rep. Vern Ehlers, R-Grand Rapids, thinks after hearing what Bush had to say about climate change last week at the Group of Eight summit in Scotland.

Bush said Wednesday he recognizes “the surface of the Earth is warmer and that an increase in greenhouse gases caused by humans is contributing to the problem.”

“It clearly indicates a change in attitude,” said Ehlers, chairman of a House subcommittee that deals with global warming. “He’s put a lot of money into research and the results are starting to come in.”

The statement doesn’t square with Bush’s history, said Tom Leonard, executive director of the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. For instance, he said, Bush refused to sign the Kyoto treaty. And he generally has been dismissive of science that concludes global warming is at least partly caused by human activity.

“I don’t see any evidence of a shift,” Leonard said.

“The Bush administration has been denying this for a long time,” Leonard said. “Now, perhaps it is prepared to accept the reality, but there’s not much indication that he’s prepared to work with the rest of the world in doing anything about it.”

Environmentalists were critical of the G-8 summit’s failure to commit to urgent action for reducing greenhouse gases, saying the Bush administration was the main obstacle.

The list of disappointments for environmentalists is long:

– Environmental Protection Agency administrator Christine Todd Whitman, considered a moderating force on environmental issues, resigned in 2003 after policy clashes with the Bush administration.

– In 2002, White House officials, editing an EPA policy document, eliminated references to studies that conclude global warming is a serious problem partly caused by industry emissions.

– In 2001, Bush reversed a campaign pledge and said he would not seek to regulate power plants’ emissions of carbon dioxide, a gas that many scientists say is a key contributor to global warming.

Bush has long said that more scientific study on climate change is needed and that developing alternative energy sources is a better answer. At the summit, he said he still opposes the Kyoto treaty, saying it “would have wrecked our economy,” and called for a “post-Kyoto era where we can work together to share technologies, to control greenhouse gases as best as possible.”

U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, R-Holland, said he thinks Bush hopes to convince the world it must draw up air quality standards that apply equally to everyone. Kyoto made exceptions for undeveloped countries.

“I’m not convinced we’re at the point where we need to do radical changes solely to address the issue of global warming,” he said. “If we can reduce greenhouse gases committed by humans, we’d be better off.

“But does that mean I’d write a letter encouraging the president to present Kyoto to the House for approval? No. If applied fairly and equitably across borders, I’d be inclined to support it.”

Analysis:

This piece looks at the issue of recent proposals from the state government to close corporate tax loop holes through the narrow lens of a proposed sales tax on movie tickets. As noted in the piece, the lack of a tax on tickets is a sort of corporate loop hole. This comes on the heels of recent proposals to cut other tax loop holes. As noted in the story, a failure to close these tax loopholes could result in further cuts in healthcare and education. In the story WZZM 13 interviews four people, a state official defending the sales tax, a local theater owner opposed to the sales tax, and two movie patrons vehemently opposed to increased prices. While the story mentions the proposed bill that would impose a sales tax on movie tickets, it does not list what the name of the bill is or how viewers could fin out more information. Nor does the story tell the viewer how they might find out more about the petition against the sales tax, or which theaters were circulating the petition.

Story:

WZZM 13 Newsreader – Well, the summer blockbusters may not reel in the bucks that moviemakers are banking on this year. In an exclusive 13 Survey USA News poll we asked a few weeks ago, the majority of people, 63%, say they see a movie at the theater less than once a month. And the number one reason they say they don’t go to the movies is because they’re just too expensive. But don’t expect those prices to go down, because the price of a movie ticket may in fact be climbing. Michigan lawmakers are considering charging a sales tax on movie tickets to help solve the budget problems. WZZM 13’s Valerie Lego joins us live from Celebration Cinema to show us how it’s affecting moviegoers tonight.

Reporter – Lee, this display says it all and it really shows that a lot of moviegoers simply don’t want to pay the extra 50 cents it’s going to cost to go to the movies should the sales tax be approved. But lawmakers say they need that money to keep health care and education costs in the budget.

Reporter – It seems the price of movie tickets just keeps going up.

Cinema Attendant – …2 adults and one child is going to be $23.50, please…

Reporter – And now, Michigan’s governor wants lawmakers to approve a bill that would add sales tax to the price of a ticket.

State Official – Closing this particular tax loophole would save taxpayers about 20 million a year…

Reporter – Currently, movie theaters are not required to charge sales tax on tickets, but theater owners are not about to let this proposed bill go through without a fight.

Theater Owner – I hope that people understand that it’s not our goal to keep increasing ticket prices, and we’re doing everything we can to make sure that this doesn’t go through.

Reporter – Theater owners across the state of Michigan united and put together this petition drive so that movie theaters would have a clear picture of what’s being discussed in the legislature.

Movie Patron #1 – I think that the prices are high enough, for real. They shouldn’t tax them.

Movie Patron #2 – I think it’s expensive as it is, and why would you want to go up more?

Reporter – And so far, it seems to be working.

Theater Owner – I think at last count, I thought we had around 40,000.

Reporter – But the state warns there could be money problems if the movie tax isn’t included in next years budget.

State Official – We hope that people realize that if these corporate tax loopholes are not passed, we may have to cut state services.

Reporter – Right now, the bills are still in committee, so they have to be voted on yet. Meanwhile, the movie theater owners across Michigan are hoping that they’re going to get another 60,000 signatures for a total of 100,000 signatures to send to the governor. Reporting live in Grand Rapids, Valerie Lego, WZZM 13 News.

Time: 2:30

Analysis:

This story gives viewers a brief synopsis of the history of the Slurpee. This is esentially a free commercial for Seven Eleven and their product, the Slurpee. It is quite likely that this is a video news release, produced by a public relations firm on behalf of the Seven Eleven corporation. Viewers should ask how running stories that are part of a corporate marketing campaign serve the public interest.

Story:

Newsreader – They’ve been selling them for 40 years. And today, Slurpees are as popular as ever. The semi-frozen soft drink that promises to make your brain freeze will turn 40 next week. The very first icy machine was introduced in Dallas in 1960; 7/11 started selling the drinks in 1965. But the company didn’t actually coin the name Slurpee for another couple of years. Now, more than a half million Slurpees are sold every day, and, get this, surprisingly, Winnipeg, Canada drinks more of them than anyplace else.

Time: 30 seconds

Analysis:

This article is an associated press piece that the Grand Rapids Press pulled from the news wire. The original article was framed around the issue of British Prime minister Tony Blair having to leave early on the final day due to the bombings in London, with only a fraction of the article dealing with what was actually accomplished at the G-8 summit. The Grand Rapids Press ran the article in a much edited form, cutting out most the content dealing with the London Terror attacks, running only the parts on the summit itself. The article mentions two topics discussed at the summit. One was the issue of aid to African Nations. The article notes that the G-8 leaders pledged to increase aid but that the US objected to linking aid contribution levels to a set percentage of the donor countries GNP. The other topic mentioned in the article is the reduction of green house emissions which contribute to global warming. The article mentions that no real progress was made on this issue due to opposition by the US to setting any targets or timetables for emission reduction.

This article was rather typical of much of the coverage of the G-8 that has run in the Grand Rapids Press as well as the US media in general. One of the important issues not addressed in the article is the issue of what are the causes of poverty in Africa and what role trade and fiscal policies set by the G-8 countries play into that. So for example, one of the big issues for many poor African countries is agricultural subsidies in the “developed” world that make it very difficult for African farmers to compete in the marketplace. Another issue is that of “economic reforms” that countries must implement in order to qualify for foreign aid. The reforms usually consist of cutting social services and privatizing government services, and opening markets up to foreign investment. These type of reforms have, according to ngo’s such as Jubilee USA and “Fifty Years is Enough”, have not been proven to increase per capita income growth or reduce poverty. These policy issues, while important, have generally been ignored in the reporting on the G-8 in the Grand Rapids press.

Story:

Shaken G-8 leaders manage compromise on Africa aid

Associated Press

GLENEAGLES, Scotland – World leaders, shaken by deadly bombings in London, shortened the final day of their economic summit on Friday to allow British Prime Minister Tony Blair to rush back to chair a government panel dealing with the attacks.

The Group of Eight leaders, struggling amid the attacks to keep to their meeting’s mission, put the finishing touches on a major aid package for Africa. They failed to overcome stiff resistance from the Bush administration to launching a more aggressive attack on global warming.

That meets a key Blair objective, though the pledge doesn’t mention the British leader’s hope of increasing aid from the current $25 billion to $50 billion. Also left out of the pledge of support for Africa will be Blair’s other goal of getting all summit countries to commit to raising foreign aid to an amount equivalent to 0.7 percent of each country’s economy by 2015.

The United States, which is now giving an amount equal to 0.16 percent of its economy, objected to the setting a numerical target.

Even less progress was made on Blair’s other summit goal – getting America on board with the other countries to make major reductions in emissions of the gases that some have blamed for global warming.

According to a draft communiqué on climate change obtained by The Associated Press on Friday, the United States, the only G-8 country that has not ratified the 1997 Kyoto Protocol on global warming, was successful in rejecting Blair’s call for setting specific targets and a timetable for reducing greenhouse emissions.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

On Thursday, Blair had left the summit for several hours to confer with officials at Scotland Yard and calm a nation shocked by the worst attacks on the capital since World War II. Though he later returned to the meeting at this exclusive resort about 450 miles from London, business was not proceeding as planned.

Blair’s closing press conference was moved up by an hour so the British leader could go to London for an emergency meeting of a government committee that is dealing with the bombings. The nearly simultaneous, deadly blasts rocked London’s subway and tore open a double-decker bus during Thursday’s rush hour.

President Bush, who along with the other leaders gathered here had expressed strong condemnation for the attacks, was leaving for Washington earlier than scheduled. G-8 organizers scrambled to accommodate the changing schedules.

Also reflecting the London attacks, the series of communiqués scheduled to be issued as the Group of Eight summit drew to a close will include a beefed-up section on terrorism. Aides to the leaders worked late into the night on this document, which was described as a progress report on what their countries are doing in the global war on terrorism.

The G-8 was scheduled to issue separate joint statements on Africa and global warming, the two issues that Blair made the centerpieces of this year’s 31st annual summit held at an exclusive golf resort in the Scottish highlands. The other issues were to be dealt with in a closing chairman’s statement.

Within hours of the London bombings, Bush and the other leaders issued a special joint statement that was read by Blair with his summit colleagues gathered somberly behind him. It condemned “these barbaric acts” and vowed, “We are united in our resolve to confront and defeat this terrorism that is not an attack on one nation, but on all nations and on civilized people everywhere.”

“We will not yield to these people,” Bush said later in his own remarks to reporters – a sentiment echoed by a chorus of other leaders.

“Our collective freedom has come under attack today by those who would use violence and murder to force extremism upon the world,” said Canadian Prime Minister Paul Martin.

Despite the changes to the summit schedule, all of the leaders stressed that the terrorist attacks would not stop them from accomplishing what they set out to do at the meeting.

Before the final joint statements were issued, the G-8 leaders were meeting with the leaders of five African nations over ways to provide greater support for the troubled continent.

The leaders were expected to pledge to double assistance by 2012 to reduce poverty and fight disease in Africa, the world’s poorest continent.

The communiqué was to acknowledge the split between the United States and the other countries in a section that said “those of us who have ratified the Kyoto Protocol, welcome its entry into force and will work to make it a success.” That was the document’s only mention of the treaty put into effect this February. Bush contends the Kyoto accord’s curbs on greenhouse emissions would wreck the U.S. economy.

Still, supporters of more aggressive action said that the United States had agreed to a document that stated “while uncertainty remains in our understanding of climate science, we know enough to act now.” French President Jacques Chirac called that compromise language a “visible, real evolution” in the American position.

Environmental groups complained that the statement omitted Blair’s objectives of obtaining commitments to cut greenhouse emissions by specified levels.

Analysis:

Here is another example of a commercial that is run as a new story. Not only does McDonalds get free airtime, but so do 3 major clothing companies. To top it off, the newscasters then engage in banter about whether this will increase the cost of food at McDonalds. Viewers might ask themselves, why not talk to people who critique marketing strategies, someone who might ask hard questions about why McDonalds is changing their look. Even the news reader mentions that Ronald McDonald recently got “a makeover.”

Story:

WZZM 13 News reader #1 – McDonalds wants to make a change to how you see its employees. The fast food chain asked high profile clothing designers like Armane, Tommy Hilfiger, and Sean P. Diddy Combs to come up with new uniform designs. McDonalds spokesman says the company wants its 300,000 workers to look stylish and trendy. Last month it gave Ronald McDonald a makeover, dressing him in a workout suit to promote healthy living and eating.

WZZM 13 News reader #2 – My only concern is how they are going to pass along the cost, wearing designer clothing, are you paying more for burgers?

WZZM 13 News reader #1 – They are going to have a $100 French fry. Designer fries.

Total Time: 52 seconds

Analysis:

This story is typical for what we have documented over the years when it comes to local elections. It is very short (17 seconds), doesn’t provide information about the candidates, and in this case misleads voters. The news reader says “The winners move on to the November 8 general election.” This is not necessarily true. If one candidate in each race wins 51% or more of the vote they automatically win. If there is no majority winner, then the run off will be between the 2 highest vote getters in the November 8 election. Lastly, channel 13 also says “A link to learn more about the candidates is available on our website.” If you go to their link, it just takes you to the County Clerk’s website and that just lists who is on the ballot and their mailing address. It should also be mentioned that on the same newscast (6pm) channel 13 ran a 4 minute and 20 second piece about spray on tan products.

Story:

WZZM 13 News reader – In the August Election Grand Rapids voters will decide who should be on the City Commission. Five people are running in the First Ward, three in the Second, and three people in the Third Ward. The winners move on to the November 8 general election. A link to learn more about the candidates is available on our website wzzm13.com.

Total time: 17 seconds

Analysis:

This is an example of how news sources use the transition phrase “meanwhile” to link two different stories, regardless of any actual connection. In this particular piece, the first, and longest part of the story consists of troops in Iraq celebrating the Fourth of July with music, games and food. While not conveying any meaningful information about the situation in Iraq, this story does present positive images of US soldiers which the viewer is likely to sympathize with. The story than transitions to Bush giving a speech in West Virginia. After playing a short clip of Bush’s speech, the newsreader then uses “meanwhile” to introduce a few lines about the protests in Scotland. The protests are framed as a statement against President Bush and the G8. While the story does not mention what the protesters are demanding nor how many there are, the viewer is told how many police are on hand to control them. The viewer is also told that that the G8 leaders will be talking about “eliminating poverty and cleaning up the environment.” Due to the lack of information provided about the protesters and the way that this story is framed within a longer piece that is rather sympathetic to US troop sand President Bush, it is likely that this piece may prejudice viewers against the thousands of people protesting at the G8 summit.

Story:

WZZM 13 Newsanchor – ABC’s David Kerley reports from Bagdhad.

Reporter – Some of the T-Patchers, Texas troops, were dancing. The volleyball was intense. The blender was whipping up non-alcoholic drinks, and they said the BBQ was “tasty.”

Reporter – It’s not like this everyday is it?

Soldier – Negative, haha.

Reporter – This wasn’t American Idol tryouts, just a little karaoke for the American 4th of July celebration. So it’s an All-American 4th of July with hot dogs, hamburgers, and horseshoes, but the real morale booster is the swimming pool.

Soldier #2 – Of course the pool’s the best part! Being around with everyone else is a good part too.

Reporter – These soldiers at Camp Slayer donated and volunteered to get this pool open, right in the middle of one of Saddam Hussein’s former palaces. Combat boots were replaced, in some cases, with bikinis.

Soldier #3: Any day that we can come out here and do this kinda stuff is Fourth of July…it really is.

Reporter – For many of these soldiers, Americans Declaration nearly 230 years ago has meaning here.

Soldier #4 – Our independence…I have a flag in my room; it says “Fourth of July”…it’s great to be, it’s great to be an American.

Soldier #5 – It really mattered to you, the whole freedom, the whole everything. And what we’re doing here is a special moment, but it’s still nice to just take a deep breath every once in a while and, you know, slow down the rat race a little bit here.

Reporter – A welcome break, as these Americans celebrate an All-American holiday and the ideals many are fighting for. David Kerley, ABC News, Baghdad.

Newsreader – President Bush spent the 4th of July at the University of West Virginia. He asked Americans to support the troops and once again said, the US will come out on top in the War on Terror.

Bush – They continue to kill in the hope that they will break the resolve of the American people, but they will fail.

Newsreader – Again, that was the Pres. at West Virginia University. Meanwhile in Scotland, protesters were already acting out against Pres. Bush and the other G8 Leaders who will arrive there on Wednesday. About 10,000 officers will be policing the G8 event, where world leaders will talk about eliminating poverty and cleaning up the environment.

Total Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds

Analysis:

This short piece is most likely a VNR. This story has little news value either as a business story or a story about Iraq. Coca-Cola is a huge corporation operating in over 200 countries. One additional market is unlikely to affect Coca-Cola from a busness standpoint. Nor is this segment very informative as international news. It is likely that there are more notable developments in Iraq than what carbonated beverage Iraqis are drinking. What this piece does accomplish is to further the marketing strategy of the Coca-Cola corporation, which likes to promote itself as the “world’s most popular soft drink.”

Story:

Newsreader – Coca-Cola is returning to Iraq for the first time in 37 years. The beverage giant is trying to dethrone Pepsi as the dominant soda in the Middle East. Coke fell out of favor in the late 60s when Middle East countries staged a long boycott to protest the company’s business activities in Israel. Today, Pepsi controls 80% of the market there.

Total Time: 15 sec

Analysis:

The story was basically framed as a partisan battle, with Democrats endorsing a raise in the minimum wage and Republicans opposing it. Both sides provide some reasons, but the AP reporter never verifies these comments for accuracy, despite the numerous online sources. For instance, according to the Economic Policy Institute, the minimum wage was worth just 34% of what an average worker earned per hour, the lowest point for this ratio in 40 years.

The original Associated Press version also provided voices outside of partisan lines, quoting AFL-CIO president Mark Gaffney. The Press version omitted these comments. They also omitted the fact that if the legislators do not take up this issue, that citizen groups will by trying to get it on the ballot in 2006.

One other omission was that the GR Press version did not print the Michigan House and Senate Bill numbers, making it difficult for readers to contact legislators on this issue.

Story:

John Edwards pushes for higher minimum wage in Michigan
By AMY F. BAILEY
Associated Press Writer

LANSING, Mich. — Democratic legislators fighting to increase the state’s minimum wage got some help Wednesday from 2004 Democratic vice presidential candidate John Edwards.

Edwards, a former U.S. senator who now directs the Center on Poverty, Work and Opportunity at the University of North Carolina, told several hundred people at a rally on the Capitol steps that raising the minimum wage will reduce the number of people living in poverty.

He called the $5.15 national minimum wage a “national embarrassment” and encouraged Michigan lawmakers to increase the rate to $7.15 in the state.

“It’s not just an income disparity, it’s an asset disparity,” he told the crowd that included Democratic lawmakers, union members and union officials. “We have enormous work to do in this country to close that gap.”
Edwards is making stops at a number of cities across the country to push for a higher minimum wage, which hasn’t been increased by the federal government since 1997. He also promotes the issue on his One America Committee Web site.
Democrats in the House and Senate earlier this year introduced a package of bills that would have raised the minimum wage by 75 cents this Friday, 75 cents in January 2006 and 50 cents in January 2007, bringing the rate to $7.15 an hour. The proposals also would tie future state minimum wage increases to the rate of inflation so the minimum wage could rise without legislative action.

But they have not been taken up by Republicans, who control both chambers and say the changes would cost jobs.

Ari Adler, spokesman for Republican Senate Majority Leader Ken Sikkema of Wyoming, said raising the minimum wage would help a few Michigan workers but hurt many small businesses. Other businesses already pay more than the minimum $5.15 per hour because they do business out-of-state and would not be affected by the initial increase, he said.

Senate Democrats tried Wednesday to move the bill increasing the minimum wage out of committee to the full Senate without a hearing, but Republicans rejected the Democrats’ effort.

About 3 percent of Michigan’s 2.9 million hourly workers, or about 88,000, earned the minimum wage or less in 2002, according to the most recent statistics available from the U.S. Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statistics. A little more than 16 percent, or 464,000 Michigan workers, made less than $7.15 per hour in 2002.

“Give them a raise today,” Democratic Sen. Irma Clark-Coleman of Detroit urged during the Senate debate.

Republican House Speaker Craig DeRoche of Novi has said he will not increase the minimum wage at a time when the state’s 7.1 percent May unemployment rate tied for highest among the 50 states. The national rate was 5.1 percent last month.

Text from the original article ommitted from the Grand Rapids Press version:

Later Wednesday night, House Republicans voted with their Democratic colleagues to discharge the package of minimum wage bills to the full House without a hearing. However, it is unlikely House Republican leaders will schedule a vote to send the bills to the Senate.

“It is a jobs killer,” DeRoche spokesman Matt Resch said of the wage hike.

But Edwards and other speakers at the Capitol rally, including Michigan AFL-CIO President Mark Gaffney, said a higher minimum wage would improve the state’s economy because families would spend more once they had larger paychecks.
Gaffney said he would prefer to see lawmakers increase the minimum wage, but added that supporters will take the issue to voters next year if lawmakers don’t act.

“If the Legislature won’t do it, we’re headed to the ballot in ’06. That process has already begun,” Gaffney told reporters before the noon rally. “We’re in the strategy planning stage.”

Supporters of a higher minimum wage would have to collect 254,206 petition signatures from Michigan voters to get an initiative on the November 2006 ballot.

The minimum wage bills are House Bills 4514-18 and Senate Bills 318 and 320.