Currently, there is a largely ignored and invisible injustice taking place around our state and country. It has to do with sexual orientation. I am so proud to live in a city that recently overwhelmingly passed Ordinance 1856, which seeks to prevent discrimination on this basis. Federally, law protects against discrimination on the basis of orientation only in public places. These laws negate the discrimination that occurs in private places of employment.

Nonetheless, the State of Michigan needs to pass a similar piece of legislation as Ord 1856. Twenty-two states (the District of Columbia), have broad coverage laws preventing discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation—Michigan is not on that list. And of that list of 22, 18 states have exemption for religious institutions.

Discrimination goes far beyond broad anti-discrimination laws that are on the books for many other area of individual diversity. We need Ord 1856 caliber legislation in Michigan! Let’s stop dragging our feet. (more…)

Well, the answer lies in a response that is similar to a big pot of tangled spaghetti. It’s unreliable, unstable, and uncertain. Quite frankly stated, its a mess! Even in more solid economic conditions, its a rollercoaster for school districts to navigate.

According to a recent article in Education Week, “More than a third of the nearly $13 billion school aid budget now comes from the state’s 6 percent sales tax. Roughly another third comes from a state education tax assessed on property and from income-tax revenue. Business taxes account for 6 percent, bringing in slightly more than the lottery revenue—$677 million last school year—that goes to school aid.”

Check out the article on MI’s educational woes: Click here.

As an fairly new educator, I am possibly facing a lay-off for the second year in a row. Not because of my job performance or passion for my kids, but because of my lack of seniority within my school.

Last year, I was lucky to have an administration that fought for months to keep me for the next school year.

A few days ago, our staff was pulled together to be informed of possible massive budget cuts ($700 million) that may take place through CPS in the coming six-months if the state or federal goverment does not step-in with serious funding action. Everything from afterschool/extracurriculum activities, class size increases to 37 per room, specials cut (gym, library, computers, art, and music), academic coaches cut, professional development scaled back, and cutting non-JV athletics. This is happening in Illinois and its frightening to imagine that Michigan might not be far behind, if we do not begin to seriously examine education funding at all levels.

Currrently, Michigan is planning on the largest per pupil funding cut in state history. Cuts could be as deep as $292 per student. Looking ahead, my greatest fear in funding comes when the federal stimulus dollars dry up in the year ahead. This $450 million in federal stimulus money saved schools from another $280-per-student decrease this school year. So what happens when this federal money is gone? We have a serious crisis on our hands. One that will negatively impact numerous policy areas in future years if we do not solve the way education is funded in our state. We cannot solely depend or survive on the inconsistent and instable forms of federal funding. (more…)

Happy Spring!
This weekend proved to be extremely representative of Spring, as events were sprouting up all over town. Maple Syrup Festival, Home Expo, Fretboard Festival, Polar Plunge, Google Fiber Lit Drops, International Fest, and the Annual ISAAC Dinner. So much to do, not enough time to do it all.

This weekend, we spent Saturday and Sunday venturing out around town to pass out literature in neighborhoods regarding Google Fiber. We mainly hit up the Stuart/Vine neighborhoods and numerous large apartment properties in the chilly and snow mixed weather. We were the only local campaign to send people to work for this cause. In doing so, we were followed and interviewed by Fox 17 and WWMT Channel 3 news cameras.

Saturday morning, we attended the third annual area Polar Plunge to benefit the Special Olympics. This was a project that Katie Rollert and I brought to the area during our term as student leaders at WMU (in an effort to engage in more philanthropic causes). It is extremely exciting to see the fundraiser thriving to this day.

On Saturday night, we attended the annual ISAAC dinner. ISAAC is an organization that joins religious institutions from the area to fight for social justice issues. I’m eager to attend an upcoming event they are planning on April 24th on education policy.

On Sunday, we attended the annual International Festival, which was complete with live entertainment and performance and delicious food from around the world. I always look forward to the Mango Lassi dessert (typically served at the MSA table). Over a dozen international organizations and 3,000+ people were at this year’s event.

Currently, the Michigan Legislature is meddling over legislation to ban cell phone texting while driving. Its taking far too long to pass and its far too necessary. We need to refer to what has worked in other states and communities and do so quickly. We have laws on the books for Segway use but weak cell phone enforcement. Each passing day, more and more people will be frivolously injured or killed.

Here’s a neat blog following the texting law progress in Michigan.

Oprah started a “No Texting While Driving” Pledge. I just took it. Take the pledge at here.

Additionally, check out some valuable information from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA).

The Asian carp invasion is a serious concern currently on the radar of Michigan policy-makers. The invasion of a fish species into the Great Lakes could pose a serious and irreversible economic impact to our $7 billion annual fishing industry.

According to the EPA’s own website: “Researchers expect that Asian carp would disrupt the food chain that supports the native fish of the Great Lakes. Due to their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem.”

Here’s a nice quality online video from Animal Planet to see what we are potentially up against.

According to my research, if the fish enter the ecosystem of the Great Lakes, the new species will pose a serious risk of competition for food with commercial and sport species of fish, thereby making the Asian Carp the dominant species of the lakes.

These fish can grow to upwards of 100 pounds and four feet in length. Their enormous size causes them to have a monster appetite for algae. The species was brought into the U.S. to assist with algae control in fishery ponds which subsequently flooded in the 1990s, spilling into the nearby waterways. The species has been found in the Illinois River which connects the Mississippi River to Lake Michigan through a canal transportation waterway in Chicago.

The sole gateway leading into Lake Michigan from the Illinois River is the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. Currently, a number of environmental entities are working diligently to install an electric barrier between the canal and Lake Michigan.

So why does all this matter? The Michigan Attorney General’s Office has banded together with six other nearby states to demand that the State of Illinois close the Chicago-based canal. According to leading experts, there may be a $7 billion annual impact to the fish industry and 800,000 jobs it supports, If the species makes it into Lake Michigan. (more…)

Wow! This weekend truly is evidence of the great things we have going on in our community.

Just this weekend alone, we were able to attend Art Hop in downtown Kalamazoo on Friday evening. These monthly events are held the first Friday of each month.

On Saturday, I was able to attend a Meet the Candidates event at the Kalamazoo Public Library. At this event, Jocelyn Benson spoke for a few minutes and took questions. I was most impressed by her innovative ideas for reform and passion for the Secretary of State’s office.

Afterwards, I enjoyed lunch with my counterparts of the 61st and 63rd Districts at Burdicks. Thomas Batten and Dave Morgan are truly fascinating individuals that would serve their districts very well.

Later on Saturday, we attended the ObamaZoo meeting to discuss grassroots ways to organize for healthcare reform.

On Sunday, we attended the Gumbo Cookoff at Louie’s on E. North St. The proceeds went to Ministry with Community. The day was complete with great music, food, and company.

If you know of an upcoming event you would like us to attend, please email us at: chrisforkzoo@gmail.com.

In recent weeks, it has been brought to my attention that Google is looking for a community, about the size of Kalamazoo, to use as an innovative technological testing ground. Google wants to beta test a new fiber network that would revolutionize the way information is sent at lightning speeds. Not only would our internet be the fastest in the country, but it would be another way to show that our community and Michigan will be the leaders at the forefront of the 21st century economy and the economic resurgence. I sent in a letter earlier today. Please help out and do the same.

Help nominate our city!
Go to the follow link to show your support (nominate us):
http://www.google.com/appserve/fiberrfi/public/options

Or join the facebook group for Kalamazoo here.

Check out a video segment on the initiative from Channel 3 (WWMT) here.