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Local officials: Late tax payments on state land hurt

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The size and timelines of state payments to local governments is under fire as many counties, advocacy organizations and legislators are calling for more accountability in Lansing.

At issue are state payments in lieu of taxes (PILT) to local governments, including school districts, instead of property taxes on land administered by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR).

Late and reduced payments are harming local governments and communities that feel the state already holds an advantage through the PILT system, critics say.

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Bill would end tax spike when cottages are handed down

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LANSING – A widely-supported bill that would prevent property tax increases for owners who transfer family-owned land has a high chance of becoming law before the end of the year, according to the sponsor, Rep. Peter Pettalia, R-Presque Isle.

Current law decrees that the taxable value of a home cannot increase from one year to the next by more than 5 percent or the increase in the consumer price index.

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Two Great Lakes states among top 10 on energy efficiency scorecard

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 New York and Minnesota are among the top 10 most energy-efficient states in the nation, according to a national scorecard released Wednesday. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy also cited Michigan and Pennsylvania for significant improvements. Most Great Lakes states either retained or improved their ranking. Every year the council ranks states by how robust and effective their programs are at promoting efficient energy use. It evaluates utilities and public benefits programs, transportation policy, building energy codes, combined heat and power policies, state government-led initiatives and appliance and equipment standards.

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What is the strangest thing you have found attached to a buoy?

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Hundreds of U.S. Coast Guard fans on Facebook had the opportunity to ask Petty Officer 1st Class William Vaughn about what it’s like tending buoys on the Great Lakes. What is the strangest thing he found attached to a buoy? How does he deal with the smell? Does he still like seafood? Find out here.

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Green building opens at University of Waterloo

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A sustainable building for environmental studies just opened at the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario. The building is called Environment 3 because of additions built on top of two prior incarnations. It features a constructed wetland to cleanse wastewater, a system to track utility use and a “living wall” to filter volatile compounds from the air. It opened up Sept. 15 as a part of Doors Open, an annual heritage site and architectural tour in Canadian cities.

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Using coal to deliver wind power

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The Ludington Daily News reports that the S.S. Badger carferry is expanding its operating season until Nov. 2 to transport wind tower parts. That means the Badger will be moving parts for building clean alternative energy while under steam provided by a power plant criticized for polluting Lake Michigan. The vessel is the last operational coal-fired steamship. It travels between Ludington Mich., and Manitowoc Wis., and is  under fire for dumping coal ash into the lake.

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What’s next? Olympic carp competition?

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If you’re bored of kayaking, swimming and other standard Great Lakes activities, the Peoria Carp Hunters offer to take you on a tour of the Illinois River. The catch: it’s a bow fishing trip, and the target is the Asian carp, a Great Lakes invasive species. Booking a trip with Capt. Nathan Wallick (Coast Guard certified) costs $120 per hour, with all equipment provided. Wallick moved to Peoria five years ago, and had grown up hunting and fishing. When he took his boat down to the river for the first time and saw a fish jump, he immediately got his bow.