Crain's Detroit Business - December 19, 2011 - (Page 15)
December 19, 2011
CRAIN’S DETROIT BUSINESS
Page 15
Bloggers on the beat
AMY LANE: Lansing kept me busy to the finish
LANSING – Whew. The budget was done That about sums up a by the Legislature in late year of business-not-asMay, some four months usual in Lansing. before the start of fiscal There’s a governor 2012 and the earliest working in dog years and Michigan’s budget had a Republican-controlled been completed in 30 Legislature also eager years. for action. Gov. Rick Snyder esThat led to the passage pouses relentless positive and signing in May of action. And he had a lot of sweeping business and inmomentum. But then Amy Lane dividual tax reforms that came the bridge between included scrapping the Michigan Detroit and Canada. To the surprise Business Tax and instituting a new of some, even Snyder couldn’t get 6 percent corporate income tax. lawmakers to go along with the adIn conjunction, the tax credit ministration-backed New Internagiveaways and incentives baked tional Trade Crossing — a priority into Michigan’s economic devel- that consumed much public and opment fabric are now replaced private debate and lobbying. with a new way of doing business Snyder hasn’t given up. The — and a smaller pot for incentives. bridge is a to-be-continued story. As for traditional months of So is another big-ticket item: state budget debate, maybe even personal property tax reform. Just pushing right up to the Oct. 1 start the mere discussion of eliminating of the new fiscal year? Not this Michigan’s personal property tax year. this year set alarm bells ringing at municipalities and galvanized a push to protect revenue, even with no tangible administration proposal yet introduced. The year brought no shortage of things to watch and write about. It’s what makes being a reporter fun, and a challenge. And for years, it’s something that I’ve been privileged to do. But as 2011 closes, so does a personal chapter. After nearly 27 years with parent company Crain Communications Inc., including as part of the Detroit startup team for Crain’s Detroit Business and as CDB’s capitol correspondent since May 1987, I’m stepping away. I’m leaving as a full-time employee at the end of this month to take on freelance writing opportunities, including with Crain’s. I’ll still be asking questions and looking for good stories. You can reach me in the New Year at (231) 352-5471; laneamyc@gmail.com.
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BILL SHEA: Wide world of sports biz, 2011
Here’s a look back at ed the year by firing Rich the top 10 most influential Rodriguez, then hired people in local sports in Brady Hoke as his re2011, based on incredibly placement. The Wolverunscientific polling of ine football team remyself: bounded for a 10-2 record 10. Tim Tebow: Not realand a berth in the Sugar ly, but sort of. The evanBowl on Jan. 3. The team gelical Denver Broncos also beat Ohio State for quarterback with a fullthe first time since 2003. back mentality was the Balance was restored to Bill Shea one-man story no sportsthe universe — at least writer worth his weight for Ann Arbor. in dimly thought purple prose 5. Ndamukong Suh: The secondcould resist. Going into Sunday’s year Lions defensive tackle was showdown with the New England making headlines for his ability to Patriots, the polarizing Tebow’s terrorize quarterbacks, but it was record as a starter was a surpris- Suh’s inability to control his emoing 7-1, with the lone loss coming tions that attracted national attenat the hands of the Detroit Lions. tion. After he stomped on a Green (See, there is a Detroit connection!) Bay Packers player during the na9. Ken Holland, general manager tionally televised Thanksgiving of the Detroit Red Wings: The man Day game, Suh tried to justify his knows hockey and how to keep De- actions but then was contrite. He troit the National Hockey League’s was dinged with a most dominant team. Twenty two-game unpaid straight years of playoffs — what suspension. Oh, more needs to be said? He finds tal- the incident came ent, young and old. Will he become during the same more powerful when the team has game that Chrysler a new downtown arena, with new Group LLC prerevenue streams and attractive- miered a TV spot ness to free agents? featuring him. 8. Ron English: He took over the Epic timing fail. Eastern Michigan University football 4. Tom Gores, program in 2009 and went 0-12. The owner of the Defollowing season wasn’t much bet- troit Pistons: The ter at 2-10. This past season saw L.A. private equithe Eagles claw out a 6-6 mark, and ty billionaire with Michigan roots English earned Mid-American Con- bought the NBA franchise for $325 ference Coach of the Year honors. million in June. It was the first DeThey now speak English in Ypsi! troit pro team to change owners 7. Matthew Stafford: The Lions’ since the Detroit Tigers were sold in franchise quarterback emerged in 1992. The fashion-conscious Gores 2011 as the team’s most successful is younger than the city’s two othpasser since Bobby Layne in the er team owners by 40-some years, ’50s. Through 13 games this sea- so it’s possible he’ll be seen among son, Stafford has 3,754 yards pass- the city’s hip set — and possibly be ing (fifth-most in team history) a voice in NBA affairs, a la Dan and 29 touchdowns. He’s likely to Gilbert of the Cleveland Cavaliers. break the team record of 32 scoring 3. Justin Verlander, pitcher, Depasses set by Scott “Water Buffalo” troit Tigers: He became Detroit’s Mitchell in 1995. Also, he did some first Cy Young Award and MVP of his work with a busted index winner since Willie Hernandez in finger on his throwing hand. 1984. While the Tigers didn’t get to 6. David Brandon, athletic direc- the World Series, the most signifitor, University of Michigan: He start- cant reason they got to the AL Championship Series was Verlander’s lights-out pitching. His performance ended Tigers’ skids, gave the bullpen needed rest and persuaded the front office to trade for players that got Detroit into the playoffs. He also has perfected the art of the sculpted scruff beard — a far more professional and modern look than Brandon Inge’s soul patch. 2. Martin Mayhew, general manager, Detroit Lions: Why do I have him ranked ahead of the beloved Verlander? Mayhew has assembled a team that has restored fan interest in the Lions and respect from the rest of the league. He hit home runs with his top draft picks in quarterback Stafford and defensive tackle Suh. He also has patched holes with free agents as injuries mount. This season, the Lions are 8-5 so far, guaranteeing the team’s first nonlosing season since 2000. They’re in contention for a playoff berth for the first time since 1999. Playoffs and Detroit Lions in the same sentence, in December, without a negative modifier? No more “Owen 16” jerseys. 1. The Wayne State University Warriors: The school — known in collegiate athletics only for its elite fencing program — made the football playoffs this season for the first time ever and won four road games to reach this past Saturday’s Division II national championship game against powerhouse Pittsburg (Kan.) State University. The Warriors (12-3) reached the title game despite being a sixth seed in their region and having an operating budget of only $195,000. They became the feelgood story of the end of the college football season. Reporter Bill Shea’s “Shea’s Stadium” blog on the business of sports can be found at www. crainsdetroit.com/sheasstadium
(The Wayne State Warriors) became the feel-good story of the end of the college football season.
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Crain's Detroit Business - December 19, 2011
Crain's Detroit Business - December 19, 2011
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/crainsdetroitbusiness/20111219
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20101227
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20101220
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/mackinac_20100607
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/autoshow2010
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20091228
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20091221
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20091123
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20090831
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/craindetroitbusiness/20090706
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com