Michigan Report for Friday, February 3, 2012

Election Nears To Replace Scott In 51st

After a successful, and expensive, recall campaign by Democrats last fall to oust then Rep. Paul Scott (R-Grand Blanc), their campaign to replace him has not seen the same influx of cash.

The Democratic candidate in the February 28 special election, Steven Losey, a school board member at the Linden Community Schools and a special education teacher at Redford Union High School, is well behind in the fundraising race, sources say.

Sides Dissect Hoekstra Strategy On Super Bowl Ad; Fabiano Backs Durant

There was no shortage of opinions Friday on Republican senatorial candidate Peter Hoekstra's strategy to air a television advertisement during Sunday's Super Bowl coverage with some calling it a smart move to generate buzz and his opponents calling it a waste.

Howze: Leaving House For Mayoral Bid About How Best To Help Detroit

Rep. Lisa Howze says Detroit is lacking leadership and, due to the urgency of the financial crisis in the city, she will forgo a re-election for her House seat and will instead run for mayor of her hometown in 2013.

Steudle, Groups Raising Alarm On Federal Transportation Bill

Several Michigan organizations are criticizing the proposed five-year federal transportation bill under consideration in the U.S. House that would slash funding to Amtrak by 25 percent, end dedicated funding to transit, weaken environmental regulations on transportation projects and pay for the $260 billion bill in part through opening up more protected land to oil drilling.