Kevin Meerschaert

Belleville

Reporter and Producer at WEMU 89.1

Reporter/Producer for WEMU 89.1 FM, Detroit Tigers fan. I've been town to town, up and down the dial. Ypsilanti-Evansville-Salisbury-Jacksonville-Santa Fe-Ypsi

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Articles

Ann Arbor DDA looks for some changes

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Ann Arbor’s Downtown Development Authority would like to see some changes it says would be beneficial to the future of the city. During a City Council workshop on Thursday, the DDA proposed an expansion of its boundaries and a change in funding to better meet the needs of downtown. The authority is funded through TIF funds, or Tax Increment Financing. It leverages tax funds for a defined district. The DDA would like to shift to a TIF gainshare model instead of the current cap on tax revenue.
Eastern Michigan University reiterates support for international students

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Eastern Michigan University says it’s doing what it can to help international students who feel threatened by possible deportation but right now, it's limited. So far, the university is aware of two international students who have had their VISAs revoked. The federal government has not provided Eastern any information regarding the student’s status. University President Dr. James Smith says it makes it very difficult when international students ask for assistance.
Ann Arbor Planning Commission delays Arbor South vote

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Approval of the Arbor South Development will have to wait a while longer. The Ann Arbor Planning Commission has postponed a vote until June 17th. The delay was at the request of the city’s planning department to give more time for staff reviews and have the applicant address some unresolved issues. Arbor South at South State and Eisenhower would feature a 150-room hotel and seven residential buildings of over 1,000 units with about 230 set aside as affordable housing.
City of Ypsilanti may expand its target for its 'rainy day' fund

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

The Ypsilanti City Council tonight is expected to vote on a resolution to increase the target for its budget stabilization, or “rainy day” fund. Ypsilanti’s current stabilization fund has about 51 days of general fund revenue on hand in case the city is hit by a sudden financial crisis. 2nd Ward Council Member Patrick McLean says he wants to establish a goal of 91 days instead. The Government Finance Officers Association recommends municipalities have at least two months of revenue set aside.
Ann Arbor Public Schools start major construction projects

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Ann Arbor Public Schools is beginning to turn ground on several new elementary schools to be built in the coming years. Funding comes from the bond issue voters approved in 2019. The groundbreaking for the new Mitchell Elementary was the first of several coming up in the next few weeks. The ceremony for the new Dicken Elementary School is slated for May 2nd. Mitchell will be the first of the new school construction projects.
Washtenaw County Commissioners consider next move over DHS subpoena

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

With the Department of Homeland Security subpoenaing Washtenaw County looking for employment records, local officials are discussing what should be their next move. The subpoena to inspect the I-9 forms of all Washtenaw County employees was presented late Thursday to the County Clerk’s office. DHS also said they wanted information on the county’s ID program. According to the county’s legal team, the subpoena was signed by Deputy Special Agent Daniel Murphey and not a judge or attorney.
Department of Homeland Security subpoenas Washtenaw County for employment records

1 week ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

The Department of Homeland Security has served upon Washtenaw County a notice of inspection of I-9 forms and an immigration enforcement subpoena. I-9 forms are used by the United States government to ensure those being hired are eligible to work here. Such inspections have become more frequent across the country as the Trump Administration seeks undocumented workers. County Commission Chair Katie Scott says counsel is reviewing the materials and looking over their legal options.
Local lawmakers seek Prescription Drug Affordability Board in Michigan

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

14th District State Senator Susan Shink says Michigan needs to join the growing number of states that have established a Prescription Drug Affordability Board, or PDAB. The Northfield Township Democrat held a Town Hall meeting in Ann Arbor Thursday to talk about legislation. The Board would analyze and recommend ways to lower prescription costs in Michigan including setting the maximum amount consumers can be charged for specific drugs.
Ann Arbor releases draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

Ann Arbor’s draft Comprehensive Land Use Plan has been released. A series of public engagement sessions have been scheduled to talk about it. The Comp Plan sets the course the city will follow regarding land uses for the next 25 years. Three public engagement sessions are scheduled in the coming weeks. Senior Planner Michelle Bennett says the meetings will be largely informational. “We want to share that the draft has arrived.
Public education advocates look to change Michigan's income tax for schools

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Kevin Meerschaert

A group of education advocates are looking to make changes to Michigan’s income tax to benefit public schools. About 100 people packed into the Washtenaw County Learning Resource Center to talk about the history of education funding in Michigan and how it continues to lag behind most other states. What’s being proposed is asking voters in 2026 to move to a graduated state income tax. The details are still to be worked out, but Ann Arbor State Senator Jeff Irwin says he supports the change.