Gov. Snyder to Hold Onto State’s Surplus -- for Now

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder announced Tuesday that he will hold onto the state’s surplus, at least until January.

The Detroit Free Press reports that Snyder will wait until the January revenue estimating conference before making any decisions on what to do with the surplus estimated to be around 285 million or more.

Snyder told reporters that he wants the money to go toward “worthwhile investments, not just spending."

While Democrats say the surplus should fund public education, some GOP lawmakers believe it should be used to hep pay off the state's debt.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Authorities Begin Annual Sex Offender Sweep

(LANSING, Mich.) -- Monday marked the start of the eighth annual sex offender sweep by authorities in Michigan.

Titled "Operation Verify," the effort will see law enforcement agencies from across the state working together to find individuals who are in violation of the Michigan Sex Offenders Registration Act. The measure requires that registered sex offenders report to their local law enforcement agency on a regular basis to verify their address.

"This means any registered offender who wants to spare themselves a visit from a trooper should verify their address with law enforcement as soon as possible," Director Michigan State Police, Col. Kriste Kibbey Etue said in a statement.

Officials say offenders must also report a change of name, address, employment, campus enrollment, Internet identifiers and vehicle within three business days of such changes, or be hit with a four-year felony.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Michigan To Get $47 Million in Transportation Funding

(DEARBORN, Mich.) -- The U.S. Department of Transportation is giving Michigan $47 million in federal funding for its transit system, officials announced Monday at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn.

Gov. Rick Snyder, Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, and Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood made the announcement in wake of a $930 million initiative from the federal government to fund transit improvements across the country.

Michigan's funds are earmarked for 16 state projects, most notably improving Detroit's aging transportation infrastructure. Officials say nearly $6 million will go towards restoring Detroit's transit system and purchasing new city buses to alleviate a shortage that has affected commuters for months.

Lansing is also expected to benefit from the federal funding, with officials saying close to $4 million will be allocated to replace old buses with hybrid models.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

AAA Michigan: Gas Prices Up Nearly 10 Cents in the Past Week

(DEARBORN, Mich.) -- Gas prices are up nearly 10 cents a gallon over the past week, according to AAA Michigan, which surveys 2,800 gas stations across the state daily.

The Detroit Free Press reports that the statewide average currently hovers at $3.47 a gallon.

AAA Michigan announced Monday that the statewide average was reported 58 cents per gallon higher than this time last year.

AAA Michigan surveyed cities across the state and found the cheapest price to be $3.44 a gallon, reported in the Saginaw/Bay City area. The Grand Rapids area reported the highest average at $3.52 a gallon.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

U-M Pours $440 Million into Residence Halls

(ANN ARBOR, Mich.) -- The University of Michigan says it will have spent $440 million in renovations to its residence halls by the end of 2013, according to the school.

In an interview with AnnArbor.com, Linda Newman, director of University Housing, says the school expects the upgrades to pay dividends in the recruitment process.

“There are many factors that go into a student making a choice, and if all things are equal between the two schools and the residence halls are more comfortable -- have more space, more bathrooms -- I think we would find students gravitating toward the more comfortable living space,” said Newman. “It is a serious contender for the overall quality of a student’s experience.”

The university's "residence life initiative" began in 2006 and represent the only significant upgrades made to the school's dormitories in 32 years.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio