E Ic i an 43aillA Ann Arbor, Michigan Thursday, October 30,2008 micuiganaaiiy.com STATE IEGISLATJRE Small state House races could have big impact MAX COLLINS/Dail South African human rights activist Desmond Tutu was awarded the Wallenberg Medal yesterday at Hill Auditorium. The award is given to distinguished humanitarians. ActiLvist icon Tutu speaks. at Hill Democrats have six-seat advantage in 110-seat chamber By LINDY STEVENS Daily StaffReporter Young voters could exert their influence on more than the presi- dential race this Tuesday. In Macomb, Oakland, Jackson and Wayne counties - places that many University students call home - are a few highly con- tested races for the state House of Representatives. All 110 seats in the Michigan House of Representatives are up for grabs on Nov. 4, and while often overshadowed by national campaigns, the outcomes of state House races often have more influence on students' everyday lives than they realize. "A lot of students are very excit- ed about the presidential race, but when it comes to issues that impact students and their pocket- books, legislative races are prob- ably more important," said John Bebow, executive director of The Center for Michigan, a centrist think-tank. "The actions of the legislature help determine things like tuition rates, program offer- ings at universities and economic policies that help determine the job market when students gradu- ate from college." Down from $363 million in 2002, the University received $326 million from the state this year - a decision approved by the state House in June. Before the 5.6 percent tuition hike approved by the Board of Regents earlier this year, University administra- tors cited declines in state fund- ing as a reason for the increase. And with spending beginning to outpace revenue and the state in an economic downturn, Bebow said the future decisions of state legislators will be some of the most important in recent history. "For all residents of the state right now,the studentvote is more important than ever," Bebow said. "We need CEO-quality leg- islators to navigate some of the tough times we face in the state, See LEGISLATURE, Page 3A Anti-apartheid figure receives Wallenberg Medal for life's work By ELIN BERGMAN Daily StaffReporter Human rights activist Des- mond Tutu delivered the eigh- teenth annual Wallenberg lecture at Hill Auditorium last night after receiving the Wallenberg Medal from University President Mary Sue Coleman. The auditorium was filled to capacity, and broadcast live to the crowd an overflow room in the Modern Languages Building. Tutu, known for his efforts to promote peace in South Africa dur- ing the apartheid regime in the 1980s, said he accepted the medal only "in a representational capac- ity." "The people you will want to honor are the many, many millions who for a very longtime were anon- ymous," he said. Tutu, who worked as a teacher for three years before becoming a priest, said political leadership wasn't something he ever aimed for. "I always say I became a leader by default. The real leaders were either in prison or in exile or were under some restriction or other and I had this platform and the media for some reason seemed to want to give me a voice," he said in a press conference earlier in the day. Tutu said he's happy to be in the United States right now because of the upcoming election. He seemed to express support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, who is currently ahead in several national polls. "If the elections go the way the polls seem to be indicating, then See TUTU, Page 3A Big spending, negative ads fuel election Candidates and organizations SEEKING SEATS ON THE BENCH have spent millions to gain advantage in high court race Howard Scheps spoke to poll workers Tuesday night about handling potential record crowds during next week's general election. City anticipates record turnout By TREVOR CALERO Daily StaffReporter This year's race for the Michigan Supreme Court has drawn considerable attention for two key rea- sons: the vast amounts of money being spent on advertising, and the negative tone the advertise- ments have taken. The election, between Chief Justice Clifford Taylor, a Republican, and Wayne County Circuit Judge Diane Hathaway, a Democrat, is expected to be one of the state's most hotly contested. Robert Roddis, a Libertarian from Grosse Pointe- Farms who works as an attorney in private practice, See SUPREME COURT, Page 7A CLIFFORD W. TAYLOR Born: Nov.1942; Flint Party: Republican Education: George WashingtonUn- versity Law School1967, University of Michigan 1964 Endorsements: Detroit News, Detroit Free PressNational Rifle Association, Michigan Chamber of Commerce Experience: Eleven years on state Supreme Court. Chief Justice since 25. DIANE HATHAWAY Born: Feb.28,1954, Detroit Party: Democrat Education: Detroit Collegeof Law 1987. MadonnaCollege1983 Endorsements: Michigan Nurses Association, United Auto Workers, Clean Water Action Experience: Fifteenyears as a judge on Michigan's 3rd DistrictCircuit Court n sOUR:cTAYLORHATHAWAY, RODDIS CAMPAIGNS FROZEN IN TIME Ab( peo vo With expecte nationw pation i especia Abou registe election 12 per from 2 fall sex added Keep Beaudr Election for vote . the city voting out 13,000 more each precinct by 50 percent. AtameetingwiththechairsofAnn ple registered to Arbor's 48 precincts, Beaudry and the city'selectionsinspectorstrainer,How- te than in 2004 ardScheps,explained differentscenar- ios workers could expect on Election By JULIE ROWE Day, fcusinggmuch of their discussion Daily Staf}'eporter on issues specific to students. - - -Beaudry told the precinctccaptains Tuesday's general election that the University-issued MCard d to draw record turnout was an acceptable form of ID and that vide,officialssaid voter partici- voters didn't need to provide a driv- n Ann Arbor is expected tobe er's license or prove their residency. llyhigh atstudentprecincts. Student-heavy precincts, she ut 106,000 residents are said, will likely see the most chal- red to vote in Tuesday's lenges from poll monitors repre- n, an increase of more than senting the major political parties. rcent and 13,000 people Unlike most other polling loca- 004. Since the start of the tions, which are headed by one mester, 12,000 people were chairperson, precincts that are to the city's voter rolls. largely comprised of students will ing those numbers in mind, have two chairs, one of whom will y'sofficeistakingstepstomake be a lawyer. The goal, Scheps said, n Day run smoothly as possible is to make the challenge procedure rrs and poll workers. She said and the voting process move more has purchased enough new quickly. PREPARING FOR ELECTION DAY With political gear banned, groups' ready solutions Voice Your Vote will provide T-shirts to voters wearing campaign shirts By KYLE SWANSON Daily StaffReporter After a district judge upheld on Tuesday state legisla- tion barring voters from wearing campaign gear within 100 feet of a polling place, campus groups are planning ways to help students who are unaware of the law. LSA junior Hannah Lieberman, the co-chair of Voice Your Vote, said the group's volunteers would go to six campus precincts next Tuesday and lend T-shirts to voters who wear campaign T-shirts to the polling place. See CLOTHING, Page 3A booths to boost the number at School of Art and Design sophomrores Yonit Olshan and Lauren Sopher remain frozen while people walk by on the Diag yesterday. The stunt was organized by a "flash mob" that included 70 people. See TURNOUT, Page 3A WEATHER I: 50 TOMORROW LU 34 GOT A NEWS TIP? Call 734-763-2459 or e-mail newsvarmichigandaily.com and letus know. OH THE DAIl V 8100 Beileinlands fourth recruitfor 2009 THEGAME.BLOGS.MICHIGANDAILY.COM INDEX NEWS.... Vol.CXV111,No.41 OPINION., v50506 heMivchigan:Daily SPORTS... vichigonaeily von .2A SUDOKU........ .4A CLASSIFIEDS.... .5A THE B-SIDE....... ..5 A ..6A ..-1B A