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News Briefs

Date Posted: February 18 2005

Bush ups road budget pledge
President Bush has upped how much he is willing to spend on the nation's roads.

Under the budget he proposed last month, the federal government would spend $284 billion over the next six years for road and bridge construction. Previously, he said he was determined to hold the line on spending at $256 billion during that period.

The House ($275 billion over six years) and the Senate ($318 billion) have proposed different spending packages, and a compromise still needs to be worked out with the White House.

Michigan would receive about a 7 percent increase in road funding under Bush's plan. However, our state has lost some $480 million and other states proportional amounts due to the inability of federal lawmakers to come to a final decision on road funding since 2003.

And with separate legislation, Michigan lawmakers are continuing to try and improve our state's chronic status as one of the 25 "donor" states. Michigan only gets 90.5 cents returned on every $1.00 in taxes sent to the federal government for road funding.

Sprinkler Fitter Tom Devlin dies
The building trades mourn the Jan. 30, 2005 death of long-time Sprinkler Fitters Local 704 Business Manager Tom Devlin.

Mr. Devlin, who died at age 92, served as Local 704's business manager for 23 years until his retirement in 1977. He started in the union in 1947.

He was the father of Greater Detroit Building Trades Council Secretary-Treasurer Patrick Devlin, IBEW Local 58 member Kevin, and Tim of Sprinkler Fitters Local 709 (Los Angeles). He was also uncle of Tom Devlin, business manager of Plumbers, Pipe Fitters and Service Trades Local 636.

Mr. Devlin is also survived by his wife of 63 years, Mary Josephine and daughters Margaret and Kathy.

During his career he served as chairman of the USA Sprinkler Fitters Business Managers and president of the Michigan Pipe Trades Association.

Butch Stewart, a retiree who served as Local 704's president, said Mr. Devlin "had a good reputation and was honest and well-liked. He was instrumental in starting the local's health and welfare and pension funds. I told the younger members who never had chance to meet him that they missed an opportunity to know a great man."

Local 704 Business Manager Bob Rutan said: "Local 704 was fortunate to have Tom Devlin, a man of integrity and foresight, as its leader for over 23 years. He was respected not only locally but on a national level as well."

Scholarship apps now available
Applications for the Michigan Building Trades Council Scholarship for Western Michigan University are now available at local union halls.

It is a five-year renewable scholarship for Michigan trade unionists, their spouses or dependents. Applications must be returned to WMU by April 15.

Qualified students must be enrolled full-time into a degree-granting program at Western Michigan.