Mayor Cockrel Goes To Lansing

Lansing (WWJ)  -- Detroit's interim Detroit Mayor Ken Cockrel Jr. is in Lansing to meet with Governor Granholm and state lawmakers. 

WWJ Lansing Bureau Chief Tim Skubick reports Cockrel started the day just after 8 a.m. with a meeting with Detroit lawmakers. 

Also in the morning, Cockrel met with legislative leaders and other lawmakers. 

Skubick said there were "rave reviews," however it has yet to be seen whether that will lead to support when Cockrel seeks funding to expand Cobo Center. 

Cockrel talked to both Democrats and Republicans about a variety of pending legislation, including a proposed workplace smoking ban. He said a ban should include an exemption for Detroit's three casinos.
  
"I do support a smoking ban, but I think it's got to be a realistic smoking ban,'' Cockrel said at a press conference between meetings with lawmakers. 

The Senate has passed a smoking ban that would include all bars, restaurants and workplaces, including Detroit casinos. The full ban failed to pass this week in the House, which favors a smoking ban with exemptions for casinos, smoke shops and a few other businesses.

Several Detroit-area Democrats are worried casinos would suffer if forced to go smokefree. They say Detroit casinos would lose business to tribal casinos that wouldn't be subject to the Michigan smoking ban.

That could cut into casino-driven revenue that goes to support the city of Detroit and public schools statewide.

Cockrel talked to lawmakers about a variety of other topics including legislation that could assist a possible expansion of Detroit's Cobo Center.

Cockrel succeeded fellow Democrat Kwame Kilpatrick as mayor. Kilpatrick resigned in the wake of a sex scandal involving his former top aide.

Cockrel said the meetings with lawmakers were positive and productive. He said the meetings were mainly designed to open the lines of communication with both Democrats and Republicans from the Detroit area and outstate.

"We have more that unites us than divides us,'' Cockrel said.

Speaking live on WWJ Wednesday morning, Governor Granholm said Cockrel is concerned with the finances of the city. 
"We want to make sure we offer all of the expertise and assistance we can to make sure he gets his books in order," Granholm said.