WASHINGTON, May 10 - The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced new performance standards (PDF) for Salmonella and Campylobacter—the most common disease hazards in the meat and poultry supply. USDA has cut the target levels for Salmonella in poultry by over 60 percent, and set the first-ever performance standard for Campylobacter.

The Michigan House Transportation Committee heard testimony last Thursday on a bill that would allow private investors to build and expand highways in Michigan and impose tolls upon them. The Public Interest Research Group in Michigan (PIRGIM) presented testimony at the hearing that called on legislators to add public interest protections to the bill.