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Legislature passes $82B budget, including record $21B for schools
Lawmakers in Michigan passed a $82 billion state budget for Fiscal Year 2024 drafted by the first Democratic-majority Legislature in roughly 40 years with appropriations for programming in health care, infrastructure, state police and schools, among other areas. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to quickly sign the bills that passed after long sessions that carried […]
Bills creating harsher penalties for assaulting health workers pass the Michigan House
Assaulting doctors, nurses or other employees of a health care system would have heightened penalties under legislation that cleared the Michigan House Tuesday. Earlier in June, health care workers told the House Criminal Justice Committee about their colleagues getting assaulted and threatened while doing their job, often by upset family members of patients. Health care […]
Bills allowing more out-of-state teachers, counselors to work in Michigan schools clears House
The Michigan House unanimously, and enthusiastically, approved legislation this week to combat Michigan’s teacher shortage by expanding certification reciprocity for teachers and school counselors. Lawmakers cheered and gasped as yes votes trickled in Thursday for a rare unanimous vote for the Democratic-led House, which is currently at a partisan stalemate over the state budget for […]
‘This can’t be the new normal’: What abortion care in Michigan looks like since Roe fell
One year later, patients and abortion providers are still navigating a new world post-Dobbs decision, but Michigan doctors at Planned Parenthood told the Michigan Advance ahead of the anniversary that the “new normal” is not one anyone should be OK with. Dr. Sarah Wallett, chief medical operating officer for Planned Parenthood of Michigan, said every […]
Benson asks Legislature to make Michigan ‘worst to first’ for government transparency
Michigan is one of the worst if not the worst states in terms of government transparency and governmental ethics laws, Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson on Thursday told members of the House Ethics and Oversight Committee. Notably, Michigan was ranked dead last in a 2015 investigation by the Center For Public Integrity in terms of […]
Michigan House OKs ban on child marriage
Updated, 2:08 p.m., 7/11/23 A full ban on child marriage on Wednesday cleared the Michigan House. The legislation could make Michigan one of the handful of states that ban the practice that critics call a human rights abuse. Currently, Michigan is one of seven states that have no legal minimum age for marriage and of […]
U.S. lawmakers talk Chinese automotive industry competition with Ford and GM
Members of the U.S. House Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party met with Ford and GM leadership Tuesday to talk about competition with China and strengthen Michigan’s manufacturing landscape while being conscious of environmental goals. Committee Chair Mike Gallagher (R-Wisc.) joined fellow committee members Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.), […]
After White House meeting, Brinks says Michigan Legislature will take on abortion TRAP laws
Several Michigan lawmakers joined their colleagues in other states at the White House Thursday to talk about victories and barriers in expanding access to reproductive health care. It was a good opportunity to look at what other states are implementing and hear about what is coming down the pipeline on a federal level, state Senate […]
Michigan bans hair-based discrimination
Whether it’s in twists, box braids or cornrows, Michigan’s civil rights laws now will include bans on race-based discrimination due to how someone wears their hair. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the CROWN (Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair) Act into law in Lansing on Thursday, alongside Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing), who introduced […]
Bill allowing more dogs to provide children support in court clears Michigan Senate
Legislation aimed at increasing access for children to be assisted by court support dogs during the difficult task of testifying against abusers was unanimously passed Wednesday by the Michigan Senate. Court is terrifying for children and court support dogs can mean the difference between them getting justice or not, Judge Kathleen Feeney of Michigan’s Third […]
Panels advance bills aiming to strengthen sexual assault survivor infrastructure in Michigan
Committees in the Michigan House and Senate on Tuesday each passed sexual violence reform bills. Legislation has been proposed to address the rights of victims of sexual violence since 2018 when 156 women testified in court against former Team USA gymnastics doctor Larry Nassar after decades of sexual abuse. Since then, legislation to expand mandatory […]
Michigan secures $338M settlement from Walgreens in opioid lawsuit
The state of Michigan asserted in a lawsuit against Walgreens that the company failed to monitor and prevent suspicious opioid orders from being dispensed. Although Walgreens denies any wrongdoing, the company has agreed to settle for $338 million to be paid out to Michigan over the next two decades, the Michigan Attorney General’s office announced […]