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Michigan Senate passes $79.6 billion budget plan, spending less than the House version
The Democratic-led Michigan Senate on Thursday passed its version of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget. The $79.6 billion Senate plan came in just under the $80.1 billion budget passed by the Democratic-led House Thursday, but above Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s $79 billion proposal put forward in February. “As we have for the last five months, […]
Michigan House passes $80.1B budget for 2024 fiscal year
Democrats leading the Michigan House pushed through this week an $80.1 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 budget, topping Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s $79 billion proposal put forward in February. The House plan includes a $21.5 billion School Aid budget, which Democrats called “the largest investment in education in Michigan’s history,” as well as significant investments in […]
New: Former Republicans seek to create new centrist party and utilize fusion voting in Michigan
Calling the alliance of disaffected Republicans and moderate Democrats “short-term triage,” a former leader of Michigan Republicans says he and other pro-democracy conservatives plan to form a new party and then challenge the state’s ban on what’s known as fusion voting. Jeff Timmer, the one-time executive director of the Michigan Republican Party, told the Advance […]
As the anniversary of Enbridge’s refusal to shut down Line 5 approaches, groups press Biden admin
Updated, 6:16 p.m., 5/10/23 As the two-year anniversary approaches since Canadian oil company Enbridge began defying a state shutdown order, environmental groups this week are renewing their call for the Biden administration to take immediate action to protect the Great Lakes from a controversial 70-year-old crude oil pipeline. “There’s no place for old technology that […]
Michigan could join states in the national popular vote compact. So what would that mean?
Legislation has been reintroduced this session to change the way Michigan’s electoral votes are awarded, which supporters hope will eventually result in the presidency always being awarded to whichever candidate wins the most votes nationally. Now with Democrats in charge of both houses of the Legislature, advocates see an opening for the bills to finally […]
Poll finds majority of voters oppose efforts to ban books and attack libraries
Efforts by groups and organizations to ban books in Michigan are being made against an overwhelming majority of public opinion that opposes such actions. That’s the takeaway from a newly released poll of 800 Michigan voters by EPIC-MRA commissioned by the Michigan Library Association (MLA) which sought feedback regarding awareness of, and attitudes toward what […]
Striking U of M grad workers remain defiant as contract talks continue
Following weekend commencement ceremonies during which striking University of Michigan graduate student workers continued to protest, contract talks, with the assistance of a state mediator, are scheduled to resume this week. The strike by the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3550 began March 29, with economic issues the main point of contention. The union, […]
Bills would overhaul statue of limitations for sexual assault, establish Survivors Bill of Rights
Lawmakers on Thursday announced they are reintroducing laws they say will help fix Michigan’s broken process for sexual assault crimes. State Rep. Julie Brixie (D-Meridian Twp.) led the announcement, joined by fellow legislators, along with sexual assault survivors and advocates for criminal justice reform. Similar bills had been introduced in previous legislative sessions, but received […]
Union, state rep. say Amtrak is planning to close crew bases in Michigan, but company won’t confirm
Amtrak may be poised to begin overhauling the way it operates in Michigan, including potentially closing crew bases and centrally locating train service employees in Chicago, according to union officials and a state lawmaker who has been in direct contact with the transportation company about its plans. Union representatives said that long-term plan, which Amtrak […]
GOP Livingston Co. sheriff says he won’t enforce pending state ‘red flag’ gun laws
To a standing ovation of gun rights activists, the GOP-controlled Livingston County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution at this week’s meeting declaring it to be a “constitutional county” and essentially saying it will ignore recently passed gun control legislation signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The board chambers were packed long before […]
Civil rights commissioner introduces resolution backing ban on conversion therapy for minors
Updated, 4:28 p.m., 4/25/23 Efforts to ban the practice of conversion therapy on LGBTQ+ minors picked up support this week at a Michigan Civil Rights Commission meeting. Commissioner Luke Londo, an independent who also serves as Hazel Park’s mayor pro tem, introduced a resolution Monday imploring the Legislature to ban conversion therapy for minors, and […]
Health care advocates say ACA ruling has ‘disastrous’ impact on Michiganders
A panel of Michigan health care advocates said a recent federal court decision striking down part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the latest in a “continuous assault” on health care by Republicans since the law was signed 13 years ago. Organized by Protect Our Care Michigan, the webinar included state Rep. Julie Rogers […]