Author
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist tests positive for COVID, is asymptomatic
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist announced Sunday that he has tested positive for COVID-19, but has no symptoms. He said he will be “isolating for the appropriate amount of time” and plans to “maintain a virtual work schedule.” Gilchrist had been vaccinated and received a booster shot, but tested positive after his daughter, Ruby, developed symptoms […]
Nessel tests negative for COVID-19, but is isolating amid symptoms
Attorney General Dana Nessel announced Thursday that she is isolating “out of an abundance of caution” after feeling ill. She said she has so far tested negative for COVID-19. In a tweet, she said she had originally hoped to “spend the day reflecting” on the Jan. 6 insurrection of the U.S. Capitol, and the “on-going […]
Rep. Slagh missed 62 votes last year due to previously undisclosed COVID diagnosis
State Rep. Bradley Slagh (R-Zeeland) announced Tuesday that his absence from 62 votes at the end of 2021 can be attributed to contracting COVID-19. The announcement comes after the Missed Votes Report released by the free-market Mackinac Center for Public Policy’s MichiganVotes.org highlighted those missed votes. The report showed that Slagh missed all votes that […]
Legislature sends $842M spending bill for COVID testing, airports and more to Whitmer
A long-delayed $842.6 million spending bill using federal stimulus money for COVID-19 testing — as well as wide-ranging items like mental health programs, airport projects and snowmobile trail and maintenance — is heading to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk after a marathon Tuesday session. On what was expected to be the last day of action in […]
These are the ‘toxic hot spots’ where Michiganders may face cancer-causing air pollution
Andrew Hammond, 26, has spent his whole life in Grand Rapids — which may have exposed him to an excessive lifetime cancer risk from industrial sources, according to a new ProPublica investigation. Grand Rapids had the highest cause for concern in the state for lifetime cancer risk from industrial sources. Some residents who lived near […]
Slotkin stresses need to address mental health in wake of Oxford school shooting
U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) hosted a virtual town hall with constituents Thursday evening to discuss the recent school shooting at Oxford High School, the surge in COVID-19 cases in Michigan and the bipartisan infrastructure deal that was passed in Congress last month. Slotkin began the town hall by discussing the Oxford shooting in Southeast […]
Updated: Legislature passes sweeping business incentive bills, some lawmakers sign NDAs
Updated, 2:15 p.m., 7:22 p.m., 12/9/21, with Senate votes and Whitmer comments The Michigan House of Representatives passed a package of three bills on Wednesday that would establish incentives for businesses to move to and stay in Michigan, with the Senate passing its own bills Thursday. The bills come after Ford Motor Co.’s decision alongside […]
GOP-led Senate panel considers expanding EITC after Snyder’s cuts
The GOP-led Michigan Senate Finance Committee heard testimony Wednesday from numerous individuals backing a bill that would increase the Michigan Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) from 6% to 10% by 2024. The EITC aims to help low-wage earners get out of poverty and impacts families across Michigan. Senate Bill 417, introduced by state Sen. Wayne […]
Michigan House GOP introduces plan for COVID testing, health care workers
Michigan House Republicans on Wednesday morning introduced a $1.2 billion plan using federal funds for COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment, health care employees and COVID-19 testing. House Appropriations Chair Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) said in a press release that the plan will help to address some of the state’s largest issues when it comes to COVID-19 testing […]
Stabenow and Peters urge Dem leaders to pass semiconductor manufacturing funding
U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) and Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) wrote a letter Thursday to Democratic congressional leaders urging them to keep provisions supporting semiconductor manufacturing in the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA) and to pass the bill through the U.S. House. The continuous shortage has plagued the U.S automotive industry throughout 2021, […]
Michigan Republican State Central Committee opposes national popular vote initiative
The Republican State Central Committee voted to oppose an initiative that would implement the National Popular Vote (NPV) amendment launched by former Michigan Republican Party Chair Saul Anuzis and former Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer. If the “Yes on National Popular Vote” initiative were passed, the amendment would mean the state supports the National […]
Michigan House passes $369M bill for police, school resource officers
The Michigan House passed a bill Thursday spending over $300 million in state General Fund and federal stimulus money for public safety. House Bill 5522, introduced by state Rep. Mike Mueller (R-Linden), will dedicate $368.5 million towards hiring initiatives, police mental health resources, body cameras, community policing programs, school resource officers, bonuses to potential officers […]