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Study: Utility shutoffs help drive evictions in Michigan
Updated, 3:31 p.m., 8/3/21 As a national moratorium expired Saturday that will likely trigger a massive wave of evictions, a new report shows that utility shutoffs are a big reason renters in Michigan face evictions and subsequent homelessness. The Lansing-based Michigan League for Public Policy (MLPP) study outlines policy recommendations for how lawmakers should deal […]
Michigan’s largest universities announce COVID-19 vaccine requirements
The University of Michigan and Michigan State University announced Friday that they both will require all students, staff, faculty to receive the COVID-19 vaccine ahead of the fall 2021 semester. The new requirements come as the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 has spread amongst the unvaccinated and even to some who have been immunized. […]
Whitmer signs $385M spending bill for flood relief, hospitals
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Monday a $384.7 million spending bill that includes mostly federal funds for hospital costs related to COVID-19, child development and care program providers, disaster relief and public safety efforts and prisoners who were wrongfully imprisoned. Whitmer signed the bipartisan Senate Bill 27, a supplemental spending bill for the current […]
Michigan college campuses will be welcoming students back soon. But most haven’t been vaccinated.
As college campuses across Michigan are less than a month away from opening up to students for the fall semester, the state reports only 39.8% of residents 20 to 29 years old have been inoculated with at least one dose of the coronavirus vaccine. Those aged 16 to 19 have a slightly higher rate of […]
With redistricting as an X factor, Republicans set their sights on Kildee in 2022
Ahead of the 2022 midterm elections, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) has just had his best fundraising haul since he was first elected in 2012, raking in over $420,000 in the second quarter alone. In total, Kildee — who represents the 5th Congressional District spanning Arenac, Bay, Genesee, and Iosco counties, as well as parts […]
Community leaders launch coalition to fight PFAS contamination
The Great Lakes PFAS Action Network, a group of community members impacted by the toxic chemical PFAS, are unifying to promote action on PFAS contamination. The Thursday press conference was led by community members who provided government officials and polluters with best practices to deal with PFAS. The community leaders also presented the coalition’s vision […]
1st winners of $50K Michigan vaccination drawing announced
The first round of winners for the daily $50,000 “MI Shot To Win” sweepstakes prize were announced Wednesday by University of Michigan Softball Coach Carol Hutchins and Protect Michigan Commission Director Kerry Ebersole Singh. The virtual event was opened and closed with remarks from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. The contest began July 1 and will continue […]
As SE Michigan rebuilds after flooding, how can the state better prepare for future disasters?
As officials in Michigan are calling for more water infrastructure funding after June flooding ravaged through Southeast Michigan, the nonpartisan National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) has released a report outlining policy recommendations to improve how states prepare for and handle natural disasters. State Sen. Stephanie Chang (D-Detroit) and Rep. Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) held a […]
‘This is really fantastical’: Federal judge blasts pro-Trump attorneys, hints at sanctions
In a six-hour long hearing on Monday, U.S. District Judge Linda Parker blasted the “Kraken” litigation team’s sworn affidavits claiming unsubstantiated instances of voter fraud in Michigan’s 2020 general election and signified sanctions requested by state officials are a strong possibility. Sanctions are allowed when attorney’s submit frivolous or baseless arguments. Michigan Attorney General Dana […]
As earmarks return, Michigan senators request $65M for projects across state
U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.) and U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Lansing) requested a joint total of over $65 million of “congressionally directed spending” be inserted into appropriations bills for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 to fund numerous projects across the state of Michigan. The Energy and Water Development subcommittee had the first deadline for earmark […]
GOP-led Legislature passes last-minute schools budget, puts other funding on ice, despite deadline
A long day in the Michigan Legislature culminated in the passage of a $17.1 billion School Aid Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 budget ready for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature, just one day before lawmakers’ self-imposed July 1 budget deadline. The K-12 investment for the fiscal year starting Oct. 1 is the largest in Michigan’s history. Funding […]
Tlaib introduces bill to ensure safe, clean housing for HUD tenants
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), along with Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-Mass.) and House Financial Services Chair Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) introduced legislation Tuesday strengthening U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD) tenant protections, as well as providing renters with tools to improve the quality of their homes. Tlaib held a press conference on Tuesday alongside Pressley, housing […]