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Lawmakers, advocates tout environmental and economic benefits of renewable energy bills
Democratic lawmakers joined with environmental advocates in Lansing on Tuesday to outline their plans for a clean energy future in Michigan. State Senate Majority Floor Leader Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northville) and Rep. Jenn Hill (D-Marquette) shared updates on policies introduced last month as part of Senate Democrats’ legislative package to enable […]
Dingell joins Jayapal and Sanders in reintroducing Medicare for All
U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (D-Ann Arbor) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) and U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) gathered Wednesday with Democratic colleagues and advocates from across the country for a Washington, D.C., rally following the reintroduction of Medicare for All bills in Congress. According to a statement from Dingell’s office, the reintroduction of Medicare for All […]
Amid Michigan’s water infrastructure woes, lawmakers renew push for a state septic code
Michigan Democrats are taking another pass at introducing a statewide septic code, continuing a decades-long effort in the Legislature. Despite the issue’s bipartisan history, Michigan remains the only state without a septic code, with recent efforts failing to gain traction within the Legislature. As the state contends with flooding and sewer backups, addressing individual septic […]
Whitmer signs bill adding Republican members to economic development board
Updated, 2:26 p.m., 4/27/23 Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Wednesday signed legislation adding more seats to the Michigan Strategic Fund Board to represent the Michigan House, Senate and other state agencies. The Michigan Strategic Fund Board approves taxpayer incentives for economic development projects and directs funding for business development, community development, talent enhancement and state marketing […]
Senate passes bill to ensure safe drinking water at schools and childcare centers
The Michigan Senate last week voted in favor of legislation to protect children from lead in drinking water at schools and childcare centers. Introduced by state Sens. John Cherry (D-Flint) and Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), Senate Bills 88 and 89 would require all Michigan schools and child care centers to implement a drinking water management plan […]
What’s in the Senate Dem bills aimed at facilitating Michigan’s clean energy transition?
Michigan Senate Democrats expect to read in a new package of clean energy bills on Wednesday after announcing their MI Clean Energy Future Plan last week. Included in the seven-bill package from Democrats, who control the Legislature, are measures that would update standards for renewable energy, establish a standard for clean fuel, create plans to […]
Michigan activists share stories of identity and community on Transgender Day of Visibility
Advocates for LGBTQ+ rights gathered at the Capitol on a rainy Friday, sharing stories and marching in support of transgender rights in observance of Transgender Day of Visibility. Local speakers were supported by members of Queer Youth Assemble and the Coalition to Defend Affirmative Action, Integration and Immigrant Rights, and Fight for Equality By Any […]
Energy, clean water and pollution top list of environmental priorities for House Dems
Michigan House Majority Leader Abraham Aiyash (D-Hamtramck) on Friday outlined House Democrats’ environmental priorities for this term, pledging action on energy policy and highlighting issues like pollution in vulnerable communities. Strengthening polluter pay laws, addressing aging infrastructure, and examining waste policies and environmental impacts are key issues, Aiyash said in a webinar hosted by Conan […]
At House hearing, DTE and Consumers Energy urged to address ‘unacceptable’ electrical reliability
After a severe ice storm in late February left hundreds of thousands of households without power for days, a Michigan House panel Wednesday held a hearing to discuss repeated issues with major utilities. Members of the House Energy, Communications and Technology committee heard testimony from DTE, Consumers Energy and the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC), […]
MSU students oppose returning to classes, push for gun control at the Capitol
A sea of green and white covered the Capitol lawn Monday afternoon as students shared stories, music and poetry, demanding change from politicians and protesting Michigan State University’s return to classes a week after a mass shooting that killed three students and wounded five more. Event organizer and MSU junior Maya Manuel outlined a list […]
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations continue to rise in Michigan
Coronavirus cases are continuing an uptick in Michigan with 14,323 new cases recorded in a weekly report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday. Cases increased compared to the last report released on Dec. 13, which documented 13,043 new cases for the week. The department reports a total of 2,977,727 Michiganders […]
Nessel files suit against paper company for PFAS contamination in St. Clair County
Updated, 1:06 p.m., 12/22/22 Attorney General Dana Nessel announced a lawsuit Tuesday addressing the release of per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) by a paper manufacturer in St. Clair County. The lawsuit seeks costs and damages from Domtar Industries Inc., a paper manufacturing company that formerly operated in Port Huron, and runs several mills in other states […]