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Experts attribute Michigan’s 30-year lag in economic growth to focus on manufacturing, low taxes
Michigan’s manufacturing sector is a central part of the state’s economic policy, but experts argue Michigan’s focus on factories has harmed its development over the last 30 years. Michigan Future Inc., a nonpartisan organization focused on promoting Michigan’s success in a knowledge-driven economy, hosted a roundtable Thursday to discuss potential solutions to the state’s lagging […]
Nessel files suit against company over PFAS contamination in West Michigan
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Thursday filed a suit against FKI Hardware, Inc. seeking compliance and damages from the company after contaminating multiple properties with PFAS and other hazardous materials. According to the Michigan Department of the Attorney General, FKI Hardware, Inc., the successor to the Keeler Brass Co., contaminated multiple properties in West […]
Election officials can pre-process absentee ballots under bill passed by the Legislature
As the Nov. 8 election draws closer, Republicans and Democrats in the state legislature came to agreement on a new set of election bills. The bipartisan set of bills, made up of House Bill 4491 and 6071 and Senate Bill 311 and 8 received final approval Wednesday and await Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature. “We […]
Nessel takes action against chemical company for Flint River pollution
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and the Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) have taken action against a Flint chemical company after identifying pollution in the Flint River. On Monday, Nessel and EGLE ordered Lockhart Chemical Co. to stop its use of defective storm and wastewater systems to pump water off site for […]
More than 500 doctors sign on in support of Whitmer’s challenge to Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban
Hundreds of doctors across the state on Thursday announced their support for Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s lawsuit challenging the state’s 1931 abortion ban. Backed by more than 500 doctors, the Committee to Protect Health Care filed a brief supporting Whitmer’s lawsuit, which asks the Michigan Supreme Court to determine if the state Constitution protects the […]
As climate change hits Michigan harder, more residents pay the price
The summer of 2021 brought an onslaught of heavy rain, flooding freeways, knocking out power and leaving standing water in basements in communities across metro Detroit. While those memories are fresh for many, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) warns an increase in extreme rainfall could be on the horizon. NOAA recently released its […]
Upton proposes bipartisan bill to change the Electoral Count Act
On Thursday, U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) joined U.S. Rep Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.) in proposing bipartisan change to the Electoral Count Act. According to a statement, the Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act, or House Resolution 8846, would update ambiguous provisions in the 19th century law with clear procedures, and by outlining […]
Washtenaw Co. Circuit Court rejects EMU request for restraining order against striking employees
On Friday, Washtenaw County Circuit Court Judge Carol Kuhnke denied a request from Eastern Michigan University for a temporary restraining order that would force striking faculty to return to work. Members of the Eastern Michigan University Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (EMU-AAUP) voted in favor of a strike on Tuesday, after working […]
House Approps Chair Albert opposes spending $7B surplus, cites economic concerns
House Appropriations Committee Chair Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) on Thursday voiced his opposition to any supplemental spending this fall. In a statement, Albert said the state should not pursue additional budget allocations until the direction of the economy was more clear. “There are no guarantees tax revenues will come into state government as previously anticipated,” Albert […]
DHHS reports 143 cases of monkeypox in Michigan
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reported 143 confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox in a Monday report. There are 14 counties with confirmed and suspected cases of monkeypox: Bay, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kent, Livingston, Macomb, Montcalm, Muskegon, Oakland, Ottawa, St. Clair, Washtenaw and Wayne counties. Wayne County currently has the greatest […]
Community risk levels high as Michigan reports 19,414 new COVID-19 cases in the last week
Coronavirus risk levels have risen in Michigan as the state reported 19,414 new cases, according to a weekly report from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released Tuesday. The department reports a total of 2,751,201 Michiganders have tested positive for COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic, an additional 19,414 cases compared to […]
Rep. Johnson asks AG for opinion on community colleges granting four-year degrees
State Rep. Steve Johnson (R-Wayland) has asked Attorney General Dana Nessel to give her opinion on whether the Michigan Constitution allows community colleges to grant baccalaureate degrees. Allowing community colleges to grant four-year degrees has been debated in the Legislature, but there appears to be a strong argument that the policy is unconstitutional, Johnson said […]