Author
Judge denies motion to disqualify prosecutor and dismiss indictment in voting machines case
Oakland County Circuit Judge Jeffery S. Matis on Wednesday denied a motion to disqualify Special Prosecutor DJ Hilson and dismiss the indictment as part of the case against attorneys Matthew DePerno and Stefanie Lambert Junttila and former state Rep. Daire Rendon (R-Lake City). DePerno — the 2022 GOP attorney general nominee — Lambert Junttila and […]
House panel passes renewable permitting package, despite pushback from local groups
Members of the House Energy, Communications and Technology Committee in their hearing on Wednesday voted to refer a package of bills that would move permitting of large-scale solar energy developments to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). Ahead of the vote, the committee heard a barrage of testimony in opposition to the package from residents, […]
Michigan Senate reconsiders effort to protect U.P. wilderness
State Sen. Sue Shink (D-Northfield Twp.) and members of the Senate Committee on Natural Resources and Agriculture on Tuesday discussed a resolution urging Congress to grant federal wilderness protections for four sites in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The resolution — Senate Concurrent Resolution 11 — would call on Congress to designate the Ehlco area, the Trap […]
Lawmakers push forward on package addressing deepfakes in political ads
Members of the House Elections Committee on Monday voted in favor of advancing a slate of bipartisan bills that would regulate the use of deepfakes in political ads. Last week, House Elections Committee Chair Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) and state Reps. Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton), Matthew Bierlein (R-Vassar) and Noah Arbit (D-West Bloomfield) introduced House Bills […]
Michigan earns high marks on redistricting in new report, with room for improvement
In a new report evaluating state redistricting efforts, Michigan scored a “B” based on feedback from state and local organizations, advocates and community organizers. The report by the Coalition Hub for Advancing Redistricting & Grassroots Engagement (CHARGE), used interview survey responses to evaluate each state’s redistricting efforts, including what worked, what did not and what […]
Whitmer named chair of Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday was named the next chair of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers, a bipartisan transnational group that works to grow the economy of the Great Lakes Region and protect the Great Lakes. “I’m excited to announce Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer will be the next chair of the […]
Sanctions stand for lawyers in frivolous 2020 election lawsuit involving Michigan
On Friday, the U.S. Supreme Court denied a request to review a 10th Circuit Court of Appeals’ decision that affirmed awarding sanctions against attorneys responsible for a frivolous lawsuit tied to the 2020 election. The sanctions were awarded to various defendants, including the state of Michigan, Facebook, Dominion Voting Systems and the state of Pennsylvania […]
DTE reverses course after automatically enrolling customers in e-billing program
DTE Energy, one of Michigan’s largest electrical providers, has updated its e-bill trial program and issued an apology, following a request from the Michigan attorney general for an investigation into the program, which enrolled some customers without their consent. In a statement, DTE said it has adjusted the program to require direct action from customers […]
UAW ‘changes the rules’ as strike drags on, tells members to prepare for walkouts at any time
Four weeks into the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike against the Detroit Three automakers, union President Shawn Fain announced in a livestream that the union would no longer wait until Fridays to expand its strike to new plants. “We’re entering a new phase of this fight, and it demands a new approach,” Fain said Friday. […]
‘It is time for us to change this’: Lawmakers weigh higher penalties for child labor abuse
Members of the House Labor Committee on Monday took testimony on bills to further discourage companies from violating child labor laws. State Reps. Phil Skaggs (D-East Grand Rapids) and Helena Scott (D-Detroit) introduced bills in early September to increase penalties for companies placing young people in unsafe working environments. “We’re all here for very specific […]
Whitmer applauds record enrollment at Michigan universities, highlights state scholarships
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer cheered enrollment increases at nine Michigan universities as high school graduates eligible for the Michigan Achievement scholarship enter college. “Michiganders deserve the opportunity to get a high-quality, affordable higher education so they can land a good-paying job right here in Michigan,” Whitmer said in a statement. According to the governor’s office, […]
New House Dem permitting package adds heat to rural solar energy debate
As Michigan senators debate bills to create new clean energy and waste reduction standards, House Democrats have introduced a package of bills that would move permitting of wind, solar and energy storage facilities to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC). House Bills 5120-5123, otherwise known as the Clean Energy Jobs Act, would give the public […]