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Whitmer signs bipartisan ‘Raise the Age’ juvenile justice bills into law
In a big step for criminal justice reform in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday signed into law legislation that will change the definition of “adult” in the criminal justice system from age 17 to 18. The new laws will also establish funding to ensure that age-appropriate rehabilitation services are accessible to 17-year-olds, and prohibit […]
Bills you may have missed: Wrongful imprisonment, disability accommodations and taxes for mosquito spraying
Here’s this week’s Michigan Advance roundup of noteworthy recent legislation that has mostly gone under the radar. Wrongful imprisonment claims Bipartisan legislation to resolve conflicting timelines for filing wrongful imprisonment claims was introduced earlier this month by state Reps. Kyra Bolden (D-Southfield) and Julie Calley (R-Portland). House Bills 5117 and 5118 are reintroductions of Senate […]
Former MSU president headed to trial, university trustee resigns over transparency concerns
The Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal continues to roil Michigan State University. Former MSU President Lou Anna Simon was ordered Monday to stand trial and Board of Trustees Member Nancy Schlichting resigned over the “lack of transparency” among the panel. Eaton County District Court Judge Julie Reinke ordered that Simon will head to trial for […]
DHHS announces vaping test results from lung-injury patients
While the exact cause of vaping-related lung injuries is still unknown, preliminary test results collected from Michigan patients by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) are starting to look into possible answers. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) announced Friday that it had received test results from the FDA analyzing e-cigarette […]
Nessel joins group of AGs against ‘unlawful’ Trump EPA regulatory changes
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has joined 22 other state attorneys general in opposing a proposed rule from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which the AGs say would unlawfully hinder states’ abilities to protect water quality. In the comment letter filed this week, the attorneys general cite “grave concerns” that the President Trump administration […]
Whitmer asks Supreme Court to lift vape ban order
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has followed through on her plans to file with the state Supreme Court over her vaping ban, her office announced Friday. The emergency application seeks to lift the Oct. 15 court order blocking the enforcement of Whitmer’s flavored nicotine vape ban, in which a Court of Claims judge questioned the legitimacy of […]
GOP leaders again grouse about Whitmer’s use of executive power in budget process
Over coffee and eggs at an early Thursday morning event, GOP legislators told a politically oriented crowd at Boji Tower in Lansing that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administrative board power should be reined in. Remarks on the budget process, administration board and road funding dominated the conversation at an event hosted by Dome Magazine and Oakland […]
Bills aim to bring solar energy to more Michiganders
A group of lawmakers have announced bipartisan legislation geared at making it easier for Michigan residents to invest in solar. The bills, collectively called the “Powering Michigan Forward” package, were introduced at the state Capitol on Tuesday by state Sens. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte), Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), and state Reps. Gregory […]
Bills you may have missed: Hate crimes expansion, judicial age limits and medical experiments on dogs
With the fast-moving nature of politics and the legislative process, it’s safe to say that many of the lesser-known legislative happenings tend to get overlooked. In an effort to give some recent bills the coverage that they deserve, here is this week’s roundup of recently introduced legislation you might have missed. Expanding Michigan’s hate crimes […]
GOP leaders, anti-gerrymandering group meet on expanding term limits
A group of Republican leaders, business groups and activists that took on gerrymandering in Michigan have held recent talks aimed at tackling term limits and broader government reform. Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) and House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) are working with Voters Not Politicians (VNP) and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce to […]
Flint native named Michigan’s clean water chief, says she’ll ‘lift up voices in our community’
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has named Ninah Sasy as its first clean water public advocate, the department announced Tuesday morning. “I feel like I’m really going to ensure that we lift up the voices of our community, and that we’re really clear on what we’re doing to improve clean […]
Bills aimed at stopping unexpected medical bills get pushback from doctor groups
A state House committee Thursday morning heard testimony from two state representatives with a bipartisan plan to protect Michigan patients from what they call “surprise medical billing.” Various state physicians’ associations, however, were not pleased and spoke out vigorously against the bill package. House Bills 4459 and 4460, introduced by state Reps. Roger Hauck (R-Mt. […]