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Protesters plan to shut down Baldwin immigration prison before it can open*
Updated and corrected, 4:01 p.m. 10/2/19 The North Lake Correctional Facility is set to become Michigan’s first and only private, for-profit immigrant prison when it opens Tuesday morning. Immigration activists around the state are keen on not letting that happen.* Formerly known as the Michigan Youth Correctional Facility, the GEO Group-owned prison had previously been […]
Enviro groups declare solidarity with UAW, telling GM: ‘We know you can do better’
Almost 50 environmental organizations signed a letter Friday addressed to the CEO of General Motors, declaring their support for the United Autoworkers (UAW) members who have been striking against GM since Sept. 16. The 46 environmental groups, composed of local and national organizations including Greenpeace USA, Sierra Club and Sunrise Movement, directly urge GM CEO […]
Nessel an outlier among other Dem AGs over Purdue Pharma settlement
In the midst of America’s opioid crisis, alleged to have been accelerated by OxyContin manufacturer Purdue Pharma, about half of the nation’s attorneys general have accepted the pharmaceutical company’s proposed settlement and work with their lawyers toward a solution. The other state attorneys general have rejected the plan. Among the former group is Michigan Attorney […]
Detroit awarded $9.7M to address lead-based hazards
A federal department is awarding Detroit with a $9.7 million grant to address lead-based hazards in the community, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and U.S. Rep. Brenda Lawrence (D-Southfield) announced Thursday. “This funding is critical to protect children in Detroit from the hazards of lead poisoning” as “lead remains a challenge for the city,” Lawrence said in […]
Bipartisan ‘Clean Slate’ criminal expungement bills get House hearing
Members of the Michigan House Judiciary Committee convened Tuesday to hear testimony on a series of bipartisan bills that would expand access to Michiganders who seek to have their criminal offenses expunged. “I think today, we could be making one of the most significant efforts in generations to help our fellow citizens gain fuller participation […]
Michigan House Dems introduce worker protections during Labor Month, UAW strike
A group of Michigan House Democrats on Monday gathered to announce a package of bills focused on improving the compensation, protection and support of Michigan workers. “It’s about stability and opportunity,” said state Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt), the lead sponsor of the legislation. Hope said the series of reforms will, among other things, provide guarantees […]
Whitmer, Greig agree their relationship is ‘fine’ after K-12 budget split
Michigan has a week to go to get next year’s state budget in place, and the Legislature is expected to approve a slew of conference reports during long Tuesday sessions. Even without the Legislature in session on Monday, there was no shortage of drama, with state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) suggesting some of […]
Activists demand bold action at Lansing climate strike
Updated, 2:43 p.m. 9/22/19 with comments from Sen. Peters’ office “What do we want?” “Green New Deal!” “When do we want it?” “Now!” Several hundred people, led by students and young activists, congregated at the Lansing Capitol steps Friday afternoon to chant, march and demand bold action from government leaders on climate change. https://s37741.p1438.sites.pressdns.com/2019/09/19/climate-strike-events-planned-across-michigan-friday/ The […]
Republicans change primary rules to give Trump better shot at winning Michigan
The Michigan Republican Party is making it much more likely that President Donald Trump will win the state’s presidential primary in March 2020. The new rules instituted by the party this year raise the percentage of the statewide vote needed to receive any of Michigan’s delegates to 20%, up from 15% in 2016, MLive reported. […]
Bills would revamp prison sentences, prioritize ‘smart justice’ over punishment
American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Michigan officials stood alongside a bipartisan group of lawmakers on the Capitol steps Wednesday afternoon to unveil a new bipartisan plan for sentencing reform legislation. The proposed bill package, introduced by state Sen. Curt VanderWall (R-Ludington), state Sen. Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) and state Sen. Sylvia Santana (D-Detroit), is […]
Flavored vaping products ban effective immediately in Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency rules banning flavored vaping products were released on Wednesday and are effective immediately, according to an announcement from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). All retailers and resellers will have 14 days to comply with the new rules, including online sellers. https://s37741.p1438.sites.pressdns.com/2019/09/04/whitmer-signs-1st-vaping-ban-in-nation-industry-group-calls-it-illegal/ The statement on Wednesday cites the […]
Nugent wants deer-baiting ban lifted, bashes wildlife officials and scientists
Musician and outspoken Republican activist Ted Nugent was the star attraction at a state House committee meeting Tuesday morning, where he argued in fervent support of House Bill 4687 to lift the ban on certain deer and elk hunting regulations in the state. “Banning feeding and baiting is a guaranteed destruction, further destruction, of this […]