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What does Gen Z want? Equity in education funding, better transportation and more.
A Wednesday panel at the Mackinac Policy Conference highlighted the influence of young people in Michigan’s political, social and economic environments, while also calling attention to issues most pressing to Generation Z. Moderator Angelique Power, CEO of the Detroit-based grantmaking organization the Skillman Foundation, was joined on the panel by youth education activist Imani Harris, […]
Tlaib introduces bill expanding public land access for environmental justice communities
U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Detroit), alongside Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.), has introduced a bill in the House of Representatives aimed at breaking down barriers to accessing the outdoors – particularly public lands and waters – faced by many environmental justice communities. The Environmental Justice in Recreation Permitting Act (EJRPA) would require an interagency study between […]
Senate committee OKs bill to create online tracking system for absentee voting
The Michigan Senate Elections Committee this week approved bills that would seek to streamline the absentee voting process by creating an online tracking system for applications and the ballots themselves. SB 339, sponsored by Sen. Mallory McMorrow (D- Royal Oak), would allow voters to track their absentee ballot at every step of the process, from […]
Planned Parenthood of Michigan opens new virtual health center
Planned Parenthood of Michigan (PPMI) announced Thursday that its new virtual health center is open for use. Previously, patients had to book telehealth services through a brick and mortar health center, but this new service creates a centralized online location for those all over the state to seek care. Across Michigan, there are a number […]
Working with local clerks, Dem lawmakers seek to prohibit firearms in polling places
In the wake of heightened scrutiny surrounding elections and the harassment of poll workers, a group of Michigan Democrats is working with municipal and county clerks from around the state to pass legislation prohibiting firearms from polling places. State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou (D-East Lansing) is the sponsor of HB 4127, which alongside HB 4128 would […]
Whitmer signs directive aimed at relieving student loan strain for Michiganders
As the U.S. Supreme Court approaches a ruling on President Joe Biden’s proposal to forgive a portion of student loan debt, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has instructed various state agencies to explore cost-cutting mechanisms for borrowers in Michigan. In a Wednesday executive directive, Whitmer called on the state departments of Treasury, Insurance and Financial Services and […]
State Education Board President Pamela Pugh announces for U.S. Senate
Michigan Board of Education President Pamela Pugh announced Tuesday morning at Comma Bookstore in Flint that she intends to run for U.S. Senate in 2024, widening the Democratic primary field to five registered candidates. Pugh, a Saginaw native and University of Michigan alumna, joins candidates Leslie Love, a former state representative, U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin […]
Senate bills seek to provide Michiganders with paid family and medical leave
If passed, two bills in the Michigan Senate could allow employees around the state up to 15 weeks of paid leave from work to deal with family and medical issues. Senate bills 332 and 333, introduced by Sen. Erika Geiss (D-Taylor), would provide a state-level replacement for the federal Family Medical Leave Act. Signed by […]
Michigan energy reliability task force announces statewide listening tour
The newly-formed Michigan House Energy Reliability, Resilience, and Accountability (ERRA) Task Force announced on Thursday that it will embark on a statewide listening tour in June to hear citizens’ concerns and ideas after large swaths of the state dealt with weeks-long power outages in February. State Rep. Helena Scott (D-Detroit), who chairs the House Energy, […]
Senate panel weighs bills prohibiting landlords from income-based discrimination
Equal housing advocates, former unhoused Michiganders, and landlords sat before the Michigan Senate Housing and Human Services Committee on Tuesday to testify on a bill package aimed at ensuring equal access to housing by disallowing landlords to deny renters based on their source of income. The package, which is comprised of Senate Bills 205, 206 […]
House Education Committee considers legislation making it easier to be a substitute teacher
Lawmakers on the Michigan House Education Committee heard testimony from educators on Tuesday morning regarding HB 4549, which would modify the requirements to become a substitute teacher in hopes of addressing the ongoing shortage. Rep. Nate Shannon (D-Sterling Heights), who sponsored the bill, testified in its support alongside Sheryl Kennedy of the Michigan Department of […]