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Michigan lawmakers pop PFAS plans in Congress this week
A recent report showed Michigan has the most known toxic PFAS pollution sites in the nation, and congressional lawmakers have introduced several new bills to address the problem. A bipartisan collection of Michigan lawmakers released legislation this week dealing with per- and polyfluoroalkyl contamination. More than a dozen bills combating PFAS have been introduced this […]
Republicans celebrate auto insurance reform progress as Whitmer renews veto threat
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is threatening to veto House Republicans’ newest plan to allow auto insurance companies to sell reduced-coverage plans with a mandated rate decrease. Republicans are heralding House Bill 4397, which passed after 2 a.m. Thursday, as a way to offer drivers relief from Michigan’s high auto insurance rates. The bill would allow insurance […]
Here’s where Michigan is on auto insurance reform after the House’s 2 a.m. vote and Whitmer’s earlier veto threat
A little more than a day after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer threatened to veto Senate legislation overhauling the state’s unique no-fault auto insurance law, Republican House leaders held a last-minute vote early Thursday morning on their own bill allowing drivers to purchase reduced coverage at a cheaper rate. On Tuesday, state Rep. Jason Wentworth (R-Clare), who […]
AOC calls out private prison company opening Michigan immigration facility
U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) took to Twitter Wednesday to slam a private prison company that plans to reopen a facility in Michigan that will house undocumented immigrants on criminal charges. The freshman New York Democrat, most famous for her outspoken support for democratic socialism and the Green New Deal, called out the GEO Group […]
Nessel creates new pot law work group
Attorney General Dana Nessel announced this week that her office is creating a new work group to examine laws and regulations related to recreational and medical marijuana. The group, led by Nessel, will be made up of law enforcement, attorneys specializing in marijuana issues and state officials with the goal of making recommendations to the […]
Whitmer wins Michigan Chamber kudos for Line 5 talks
The Michigan Chamber of Commerce is praising Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s decision to negotiate with Canadian energy company Enbridge on a plan for a new Great Lakes oil pipeline. “If you’re genuinely concerned about taking action to protect the Great Lakes and get the pipeline out of the water, the governor has the best approach and […]
‘All options on the table’ as Whitmer threatens to veto Senate no-fault plan
Michigan Republican House leaders are not ruling out anything as they consider a Senate-passed plan to overhaul the state’s auto no-fault insurance that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has already threatened to veto. Just hours after the GOP-controlled Senate approved Senate Bill 1 allowing drivers to opt out of mandatory injury coverage included in current auto insurance […]
Senate fast tracks auto insurance overhaul that doesn’t mandate rate cuts
A Republican plan that purports to drive down auto insurance costs won swift approval in the Michigan Senate Tuesday afternoon. The GOP-controlled Senate Insurance and Banking Committee on Tuesday morning approved a legislative overhaul that would offer tiered coverage options to Michigan drivers, including one that does not include any Personal Injury Protection (PIP). In […]
Report: Michigan has most PFAS sites in the nation
Michigan has the most sites in the country known to be contaminated with the group of toxic chemicals known as PFAS, according to a new report from the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Working Group. The environmental and public health watchdog used federal reports from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Defense and Northeastern University’s Social […]
Whitmer speaks of socks and bridges to MSU grads
In a commencement speech for Michigan State University’s 2019 graduating class, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer repeated a popular campaign refrain to departing seniors. And she shared some advice about socks. “Build bridges, don’t live under them,” she said. “Look for inspiration in unusual places. Wear fun socks, and don’t ever read the comments section. So class […]
Gov. declares Wayne County state of emergency amid flooding
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has declared a state of emergency in Wayne County as responders wade through the heavy rainfall that has pummeled much of Wayne County. Whitmer’s office announced the declaration in a press release late Thursday night, following an emergency declaration from Wayne County earlier Thursday evening. It authorizes the Michigan State Police, Emergency […]
Private prison wins federal contract to house immigrants in Michigan
A private prison company plans to reopen a Northern Michigan prison where it will house people apprehended over immigration and other federal offenses, GEO Group announced Thursday. The Florida-based company said in a press release that it plans to revive its private, 1,800-bed North Lake Correctional Facility in Baldwin after winning a contract from the […]