Author
Michigan manufacturing sees ups and downs on Trump’s watch
In 2016, Donald Trump ran on “bringing back” manufacturing jobs to Rust Belt states like Michigan, which was one factor in his surprise wins in Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania (and less surprising victory in neighboring Ohio). The results of that promise, however, have been quite muddled. Michigan is down 5,300 manufacturing jobs since Trump took […]
Lawmakers ask EPA to help clean up toxic green ooze
As the state continues its investigation into toxic green ooze found gushing on to a metro Detroit freeway last month, a group of lawmakers are seeking federal help, as well. The toxic chemicals were found oozing onto a stretch of I-696 in Madison Heights just before Christmas. They come from a nearby industrial plating facility […]
U.S. House to vote Thursday on Slotkin resolution restraining Trump war powers
The U.S. House is set to vote on Thursday on a resolution sponsored by U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) aimed at limiting the military actions President Donald Trump can take in Iran. “Members of Congress have serious, urgent concerns about the Administration’s decision to engage in hostilities against Iran and about its lack of strategy […]
Michigan Supreme Court hears case on former AG Schuette’s alleged private email use
The state Supreme Court heard oral arguments on Wednesday in a government transparency case that both parties argue goes far beyond the state’s public records law. Liberal advocacy group Progress Michigan alleges it has evidence that Republican former Attorney General Bill Schuette and his staff used private email to conduct state business. Progress Michigan is […]
Work-related deaths in Michigan trend down in 2019
Thirty-five people died in work-related injuries in Michigan last year, according to figures from the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). The final workplace death of the year was on Dec. 18 and involved a 59-year old cashier in Lansing “placing a box on a mezzanine while approximately 6-foot high on an 8-foot step […]
From the Inman recall to green ooze: News you may have missed over the holidays
The Advance took some much-needed time off over the holiday break, but that didn’t mean the news slept. During that time, we had a state lawmaker arrested for drunken driving, further environmental scares and more developments in the ongoing sagas of state Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s ban on flavored vaping products. […]
Court of Appeals denies appeal in Inman recall effort
The state Court of Appeals has denied an appeal request from a Traverse City-area group trying to recall state Rep. Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg), who last week was granted a mistrial on corruption charges and found not guilty of lying to the FBI. The group had submitted the necessary signatures for the recall effort, but their […]
Gov. signs online gambling, sports betting bills
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday morning signed a large package of bills that create the framework for legalized online gaming and sports betting. The governor’s office says expanded legalized gambling should bring $19 million in new revenue for the state, citing figures from the Michigan Department of Treasury. That money will go to the School […]
11 Michigan lawmakers vote for USMCA trade agreement
The long-awaited update to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) took a big step forward on Thursday. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement’s (USMCA) overwhelming passage in the U.S. House came one day after the chamber took the historic vote to impeach President Donald Trump, who was still reeling. Despite his support for the deal, Trump torched […]
After ACA ruling, Nessel, other AGs to likely seek U.S. Supreme Court opinion
One day after a federal Appeals Court panel struck down a key part of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and other state AGs say they’ll likely seek an opinion from the U.S. Supreme Court. Congress had already repealed the individual mandate in the ACA, which required that every person be […]
Trump appears to declare John Dingell is in hell during rant at Battle Creek rally
At a Battle Creek rally on Wednesday night, during which he was impeached by the U.S. House, President Donald Trump seemed to suggest that deceased U.S. Rep. John Dingell (D-Dearborn) was in hell. “Maybe he’s looking up,” Trump said, reviving an attack from over the weekend on Dingell’s widow, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn). He […]
Ford receives $26M from sunsetting state incentive program
Ford Motor Co. could be the last company to receive the state’s Good Jobs for Michigan tax incentive that allows companies to keep a portion of the income taxes that would otherwise be paid to the state. On Tuesday, the Michigan Strategic Fund board approved $26 million in Good Jobs withholding for the Dearborn automaker, […]