Briefs
Leonard touts improved mental health access in farewell speech
During a marathon session Thursday night, outgoing state House Speaker Tom Leonard (R-DeWitt) delivered his farewell speech, touting improved mental health care access and elimination of driver responsibility fees as his top accomplishments. The term-limited speaker mounted an unsuccessful run for Attorney General in 2018. Gov. Rick Snyder was there for his speech Thursday. Leonard […]
Bill naming part of M-10 for Detroit educator awaits Snyder’s pen
A bill that would rename a portion of the John C. Lodge Freeway (M-10) in Detroit after legendary educator Violet T. Lewis overwhelmingly cleared the Michigan House on Thursday. The vote was 101-8 and the bill now heads to Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk. The Advance reported that Senate Bill 1137, sponsored by state Sen. Ian […]
Michigan Senate bets on internet gambling
The Michigan Senate voted Thursday night to approve a series of bills legalizing online gambling in Detroit and tribal casinos. House Bills 4926, 4927 and 5881, all sponsored by state Rep. Brandt Iden (R-Portage), had already passed the House in June. The Senate amended the bills to ensure that Detroit would continue to receive a minimum $179 […]
Snyder signs bill allowing non-certified teachers in classrooms
Gov. Rick Snyder earlier today signed a bill that will allow those with professional career expertise to substitute teach in grades 9-12 without a teaching certificate. “This legislation will help schools fill teacher shortages in programs that offer high-demand career skills so that our students can be prepared for a 21st century economy,” said Snyder, […]
Meekhof praises Ananich as ‘ally and foe’ in goodbye speech
State Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-Grand Haven), tonight gave his final speech on the floor of Michigan’s upper chamber as Gov. Rick Snyder watched. Meekhof, who is term-limited, reflected on his legacy, saying that the job changed him. “I’m not the same person who marveled at my name on the plaque next to the […]
Snyder takes economic victory lap in last days
As Gov. Rick Snyder prepares to leave office in less than two weeks, he gets to exit with some solid economic news. The office of the self-proclaimed “nerd” announced Wednesday that almost 560,000 private-sector jobs have been created under his administration dating back to 2011. The news release also noted that unemployment has held steady […]
Fireworks changes shoot to Snyder’s desk
Gov. Rick Snyder will decide whether to sign off on changes to Michigan’s fireworks law after the Michigan Senate voted unanimously Thursday for a three-bill package. Under House Bill 5939, sponsored by Rep. Jim Lilly (R-Park Twp.), local governments would have more power to regulate the days when fireworks could be set off than they […]
In farewell speech, Calley lauds his family and Snyder, unloads Trump zinger
In emotional farewell to the chamber he’s presided over for the last eight years, Lt. Gov. Brian Calley sung the praises of the man sitting behind him: Gov. Rick Snyder. “You are the greatest governor of my lifetime,” Calley said on the Michigan Senate rostrum. “You brought winning back to Michigan. You saved Detroit. You […]
Snyder signs deer sterilization bill
Gov. Rick Snyder today signed legislation that would bar municipalities besides Ann Arbor from sterilizing deer for more than three years. The Republican governor gave his blessing to House Bill 5321, sponsored by Rep. Triston Cole (R-Mancelona), which blocks the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) from issuing sterilization permits for large game until April […]
Dems drop dramatic ‘dark money’ quotes
On Tuesday, the Michigan Advance covered the House vote on a so-called “dark money” bill that would shield nonprofits that influence our elections from disclosing information about their funders. But we didn’t get a chance to share some of the colorful comments Democrats made in floor speeches against the legislation. House Republicans remained silent on […]
New PFAS report issued as Snyder looks for cleanup funding
A new scientific report from a state task force issued nearly 20 recommendations for Michigan to attempt to reign in harmful chemicals known as PFAS. Conducted by Gov. Rick Snyder’s PFAS Science Advisory Panel, the report first suggests that the state identify where PFAS is contaminating drinking water supplies and implement a strategy to remediate […]
Feds give Flint $2.2M to strip lead paint
Flint was awarded a federal grant for $2.2 million to find and remove lead-based paint from homes across the city, U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) announced Wednesday. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development after Kildee had previously asked the department for the lead-removal funding, according to the congressman’s office. […]