Business + Labor
GOP former House speaker sentenced to federal prison for taking bribes as head of state licensing board
A one-time Michigan House speaker has been sentenced to just over four-and-half-years in prison following his conviction for taking bribes while heading up a state licensing board. Rick Johnson, who chaired the Michigan Marijuana Licensing Board (MMLB) from 2017 to 2019, was ordered on Thursday to serve 55 months in prison by U.S. District Court […]
As of noon, 25,000 UAW members will be striking against the Detroit Three automakers
Two more plants, employing 7,000 workers, are joining the United Auto Workers (UAW) strike at noon Friday, UAW President Shawn Fain announced Friday morning on Facebook Live. This brings the total number of workers who will have walked off the job to 25,000. The strike against Detroit Three auto manufacturers Ford, General Motors and Stellantis […]
On this day in 1975: Nation’s first Black-owned TV station launches
On Sept. 29, 1975, Detroit television station WGPR-TV 62 signed on air for the first time. That came after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unanimously voted in 1973 to grant a permit by African Americans to operate a television station in Detroit. “There wouldn’t be any need for a station of this type if things […]
With two days until shutdown, border security package eyed by U.S. Senate GOP
WASHINGTON — Republican U.S. senators huddled behind closed doors Thursday, attempting to draft an amendment to the short-term government funding bill that would increase spending on border security and make policy changes. The provision could help nudge U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy to put the broadly bipartisan measure up for a vote in that chamber, […]
House panel hears testimony on whether to remove ban on local regulation of plastic bags
The House Natural Resources, Environment, Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee met on Thursday to hear testimony on bills that would restore local governments’ ability to regulate plastic bags and other reusable or single-use containers. State Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield) — whose House Bill 4359 would repeal a 2016 law preempting local regulations of “certain containers” […]
As Michigan considers a homeless bill of rights, lawmakers hear about issues facing the community
The rights to access emergency medical care, for youth to be enrolled in school and for people to move around freely in public spaces are included in a proposed “Bill of Rights for the Homeless,” which received testimony Thursday from formerly homeless individuals and advocates. There are homeless individuals all over the state, homelessness advocate […]
The view from UAW picket lines across the country: ‘This is what democracy looks like’
As the UAW’s strike against the Detroit Three — Ford, General Motors and Stellantis — stretches to two weeks, here’s a roundup of coverage from our sister outlets in Wisconsin, Kansas and Pennsylvania: Wisconsin joins UAW auto strike as workers seek to recoup past givebacks By Erik Gunn United Auto Workers members on strike against the three […]
Trump to UAW: Endorse me or you won’t have a union
Former President Donald Trump told United Auto Workers (UAW) leaders Wednesday that they would not have a union if they fail to endorse him in the 2024 presidential election. “They have to endorse Trump, because if they don’t, all they’re doing is committing suicide,” Trump said. UAW President Shawn Fain criticized Trump’s Wednesday night visit […]
The farm bill is on the verge of expiring. Congress is months away from a new version.
WASHINGTON — As the deadline for Congress to pass a new farm bill looms this weekend, staff members of the House and Senate Agriculture committees say it will be months – if not longer – until they reach agreement on a new bill. Lawmakers must rewrite the sweeping farm bill every five years to set […]
In metro Detroit, national AFL-CIO head blasts Trump before his Michigan visit
AFL-CIO President Liz Shuler on Wednesday visited striking United Auto Workers (UAW) employees in metro Detroit. There, she blasted GOP former President Donald Trump only hours ahead of his visit to Clinton Township at a non-union plant in Macomb County. “The idea that Donald Trump has ever, or will ever, care about working people is […]
Lawmakers propose bipartisan auto insurance reforms to support accident victims
State Sens. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Mary Cavanagh (D-Redford Twp.) on Tuesday introduced a set of bills intended to reform Michigan’s auto insurance system and improve access to care for drivers who were severely injured in car accidents. In 2019, the Legislature amended the first-party personal injury portion of the no-fault auto insurance system, which […]
UAW president says Trump visit to non-union Michigan company is a ‘pathetic irony’
A day after President Joe Biden joined striking United Auto Workers on the picket line in Michigan alongside UAW President Shawn Fain, the labor leader says he has no intention of meeting with former President Donald Trump when he speaks Wednesday at a non-union automotive parts manufacturer and supplier in Macomb County. Fain, speaking Tuesday […]