Business + Labor
GM closures cause concern, but Michigan economy still looks strong for 2019
Uncertainty over the closure of multiple General Motors plants aside, economists continue to have a favorable view of the West Michigan, state and national economies going into 2019. Speaking last week during an economic forecast event at the Amway Grand Plaza in Grand Rapids, economist Jim Robey said that while the GM plant closures have […]
Updated: Union recertification bill is dead
Updated, 10:20 p.m. The Michigan Senate adjourned tonight without taking up a bill that would have thrown up more hurdles for unions. A Senate GOP spokeswoman confirmed tonight that the bill is dead for this term. Sponsored by outgoing Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-Grand Haven Twp.), Senate Bill 1260 would require members of public […]
Whitmer talks roads, Asian carp with Trump at White House meeting
At the White House today, Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer naturally took the opportunity to talk with President Trump about “fixing the damn roads,” but she also said she raised the issue of Asian carp. “That was an interesting conversation because I don’t think President Trump had really had the chance to think, or learn much about […]
Progressive protestors push back against Lame Duck
Scores of citizens from across the state rallied this chilly afternoon on the state Capitol grounds in Lansing to raise their voices against a host of GOP-sponsored legislation. “We’re tired of them pulling the corporate agenda and doing what their donors want them to do and not doing what the people of Michigan want instead,” said […]
Meekhof pushes bill requiring regular union certification
A bill targeting Michigan’s public sector unions could come up for a vote this week during the frantic year-end Lame Duck session of the Legislature. Sponsored by long-time union foe Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive), Senate Bill 1260 would require union members to vote every two years, beginning in 2022, on whether to re-certify […]
Snyder says he’ll sign Line 5 bill, but stays mum on other Lame Duck action
Gov. Rick Snyder said today that he plans to sign Enbridge Line 5 legislation, but will not necessarily go along with all GOP-sponsored Lame Duck bills. Snyder and Lt. Gov. Brian Calley, who unsuccessfully ran in the GOP primary this year to succeed him, met this afternoon with about three dozen reporters, including some from […]
Updated: Economic development leaders urge Whitmer to stay the course
Updated: 12/12 at 11:15 a.m. As Michigan’s next governor prepares to take office next month, Gretchen Whitmer has met with leaders about keeping the economy moving in areas across the state. Birgit Klohs is the president and CEO of The Right Place Inc., a West Michigan business and economic development organization. She told reporters in […]
Legislature again tries to bar Michigan regulations from exceeding federal standards
A bill prohibiting state regulations from being more stringent than those in federal law is now on the desk of Gov. Rick Snyder, who vetoed similar legislation during his first year in office. House Bill 4205, sponsored by Rep. Triston Cole (R-Mancelona), amends state rules to mandate that heads of agencies must not adopt any regulations […]
Trump-backed short-term health plans introduced, but not supposed to move in Senate
A GOP bill introduced last week in the Michigan Senate takes aim at Obamacare, loosening regulations for short-term health insurance plans. But its future is uncertain. These policies have been a favorite of the Trump administration. In August, it issued a new rule allowing for plans that last up to 364 days, with an option […]
Educators converging on Lansing to protest Lame Duck bills this week
Marcus Walton said he didn’t knock doors this summer and fall to elect Democrats, only to have Republicans shove through an aggressive Lame Duck agenda that hurts teachers and students. “We lobbied and fought to get [Gov-Elect] Gretchen [Whitmer] and the Democratic slate elected and we accomplished that goal,” said Walton, a Detroit Public Schools […]
Clinton torches Michigan GOP for ‘dangerous’ moves limiting new Dem leaders’ power
Updated, 10:49 p.m. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, has weighed in on Lame Duck legislative sessions in Michigan and Wisconsin. In a series of tweets on Thursday, she attacked Republican efforts in both states to limit the power of incoming Democrats who won major statewide elections in November. Clinton, who narrowly lost in […]
GOP bills aimed at public sector unions moving through Legislature
Two GOP bills aimed at public sector union employees in Michigan passed out of a House committee hearing this morning.