News
UAW members testify in favor of just energy transition office legislation
As Democratic lawmakers continue pushing on policy to transition Michigan to clean energy sources, members of the state Senate Labor Committee heard testimony Thursday on a bill to ensure workers are not left behind in a switch to renewables. Senate Bill 519, introduced by State Sen. Sam Singh (D-East Lansing), would create a community and […]
Senate panel votes to repeal ‘Death Star’ legislation hampering local governments
Members of the Senate Labor Committee on Wednesday moved to advance bills repealing preemptions on local government control of labor and workforce policies. The committee voted 3-1 along party lines to report Senate Bills 170 and 171, both sponsored by Sen. Sean McCann (D-Kalamazoo), to the Senate floor with recommendation that they pass. The bills […]
Senate committee considers prescription drug cost oversight package
Updated, 4:08 p.m., 9/22/23 A package of bills under consideration by the state Senate Finance, Insurance and Consumer Protection Committee could create an independent board to review prescription drug costs with the aim of lowering prices for Michiganders. Senate Bills 483–485, sponsored by Sens. Veronica Klinefelt (D-Eastpointe), Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay […]
Nearly 200 workers go on strike at Tuscaloosa Mercedes supplier
The United Auto Workers said Wednesday that 190 workers had gone on strike at ZF Custom Chassis, a Tuscaloosa Mercedes parts supplier. UAW, which is engaged in a larger strike against Ford, General Motors and Stellantis, said in an article published on their website on Tuesday that UAW members had rejected a contract offer from […]
U.S. Senate confirms a military nominee, the first since Tuberville blockade began
The U.S. Senate confirmed a nominee for a high-ranking military post Wednesday night and advanced another, the first votes on military nominations or promotions since Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville started blocking them seven months ago to protest Defense Department abortion policies. Tuberville did not object to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a New York Democrat, […]
U.S. attorney general defends Hunter Biden investigation under questioning by House GOP
WASHINGTON — U.S. House Republicans led by Ohio’s Jim Jordan on Wednesday grilled U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland about how the Justice Department has handled its investigation and prosecution of Hunter Biden on felony gun charges. The questions about the president’s son came after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy last week asked several committees, including the […]
Sparring over clean energy standards continues at committee hearing
The Senate Energy and Environment Committee heard additional testimony on bills aimed at transitioning Michigan to renewable energy at its Wednesday meeting, following changes to proposed clean energy and waste reduction standards. The committee heard testimony on three bills, one that would transition Michigan to 100% clean energy sources, another establishing new energy waste reduction […]
Michigan Dem reps. set to attend Congressional Black Caucus Conference in D.C.
Democratic state House members are poised to travel this week to the nation’s capital to attend the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) 52nd Annual Legislative Conference held Wednesday through Sunday. “I am greatly looking forward to this opportunity to convene in D.C.,” said state House Speaker Joe Tate (D-Detroit). “Not only is it a chance to […]
Michigan Supreme Court won’t hear appeals in Flint water crisis cases
The Michigan Supreme court will not hear appeals to the lower courts’ decisions to dismiss criminal charges against key figures in the Flint Water Crisis prosecution, including the state health director at the time. Nine officials in Michigan, including former Gov. Rick Snyder, were charged in 2021, in connection to the Flint water crisis that […]
Michigan’s Reproductive Health Act has a questionable future as Democrat objects
Half of the package to repeal remnants of Michigan’s abortion restriction laws known as the Reproductive Health Act, cleared the House Health Policy Committee on Wednesday, with opposition from several members. Nearly 57% of voters in Michigan voted for Proposal 3 in 2022 to ensure the constitutional right an abortion. State Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) […]
The next budget gives kids free school lunches for a year. This bill could make it permanent.
In a move that could save parents hundreds of dollars a year, a Michigan Senate bill currently under consideration has the potential to make free school breakfasts and lunches a permanent investment in public schools. SB 500, sponsored by state Sen. Dana Polehanki (D-Livonia), would make permanent an item of the state’s Fiscal Year 2024 […]
A ‘disaster’ nears: Millions of federal workers’ paychecks would be on hold in a shutdown
WASHINGTON — More than 3.5 million federal employees and military personnel — many in the Washington, D.C., area but also scattered across the states and around the globe — are bracing for another partial government shutdown, as U.S. House Republicans struggle to produce a short-term plan to fund the government past the end of the […]