While House lawmakers calling it quits for the year, the Senate worked through the night in a record 29-hour meeting. Here’s what’s headed to the governor.
Lauren Gibbons
Lauren covers state politics and policy for Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Reach her at lgibbons@bridgemi.com or on Twitter @LaurenMGibbons
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House kills hundreds of bills. See what died on final day of Dem control
Government transparency, gun reforms, polluter pay proposals among more than 250 bills that died as the Michigan House abruptly adjourned for the year, ending Democratic control of the lower chamber.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Controversial copper mine subsidy among $300M approved by Michigan lawmakers
The $50 million grant to the proposed UP mine drew angry shouts from opponents. Lawmakers also authorized money for an Ypsilanti supercomputing center, a Redford Township diesel engine maker, and Dow Chemical.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s third unemployment director since 2020 is stepping down
Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency Director Julia Dale told staffers she’s leaving to accept a job with a nonprofit. Appointed in 2021, Dale is the agency’s third director since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Government
With clock ticking, Dems pitch fuel taxes, fees and tolls to fix Michigan roads
House Democrats are pitching new plans to fix Michigan roads – but they only have two weeks left in power.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Senate OKs unemployment boost with expanded, extended benefits
Plan would extend jobless benefits from 20 to 26 weeks and boost maximum weekly payments from $362 to $614 over three years. Republicans and business groups aren’t happy.
Posted inMichigan Government
Citing COVID sticker shock, Michigan Dems push emergency price gouging cap
Attorney General Dana Nessel and legislative Democrats want to cap prices on necessary goods and services during state of emergency declarations. Republicans and business groups have concerns.
Posted inMichigan Government
Sodomy, adultery bans latest ‘zombie’ laws under scrutiny in Michigan
Democratic lawmakers are reviving efforts to remove long-dormant criminal penalties for consensual sex acts. Can they get it done in lame-duck?
Posted inMichigan Government
Tensions, absences threaten Democratic agenda in Michigan lame-duck Legislature
House Democrats are poised to lose their majority — and one is threatening to stop showing up voluntarily if leadership doesn’t act on progressive bills.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dems eye cash bail, ‘second look’ criminal justice reforms in Michigan lame-duck
Big changes to how courts handle bail and a possible “second look” at prisoner sentences are among the major criminal justice reforms pending in the Michigan Legislature.