State lawmakers are back in Lansing Tuesday. Here are some of the major priorities the Legislature expects to tackle before the end of the year.
Riley Beggin
Former reporter for Bridge.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s Secretary of State promised 30-minute waits — lines are worse
Jocelyn Benson swept into office vowing to serve customers in 30 minutes. But wait times in 2019 are at their highest in five years, up to two or three hours in some branches. Benson says it’s the result of long-term underinvestment to be solved with hard structural change.
Posted inMichigan Government
Voters Not Politicians asks to intervene in Michigan GOP redistricting suit
VNP, the group behind the successful drive to create an independent body to draw political lines in Michigan, seeks entry in a Republican lawsuit to have that commission shut down before it starts.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan board approves recall petition for indicted Rep. Larry Inman
Voters in Grand Traverse County want to recall Inman after his indictment on federal charges for alleged bribery, extortion and lying to FBI agents while in office. His attorney says he will consider an appeal on the recall petition’s approval.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans sue to stop redistricting commission before it starts
Republican plaintiffs argue the independent, voter-approved commission violates their First and 14th-Amendment rights by forbidding some people with political ties from serving. They want a federal judge to stop the state state officials from seating the commission.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan jails fill as crime sinks and nobody seems to know why
As a bipartisan task force looks into Michigan’s county data, researchers at the Pew Charitable Trusts are trying to make sense of a patchwork of jail records. It’s going to be a heavy lift, with only months to get the job done.
Posted inMichigan Government
Will this application help Michigan select a fair redistricting commission?
The Secretary of State has released a proposed application to serve on the new redistricting commission. The public can offer comment through Aug. 9.
Posted inMichigan Government
New rules to give residents of poor cities piece of Michigan pot industry
The state’s marijuana regulatory industry announced rules to give license discounts for qualified residents in cities that were most heavily targeted for pot crimes. An industry official said the rules are well-meaning, but she doubts their impact.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan prison inmates need job skills, but technology books are banned
Basic reference books on computers and electronics, starting a business or even driving a truck are prohibited as perceived threats to the “order and security” of prisons. Officials say they are now rethinking this policy.
Posted inMichigan Government
From pastor’s son to power broker, Lee Chatfield takes Lansing
The youngest Michigan Speaker in a century, Chatfield says humility gained through reading Scripture has helped him navigate the political minefields of divided government. The biggest test of his leadership skills is still to come.