Michigan lawmakers introduced a plan to subject the Legislature and governor to public records requests. Prior versions have stalled several times, but the new plan takes a different approach.
Michigan Government
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Concerns about Michigan steelhead populations prompt new catch limits
State regulators are ratcheting down the number of fish anglers can keep in some rivers, citing fears that the fish could be in trouble. State scientists disagree.
Posted inMichigan Government
Kicking Trump off Michigan ballot would wreak ‘havoc,’ his attorneys argue
Attorneys for Donald Trump appeared in Michigan court on Thursday to fight twin lawsuits that seek to keep him off 2024 presidential ballots, citing an insurrection clause in the U.S. Constitution. The judge expects to rule “quickly.”
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers vote to end most juvenile court fees, citing harms
Many Michigan families in the juvenile justice system face crippling debt from court fines and fees, which some juvenile advocates say amounts to a double punishment. Lawmakers voted Wednesday to end the practice.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers OK financial disclosure rules; critics say they fall short
Michigan lawmakers must finalize disclosure rules for lawmakers, statewide officials and candidates for those offices before the end of the year. Critics of the bills say they don’t go nearly far enough.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Legislature’s Dem majority to adjourn for year over GOP objections
Thursday’s session is expected to be the last day Michigan lawmakers will meet for the year. Republicans question why Dems want early shutdown when there’s much to do on roads, education and other issues.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House will soon be divided between Dems, GOP. Gridlock coming?
Two House Democrats are vacating their seats for local mayoral positions after election victories Tuesday. Their departures will, at least temporarily, strip Democrats of their two-seat majority.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s marijuana industry jolted by Ohio legalization, local vote defeats
Michigan marijuana retailers got bad news this week when voters in four metro Detroit communities opposed new stores in their communities while Ohio voters approved recreational marijuana — a decision that could eventually hurt pot shops in southern Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Ranked-choice voting passed in three cities, but Michigan law prohibits it
The ranked-choice voting system, which allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, passed in Kalamazoo, East Lansing and Royal Oak Tuesday. But its use requires a change in state law.
Posted inMichigan Government
Right to Life of Michigan lawsuit seeks to overturn abortion rights Proposal 3
Long-shot suit asks a federal court to overturn the abortion rights initiative approved last fall by 57 percent of Michigan voters.