The newly elected Michigan Democratic Secretary of State says she’s hosting town hall forums and working with local clerks to enhance voter rights and boost turnout in elections.
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
Senate GOP proposes shrinking jail funds to Michigan ‘sanctuary cities’
The Department of Corrections opposes the language of a bill that would withhold state payments to local jails that house felons if the communities aren’t fully cooperating with federal immigration officials. The move would increase costs for an understaffed state prison system, but Senate Republicans argue law enforcement should work collaboratively.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans appeal gerrymandering ruling. What you need to know.
Five questions and answers following Tuesday’s appeal of a bombshell federal court ruling ordering special elections in Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Unlicensed Michigan medical marijuana shops to stay open under court ruling
After months of changing rules over when unlicensed medical marijuana dispensaries must gain licensure or close, a court order Tuesday sides with the business owners and offers withering criticism of the state agency regulating marijuana.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan eyes renewal of tax break that has cost $40K for every new job
Some Republicans want to extend a tax incentive awarded to companies that create hundreds or thousands of good-paying jobs. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer hasn’t publicly said whether she’d keep it, but generally supports tax breaks.
Posted inMichigan Government
To fix maps, Michigan Republicans must please Whitmer and three irked judges
After working in secret in 2011, Republican lawmakers must now redraw state political boundaries that can win over a Democratic governor and the federal judges who dismantled earlier maps.
Posted inMichigan Government
If Whitmer’s road funding pitch fails, where is Michigan’s Plan B?
A Grand Rapids roads summit provided no clear answers on how Michigan’s Democratic governor and Republican-led Legislature might reach a deal that still raises the more than $2 billion need annually for a roads fix.
Posted inMichigan Government
Sea change for Michigan marijuana comes amidst industry chaos
A controversial licensing board ends, making way for a new agency overseeing a market with more questions than answers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan civil asset forfeiture bills headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Police would no longer be able to take assets from people they arrest unless there’s a criminal conviction, under a bill going to the governor’s desk. It’s an early area of bipartisan agreement in the Michigan legislature.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s political districts illegally gerrymandered, court rules
A three-judge panel finds that 34 districts were drawn in 2011 to benefit Republicans and orders special elections in 2020.