Michigan municipalities are increasingly turning to license plate readers as a public safety tool despite public outcry over privacy and data sharing concerns. Some lawmakers are pitching statewide oversight, but local law enforcement agencies are worried too much regulation could make the readers less effective for solving crimes.
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
In bid for transparency, Michigan swing county posts ballots online
Macomb County says its decision to make all ballots available online will increase transparency. Some worry about protecting secret ballots.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House rushes $152M for Selfridge expansion backed by Trump
The Michigan House proposed and quickly approved $152 million for runways at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which Speaker Matt Hall says is needed to avoid delaying an expansion backed by President Donald Trump.
Posted inMichigan Government
Marijuana tax payouts dip in Michigan amid sales slump
Michigan will distribute nearly $94 million in marijuana tax revenue to local governments and tribes, a slight decline as cannabis sales slow statewide. See how much each community will get.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson pitches housing plan with homebuyer tax credits, Airbnb tax
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jocelyn Benson wants more tax credits for homebuyers, but also new taxes on Airbnbs and limits on home sales to private equity firms.
Posted inMichigan Government
Where Michigan Secretary of State candidates stand on key election issues
Votebeat asked Michigan’s secretary of state candidates where they stand on proof of citizenship, election security, and more.
Posted inMichigan Government
Can Michigan block new ICE facilities? How officials are fighting back
In Romulus and Southfield, local and state officials are battling a proposed ICE detention center and office space. They face an uphill fight.
Posted inMichigan Government
Study: Ann Arbor council most divided in nation — and that’s a good thing
A data company scoured 8 million meeting minutes nationwide over 17 years and concluded that Ann Arbor has the most dissent on its City Council. That makes for long meetings but good government
Posted inMichigan Government
Tears, anger at Michigan hearing on bungled tribal boarding school report
More than 40 years after Michigan’s last tribal boarding school closed, the state is still struggling to come to grips with the practice that devastated generations of Native American families.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer’s last State of the State: Literacy, legacy and a Trump thank you
In her final annual address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer laid out plans to create a new affordable housing tax credit and limit medical debt. She also thanked President Donald Trump for a commitment to Selfridge.