The legislation would create a new education commission that Gov. Snyder would largely fill as he exits office, and before Democrats take over the governor’s office and state board of education
2018 Michigan lame duck
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan lawmakers: ‘Every little thing’ doesn’t need environmental protection
With little debate, legislation is sailing through the Legislature to deregulate wetlands, loosen rules for cleaning toxic sites and secure Line 5. The changes are ‘unprecedented,” a critic says.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House poised to dismantle Michigan sick leave, minimum wage laws
The House may vote as soon as Tuesday afternoon on bills that would largely gut citizen-pushed laws to raise Michigan’s minimum wage and require employers to offer paid sick leave. Gov. Rick Snyder hasn’t said if he will sign.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
As he exits, Michigan lawmaker wants to gut wetland protection, boost waste
Term-limited Republican Sen. Tom Casperson’s lame-duck bills would cut wetland protections in half in most counties, raise allowable levels of radioactive landfill waste 10-fold and limit local zoning of mining activity.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Gutting paid sick leave disrespects voters, undermines democracy
The Republican majority in the Michigan Legislature approved paid sick leave in September to keep it off the ballot. Three months later, they’re hollowing it out.
Posted inMichigan Government
Group behind Michigan paid sick leave vows 2020 ballot drive if law gutted
The group that spearheaded the state’s new paid sick leave law says it believes the arrival of Democratic Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer — and her veto pen — in January will help its chances of making the ballot in 2020.
Posted inMichigan Government
Drama in Michigan lame-duck: Good government reform or naked power grab?
A flurry of bills from the GOP is sparking accusations that they’re trying to maintain as much power as possible before Democrats take over top statewide offices in January.
Posted inMichigan Government
This Michigan lawmaker is pushing a bill that will save his business $9,000
A state representative who also owns a convenience store is crusading to dump Michigan’s bottle deposit law. Michigan has no law preventing lawmakers from passing laws that directly benefit them.
Posted inTalent & Education
Michigan may soon rank schools A-to-F. Will it help? Nobody knows.
Would hanging a scarlet letter on a struggling school improve learning? Michigan might find out, if a bill now being considered in the Legislature passes.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | If our kids get graded A-to-F, then our Michigan schools should, too
For what we spend on K-12 education in Michigan, we should get better results. An A-F ranking system for schools is one step toward accountability.