With Republicans, Democrats and many stakeholders pushing for change, the odds seem good for Michigan’s first big bipartisan push under divided government.
Legislation intended to change the way property tax assessments are made has been reintroduced after failing to advance last term. The issue pits big box retailers against local governments.
After a contentious lame-duck session and accusations of partisan power grabs, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pushing a resolution to ask voters to pass a constitutional amendment ending legislative terms before Election Day.
A Washtenaw County supervisor is seeking an investigation into two grants that will improve land owned by Bobby Schostak, a former GOP state chair and major political donor.
For two years, the Michigan Legislature has approved $10 million grants for utility lines on land owned by Bobby Schostak’s company. Each time, documents explaining why were left blank or don’t exist.
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is drawing fire from Republicans, who say she’s trying to ‘rig elections to favor Democrats’ with a deal to end a suit over redistricting.
The Democratic governor is signaling a less restrictive approach to pot licensing than under Gov. Rick Snyder. Critics say she will be held accountable for any downside to the state’s pot laws.
From food assistance to weather forecasts, the ongoing shutdown in Washington is beginning to have an impact on Michigan, which could become more profound if closed government extends into February.
Jocelyn Benson seeks to settle the lawsuit that labeled the state’s legislative districts unfair. A settlement could pave way for new districts to be drawn for the 2020 election.
Last month, lawmakers approved funding to help a company headed by a prominent Republican. But there are no records detailing the process. And if they existed, they’d be shielded under Michigan law.
A company owned by former Michigan GOP chairman Bobby Schostak will benefit from one of the largest grants of the recent lame-duck spending deal. He says it’s a good investment. Others disagree.
Nearly a third of the state Legislature is comprised of business owners. Educators, ex-military and law enforcement also represent larger swaths among newly elected members of the Legislature.
New state revenue estimates show Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won’t have a lot of extra money to work with in her first budget. Lame-duck spending and a 2015 road deal makes the task even trickier.
A new report says Detroit’s beleaguered water system is a harbinger for state and nation. Rising rates could make water unaffordable for 1 in 3 Michiganders in five years.
The now ex-governor spent years governing by spreadsheet. As he exited office, he governed by checkbook, doling out over $100 million in projects to secure votes for environmental cleanups, lawmakers say.
The new Michigan secretary of state has spent years criticizing partisan redistricting. Now she heads the office that has defended the state against gerrymandering accusations. A federal trial is only weeks away.
The new governor’s 10th executive directive prohibits state departments and agencies from asking about job applicants’ past salaries — an effort, she says, to close the gender pay gap.
Demographic shifts in Michigan favor Democrats as the population in rural Michigan declines, forcing new maps that should have more “purple” districts.
A challenge to controversial laws passed in Michigan’s lame-duck legislative session, which ended in December, could include everything from a lawsuit to a citizen referendum in November 2020.
