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Michigan suffered as bridge traffic was halted all week, with auto industry shutdowns resulting from shipping delays. The truckers were protesting mandatory COVID-19 vaccines for them to cross the border.
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson requested the investigation after her office received reports ‘an unnamed third party was allowed to access vote tabulator component.’ The first-term Democrat suggested the breach may be related to ongoing attempts to undermine the 2020 presidential election.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey promised a hearing on ‘extreme risk protection orders’ more than two years ago. Gun rights groups are gearing up for a legislative fight as Shirkey prepares to finally make good on the promise.
Gretchen Whitmer’s $74 billion budget would be by far the largest in state history. But problems with roads, schools, infrastructure and broadband have been years in the making and became worse in the pandemic.
The nonpartisan group is partnering with a Washington D.C. law center in seeking to intervene against a Republican lawsuit challenging new congressional boundaries.
While most people can wager safely, calls to a state problem gambling hotline nearly tripled since Michigan approved online betting. And referrals by the state to receive counseling rose 42 percent, though many counties don’t have specialists trained in gambling addiction.
The sales tax on femine hygiene products has long been criticized. Gov. Whitmer signed legislation in November to repeal the tax. It went into effect this week.
The Michigan Senate is negotiating changes to House approved ethics reforms and considering tighter rules for political funds in the wake of sexual and financial allegations against former House Speaker Lee Chatfield.
The former U.S. education secretary is throwing her riches behind a petition drive to create a tax credit scholarship program in Michigan that critics contend will undermine public education.
Nine candidates received cash from the former president’s PAC. All exceeded contribution limits, while some beneficiaries say they didn’t even get the money.
Whitmer exploited a loophole in state law that allowed donors to exceed individual limits when a governor faced a recall. After the attorney general suggested she give up the money, Whitmer gave it to her state party.
Popularity of outdoor activities hasn’t abated since the pandemic. State officials say sites such as Grand Haven, Ludington and Young state parks generally sell out.
A spokesperson for Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office said the agency is assisting state and local police following allegations that the former Michigan House speaker sexually assaulted a then-underage student at the Christian school where he taught.
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative Republicans seem to be fully on board with repealing the unpopular, Snyder-era take on retirement income. But the GOP is also pushing across-the-board cuts, which critics call short-sighted.