Government/Politics Archives

Powering Michigan’s Future: Whitmer Wants AI Data Centers To Protect Ratepayers. Consumer Advocates Say Voluntary Promises Aren’t Enough.

Powering Michigan’s Future: Whitmer Wants AI Data Centers To Protect Ratepayers. Consumer Advocates Say Voluntary Promises Aren’t Enough.

LANSING — As artificial intelligence companies race to build massive data centers across the country, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is drawing a line on one issue she says shouldn't be negotiable: existing electric customers shouldn't have to pay for the infrastructure needed to power them. Whitmer this week unveiled a Michigan Affordability and Responsible Growth

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-17T16:19:00-04:00July 17th, 2026|Government/Politics, News|

MPSC Orders Statewide Investigation After July 3 Storms Expose Michigan Grid Weaknesses

MPSC Orders Statewide Investigation After July 3 Storms Expose Michigan Grid Weaknesses

A MITechNews series examining the technology, infrastructure and policies shaping Michigan's energy future. LANSING — Michigan regulators on Thursday launched a statewide investigation into how the state's three largest electric utilities responded to the powerful July 3 storms that left hundreds of thousands of customers across the Lower Peninsula without electricity during one of the

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-16T16:01:26-04:00July 16th, 2026|Clean Update, Clean, green, hybrid, Government/Politics|

Michigan Wants To Build The World’s Mobility Capital. Here’s Why It Matters

Michigan Wants To Build The World’s Mobility Capital. Here’s Why It Matters

LANSING - Nearly 500,000 Michiganders already work in what state officials define as the mobility economy—a fast-growing sector that reaches far beyond the automobile industry to include artificial intelligence, autonomous vehicles, drones, robotics, maritime technologies, aerospace, defense and advanced manufacturing. The sector already employs about 495,600 people, representing roughly 13 percent of Michigan's workforce, and

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-15T10:14:24-04:00July 15th, 2026|Government/Politics, Mobile MI, Mobility, Politics, Politics/Government|

Michigan Keeps Creating Great Ideas. Why Do So Many Startups Leave?

Michigan Keeps Creating Great Ideas. Why Do So Many Startups Leave?

New Innovation Alliance hopes to turn more Michigan inventions into Michigan companies—and keep billions of dollars in future value from leaving the state. LANSING - For decades, Michigan has been one of America's great innovation engines. The state is home to world-class research universities, global automotive and manufacturing companies, a growing artificial intelligence sector, and

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-10T12:11:04-04:00July 10th, 2026|Economy, Entrepreneur, Entrepreneurs, Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

What Trump’s Decision To Rewrite North American Trade Deal Means For Michigan Consumers

What Trump’s Decision To Rewrite North American Trade Deal Means For Michigan Consumers

ANN ARBOR — President Donald Trump's decision to reopen the North American trade agreement with Canada and Mexico could eventually affect the prices Michigan consumers pay for automobiles, appliances and other everyday goods, while creating new uncertainty for the state's manufacturing economy. The Trump administration announced this week that it will not renew the current

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-05T14:34:33-04:00July 5th, 2026|Auto Tech, Government/Politics, Politics, Politics/Government|

The Constitution’s Forgotten Ethics Rule: What Is an Emolument?

The Constitution’s Forgotten Ethics Rule: What Is an Emolument?

ANN ARBOR - As Americans celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, many are revisiting the ideas that shaped the nation's founding. One of the least familiar is a constitutional safeguard known as the Emoluments Clauses. The word "emolument" is rarely used in modern English. In the late 18th century, however, it generally

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-03T11:58:04-04:00July 3rd, 2026|Featured, Government/Politics, Politics, Politics/Government|

AMERICA AT 250 Analysis: The Founding Fathers Worried About This. Trump’s Financial Disclosure Revives a Constitutional Debate.

AMERICA AT 250 Analysis: The Founding Fathers Worried About This. Trump’s Financial Disclosure Revives a Constitutional Debate.

ANN ARBOR - As Americans prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, President Donald Trump's latest financial disclosure has renewed attention to one of the least understood provisions of the U.S. Constitution. The nearly 1,000-page disclosure reports more than $2 billion in business income during 2025 from cryptocurrency ventures, licensing agreements,

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-03T12:00:15-04:00July 3rd, 2026|Featured, Government/Politics|

New Report Says Federal Policies Are Raising Household Costs – Here’s What Michigan Families Are Paying More For.

New Report Says Federal Policies Are Raising Household Costs – Here’s What Michigan Families Are Paying More For.

ANN ARBOR — As millions of Americans prepare to hit the road for the Independence Day holiday, Michigan families are finding that filling the gas tank, paying the electric bill and covering other everyday expenses still costs significantly more than it did a year ago. A new report released Thursday by the Center for American

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-02T12:32:37-04:00July 2nd, 2026|Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Why Michigan Has Some of the Midwest’s Highest Electric Rates—And Why Your Bill Isn’t Even Higher

Why Michigan Has Some of the Midwest’s Highest Electric Rates—And Why Your Bill Isn’t Even Higher

Independent review by the Citizens Research Council largely agrees with state regulators on why Michigan's electric rates remain high—but says policymakers should focus on lowering the cost per kilowatt-hour rather than average monthly bills. LANSING – Ask Michigan homeowners whether electricity has become more expensive and most won't hesitate with the answer. Absolutely. In one

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-01T14:57:16-04:00July 1st, 2026|Clean Update, Clean, green, hybrid, Clean, Green, wireless, Featured, Government/Politics, Politics, Politics/Government|

DEA Accused Of One-Sided Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing

DEA Accused Of One-Sided Marijuana Rescheduling Hearing

NORML says agency misapplied federal law by excluding all supporters of cannabis reform from June 29 proceedings WASHINGTON, DC - The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) is accusing the Drug Enforcement Administration of creating a one-sided hearing process that could influence the future of federal marijuana policy and the financial outlook

By Mike Brennan|2026-07-06T23:26:46-04:00June 23rd, 2026|Government/Politics, Marijuana Business, News, Politics, Politics/Government|