Politics Archives

Michigan Clarifies 24% Cannabis Wholesale Tax Rules as Supreme Court Showdown Looms—and April 20 Payment Deadline Hits

Michigan Clarifies 24% Cannabis Wholesale Tax Rules as Supreme Court Showdown Looms—and April 20 Payment Deadline Hits

LANSING - The Michigan Department of Treasury has issued updated guidance on the state’s new 24% wholesale marijuana tax, giving cannabis operators long-awaited clarity—but also intensifying pressure as the first tax payments come due April 20. The deadline arrives as the tax faces a fast-tracked legal challenge now headed directly to the Michigan Supreme Court,

By Mike Brennan|2026-04-13T18:27:21-04:00April 13th, 2026|Government/Politics, Marijuana Business, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

America’s Retirement System Faces a Hidden Risk: The Workers Paying In—but Never Cashing Out

America’s Retirement System Faces a Hidden Risk: The Workers Paying In—but Never Cashing Out

ANN ARBOR - For decades, America’s retirement system has depended on a simple equation: workers pay in, retirees draw out. But new data suggests that equation may be more fragile—and more politically charged—than most Americans realize. In 2022 alone, undocumented immigrants contributed an estimated $22.6 billion to Social Security and $5.7 billion to Medicare, according

By Staff Writer|2026-04-07T16:57:47-04:00April 7th, 2026|News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Why Michigan Grocery Prices Could Be About to Rise Again

Why Michigan Grocery Prices Could Be About to Rise Again

DETROIT - Michigan shoppers may soon feel a new wave of price increases at the grocery store—and the cause starts far from the checkout line. Rising fuel costs, driven by global tensions involving Iran, are beginning to ripple through the economy. While drivers are already seeing higher prices at the pump, economists warn the next

By Staff Writer|2026-04-07T16:57:49-04:00April 6th, 2026|Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

From Gas Pumps to 401(k)s, Iran War Costs Mount as Trump Leaves Questions Unanswered

From Gas Pumps to 401(k)s, Iran War Costs Mount as Trump Leaves Questions Unanswered

WASHINGTON DC - Americans are beginning to feel the cost of the U.S. war with Iran in two places that matter most: at the gas pump and in their investment accounts. Gas prices that hovered around $3.25 just weeks ago are now pushing toward $4.50 in parts of the country, including Michigan, as global oil

By Mike Brennan|2026-04-02T12:32:22-04:00April 2nd, 2026|Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Did Michigan Lawmakers Bypass Voters? Cannabis Tax Fight Could Reshape Future Ballot Laws

Did Michigan Lawmakers Bypass Voters? Cannabis Tax Fight Could Reshape Future Ballot Laws

ANN ARBOR — A legal battle now unfolding before the Michigan Supreme Court could have far-reaching consequences not just for the state’s cannabis industry, but for how Michigan lawmakers handle voter-approved laws in the future. At the center of the dispute is a controversial wholesale cannabis tax, adopted as part of a broader effort to

By Mike Brennan|2026-04-02T09:39:29-04:00April 2nd, 2026|Government/Politics, Marijuana Business, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Michigan’s 24% Cannabis Tax Fight Becomes Constitutional Showdown With Billions at Stake

Michigan’s 24% Cannabis Tax Fight Becomes Constitutional Showdown With Billions at Stake

LANSING — What began as a plan to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads is rapidly turning into one of the most consequential legal battles in the state’s cannabis era — a case that could redefine not only how marijuana is taxed, but how much power lawmakers have to alter voter-approved laws. At the center of the

By Mike Brennan|2026-03-30T20:52:13-04:00March 30th, 2026|Government/Politics, Marijuana Business, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Why Your Power Bill Keeps Going Up — And Why It May Not Stop

Why Your Power Bill Keeps Going Up — And Why It May Not Stop

LANSING — Michigan residents are about to see their electric bills rise again. State regulators have approved a $276.6 million rate increase for Consumers Energy, marking the latest in a steady series of hikes that are quietly—but consistently—pushing household energy costs higher. For the average customer, the increase will add about $6 per month, depending

By Mike Brennan|2026-03-28T10:18:56-04:00March 28th, 2026|Clean Update, Clean, green, hybrid, Clean, Green, wireless, Government/Politics, Politics, Politics/Government|

Michigan Lawmakers Push Driving Tests for Seniors 75 Plus — Safety Debate Intensifies

Michigan Lawmakers Push Driving Tests for Seniors 75 Plus — Safety Debate Intensifies

LANSING — A new proposal in Michigan could reshape how older residents keep their driver’s licenses, igniting a debate over safety, independence, and the limits of government oversight. The legislation, introduced by State Sen. Rosemary Bayer (D-Beverly Hills), would require drivers age 75 and older to undergo regular testing — including vision, written, and behind-the-wheel

By Mike Brennan|2026-03-26T16:35:48-04:00March 26th, 2026|Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Social Security Crisis Hits Home: Michigan Seniors Face Benefit Cuts in 6 Years — Unless Congress Acts

Social Security Crisis Hits Home: Michigan Seniors Face Benefit Cuts in 6 Years — Unless Congress Acts

DETROIT - For Michigan seniors, the Social Security warning is no longer some distant Washington problem. It’s personal. And it’s getting close. Federal projections show the Social Security trust fund is on track to run short by 2033, triggering automatic benefit cuts if Congress fails to act. At that point, the system will only be

By Mike Brennan|2026-03-20T11:55:21-04:00March 20th, 2026|Featured, Government/Politics, News, Politics, Politics/Government|

Pentagon Launches $9M Detroit Program to Cut China’s Grip on Critical Defense Materials

Pentagon Launches $9M Detroit Program to Cut China’s Grip on Critical Defense Materials

Why China’s Dominance in Critical Materials Is a National Security Risk DETROIT — A new Pentagon-backed program anchored in Detroit is taking direct aim at a growing national security threat: U.S. dependence on China and other foreign adversaries for the advanced materials needed to build next-generation weapons systems. The four-year, $9 million Critical Materials Processing

By Mike Brennan|2026-03-19T15:52:01-04:00March 19th, 2026|ESD, Government/Politics, Industry 4.0, Politics, Politics/Government|