Politics

CHICAGO - As Michigan develops its state energy policy and waits for the federal Clean Power Plan carbon standards to be finalized later this summer, a new report from the national nonpartisan business group Environmental Entrepreneurs shows that the state ranked No. 5 in the nation in clean energy and clean transportation job announcements in

LANSING - A Michigan Senate Republican plan to increase the gasoline tax and earmark income tax revenue to raise funding for roads, while cutting the income tax rate if revenue growth meets certain benchmarks, took a big step forward Tuesday with approval from the Senate Government Operations Committee. The committee amended various House bills on

LANSING - A bill phasing out Michigan's film incentive program is officially on Governor Rick Snyder's desk awaiting his action. HB 4122 was presented to Snyder on Monday. A spokesperson said last week he is reviewing the bill. The bill has been controversial this term, with the House pushing to end the film incentives in

LANSING - With the U.S. Supreme Court holding that state commissions, created by voter initiatives, can constitutionally draw the district lines for Congressional members, the question now comes down to whether such an effort will be attempted in Michigan. There has been, especially since the 2012 redistricting plan was adopted, much discussion among Democrats and

LANSING - The U.S. Supreme Court ruling holding that state prohibitions on same-sex marriage violate the U.S. Constitution could mean that married same-sex couples in Michigan can find protection from discrimination in employment, housing and public accommodations under the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, attorney Richard McLellan said Monday. However, that protection would be narrow and

HOUGHTON - Michigan Technological University's Department of Mechanical Engineering-Engineering Mechanics is one of five mechanical engineering departments nationwide selected by the National Science Foundation (NSF) to participate in a new diversity training program. The others are Purdue, Oregon State, Texas Tech and the University of Oklahoma. The NSF program is called Transforming Engineering Culture to

LANSING - The Small Business Association of Michigan said Thursday that the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling on the Affordable Care Act does nothing to address the number one problem facing small businesses and their employees. "Health care, and therefore health insurance, is simply too expensive for all of us and many people are priced out

JACKSON - On Monday, Consumers Energy became the fourth energy company in the United States to use drones to inspect power lines, equipment and wind turbines. The first flight of the unmanned aerial vehicles was in Jackson County, Consumers announced. "We're in the process of using UAV technology on a limited basis and analyzing if

LANSING - The Michigan Strategic Fund has issued $700,000 in grants to two companies that will invest $15.5 million to expand their operations in Michigan. As a result, some 185 new jobs are expected to be created. "Today's actions offer further evidence of our commitment to help companies grow and generate new job opportunities for

GRAND RAPIDS - West Michigan Sustainable Business Forum's July 13 membership meeting is a luncheon program on sustainability issues at Spectrum Health and the launch of Grand Rapids' first commercial bike-share program. The program is scheduled for noon at Grand Valley State University's new Seidman Center. Featured speaker is Steve Heacock, Senior Vice President for