LANSING - The state's Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) announced it has paid off a $3.2 billion debt to the feds, meaning a break for Michigan businesses that no longer have to pay the obligation assessment as part of their unemployment taxes. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office said this means $55 million will now stay with businesses,
WASHINGTON DC - A proposal from the Federal Aviation Administration to track nearly all remote-controlled drones was unveiled last week, affecting nearly all drones in the U.S., both recreational and commercial. The only exception are drones under 0.55 pounds, which don't require FAA registration. Most photography drones, like the DJI Mavic, weigh about a pound and would
LANSING - If everything goes as hoped, Michigan casinos will be able to start offering sports betting and Internet gaming by the men's college basketball tournament in March, according to Rep. Brandt Iden (R-Oshtemo Twp.). The shepherd for the gaming expansion package in the House, Iden said he's hopeful the Gaming Control Board will be
LANSING - Legislation codifying into state law a U.S. Supreme Court decision regarding internet sales tax provisions for online retail entities and setting other requirements has been signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer. But Whitmer, in signing the bills Thursday, criticized the inclusion of language in HB 4540 (PA 143, effective January 1), HB 4541 (PA 144,
WASHINGTON – There may soon be an end to those pesky robocalls. The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill making it harder for the calls to get through to you. The Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence, or TRACED Act would push carriers to implement a caller authentification system and require companies to block
LANSING – At long last, Michigan’s divided government has the framework for a budget deal. But it’s mostly flat and doesn’t include major funding to big problems voters elected lawmakers to solve. An agreement to end a months-long standoff on Tuesday includes no new money for roads and bridges that are some of the nation’s
LANSING - The months of nail-biting and worry among those affected by a budget standoff between Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Republican legislative leaders might finally be coming to an end. Negotiations between Ms. Whitmer, House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) and Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) gained enough momentum Wednesday that the House and Senate quickly and overwhelmingly passed
LANSING - Enbridge waited two months to report to the state the loss of some equipment on the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac while conducting geotechnical drilling ahead of the potential Line 5 tunnel project and likely will have to leave the debris until spring 2020. According to media reports this week, Enbridge was
LANSING - The state is close to being in line for a potential annual windfall of tens of millions in new revenue after the Senate passed legislation Wednesday requiring the collection of sales tax from online retailers and sent the package to Governor Gretchen Whitmer's desk. Passing the Senate were HB 4540, HB 4541, HB 4542 and HB 4543. The
LANSING – A months-long budget standoff could be nearing an end, as Michigan lawmakers moved bills Wednesday to reappropriate some $459 million of the nearly $1 billion Gov. Gretchen Whitmer line-item vetoed from the state’s 2020 budget. Millions of dollars would be returned to programs that fund rural police patrols, charter schools, isolated school districts,
