Politics/Government

May Jobless Rates Increase in Majority of Michigan Regional Labor Markets

LANSING - Seasonally unadjusted unemployment rates in May edged up in 12 of Michigan’s 17 regional labor markets, according to data from the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget. Both total employment and total workforce levels rose in most labor market areas over the month. “Most metro areas in Michigan recorded modest jobless rate

By |2019-07-07T18:46:13-04:00July 7th, 2019|Politics, Politics/Government|

Nessel Makes First Move To Shut Down Line 5

LANSING - Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel on Thursday went to court seeking to decommission the 66-year old twin pipelines underneath the Straits of Mackinac, arguing the continued operation of the Enbridge pipeline is "likely to cause pollution, impairment or destruction of the water and other natural resources of the Great Lakes." The lawsuit seeks

By |2019-06-28T10:12:28-04:00June 28th, 2019|Clean Update, Politics, Politics/Government|

Michigan House Dems Still Open To Gas Tax Increase

LANSING - While Michigan House Democrats introduced a corporate income tax increase and fee for heavy trucks to generate roughly $1 billion toward roads, they are still willing to support a fuel tax increase like Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been pushing, Minority Leader Christine Greig said Friday. "I definitely want to stress these are additional ideas to bring

By |2019-06-23T15:25:59-04:00June 23rd, 2019|Politics, Politics/Government|

Wolverine Alleges PFAS Poses No ‘Substantial Endangerment’ In Lawsuit

LANSING - Wolverine World Wide, the company accused of dumping waste that contaminated bodies of water in Kent County with per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances, said it has provided "every affected resident with access to clean and reliable water" following the discovery of PFAS in drinking water sources and therefore the lawsuit against the company should

By |2019-07-04T07:41:23-04:00June 23rd, 2019|Clean Update, Politics, Politics/Government|

Michigan Joins Federal Lifeline Program For Low-Income Telephone, Broadband Services

 LANSING - Michiganders who apply for telephone or broadband services under the federal Lifeline program and the companies that participate in the program have begun using the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier database to determine an applicant’s qualifications, the Michigan Public Service Commission announced. Michigan, Indiana, and Kentucky began mandatory participation in the roll-out of the

By |2019-06-14T10:24:32-04:00June 14th, 2019|Politics, Politics/Government|

Whitmer Renames, Reshuffles Economic Agencies; Names New Director

LANSING - A dramatic reorganization of the state's economic development and worker protection functions ordered Thursday by Governor Gretchen Whitmer puts a new person in charge of those duties, renames the Department of Talent and Economic Development as the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity and upends some key boards and commissions. The actions concentrate essentially

By |2019-06-07T18:52:40-04:00June 7th, 2019|Politics, Politics/Government|

House GOP Planning Revenue-Neutral Gas Tax Hike

LANSING - A Michigan House subcommittee on Thursday moved a budget assuming $542.5 million from a forthcoming, dedicated transportation fuel tax that would eventually replace the 6 percent sales tax currently collected on fuel purchases. House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) has made it a priority to ensure all money charged at the pump goes to the roads.

By |2019-06-07T18:52:40-04:00June 7th, 2019|Politics, Politics/Government|

Lansing Finalizes 20 Medical Marijuana Provisioning Centers

LANSING - The city of Lansing has finalized the 20 medical marijuana provisioning centers that will get official approval once they receive a state license, it announced Monday. Under Lansing's ordinance, the city was to approve 20 provisioning center applications and can approve five more later. The 20 that now have conditional approval received it

By |2019-06-04T19:30:19-04:00June 4th, 2019|New Products / Contracts, Politics, Politics/Government|

Personal Disclosure Bills Getting Bi-Partisan Support In Michigan Legislature

LANSING - Michigan officeholders and candidates for legislative, executive and judicial branch positions within state government would be required to fill out financial disclosure statements similar to what is required of congressional candidates and members under legislation highlighted Thursday. Reps. David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids) and Mark Huizenga (R-Walker) led a press conference Thursday afternoon with

Slight Bump In Revenue Agreed Upon In Consensus Forecast

LANSING - Lawmakers will have a slight cushion of revenue to complete budget work in the weeks ahead for the current fiscal year and fiscal year 2019-20, according to the numbers agreed upon Friday by the state's Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference. Economists and state budget officials delivering presentations before conference members Friday in the Capitol

By |2019-05-21T21:31:03-04:00May 19th, 2019|Politics, Politics/Government|