Politics/Government

Poll Puts Obama Up In Michigan 47-37 Percent On Romney

LANSING - A new poll from EPIC/MRA suggests President Barack Obama is enjoying a bump from the Democratic National Convention and that Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney's task in Michigan is growing more difficult. The survey, commissioned by the Detroit Free Press and several television stations put Obama at 47 percent and Romney at 37

By |2012-09-13T00:00:00-04:00September 13th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

Blues Could Sell Home, Auto Insurance In Michigan Under Proposal

LANSING - If Governor Rick Snyder's plan to overhaul Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan becomes law, one potentially major result of the proposal would be the ability for Blue Cross and its subsidiary, Accident Fund, to branch out into other forms of insurance. Andy Hetzel, Blue Cross vice president for corporate communications, said the

By |2012-09-13T00:00:00-04:00September 13th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

State Seeking Waiver For Canadian Steel In Bridge

DETROIT - The New International Trade Crossing would be able to contain Canadian steel under a waiver the state has requested from the U.S. Department of Transportation. Federal rules require projects using federal funds to contain U.S.-sourced materials, and the new bridge would fall under that rule because the state is planning to use money

By |2012-09-06T00:00:00-04:00September 6th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

Snyder Announces Bureaucracy Busters Effort

LANSING - In a new effort to cut down on government requirements that hamper state worker efficiency, Governor Rick Snyder on Wednesday announced a program called Bureaucracy Busters that will encourage workers to provide direct input on innovative ideas for enhancing efficiency, customer service and their workplace. Since taking office, Snyder has had regular meetings

By |2012-09-06T00:00:00-04:00September 6th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

Granholm Fires Verbal Fusillade Against Romney At Democrat Convention

CHARLOTTE, N.C. - Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm has long resented Mitt Romney for his insistence on putting Chrysler and General Motors into bankruptcy and she uncorked a tirade of a speech Thursday at the Democratic National Convention that delighted the Democratic audience. Granholm, now host of "The War Room," a liberal political talk show

By |2012-09-06T00:00:00-04:00September 6th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

Unions Notch Court Win After M.P.S.E.R.S. Bill Signed

LANSING - Teachers unions quickly won a temporary restraining order on part of the new law overhauling public school employee retirement benefits as they filed litigation before Governor Rick Snyder had even signed the law. Ingham Circuit Judge Rosemarie Aquilina, ruling from the bench, placed a restraining order against the state from forcing public school

By |2012-09-04T00:00:00-04:00September 4th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

Dazzo Resigns From D.C.H., Haveman Named To Succeed Her

LANSING - In the first full-scale departure of a department head during the administration of Governor Rick Snyder, state capital observers were surprised Wednesday when it was announced that Department of Community Health Director Olga Dazzo is resigning. She was replaced by James Haveman, who led the department for many years under former Governor John

By |2012-08-16T00:00:00-04:00August 16th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|

House OKs Reforms Related To Schmidt Scheme

LANSING - The House unexpectedly, but unanimously, approved an election reform bill Wednesday that would address some of the issues that arose following the revelation that House Speaker Jase Bolger and Rep. Roy Schmidt (R-Grand Rapids) plotted to have Schmidt switch parties at the last second and find a straw candidate to run against him.

By |2012-08-16T00:00:00-04:00August 16th, 2012|Archive, Politics/Government|