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.
LANSING - A bill that would spend the state's portion of a national foreclosure settlement on restitution for victims of wrongful foreclosure, aid to displaced students, blight elimination and legal counseling for those dealing with foreclosure was signed by Governor Rick Snyder on Wednesday. HB 5015 (PA 296) passed the House and Senate in mid-July.
LANSING - Leading up to its annual conference in Chicago next week, the National Conference of State Legislatures is renewing a push for Congress to close what the group calls a loophole in sales tax collections from online retailers such as Amazon. Members of NCSL's Executive Committee Task Force on State and Local Taxation recently
LANSING - Four of the seven proposals that could appear on the November ballot seem to be on shaky ground with voters, according to a poll released Thursday. The survey from Public Policy Associates found none of the proposals at the 60 percent support mark, considered critical at the early stage of a ballot campaign
LANSING ? The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced that three companies were approved for incentives by the Michigan Strategic Fund through the Michigan Business Development Program to support their expansions in the state. The projects are expected to generate up to $37.1 million in investments and add 232 new jobs in Michigan. ?The expansion of
ANN ARBOR - Ann Arbor SPARK announced that Terumo Cardiovascular Systems Corporation has been awarded a 12-year property tax abatement for $4.9 million in investments for capital improvements at its Ann Arbor facility. Ann Arbor SPARK provided assistance to Terumo CVS in identifying and applying for the tax incentives. ?Terumo CVS has been a part
LANSING - Instate students at the University of Michigan's main campus in Ann Arbor will see tuition rise by 2.8 percent for the 2012-13 school year after approval Thursday by the U-M Board of Regents of the school's budget. The board also approved a 3.6 percent increase for U-M Flint and 3.7 percent for U-M
GRAND RAPIDS ? Michigan's aggressive strategy to create a positive business climate to help Michigan companies grow is showing results, Governor Rick Snyder told a record crowd at the 2012 National Economic Gardening Conference. ?In the last 18 months we have greatly improved Michigan?s business climate and infrastructure, making it easier for our businesses to
LANSING - Before leaving for the summer, the House overwhelmingly approved its plan to drop the state's income tax rate to 3.9 percent by 2018. It was approved 97-13, with only a smattering of Democrats in opposition. The bill (HB 5729 ) would phase in the cut from the current 4.35 percent rate, set to
LANSING - The administration of Governor Rick Snyder is examining the state's procurement process for changes, Budget Director John Nixon said Friday. Appearing on Michigan Public Television's "Off the Record," Nixon said the major issue is the requirement that contracts worth more than $25,000 be put out for bid for two weeks. Either the threshold