LANSING - Rep. Joseph Haveman as expected will chair the House Appropriations Committee in the 2013-14 term. House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) announced the appointment Wednesday of Haveman (R-Holland), who was the majority vice chair of the committee during the current term and a part of Bolger's inner circle. Gongwer News Service had first reported
LANSING - The House has concurred in the Senate version of the Detroit Lighting Authority with a number of Detroit lawmakers opposing the package, putting the measure on Governor Rick Snyder's desk. Rep. Maureen Stapleton chastised her colleagues for opposing the measure, arguing it was needed to improve Detroit. "The good news is that the
LANSING - The Senate breathed life back into long-dormant legislation that would allow community colleges to offer four-year baccalaureate degrees in certain programs on Thursday after some discontent at the discharge of HB 4496 from committee. Community colleges under the bill could offer four-year baccalaureate degrees in cement technology, maritime technology, energy production technology and
LANSING - After three tries on Thursday, House leaders were able to put together a coalition sufficient to pass the main bill creating a regional transit authority for Southeast Michigan, but the rest of the package moved in fits and starts over the duration of session. On the first two tries to pass the main
LANSING - The Michigan House has approved legislation that would change Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan to a nonprofit mutual insurer from a charitable nonprofit. In making that change, the chamber required that Blue Cross packages make abortion coverage opt-in rather than opt-out. The bills (SB 1293 and SB 1294 ) moved on largely
LANSING - Michigan Strategic Fund approved three brownfield work plans as well as Michigan Business Development and Community Revitalization program incentives to four companies planning expansions in the state. The projects are expected to generate up to $138.8 million in investments and add 399 new jobs in Michigan. ?Today?s wide range of projects all mean
LANSING - Local government and school groups howled Tuesday about the new plan to reimburse them from revenue lost through the phase-out of the industrial portion of the personal property tax, but their lines of defense appeared to fracture with legislative Democrats signaling support and one significant mayor also voicing backing. Two Democratic senators, Sen.
LANSING - A new state trade office in Toronto was officially opened on Monday with Governor Rick Snyder attending a grand opening for the state office designed to boost both business and Michigan tourism with Canada. The event was part of a series of appearances and meetings Snyder had scheduled in Toronto to help promote
WARREN - The Michigan Business and Professional Association and its sister organization the Michigan Food and Beverage Association are calling on the State House of Representatives to both pass Senate Bill 693, which establishes a state-based exchange, and appropriate the $9.8 million federal planning grant that is critical to laying the groundwork for a health
LANSING - House Speaker Jase Bolger (R-Marshall) and Rep. Tim Greimel (D-Auburn Hills) were chosen Thursday to lead their respective caucuses in the 97th Legislature, and both said they would work across the aisle when possible. The Republicans will continue another term in the majority, but with a smaller caucus, as they will return in