Beverage companies want cut of Michigan bottle bill windfall during COVID
By Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) Michigan’s government may receive tens of millions of dollars in extra revenue from the COVID-19 backlog of unreturned bottles and cans. The beverage distributors who handle those containers say they should get some of that cash to reinvest in bottle recycling infrastructure. For the second legislative session running, beverage industry […]
Michigan residents 16 and older eligible for COVID vaccine by April 5
by Robin Erb (Bridge) All Michiganders 16 and older, regardless of health status, will be eligible for a COVID vaccine beginning April 5, the state announced Friday. Some places have moved ahead already, in fact. Less than an hour after the state made its announcement, the LMAS District Health Department in the eastern Upper Peninsula […]
Too few farmers are curbing pollution in Lake Erie
by Kelly House (Bridge) WALDRON—The greenery peeked through a fresh blanket of snow on Jay Williams’ farm. Over the past few winters, Williams has added a variety of cover crops across his 1,350-acre operation near the Ohio border. There are peas, oats and radishes rising from soil that used to lay fallow through the cold-weather months. […]
Michigan GOP: No transgender athletes in girls’ sports. Critics: Shame on you.
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Republicans in Michigan and other states are pushing to limit transgender students from joining high school sports teams, making the minority group the latest target in a national fight against expanding LGBT rights. Legislation introduced this week by Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, would require Michigan districts to only allow […]
Michigan COVID cases rising, but vaccines make surge in deaths less likely
by Mike Wilkinson (Bridge) Even with coronavirus cases rising again in Michigan, the rollout of the vaccines appears to be paying off, as fewer older residents contract COVID-19, a Bridge Michigan analysis shows. That could result in far fewer deaths because those 60 and older have far higher mortality rates from COVID-19. “No doubt, we’re seeing […]
Michigan moves to allow first-time drunk drivers to expunge conviction
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) Many first-time drunk or drugged drivers would have the chance to clear the conviction from their criminal record under bipartisan expungement legislation approved Wednesday by the Michigan House. It’s the latest in a criminal justice reform movement that has united Republicans and Democrats in Lansing. “People seeking this second chance have […]
Michigan free college tuition programs spread across the state
by Ron French (Bridge) Tuition-free programs are spreading across Michigan’s four-year college campuses, a movement that appears to have been sparked by two new and wildly popular free community college programs initiated recently by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Between the community college programs and tuition-free offers for some students at a growing number of colleges and […]
American Rescue Act makes Obamacare more affordable for Michiganders
by Robin Erb (Bridge) Health care coverage soon will get less costly for thousands of Michiganders under the Affordable Care Act, and it’s not just the needy who will catch a break. Tucked in the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan President Joe Biden signed Thursday are provisions that expand federal tax credits that increase subsidies […]
Gretchen Whitmer signs COVID spending, vetoes help for Michigan businesses
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Michigan Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday signed a major new COVID-19 spending plan but vetoed $652 million in proposals from the Republican-led Legislature and rejected a bill that would limit her pandemic powers. Whitmer’s signature will authorize the state to spend at least $2.3 billion of the roughly […]
Should Michigan hunt wolves, cranes, moose?
by Kelly House (Bridge) Sandhill cranes are a nuisance to Michigan farms, Upper Peninsula wolves need more incentive to fear humans, and an “exploding” Isle Royale moose population must be culled lest they chew the island’s vegetation to the nub. Those are the views of rural Republican lawmakers who are calling for hunting seasons for […]
