Michigan adopts new PFAS standards over industry, farmer objections
by Riley Beggin (Bridge) LANSING — A decade after PFAS chemicals were first discovered in Michigan’s waters, the state has approved rules dictating the highest levels of the contaminant allowed in drinking water systems. It’s the first time in the state’s history it has set its own enforceable maximum contaminant levels that regulate chemicals in […]
Michigan’s big bet on small tech fell flat. Now the $250M bill is due
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — A decade has passed since Michigan borrowed the last $250 million for a $450 million venture capital initiative that hoped to spur the creation of futuristic, high-tech startup businesses. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been handed the bill, even though some of those companies have since left Michigan. The […]
Michigan schools scramble to plan for a potential coronavirus outbreak
By Ron French & Robin Erb (Bridge) Michigan schools are scrambling to build plans for what to do if a student or community member is diagnosed with the potentially deadly new coronavirus. School districts around the state are meeting with county health departments and preparing protocols that address everything from potential school closures to continuing […]
Michigan group rushes to get graduated income tax on 2020 ballot
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — A new group led by Democratic activists wants voters in November to decide whether Michigan should switch to a graduated income tax, a measure that would likely face opposition from conservatives and business groups. The proposal from Fair Tax Michigan would amend the state constitution and direct officials to replace the […]
Michigan primary 2020: What you need to know, where to vote, absentee rules
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Michigan voters will head to the polls March 10 in the first major election since the state approved sweeping new voting rights in 2018. From presidential candidates to local millages, there will be plenty of options for voters to consider. So what do you need to know? We’ve got you covered. Who […]
Thousands want to draw Michigan’s political districts. Most are white men.
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — More than 6,000 applicants already have volunteered to serve on a new independent redistricting commission that will redraw Michigan’s political boundaries for 2022 elections and beyond. A narrow majority of early applicants claim to be political independents, which excites officials. But most applicants are white and male, demographic imbalances […]
1.2 million Michiganders at risk of not being counted in 2020 Census
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Many of Michigan’s largest counties are also those most likely to be undercounted in the 2020 Census, officials said last week. Wayne, Oakland, Macomb, Kent, Genesee, Washtenaw, Ingham, Kalamazoo, Ottawa, and Saginaw, collectively, are home to about two-thirds of Michigan’s population, including 1.2 million the U.S. Census Bureau considers “hard to […]
Michigan clerks’ pleas for help with absentee ballots fall on deaf ears
By Riley Beggin (Bridge) Michigan’s city and county clerks are sweating about the impact an expected influx of absentee ballots may have on the state’s presidential primary and general elections. State voters passed a ballot measure in 2018 allowing absentee voting for any reason, and absentee applications for the March 10 primary are up 60 […]
Driver hurt by concrete chunk. It fell from a bridge Michigan deemed safe.
By Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) LANSING — Warnings about Michigan’s failing infrastructure appeared to come true Wednesday when a chunk of concrete fell from a 54-year-old bridge, crashed through a windshield and struck the driver in the head. The 38-year-old Jackson woman was rushed to a hospital for treatment after the 8 a.m. incident on US-127 […]
Michigan ballots loaded with tax requests in primary GOP voters may skip
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge) The Breen Township ballot is stuffed. When voters in Michigan’s tiny Upper Peninsula town of less than 500 residents cast ballots in the March 10 presidential primary, they’ll also help decide the fate of nine separate tax proposals asking them to approve or renew local and county millages. The township near […]
