Michigan lawmakers propose financial disclosures. Some fear they fall short
by Lauren Gibbons & Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) Bills introduced in the state Senate Tuesday would make Michigan the second-to-last state to require public financial disclosures from most elected officials and candidates, but would allow filers to leave out specifics that transparency experts say are crucial to identifying possible conflicts of interest. Senate Bills 613 through […]
Wine apprenticeships? Michigan’s worker shortage makes businesses get creative
by Ron French (Bridge Michigan) FENTON — For years now, Fenton Winery & Brewery co-owner Ginny Sherrow hasn’t found enough workers for the Genesee County tap room and banquet facility. She’s raised server salaries, with some earning as much as $24 an hour, offered health insurance and even a matching 401(k) program, but remains short […]
$273M in tax subsidies sought for Henry Ford, MSU, Pistons project
by Malachi Barrett (BridgeMichigan) Detroit Pistons Owner Tom Gores will seek $220 million in state and local tax incentives to help fund a $322-million housing development in New Center. The construction of three residential buildings near the Pistons Performance Center is part of a larger $3 billion development with Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University. […]
Michigan Dems vote to repeal ‘rape insurance’ law requiring abortion rider
by Lauren Gibbons (Bridge Michigan) Michigan Senate Democrats continued chipping away at state abortion restrictions Thursday, voting to repeal a law requiring an extra insurance rider for coverage of the procedure. Senate Bill 593, sponsored by Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, is part of an overall package aimed at repealing rules approved when Republicans led the […]
Michigan law bans phone use while driving. That’s news to many, police say
by Jenelle D. James (BridgeMichigan) Four months after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation making it illegal to hold a phone while driving, police throughout Michigan cracked down this week — and learned that many aren’t even aware of the new law. “People are still, unfortunately, driving distracted with their cell phones,” said Derek Stansbury, traffic sergeant for the […]
Michigan House committee advances wind, solar permitting bills
by Kelly House (Bridge Michigan) A Michigan House committee on Wednesday advanced legislation that aims to speed up the development of wind and solar energy in Michigan by shifting permitting control from local government to the state. In a 9-7 party-line vote with one Democrat abstaining, the House Energy, Communications and Technology Committee approved House […]
Michigan cows are nation’s top milkers. Their secret: Good diets, clean living
by Kelsey Lester, Capital News Service (for Bridge Michigan) LANSING — Michigan ranks No. 1 in the country for producing the most milk per cow — and has been for the past few years. Although not the nation’s biggest overall milk producer, the state’s specialty in dairy has led farmers to find the most efficient […]
How Michigan residents can help victims of Israeli-Palestinian war
by Janelle D. James (Bridge Michigan) Humanitarian groups are calling on people to support victims of the Israeli-Palestinian war following the deaths of more than thousands of civilians. The violence began after an Oct. 7 surprise attack by Hamas, a group that governs the Gaza strip, killed some 1,300 Israeli citizens. Israel launched air strikes in […]
Ryan Kelley, ex-Michigan governor hopeful, gets prison time for Jan. 6 riot
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Michigan) LANSING – Former Michigan gubernatorial candidate Ryan Kelley is headed to prison for up to two months for his role in a U.S. Capitol riot that sought to block certification of then-President Donald Trump’s loss in the 2020 election. A federal judge on Tuesday sentenced Kelley to 60 days behind […]
Michigan Senate votes to revise auto insurance law over Whitmer’s warning
by Jonathan Oosting (Bridge Magazine) LANSING — The Michigan Senate voted Thursday to undo a key reform in a 2019 auto insurance overhaul, despite warnings from Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration that the bills would raise costs for motorists. The 23-14 votes blurred party lines and represent one of the first major public policy disputes between […]
