News & Resources

House GOP Sends Its Own $1.2B Road Plan To Senate

With negotiations on a bicameral, bipartisan road-funding plan essentially stalled, House Republicans took the wheel tonight, approving their own $1.2-billion transportation proposal.

October 20, 2015

Meekhof Advises Schuette To Tone Down Rhetoric On House

Attorney General Bill Schuette told reporters last week he sees an "anti-cop sentiment" taking shape in the House-passed presumptive parole legislation and the Senate Majority Leader says the state's top cop's "over-the-top" rhetoric isn't wise.

October 20, 2015

Tax Relief Component Sends Road Talks To ‘Impasse’

Leadership discussions on an annual $1.2 billion road funding package hit "an impasse" Tuesday over an income tax rollback component Republican leaders want included in the final deal.

October 14, 2015

More than a little issue made over microbead ban

Tiny plastic beads used in skin cleaners to scrub off grime took up more than 90 minutes of a House committee's time Tuesday morning as lawmakers debate how to keep the beads out of fish …

October 14, 2015

Flint to return to Detroit water, Gov asks lawmakers to help cover cost

(FLINT) -- The city of Flint will transition back to getting its water from Detroit within weeks, and Gov. Rick Snyder said Thursday he is in "full support."In addition to that, Snyder said he would …

October 6, 2015

Court Of Appeals dismisses challenges to state’s IBM Fix

The Court of Appeals Wednesday batted down the pleas of dozens of out-of-state companies that claimed the state's response to IBM's successful bid for millions of dollars in additional tax refunds was unconstitutional.In a unanimous …

October 6, 2015

Larsen named to Supreme Court

Joan Larsen, a University of Michigan professor and dean for student and graduate activities, was named Wednesday by Gov. Rick Snyder, a U-M alum, to the state Supreme Court, replacing Justice Mary Beth Kelly, who …

September 29, 2015

Medical marijuana bill could serve as ‘umbrella’ for legalized pot

It doesn't legalize recreational pot, but Rep. Mike CALLTON (R-Nashville) said his medical marijuana legalization bill that moved out of the House Judiciary Committee Tuesday would serve as "an umbrella" once and if the legalization …

September 29, 2015

Courser, Gamrat re-election bids spurring bill to stop similar ones

The chair of the House Elections Committee is working on a bill that would prevent future lawmakers who resign or are expelled from immediately being able to run for their old seats.The re-election campaigns of …

September 22, 2015

Allen, Casperson, Pettalia already making moves with Benishek out

Former Sen. Jason ALLEN, current Sen. Tom CASPERSON (R-Escanaba) and Rep. Peter PETTALIA (R-Presque Isle) have all already told party leaders in the 1st District that they intend on getting in the race to replace …

September 22, 2015

Courser files to run as a crowded field of challengers fumes

Former Rep. Todd COURSER (R-Lapeer), who resigned from the House just one week ago so he wouldn't be forcibly expelled, filed Friday to run in the crowded special election to fill his old seat.Courser announced …

September 15, 2015

Snyder back in friendly skies for Japan, Germany trip

Less than two weeks after returning from a Chinese investment mission, Gov. Rick Snyder took to the skies again Wednesday for a similar eight-day trip to Germany and Japan, his third mission to both countries …

September 15, 2015

Gamrat expelled after Courser chooses resignation

Todd Courser (R-Lapeer) resigned from the House at about 3:12 a.m. Friday, and about an hour later, Cindy Gamrat (R-Plainwell) was expelled 91-12, marking only the fourth time in Michigan history a state lawmaker has …

September 8, 2015

Back to the future on road fund funding?

Courtesy of MIRS NewsThe dynamic of 2014, in which then-House Speaker Jase Bolger became the outlier behind closed doors in reaching a road funding deal may be happening again in 2015 with Speaker Kevin Cotter …

September 8, 2015

State will develop own plan for EPA’s power plant rules

Courtesy MIRS News ServiceMichigan will be developing its own plan to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) new regulations for existing power plants, state officials announced Tuesday.In a conference call hosted by the Michigan Agency …

September 1, 2015

Net metering debate rages on in Senate panel

Questions over how proposed changes to the state's net metering program would impact the state flew in a Senate panel Wednesday, with some senators expressing skepticism as to whether the current plan is fair for …