News & Resources

Supreme Court to Hear Adopt and Amend Arguments

The Michigan Supreme Court agreed Wednesday morning to hear arguments on whether the legislature can adopt a citizens' initiative and then amend it in the same session.

June 21, 2023

Restaurants, Hospitality ‘Clawing’ Back from COVID-19 Losses

The hospitality industry in Michigan bore the brunt of losses from the COVID-19 shutdowns, but today restaurants are “clawing” their way back.

June 21, 2023

Proposal 2 Implementation Bills Clear Both Chambers

Local clerks would need to monitor their drop boxes with video cameras by 2026, under an amendment to the Proposal 2 implementation bills that passed the House and Senate Wednesday.

June 6, 2023

Whitmer Announces Population Council, Appoints Co-Chairs

(MACKINAC ISLAND) – Reporters and supporters of Whitmer's Growing Michigan Together Council crowded onto the Grand Hotel porch Thursday morning to hear Gov. Gretchen Whitmer officially announce the council, which will be co-chaired by former …

June 6, 2023

Trailer Parks Emerging as an Answer to Low-Income Housing Crisis

Mobile home parks don't always come with the greatest reputations, but in 2023 – with low-to middle-income housing for workers sparse in many areas of the state – today's manufactured housing communities are emerging as …

May 23, 2023

6 Differences In House, Senate, Gov’s K-12 Budget

The size of per pupil foundation allowances is among the larger differences in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 School Aid (K-12) budgets offered by the executive, House and Senate, but it's by far not the …

May 23, 2023

CREC: Lower Income Tax Rate + Higher Retirement, EITC Exemptions = Lower Revenues

Lawmakers will have roughly $989 million fewer dollars to spend in the state’s General Fund and $105 million more in the state’s school aid fund in 2023, according to new estimates agreed to Friday morning …

Image showing a background of money and the words State Budget

May 16, 2023

Budgets Clearing Both Chambers; GOP Voting ‘No’ En Bloc

Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog e-newsletter The Senate and House were setting up Wednesday their respective spending priorities in preparation for target negotiations with each other and […]

May 16, 2023

‘Buy Michigan’ Bills Give Local Companies 2nd Chance At Winning State Contracts

Article courtesy MIRS News for SBAM’s Lansing Watchdog e-newsletter If the least expensive bid a state agency receives is from out-of-state, Michigan-based companies would have extra time to resubmit a […]

May 9, 2023

Teens Should be Able to Find a Job this Summer in Michigan

Teenagers shouldn't have trouble finding a job this summer, particularly working in hospitality, retail, entertainment or recreation in summer tourist areas, according to Department of Technology, Management and Budget estimates.

May 9, 2023

Nesbitt Wants Debt Paid Down; No ‘Partisan Spending Spree’

Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt (R-Lawton) said Thursday he wants "real negotiations" when Democrats want to start talking with Republicans on getting votes to immediately pass a Fiscal Year 2024 spending plan.

May 2, 2023

SOAR Fund Recipients Must Ensure Longevity For Job Creations In Senate Budget Rec.

Corporations awarded grants from Michigan's Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve (SOAR) Fund would need to ensure any promised job creations would still be in place after two to four years, under the Senate's proposed Labor …

May 2, 2023

Senate Budgets Spending $726M Less Than Gov’s Rec.

The Senate is on pace to spend at least $726 million less than the governor recommended in her Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 spending plan, based on the seven department budgets that moved out of Senate …

April 24, 2023

Senate Dems Hold Up Bargain; Pass Aggregate Tax Exemption Bill

Michigan's aggregate industry would be exempt from the state's sales and use tax while purchasing processing machinery and equipment under legislation approved in the Senate 33-4.

April 24, 2023

N.C., Florida try to lure Michigan businesses, workers after RTW repeal

A billboard along Interstate 496 in Lansing promotes the virtues of Florida with a warped version of Michigan’s motto: “If you seek a pleasant peninsula, move to Florida.”

April 11, 2023

‘Fresh’ Messages Used In MI’s New Marketing Campaign

Move over "Pure Michigan." Three "fresh" new TV commercials are being rolled out in surrounding Midwest cities outside of Michigan in an attempt to draw business to the Great Lakes State.