Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said she may review Michigan lame-duck laws that gutted citizen proposals to raise the minimum wage and require paid sick leave. Her stance could produce a high-impact legal showdown with Republicans.
The new Democratic governor outlined her policy priorities during her first State of the State address Tuesday. Bridge offers context behind the proposals and what Republicans and other skeptics had to say in response.
Lawmakers and advocates say they see hope that a Republican legislature and Democratic governor can finally reform Michigan’s sky high insurance rates.
The Michigan Department of Transportation cites studies showing as much as $2 billion more a year is needed to maintain the state’s roads. Republicans say new funding should come from existing revenue. Something has to give.
The newly formed Michigan Consensus Policy Project says it intends to pitch bipartisan solutions to the state’s thorniest policy problems. Why not start with roads?
Legislation intended to change the way property tax assessments are made has been reintroduced after failing to advance last term. The issue pits big box retailers against local governments.
After a contentious lame-duck session and accusations of partisan power grabs, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pushing a resolution to ask voters to pass a constitutional amendment ending legislative terms before Election Day.
From food assistance to weather forecasts, the ongoing shutdown in Washington is beginning to have an impact on Michigan, which could become more profound if closed government extends into February.
New state revenue estimates show Gov. Gretchen Whitmer won’t have a lot of extra money to work with in her first budget. Lame-duck spending and a 2015 road deal makes the task even trickier.
The new governor’s 10th executive directive prohibits state departments and agencies from asking about job applicants’ past salaries — an effort, she says, to close the gender pay gap.
A challenge to controversial laws passed in Michigan’s lame-duck legislative session, which ended in December, could include everything from a lawsuit to a citizen referendum in November 2020.
Fixing the roads and reforming Michigan’s expensive no-fault auto insurance are issues that both major parties say they want to fix. Republicans say they are willing to work with new Democractic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Pennies from heaven? Try millions and millions. Michigan lawmakers approve $1.3 billion in extra funding for toxic cleanups, roads and tons of pet projects.
A lame-duck bill that would allow more Michigan communities to use bonds to pay for spiraling pension and retiree health care legacy costs is expected to soon reach Gov. Rick Snyder’s desk.
The term-limited Republican governor said he agreed with the GOP Legislature that the original laws passed earlier this year would harm economic progress in Michigan. Advocates for workers vowed a lawsuit.
The Michigan Legislature has one week left before its two-year term ends. A number of bills, including requiring public employee unions to vote to recertify and banning home growing of marijuana, died for lack of votes.
