Politics

LANSING - A major agreement to change a standing Michigan Economic Growth Authority tax credit with Ford Motor Company was unanimously approved by the Michigan Strategic Fund board on Monday, and the state hopes the agreement will serve as the framework for discussions with other companies on amending their MEGA agreements. Talent and Economic Development

ANN ARBOR - Legislation allowing Detroit to contract with insurers to provide lower-cost auto insurance coverage to its residents with a limit on medical benefits of $250,000 for critical care cleared the Senate Insurance Committee on Wednesday and was broaden to enable several other cities to start a similar program. Under the substitute adopted for

LANSING - The Public Service Commission on Tuesday directed Consumers Energy Company to submit additional information on its proposed pilot solar distribution generation program and opened the public comment period on the initiative. The utility filed an application in May (Case U-17875) seeking approval of a pilot program including about 100 customers designed to promote

LANSING - Utilities would be allowed to spread the cost among ratepayers of improving and expanding natural gas infrastructure to unserved and underserved areas under a bill the House Energy Policy Committee debated Wednesday. Both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy spoke in support of HB 4303, which would permit the utilities to submit an Infrastructure

HOWELL - Republican presidential candidate Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz drew laughter from a crowd of nearly 500 people when he made a joke of Vice President Joe Biden's name, but then told reporters he was sympathetic to Biden following the death this week of the vice president's oldest son, Beau. Asked by a reporter

DETROIT - Wayne Snyder, IT Program Manager for NextEnergy, was honored with the Merit Award for Innovation in Networking and Information Technology at the 2015 member conference. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have shown leadership in computer networking and information technology, engaged in community building and shown strong involvement in the Merit community.

DETROIT - Most Intelligent Transportation Systems are still in development or pilot stages, with many of the anticipated benefits hinging on the ability of cars and trucks to communicate with each other and infrastructure. One specific challenge, Vehicle-to-Vehicle communication, is similar to that of a cliche couple in a bad sitcom; they have no ability

LANSING - Lost amid the slew of conference committees approving budgets last week, a joint resolution extending the Michigan Constitution's prohibition against unreasonable government search and seizures to electronic data and communications was sent to the House floor. HJR N was unanimously reported by the House Criminal Justice Committee. The resolution would need two-thirds support

MACKINAC ISLAND - For years state policymakers, business executives and political observers have worried about the out-migration of young people from Michigan. A study released by Michigan's three research university suggests one answer to the issue may be to have young people graduate from Michigan State University, the University of Michigan or Wayne State University.

MACKINAC ISLAND - Legislation that would cut funding to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation sends the wrong message to corporations and could cost the state jobs, Governor Rick Snyder said Thursday to the attendees at the Detroit Regional Chamber Mackinac Conference. Stern without being over-critical, Snyder said he understood why legislators might introduce bills like