LANSING ? Michigan lawmakers wrapped up a flurry of legislation in December, but bills from taxes to texting while driving and out-of-state trash still await members when they return next week. Taxes will likely be a huge focus in the New Year given the state's loss of hundreds of millions in federal stimulus dollars in
LANSING - As Governor Jennifer Granholm signed legislation Monday designed to make the state eligible for as much as $400 million in federal grants, state union officials were urging caution to their local districts being asked to agree to related reforms. The legislation was a part of the application for federal "Race to the Top"
LANSING - Schools will have to live with the cuts approved in the 2009-10 budget, but they may not see the pro-ration cuts Gov. Jennifer Granholm had issued shortly after the budget was signed. But the state is also going to have to look again at its tax system to be sure schools and other
LANSING - Michigan's population has fallen below 10 million, according to U.S. Census data released last week. As of July 1, 2009, the state's population is 9,969,727, down from 10,002,486 a year earlier. It's the first time since the July 1, 2000, population estimate that the state's population fell below 10 million. This story was
LANSING ? Gov. Jennifer Granholm signed into law Friday a landmark ban on smoking in most Michigan workplaces beginning May 1. Granholm thanked bill sponsors and activists, including the wives of two now-dead crusaders for the effort, during a ceremony at the Michigan Brewing Company, a Lansing restaurant, to sign HB 4377 (PA 188). "Thank
LANSING - Thanks to at least $150 million in unexpected revenues and savings, Gov. Jennifer Granholm on Thursday decided to delay implementation of a $127-per-pupil pro-ration cut that was to have taken effect with the December 21 school payment. But she and top state fiscal officials warned that a pro-ration cut will still likely be
LANSING - A Michigan House committee largely dropped the idea of starting school before Labor Day, bowing to the tourism industry's concerns, as it approved more key bills Tuesday that are part of the state's effort to compete for $400 million in federal "Race to the Top" funding. The House Education Committee also reported legislation
LANSING - The Homeowner Construction Lien Recovery Fund is out of money and, rather than try to build it back up, the Department of Energy, Labor and Economic Growth is seeking to have it repealed. The fund was designed to protect homeowners from liens by paying subcontractors if the general contractor did not. But as
LANSING - The Michigan Legislature began its final push Tuesday on passing a series of education reform measures in hopes of winning $400 million in federal funds for schools through President Barack Obama's "Race to the Top" program. In the Senate, the Education Committee approved bills that would enable the state to take over failing
ANN ARBOR - Although the Legislature receives outstanding short-term analysis from its House and Senate Fiscal agencies, it needs a similar nonpartisan arm with a more long-term approach, an economist said Friday. Timothy Bartik, senior economist for the Kalamazoo-based W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research, said Washington state has had success with this approach and