LANSING - Before leaving for the summer, the House overwhelmingly approved its plan to drop the state's income tax rate to 3.9 percent by 2018. It was approved 97-13, with only a smattering of Democrats in opposition. The bill (HB 5729 ) would phase in the cut from the current 4.35 percent rate, set to
LANSING - The administration of Governor Rick Snyder is examining the state's procurement process for changes, Budget Director John Nixon said Friday. Appearing on Michigan Public Television's "Off the Record," Nixon said the major issue is the requirement that contracts worth more than $25,000 be put out for bid for two weeks. Either the threshold
MACKINAC ISLAND - Governor Rick Snyder said Wednesday his push to overhaul the transportation funding system will have to wait until next year as the election draws nearer and the legislators are inching toward the door for summer break. He delivered his special message on transportation in October and bills were introduced in late January,
LANSING - Governor Rick Snyder enjoyed remarkable success in the first six months of his term at winning quick approval of his agenda from the Legislature, but the last nine months have seen his priorities move at a different pace with lawmakers now balking at many of them. The start of 2011 saw an avalanche
LANSING - Legislation that would give businesses the option to keep their employees rather than be forced to lay them off in the event of a downturn cleared the Senate unanimously on Wednesday. SB 1094 , sponsored by Sen. Bruce Caswell (R-Hillsdale), would be applicable to employers with two or more employees and permits them
LANSING - Some potentially troublesome data coming in on the Michigan's new tax on health insurance claims shows it is generating only half of what state officials projected, a situation that could raise concerns about whether the state will have enough money to avoid cutting Medicaid programs. But the key word is "potentially." The tax
LANSING - The Michigan Economic Development Corporation Monday announced that auto supplier Brose North America is investing $60 million to expand in Michigan. The expansion, subject to approvals of state and local incentives, is expected to result in approximately 450 new full time engineering and manufacturing jobs. ?Brose, with 650 employees currently in Michigan, is
LANSING - After a decade of economic pummeling, Michigan has enjoyed some strong rebounds in the last year, a report on the state's overall budget from the Senate Fiscal Agency said, but the recent growth does not overcome some ongoing fiscal weakness. The report also said that the 2012-13 budget proposed by Governor Rick Snyder
LANSING - The Michigan Society of Association Executives said Wednesday some changes need to be enacted to term limits requirements that amount to an average of 33 percent turnover each election, affecting overall decision-making. An outright end to the limits enacted 20 years ago is unlikely, officials with the organization said. But Michigan has some
LANSING ? The Michigan Strategic Fund has approved a $750,000 Michigan Community Revitalization Program incentive for the redevelopment of the historic Garden Theater in Detroit that will generate up to $12.3 million in new private investment, adding up to 84 new full time jobs, the Michigan Economic Development Corp. predicted. ?This project will strengthen midtown