LANSING - Facing competition from the New International Trade Crossing, the Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge, continued to contribute thousands to legislators' campaign and political action committees in 2011. Campaign finance reports showed at least $216,400 in spending by the Moroun family, including Manuel "Matty" Moroun, his wife Nora, son Matthew and Matthew's
LANSING - The Michigan Strategic Fund Board gave its chair, Treasurer Andy Dillon and Michigan Economic Development Corporation CEO Michael Finney, more leeway in dealing with loans under the 21st Century Jobs Fund on Wednesday. A number of the loans under the program mature during 2012, and the board's action would require it to approve
LANSING - The 175th anniversary of Michigan's admission to the union was Thursday, and in proclaiming statehood day Governor Rick Snyder said the state's greatest days are to come. Michigan has a great past, Snyder said, but "the innovative spirit that built this state will take us to new heights in the 21st century and
DETROIT - While court arguments over the "Gateway Project" at the Ambassador Bridge continue, construction on one of the final pieces of the project may begin soon. Officials in the Department of Transportation said they have gotten authority from the Federal Highway Administration to complete a section of ramp that will connect I-75 and I-96
LANSING - After what one GOP official called the moral equivalent of a landslide victory in the South Carolina primary by former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich, the February 28 primary in Michigan has taken on a renewed importance in the scheme of presidential politics. Before Gingrich won the primary with 40 percent of the
TRAVERSE CITY - Michigan-based Cherry Republic today received approval from the Michigan Economic Growth Authority for a multi-use brownfield redevelopment project that will support the construction of a retail outlet and food production facility and new residential spaces in Traverse City. ?This new Cherry Republic facility consolidates their production, retail and administrative operations and brings
LANSING - Economists testifying at Friday's Revenue Estimating Conference saw good signs of economic growth in Michigan going forward, but concerns about the national economy and the debt crisis in Europe, which affects the state, are ever present. George Fulton of the University of Michigan's Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics said the state is more
LANSING - For months, the major stakeholders in the health and insurance sectors have attended and testified at hearings of the House Health Policy Committee on creation of the state's health insurance exchange, but next week, Rep. Gail Haines, the committee chair, said the panel will seek and welcome input from residents on the controversial
LANSING - If the House passes a bill, or a Senate committee reports it, Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville (R-Monroe) said Wednesday he's not standing in the way of a floor debate on right-to-work legislation. But Richardville, who supports a right-to-teach bill targeted at the Michigan Education Association, told reporters he doesn't support a broader
DETROIT - State economic development officials said the Pure Michigan branding effort will have a place at the main stage of the 2012 North American International Auto Show in Detroit beginning next week. It will be the first time the state has had a main floor showcase to highlight its marketing effort at one of