LANSING ? Michigan state government departments would be prohibited from issuing rules more stringent than federal standards under legislation passed by the Senate. Majority Senate Republicans touted passage of the seven-bill package as a significant move to improve the state's business climate. Although most of the focus so far this year has been on the
SOUTHFIELD - In announcing his budget for the state, Governor Rick Snyder called for shared sacrifice on the part of state and local government to help bridge a $2 billion budget gap. But sharing doesn't have to be about sacrificing, particularly when what are being shared are services among government entities. That?s the message that
LANSING ? Michigan Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville sent the critical tax overhaul legislation to the Reforms, Restructuring and Reinventing Committee where a considerable challenge awaits to get the votes needed to move the legislation to the Senate floor. Richardville (R-Monroe) could always have the bills discharged from the committee to the full Senate if
LANSING - Business licensing and regulation has been housed with business development efforts for decades, but breaking them apart actually gives the state an opportunity to be more business friendly, said Steven Hilfinger, director of the new Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, told Gongwer News Service in a recent interview. The new department retains
LANSING - News of more money than expected coming into state coffers isn't necessarily good news for Michigan schools facing massive budget cuts. Revenues coming in are $314 million above the amount anticipated at the revenue estimate conference in January, due in part to a reduction in income tax refunds, and that number could soar
EAST LANSING - When Governor Rick Snyder unveils his education message on Wednesday, a hallmark will be moving authority for activity in the classroom to the teacher, he said Monday at the annual Governor's Education Summit in East Lansing. Snyder told the educators gathered at the Kellogg Hotel and Center at Michigan State University that
LANSING - The Michigan Senate version of the budget is $40 million general fund below Governor Rick Snyder's recommendation, not $300 million, Ellen Jeffries, director of the Senate Fiscal Agency, said Monday. Last week, when the Senate Appropriations Committee reported all budget bills, Sen. Roger Kahn (R-Saginaw Township), the committee chair; Jeffries; and other Senate
LANSING - Michigan is already the 10th -lowest state in terms of support for higher education, and it would fall to fifth or lower if the cuts proposed by Governor Rick Snyder are approved, the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan said on releasing a national report on university funding. The State Higher Education Finance
LANSING - The Michigan Economic Growth Authority Tuesday approved tax incentives for five companies choosing to expand or locate in Michigan, as well as one brownfield redevelopment project. The companies estimate the projects will generate up to $163 million in new private investment, adding a projected 1,376 jobs. ?Today?s MEGA board action highlights our economic-gardening
LANSING - School employee unions could be decertified if they call a strike and teachers could lose their licenses if they join the strike under legislation being considered by the Michigan House Education Committee. Though a 2008 strike in Wayne-Westland Community Schools was cited as a driving force for the changes (HB 4465 and HB