Authorities said they used their positions to exploit nonprofits, advocacy groups and others to enrich themselves.

The former leader of the Michigan House and his wife have pleaded not guilty to financial charges arising from an investigation of how they spent money from unregulated political funds.

The former Michigan House of Representatives leader, Lee Chatfield, and his wife were arraigned on embezzlement charges Thursday, May 2.

The charges include conducting a criminal enterprise, embezzlement from a nonprofit, conspiracy to commit embezzlement from a nonprofit and more.

Two former staffers for former state house speaker Lee Chatfield are pleading not guilty to embezzlement charges in Lansing.

Two former staffers for former state house speaker Lee Chatfield are pleading not guilty to embezzlement charges in Lansing.

Authorities said they used their positions to exploit nonprofits, advocacy groups and others to enrich themselves.

Morning 4 is a quick roundup of stories we think you should know about to start your day.

The sexual assault investigation against former House Speaker Lee Chatfield is now in the hands of Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, which is standard practice in these cases.

House Democrats are calling for the creation of a committee to investigate whether former Speaker Lee Chatfield committed financial improprieties while in office.

Investigators with Michigan State Police and others executed a search warrant at the home of former staffers of ex-Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield.

Here’s what’s coming up on Local 4 News at 4:

The Michigan attorney general’s office is now assisting local and state police who are investigating allegations of sexual assault and financial misconduct against former legislative leader Lee Chatfield.

Here are this morning's top stories.

A former Michigan legislative leader is denying allegations that he raped his future sister-in-law starting when she was 14 or 15, saying they had a sexual relationship for years but were both consenting adults.

State police in northern Michigan are investigating after a woman accused former state House Speaker Lee Chatfield of sexually assaulting her multiple times, beginning when she was 14 or 15 years old.

The commission is asking for records and documents from the National Archives detailing conversations between President Donald Trump’s White House and three Michigan officials.

The 2022 Michigan gubernatorial election is more than a year away, but there are already questions about who will and won’t be running.

KALAMAZOO, Mich. – Former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield has resigned as CEO of Southwest Michigan First amid community pushback. pic.twitter.com/loS4v0kH3t — Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) February 22, 2021Southwest Michigan First, an economic development agency in Kalamazoo, announced Chatfield as the new CEO on Feb. 11. According to WOODTV, the city of Kalamazoo and the Kalamazoo Promise both pulled support from Southwest Michigan First after the announcement that Chatfield had been hired. As the community started voicing concerns about Chatfield, Southwest Michigan First said it updated its handbook to make it clear it did not discriminate based on gender identity or sexual orientation. pic.twitter.com/iyTKdviZMh — Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield) February 16, 2021READ: More political coverage

In social media postings Sunday, the president's campaign organization targeted Chatfield and Lee Shirkey, a Republican and the Senate majority leader. An email message seeking comment was sent to a Trump campaign spokesman. No legal avenue remains for the Trump campaign to change the outcome in Michigan, said Tracy Wimmer, spokeswoman for the secretary of state's office, which oversees elections. Rose's phone number was still on the campaign's Facebook post Monday evening. Although none of the callers made threats, Rose plans to get a new phone number — pronto.

Gretchen Whitmer refused to sign a bill that would have let an estimated 200,000 one-time drunken drivers ask a judge to set aside their conviction, despite the measure's broad bipartisan support in the Michigan Legislature. The Democrat took no action on the expungement legislation Monday, allowing it to die when a 14-day review period expired. Michigan currently does not allow someone to petition a court to set aside a conviction for operating a vehicle while intoxicated. In Michigan, an expungement — or set aside — clears the public record of a conviction so it does not appear in a background check. People with a DUI on their record can be greatly hampered in their careers, McBroom said, especially those who need a commercial driver's license.

In the latest filing, the attorney for Wayne County, Robert Davis, called on the federal judge in Michigan’s Eastern District to sanction lawyers for six Michigan Trump supporters suing Gov. Sanctions for Michigan AG, Secretary of StateTuesday, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel also said her office along with Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will likely file sanctions of their own to get attorneys such as Powell banned from state courtrooms. That attorney, Matthew DePerno, has been a frequent guest of the far-right outlet Newsmax, a recent favorite of President Trump’s. The case is still ongoing in state court. The suit alleges that by allowing a state’s executive branch to certify a presidential election instead of state legislatures, it violates the constitution.

The Michigan House announced Monday morning it has approved a $483 million COVID-19 relief bill that was passed by the Senate on Friday night. According to the House, the bill includes:$64 million in small business survival relief$220 million to extend unemployment benefits$45 million in direct payments to workers who have been impacted by the virus$75 million for hospitals and healthcare workers,$22 million for increased testing$57 million for vaccine distributionThat adds up to $483 million in relief. The Senate voted 35-2 to approve Senate Bill 748. Congress is expected to pass a relief bill today that includes stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, rental and eviction relief, money for schools and small business loans. As we continue working to eliminate this virus, I urge all Michiganders to be smart and stay safe.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Gary Eisen has been removed from his committee assignments for the rest of the term after he made comments during a radio interview on Monday. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson and others on the Oversight committee, Republicans, Democrats, and members of the Electoral College. Because of that, Rep. Eisen has been removed from his committee assignments for the rest of the term. Our group, who will also be at the Capitol today to request to be seated as electors, intends to participate in our democracy peacefully. Rep. Gary EisenREAD: Michigan State House and Senate offices close Monday during Electoral College vote

After the hearing, Rep. Johnson received death threats in several voicemails, with one even calling for her lynching. Be in order, make them pay.”Though Rep. Johnson says she was not inciting violence with her message, Republican Michigan leaders and lawmakers whole heartedly disagreed. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others. The MLBC is on record condemning all acts of violence, threats, racist rhetoric toward any citizen of this great state. Rep. Johnson released a video this week, where she discussed these spiteful messages and as a result, she’s been stripped of her committee assignments.

Related: AG Barr: No evidence of voter fraud that’d change election outcome“This is how democracies die,” Nessel said Friday. “By virtue of these types of actions, which are unprecedented in American history.”Legal experts don’t believe the high court will hear the case. Despite that, four Michigan GOP congressmen have signed onto the case and 15 GOP state lawmakers. Nessel and the Attorney Generals of the other states have all filed briefs with the high court. Each member who signed their names on their respective briefs also won their own elections in 2020, which they are now asking to be invalidated.

Michigan’s election results faced another round of legal challenges in courts both big and small just four days before the Electoral College is slated to meet and finalize the 2020 election. In the U.S. Supreme Court, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel responded to the state of Texas, which is suing Michigan, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Georgia -- three other key states that voted in favor of President-elect Joe Biden. Texas alleged that Michigan broke its own election laws to send absentee ballots to voters during a pandemic, and argued that the court should throw out millions of votes. More: Michigan AG: Texas AG Paxton’s election lawsuit is clear signal request for pardon by TrumpNessel said the claims in the lawsuit are “absurd” and already have been debunked in lower courts. The scheme has been floated and then called for by President Trump, his campaign and his legal team before and after the presidential election in an effort to overturn election results.

They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official," they said in a joint statement stating that violence and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. "That applies to threats made toward public officials, and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or next.”Johnson could not be reached for comment. Earlier in the video, she urged people to “be smart” and “hit them in the pocketbook" — an apparent reference to Trump supporters. She urged people to call 911 or the police if they have been threatened or fear for their safety.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan House canceled its voting session scheduled for Tuesday following an announcement that President Donald Trump’s personal attorney Rudy Giuliani had tested positive for the coronavirus. Giuliani visited Lansing last Wednesday to testify for hours before a Republican-led committee investigating alleged election irregularities. “The CDC guidelines would not consider them close contacts with anyone, even if Mayor Giuliani had been positive, but they want to go above and beyond in the interest of public safety. With the recent spike in COVID cases nationwide, this makes sense.”Chatfield, who was being tested, said several other House members need to miss Tuesday’s session for non-virus reasons. Votes will be taken on Wednesday and Thursday in the second-to-last week of the two-year session.

He’s not really interested in COVID relief these days,” University of Michigan professor Richard Primus said. Primus teaches constitutional law and is a contributor for the Federalist Society. He said the president’s efforts to undermine the election, including the invitation sent to GOP leaders, are troubling for the election process by spreading distrust in democracy. “It doesn’t look to me like Speaker Chatfield and Senator Shirkey have done anything criminal, they haven’t taken any actions that a bribe was made to them or they accepted one. However, under state law, an audit cannot happen until an election is certified.

DETROIT – The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is set to meet Monday to decide whether Michigan’s election results will be certified. Republican Party leaders asked the Michigan Board of State Canvassers to delay certification two weeks to look into irregularities. The vote to certify Michigan’s election results comes nearly three weeks since Election Day. Despite Joe Biden’s lead over President Donald Trump by hundreds of thousands of votes, House Speaker Lee Chatfield spoke of the believed dangers that could follow a split decision on the Michigan Board of State Canvassers. In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning Republican and Michigan House Speaker, Lee Chatfield, talked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis” ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results.

DETROIT – In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning Republican and Michigan House Speaker, Lee Chatfield, talked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis” ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results. Chatfield debunked circulating rumors that he was asked to intervene in the election process during Friday’s meeting. Currently, Black voters are suing the Trump campaign over its effort to invalidate election results. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence. It began the day you and other leaders refused to stand behind our clerks and election process,” said Koleszar in the Tweet.

DETROIT – In an interview with Fox News Sunday morning, Republican and Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield talked about the possibility of a “constitutional crisis” ahead of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers scheduled Monday meeting to certify election results. “If they didn’t have an order that it be certified, well now we have a constitutional crisis in the state of Michigan. WATCH Local 4 News at 11Metro Detroit weather: Winter Weather Advisory canceled as snow showers leaveSunday night will be cold. Overnight lows will be in the 20s and low 30s. Re-freezing and icy roads are possible overnight even though no additional rain or snow will fall.

The Republican National Committee and the state Republican Party want the board to adjourn for 14 days to investigate alleged irregularities in Wayne County, the state's largest and home to Detroit. “Michigan election law clearly requires that the state’s electors must be those nominated by the party that received the most votes — not the Legislature,” says a stock email House Republicans are sending in response to people who contact their offices. Experts on Michigan election law have said the state board's authority is limited in scope and that it must certify the results now that all 83 counties have reported theirs to the state. The deadline is Dec. 13, but that is five days after the federal “safe harbor” date — when Congress cannot challenge any electors named by that date in accordance with state law. In fact, election officials from both political parties have stated publicly that the election went well and international observers confirmed that there were no serious irregularities.

DETROIT – A group of Detroit voters are now suing the Trump Campaign, claiming it’s trying to disenfranchise Black voters in their attempt to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. The lawsuit Anthony is talking about is 18 pages long. The plaintiffs are several local Detroit voters, along with the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization. They are suing Donald Trump and his campaign, claiming they’re trying to disenfranchise Black voters by trying to block the certification of votes in Wayne County. And we hired Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.”You can read the entire lawsuit filed against Trump and his campaign by the Michigan Welfare Rights Organization and Detroit residents here.

DETROIT – The envoy of Michigan Republican lawmakers who traveled to the White House Friday for a controversial meeting with President Donald Trump returned home Saturday. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey refused to answer questions despite releasing a statement the day before. There were also photos of Chatfield and several other Michigan Republicans drinking inside Trump Hotel while seated at a table. The State Board of Canvassers meets Monday to vote on certifying the state election. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence.

DETROIT – Three Detroit voters have joined a local organization in suing President Trump and his campaign over their effort to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Wayne County Board of Canvassers certifies results despite initial deadlockThe lawsuit comes days after two GOP members of the Wayne County Board of Canvassers initially voted not to certify the votes, citing discrepancies in the county’s numbers. The pair changed their minds again, however, after President Trump called them personally on Tuesday evening after the certification process. Still, some argue that their meeting with the president so close to the state’s certification meeting is concerning. We expect the State Board of Canvassers to do its job and count the votes.”The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is scheduled to meet at 1 p.m. on Monday.

DETROIT – Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox penned a joint letter dated today to the Michigan Board of State Canvassers asking to delay the certification of election results for two weeks. Since the presidential election Republican leaders have made allegations of voter fraud without substantial evidence. The letter was sent only a day after Michigan Republican leaders met with President Donald Trump. After the meeting both leaders issued a joint letter noting that the meeting with the president was on the state’s fight against COVID-19. @Local4News pic.twitter.com/qUMYjSr35H — Grant Hermes (@GrantHermes) November 21, 2020My joint letter with @GOPChairwoman to the Members of the Michigan Board of State Canvassers.

The leaders of Michigan’s House and Senate met with President Donald Trump Friday. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 295,177 as of Friday, including 8,377 deaths, state officials report. New COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan. Hospitalizations have increased steadily for the last five weeks, including upticks in critical care and ventilator use. New Today: Coronavirus in Michigan: Here’s what to know Nov. 21, 2020Here’s a look at more of the data:

The leaders of Michigan’s House and Senate met with President Donald Trump Friday. We have since sent the same correspondence to congressional leaders.”They made sure to ask for further federal dollars to deal with the impact of COVID-19. Currently, it’s hundreds of millions of dollars in federal money that is back filling the state budget. Both leaders also addressed the vote certification process. Several legal experts and local leaders say the state’s certification of votes is simply the next step in the process and should carry on normally, despite drama over the certification process in Wayne County this week.

DETROIT – The latest outlook at what winter 2020-2021 could look like in Michigan. 4 Fast FactsBe InformedMichigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. After meeting with President Donald Trump, the Michigan GOP lawmakers released a statement saying that they’re not aware of any information that would change President-elect Joe Biden’s victory in the state. The Michigan Board of State Canvassers is expected to certify the results of the 2020 election on Monday, Nov. 23. Read MoreThursday, Nov. 19, 2020 --

WASHINGTON – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday. READ: Michigan GOP lawmakers meet with President Trump at White HouseSenate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield released the following statement:“The President of the United States extended invitations to us on Wednesday evening. We each accepted his invitation as we would accept an invitation from any sitting President if asked to meet at the White House. “We used our time in the White House to deliver a letter to President Trump making clear our support for additional federal funds to help Michigan in the fight against COVID-19. These are simple truths that should provide confidence in our elections.”I was glad to have met with President Trump this evening.

DETROIT – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield met with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s one of the most controversial White House meetings in recent history and there’s concern the president is going to try get Shirkey and Chatfield to overturn Michigan’s election results. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. We each accepted his invitation as we would accept an invitation from any sitting President if asked to meet at the White House. “We used our time in the White House to deliver a letter to President Trump making clear our support for additional federal funds to help Michigan in the fight against COVID-19.

During an interview with CNN Friday morning, Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said she had not spoken with state Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield about their invitation to meet with President Trump in Washington. UPDATE 12:48 p.m.: Chatfield Chatfield tweeted : “No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. 🇺🇸”However, during the live interview Benson said Chatfield texted her that “he hasn’t confirmed with anyone that he’s going or not.”Reports say Trump will meet with several Republican state legislators from Michigan about the election results today. of State Jocelyn Benson this morning on CNN: "Actually, the speaker *just* texted me and said he hasn't confirmed with anyone that he's going or not." President - Michigan View All CandidatesRepresentatives with the Michigan State House and Senate could not be reached for comment by Local 4 and ClickOnDetroit.

DETROIT – Michigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s an extraordinary move as the Trump Campaign continues to attempt to stop Michigan from certifying the election results. Speaker Lee Chatfield confirmed that he was meeting with the president in a tweet just before the meeting Friday, saying he is honored to speak with Trump. No matter the party, when you have an opportunity to meet with the President of the United States, of course you take it. And I look forward to our conversation.”The 4 p.m. meeting comes after a contentious meeting with the Wayne County Board of Canvassers.

DETROIT – Here’s what you missed on Local 4 News at Noon. What we know about President Trump’s meeting with two Michigan GOP lawmakersMichigan Senate majority leader Mike Shirkey and House speaker Lee Chatfield are expected to meet with President Donald Trump at the White House Friday. It’s an extraordinary move as the Trump Campaign continues to attempt to stop Michigan from certifying the election results.

There has been some suggestion from a few GOP activists that the state legislative leadership could change the state’s electors. Pfizer seeking emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine in USPfizer said Friday it is asking U.S. regulators to allow emergency use of its COVID-19 vaccine, starting the clock on a process that could bring limited first shots as early as next month and eventually an end to the pandemic -- but not until after a long, hard winter. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus (COVID-19) in Michigan has risen to 285,398 as of Thursday, including 8,324 deaths, state officials report. New COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to rise in Michigan. The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 130,000 on Wednesday, near its highest mark on record.

President Donald Trump listens during an event in the briefing room of the White House in Washington, Friday, Nov. 20, 2020, on prescription drug prices. Experts on Michigan election law said the Board of State Canvassers' authority was limited in scope. The Michigan Legislature would be called on to select electors if Trump succeeded in persuading the board not to certify the results. In two Democratic-leaning counties in Wisconsin that are recounting votes, Trump’s campaign sought to discard tens of thousands of absentee ballots that it alleged should not have been counted. "It’s an open attempt to intimidate election officials, it’s absolutely appalling.

Their vote will stand.”The big question is what the Michigan Board of State Canvassers does on Monday. In midst of the election certification process, President Donald Trump has asked Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield to meet with him at the White House on Friday. Representatives with the Michigan State House and Senate could not be reached for comment. “There is no legal mechanism for them to rescind their vote. Their job is done and the next step in the process is for the Board of State Canvassers to meet and certify,” said secretary of state spokeswoman Tracy Wimmer, the AP reports.

The press conference came just hours after the Trump campaign filed to dismiss its case to stop the certification of Michigan’s election results. “That case was attempting to get Wayne County board of supervisors to decertify, and they did,” Giuliani said, misidentifying the Board of Canvassers as supervisors. But Giuliani and the campaign’s filing are wrong: The Wayne County Board of Canvassers did certify the election after a 2-2 deadlock earlier this week. Michigan officials said Thursday that there’s no legal basis for them to reverse their decisions. Read the latest here: Michigan: GOP canvassers can’t legally rescind Wayne County election certification vote

WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump has invited two top Republican Michigan lawmakers to the White House this week. Senate Republican Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield will reportedly attend a meeting a the White House on Friday. It is telling that Michigan GOP legislative leaders Mike Shirkey and Lee Chatfield are jetting off to Washington DC this week to meet with President Trump. Two Republican members of the board -- Monica Palmer and William Hartmann -- refused to certify the election results on Tuesday. Read more: Trump targets Wayne County vote certification in late bid to block Biden

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield on Wednesday slapped down calls by some Republican lawmakers for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s impeachment for her actions mitigating the spread of COVID-19. However, Chatfield said an effort to impeach Whitmer would lack merit and would be every bit as “shameful” as the impeachment efforts against President Donald Trump. The people of Michigan deserve a seat at the decision table, Chatfield said in a statement Sunday. Chatfield said House Republicans stand ready to act in a bipartisan way when Whitmer decides it is worth her time.

The Michigan Legislature would be called to select electors if Trump succeeds in convincing the state’s board of canvassers not to certify Biden’s victory in the state. Asked at a Lansing news conference about the plan for legislative leaders to visit Trump, Democratic Gov. “Wayne County voters need to have full confidence in this process." Biden crushed Trump in Wayne County by a more than 2-1 margin on his way to winning Michigan by 153,000 votes, according to unofficial results. But Trump and his allies have spent two weeks raising false claims of fraud and refusing to concede to Biden.

The Republican-led Michigan State House and Senate will hold hearings on the “voting and counting process” in the state, according to House Speaker Lee Chatfield. The proposed inquiry comes as President Trump is seeking to stop vote counting in key election states, including Michigan. There is no evidence of voter fraud tied to the 2020 Michigan election. Republicans are expected to keep control of the Michigan House. Michigan Republicans held a press conference on Friday, alleging voter fraud in Michigan, but offered no evidence to back the claims.

LANSING, Mich. – Controversy at the Michigan State Capitol continues after an already troubling week, amid the alleged domestic terrorism plot to kidnap the governor. RELATED: Letter criticizes Michigan governor for not warning legislature about domestic terror plotIt’s safe to say it has been a busy and scary week at the Michigan State’s Capitol building, especially after the FBI stopped alleged threats to kidnap the governor. Saturday, Michigan Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, spoke out about the threats, “I think the plot was evil, plotted by evil men and it needs to be condemned. Why weren’t we in the Legislature warned of the plot to take hostages at the Capitol? I am also alarmed the Lieutenant Governor recently blamed Michigan Republicans for the evil plans of these unstable men.

The letter was sent after 13 men were charged this week in a domestic terror plot to kidnap Whitmer and overthrow the government. He also brought up Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist saying he recently blamed Michigan Republicans for the domestic terror plot. New Today: Michigan sheriff shared stage at protest with man charged in domestic terror plot to kidnap, kill governorRead the entire letter here"We need to cooperate more. I am also alarmed the Lieutenant Governor recently blamed Michigan Republicans for the evil plans of these unstable men. Will the Lieutenant Governor turn it down with the entire Republican Party, millions of whom are his constituents?

FILE - In this June 4, 2019, file photo, Kevin Warren talks to reporters after being named Big Ten Conference Commissioner during a news conference in Rosemont, Ill. Leaders of six state legislatures in the Big Ten footprint have sent a letter to commissioner Kevin Warren asking the conference to reconsider its decision to cancel the fall football season. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)Big Ten is going to give fall football a shot after all. The Big Ten said its Council of Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously Tuesday to restart sports. The move came amid sharp pressure from coaches, a lawsuit from players and pressure from parents and even President Donald Trump pushing for a Big Ten football season.

Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield released the following statement after reaching a bipartisan budget agreement, which includes adjustments to the fiscal year 2020 budget and allocation of Coronavirus Relief Fund dollars. Read the statement:“COVID-19 has had an unprecedented impact on our state budget. This agreement provides crucial funding for Michigan families, schools, and communities grappling with costs incurred as a result of the virus. Whitmer and legislative leaders for working together to minimize the negative impact on schools, students and public education employees in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. This budget agreement prevents education funding cuts for the current fiscal year and, looking ahead, will help finalize plans to safely reopen schools in the fall.

The Michigan Legislature is meeting Thursday to continue debating the State of Emergency in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer wants to extend the emergency another 28 days after it expires Thursday night at midnight. The state Legislature is slated to vote on the governor’s request before it expires. The number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Michigan has risen to 40,399 as of Wednesday, including 3,670 deaths, state officials report. State officials say the rate of growth is continuing to slow, while testing rates continue to rise.

LANSING, Mich. – A second member of the Michigan House Democratic Caucus has tested positive for COVID-19. Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) is doing well and appears to be on the other side of her illness, according the House. “I also am praying for her speedy recovery, and for the safety of her friends and family,” said House Democratic Leader Christine Greig (D-Farmington Hills).“Rep. Whitsett’s positive result in another reminder that everyone must follow the recommended guidelines and in practice social distancing to stop the spread of this virus. Anyone who is experiencing symptoms should contact their medical provider.”On March 26, it was reported Rep. Tyrone Carter (D-Detroit) tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

LANSING, Mich. - A ballot group that helped overhaul Michigan's redistricting process has discussed lengthening legislative term limits with Republicans who control the Legislature. Voters Not Politicians, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield confirmed their preliminary talks Tuesday. A proposal to amend Michigan's constitution to change term limits has not been finalized. The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has also attended a meeting to discuss easing term limits. Voters Not Politicians spearheaded the 2018 voter-approved ballot initiative to give a commission power to draw congressional and legislative maps instead of the Legislature.

Gretchen Whitmer shuffled millions of dollars in state department funding during a special state administrative board meeting Tuesday morning. The move comes after a season of contentious budget negotiations that nearly shut down the state government. Budget bills signedWhitmer avoided a state shutdown Monday night by signing the budget bills sent to her desk by the Republican-controlled Legislature. However, she used her line-item veto power and cut nearly $1 billion out of the budget. "I had to use my line-item veto to try, and clean up budgets that were a complete mess," she said.

Gretchen Whitmer held a news conference Tuesday morning on the state budget. Whitmer avoided a state shutdown Monday night by signing the budget bills sent to her desk by the Republican-controlled Legislature. However, she used her line-item veto power and cut nearly $1 billion out of the budget. "I had to use my line-item veto to try, and clean up budgets that were a complete mess," she said. Michigan governor signs budget with $1B in line-item vetoes -- watch:Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

Gretchen Whitmer will hold a news conference Tuesday morning on the state budget. Governor Garlin Gilchrist and State Budget Director Chris Kolb. Whitmer avoided a state shutdown Monday night by signing the budget bills sent to her desk by the Republican-controlled Legislature. However, she used her line-item veto power and cut nearly $1 billion out of the budget. "I had to use my line-item veto to try, and clean up budgets that were a complete mess," she said.

LANSING, Mich. - With 17 budgets sent to Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the big question is whether she will accept a budget, veto them or shut the government. Whitmer didn't participate in the most recent budget work because she called the budget a mess and walked away. Learn more about the budget battle in the video above. Copyright 2019 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit - All rights reserved.

LANSING, Mich. - The Republican-led Michigan Legislature on Thursday gave final approval to a K-12 budget that would boost base per-student funding for most schools by $240, or 3%. The minimum per-pupil grant, which many districts and charter schools receive, would increase from $7,871 to $8,111. The school aid budget would spend $387 million more in state money, about $136 million less than what Whitmer proposed. She cited a study that found schools are underfunded by $2,500 per student and a task forces finding that special education is underfunded by $700 million. The Legislature is planning to send spending measures to her desk, while she is leaving open the possibility of vetoing parts of the budget.

Gretchen Whitmer and Republican legislative leaders have agreed to finalize a state budget without including a long-term funding plan to fix the state's poor roads. After negotiations appeared to have been stalling between the two sides due to a disagreement on roads funding, Gov. Whitmer has been calling for a new roads funding package to be part of the new state budget. However, talks over the weekend changed the tone as Whitmer has agreed to separate the roads funding talks from the budget talks. Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield agreed it was time for Whitmer to split roads funding from the budget and negotiate on two different tracks, and that appears to be the case now.

The Michigan governor and Republican lawmakers in Lansing say they're working together on a 2020 state budget and have agreed to split roads funding from the negotiations. After negotiations appeared to have been stalling between the two sides due to a disagreement on roads funding, Gov. Whitmer has been calling for a new roads funding package to be part of the new state budget. However, talks over the weekend changed the tone as Whitmer has agreed to separate the roads funding talks from the budget talks. Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield agreed it was time for Whitmer to split roads funding from the budget and negotiate on two different tracks, and that appears to be the case now.

LANSING, Mich. - There's a war of words in Lansing, as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer came out swinging against the Republican-controlled-Legislature Wednesday. Michigan is about one month from the budget deadline and both sides are trying to prevent a shutdown. Whitmer held a news conference Wednesday morning, demanding the Legislature pass a $60 billion budget as soon as possible. Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield agree it's time for Whitmer to split road funding from the budget and negotiate on two different tracks.