INSIDER
Legislation to allow firearm safety classes in schools introduced by Michigan senator
Read full article: Legislation to allow firearm safety classes in schools introduced by Michigan senatorSenator John Bumstead introduced legislation allowing firearms safety to be taught in Michigan schools as an option as part of the physical education curriculum.
Michigan bills would allow prisoners to petition judges for reduction of sentence after serving 10+ years
Read full article: Michigan bills would allow prisoners to petition judges for reduction of sentence after serving 10+ yearsThree Michigan legislators announced bills that would offer incarcerated people an opportunity to request a reduction of their sentence after serving at least 10 years.
New year brings Michigan’s minimum wage above $10, but it could rise even more
Read full article: New year brings Michigan’s minimum wage above $10, but it could rise even moreThe minimum wage in the state of Michigan increased on the first day of the year as scheduled, but that number may jump even higher in the coming months due to a looming court decision.
New year expected to bring more changes to voting laws throughout US
Read full article: New year expected to bring more changes to voting laws throughout USAn explosion of new election-related legislation followed former President Donald Trump's lies about losing the 2020 presidential election due to fraud.
Flashpoint Interview: Michigan AG Dana Nessel discusses future of abortion amid law uncertainty
Read full article: Flashpoint Interview: Michigan AG Dana Nessel discusses future of abortion amid law uncertaintyWe’re sitting down with Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to discuss what’s next for abortion access in the state.
Leaked SCOTUS opinion: A look at the future of abortion in Michigan if Roe is overturned
Read full article: Leaked SCOTUS opinion: A look at the future of abortion in Michigan if Roe is overturnedThe right to abortions has been widely debated among Americans and lawmakers alike in recent years -- a debate that has nearly reached a boiling point today, given that the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide this summer whether to overturn a landmark 1973 abortion ruling.
Michigan Sen. McMorrow: Republicans ‘creating issue that doesn’t exist’ with education laws
Read full article: Michigan Sen. McMorrow: Republicans ‘creating issue that doesn’t exist’ with education lawsA Democratic Michigan state senator whose passionate Senate Floor speech went viral last week is saying that her Republican colleagues are creating problems that don’t exist in an effort to rile up their supporters and avoid addressing “real issues.”
Flashpoint Interview: Does Michigan auto insurance legislation reform need reform?
Read full article: Flashpoint Interview: Does Michigan auto insurance legislation reform need reform?Attempts to tweak auto insurance legislation have stalled out in Lansing -- but does no-fault insurance reform need more reform?
New bill would require gun owners to safely store weapons away from children
Read full article: New bill would require gun owners to safely store weapons away from childrenNewly proposed legislation would make gun owners liable if children access and use their weapons to commit a crime or hurt themselves or others.
‘Good time makes good sense:’ Sen. Irwin proposes system to reverse ‘tough on crime’ policies
Read full article: ‘Good time makes good sense:’ Sen. Irwin proposes system to reverse ‘tough on crime’ policiesSenator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) is pushing to reinstate “good time” credits for inmates in the Michigan prison system.
House Republicans go after UIA, draft legislation aimed at protecting Michiganders
Read full article: House Republicans go after UIA, draft legislation aimed at protecting MichigandersHouse Republicans say this is just the beginning. They’re currently drafting the wording of legislation they hope to introduce soon aimed at reforming the Unemployment Insurance Agency.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs marijuana legislation regulating delta-8 THC products
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer signs marijuana legislation regulating delta-8 THC productsAccording to the Governor’s Office, the product will be regulated by the Michigan Marijuana Regulatory Agency (MRA) beginning Oct. 11.
Lilliana’s Law: Mother of 3-year-old girl killed by falling lunch table fights to make schools safer
Read full article: Lilliana’s Law: Mother of 3-year-old girl killed by falling lunch table fights to make schools saferLilliana Kerr was killed on Jan. 20, 2017, after a lunch table fell on top of her while she was attending the Head Start program at St. Albert’s Church in Dearborn Heights. She was 3 years old.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer joins bipartisan call for marijuana banking reform
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer joins bipartisan call for marijuana banking reformOn Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined with fellow governors to call on Congressional leadership to pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would remove legal limitations and allow financial institutions to bank with state-licensed cannabis businesses.
Metro Detroit family pushes for legislation in honor of son killed by distracted driver
Read full article: Metro Detroit family pushes for legislation in honor of son killed by distracted driverFive years ago, Mitchel Keifer died after he was struck by a distracted driver. His family decided they couldn’t let the tragic event destroy their lives.
White House grades Michigan’s infrastructure as ‘D+’
Read full article: White House grades Michigan’s infrastructure as ‘D+’The Biden administration has announced how funding from the American Jobs Plan will go toward infrastructure improvements in each state across the country -- including in Michigan, where infrastructure has been graded at a “D+.”
Bill passed by Republican-controlled Senate would trigger restaurant restrictions in Michigan
Read full article: Bill passed by Republican-controlled Senate would trigger restaurant restrictions in MichiganMultiple COVID data points are severe enough that under a bill passed in the Michigan’s Republican-controlled Senate, the data would trigger a shutdown of indoor dining.
Bill to stop drunk driving reintroduced 2 years after crash that killed Northville family
Read full article: Bill to stop drunk driving reintroduced 2 years after crash that killed Northville familyWASHINGTON – On Tuesday, members of Congress reintroduced legislation to reduce drunk driving deaths across the country. The legislation, Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act, will require the commercialization and standards for advanced drunk driving prevention technology systems in all new cars. Two years ago, Dingell honored their lives on the house floor and pledged action to reduce drunk driving crashes. The HALT Drunk Driving Act will make our roads safer, and will help us bring an end to the trauma of drunk driving deaths and injuries in this country.”MADD National President Alex Otte has spoken out in support if the bill. Read more on the HALT Drunk Driving Act
Michigan eyes bill to clean up voter registration rolls
Read full article: Michigan eyes bill to clean up voter registration rollsAdam Reames, Michigan Department of State's Legislative policy director, testified in opposition to the legislation during two committee hearings in February. He said about 540 names are in the voter rolls with placeholder birthdays. If those who haven't participated in the past 20 years of elections don't properly return the mailing, their voter registration would be marked as challenged. If they don't participate in elections by the second November general election after receiving notice, their registration would be canceled. About 300,000 people are on voter rolls who haven't voted since before 2000, Reames said.
New Michigan bill seeks to observe permanent daylight saving time, end clock changes
Read full article: New Michigan bill seeks to observe permanent daylight saving time, end clock changesAdRelated: No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving timeIn recent years, some states have moved to end the usage of daylight saving time -- and now Michigan can be added to that list. However, states do not have the authority to adopt a permanent daylight saving time, like Sen. Irwin is pushing for. 5 questions as the nation prepares to spring forwardThe U.S. isn’t the only country that uses daylight saving time. Countries in North America and Europe are the primary practicers of daylight saving time, but parts of Australia and South America have also adopted the concept. You can see a map of countries that use daylight saving time here.
US House passes police reform bill named for George Floyd
Read full article: US House passes police reform bill named for George FloydIt’s coming in the form of a bill that was just passed by the U.S. House -- and it’s named after George Floyd. After months of protests over the last summer, Americans across the country said that the killing of George Floyd -- a Black Minnesota man -- was a wake up call for the nation. Lawrence says that members of Congress couldn’t ignore what happened to George Floyd and the cultural aftermath. “The George Floyd (Justice in Policing Act) is not a ‘Black bill,’ it’s not just for African Americans,” Lawrence said. We wanted body worn cameras,” Craig said.
Michigan governor signs bills to limit incarcerations
Read full article: Michigan governor signs bills to limit incarcerationsLANSING, Mich. – Legislation that allows for alternatives to jail and aims to limit recidivism in Michigan were among the dozens of new laws Gov. Among the measures were 20 based on the recommendations of the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration formed in 2019. The task force heard testimony from hundreds of people and reviewed 10 years of statewide arrest and court data after the state’s incarcerated population nearly tripled over four decades. “Despite the challenges 2020 presented, I am proud of the incredible work we have done as a state to reform our criminal justice system,” said Whitmer. “After establishing the bipartisan Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration we were able to make real and meaningful change that will impact the lives of thousands of Michiganders.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer reviewing Republican-led state relief bill before signing
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Whitmer reviewing Republican-led state relief bill before signingDETROIT – The State of Michigan has been working on its own COVID relief bill. It passed through the Republican led House and Senate and is now on Michigan Gov. Read more: Michigan Senate passes $465 million COVID-19 relief billOn Monday, her office stated that Republicans did not negotiate this bill and are reviewing it. After weeks of negotiations the state’s $465 million relief package passed in the state legislature last week. Additionally, there is $63 million set aside for small business relief and $3.5 million for concert venues.
Live stream: Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers announce ‘bipartisan legislation’ ahead of Veterans Day
Read full article: Live stream: Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers announce ‘bipartisan legislation’ ahead of Veterans DayLANSING, Mich. – Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers are set to announce “bipartisan legislation” ahead of Veterans Day. READ: Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers pass legislation to reduce professional licensure barriers for veteransA press conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. You can watch live in the stream posted above. Whitmer will be joined by Sen. Adam Hollier, Sen. John Bizon, Rep. Sarah Anthony, Rep. Andrea Schroeder, LARA Director Orlene Hawks, MVAA Director Zaneta Adams, Adjutant General DMVA Director Major General Paul D. Rogers and Lt. Col. Karen Sims.
Former UK leaders unite to slam Boris Johnson on Brexit plan
Read full article: Former UK leaders unite to slam Boris Johnson on Brexit planFILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 file photo, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair, left and John Major attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in London. One major element of the Brexit withdrawal agreement is the section related to ensuring an open border on the island of Ireland to protect the peace process in Northern Ireland. The issue proved thorny during the more than two years of discussions it took to get a Brexit deal done, as the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland is the only land link between the U.K. and the EU. As a result, the two sides agreed there would be some kind of regulatory border between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. Major and Blair, who both vociferously opposed Brexit, said the planned legislation puts the 1998 Good Friday agreement that ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland at risk.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defends veto of nursing home bill
Read full article: Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defends veto of nursing home billLANSING, Mich. More than 2,000 of the coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths in Michigan have occurred in nursing homes. That puts Michigan in, or near, the top 10 in the nation in nursing home fatalities. Gretchen Whitmer about it on Tuesday, she pushed back on the suggestion that Michigan handled the virus badly when it comes to nursing homes. READ: Michigan governor vetoes nursing home bill calling it a political gameI think I would challenge you on the statement you just made, Whitmer said. Hes the one who brought forth the bill Whitmer vetoed.
Michigan governor vetoes nursing home bill calling it a political game'
Read full article: Michigan governor vetoes nursing home bill calling it a political game'Gretchen Whitmer signed several bipartisan budget bills into law Friday, while she vetoed nursing home legislation. Whitmer vetoed Senate Bill 956, which she believes would have jeopardized the health of Michigans nursing home residents and other COVID-19-positive patients. Vetoed LegislationProtecting the health and safety of nursing home residents and their staff continues to be a top priority for my administration, said Whitmer. Senate Bill 956 is nothing more than a political game that would relocate vulnerable seniors without any requirement for consent, doctors approval, or notification to patients and their families. Last week, Whitmer extended protections by continuing limited and temporary restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities.
Michigan lawmakers battle over nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemic
Read full article: Michigan lawmakers battle over nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemicGretchen Whitmers COVID-19 nursing home policies spoke out Saturday. Whitmer said she vetoed Senate Bill 956 Friday because she believes it would have jeopardized the health of Michigans nursing home residents and other COVID-19-positive patients. COVID-19 patients have been placed in nursing homes with healthy residents since the beginning of the pandemic -- a policy the legislature disagreed. A new policy, sponsored by Sen. Peter J. Lucido, aimed to prohibit the transfer of people who have COVID-19 into nursing homes and long-term care facilities unless a facility was capable of keeping the patients separate. Health officials claim more about one-third of Michigans COVID-19 deaths came in nursing homes.