Gov. Snyder Signs Bill for Emergency Dredging Amid Low Lake Levels

The legislation, which was championed by lawmakers along Lake St. Clair received bipartisan support in the House and Senate.

Gov. Rick Snyder signed legislation Wednesday allowing for $21 million from the state for 58 emergency harbor dredging projects amid record low water levels in the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair. "As the Great Lakes State, we need to ensure the availability of our beautiful waterways to boaters to support tourism, local communities, the state economy and safe boating," Snyder said in a prepared statement. "I thank the Legislature for approving these funds in time for the boating season." Locally, legislators who represent communities along Lake St. Clair pushed for the emergency dredging legislation, including Sen Jack Brandenburg, R-Harrison Township, who called for low-interest loans for marinas. Brandenburg was joined by Republican …

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Sen. Bieda and Rep. Roberts Responds to Gov. Snyder's State of the State

State Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, and State Rep. Sarah Roberts, D-St. Clair Shores, gave their assessments of the State of the State Address by Gov. Rick Snyder.

State Sen. Steve Bieda, D-Warren, and State Rep. Sarah Roberts, D- St. Clair Shores, who both represent St. Clair Shores in Lansing, gave Patch their assessments of the State of the State Address delivered by Gov. Rick Snyder Wednesday at the State Capitol.

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Will Right-to-Work Law Lead to Recall of Gov. Snyder?

A political expert said Michigan could be “ground zero for a recall vote” against Snyder in 2013.

Could the sudden passage of the highly controversial right-to-work legislation lead to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's name appearing on a statewide ballot for something other than his re-election campaign? One political expert thinks it's possible. Joshua Spivak, a senior fellow at Wagner College’s Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform, told Politico that Michigan could be “ground zero for a recall vote” against Snyder in 2013. “There doesn’t seem to be a specific goal of going after state legislatures or state governors in any significant way, though that might change in Michigan because of right-to-work (legislation),” Spivak said in the Politico story.  Local recall elections, such as the one voters recently approved against Troy …

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Snyder Urges Legislature to Pass Right-to-Work Bill in Next Few Days

Gov. Rick Snyder announced Thursday that he would like to see right-to-work legislation on his desk before the end of this year's legislative session.

Michigan could very well be a right-to-work state in 2013 following Gov. Rick Snyder's call to action Thursday for the state legislature to pass a "workplace fairness and equity" bill in the next few days. Despite throngs of protesters on the Capitol lawn and in the lobby of the governor's headquarters, Snyder went ahead with the press conference Thursday morning to urge legislators to get a right-to-work bill on his desk before the holiday break. In a new Pure Michigan ad published today on YouTube, Snyder says his decision to pursue such legislation is "about being pro-work and giving workers the freedom to choose who they associate with." Although this legislation would cover both the public and private sectors, there would be an …

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Chuck Hall

11:49 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012

Is this the same Larry Mitchell that prefaced his last two comments with inuendo and foul language. IMO Larry ... this is certainly no way to represent your beliefs in unionization of a workplace. While I belive you came to your senses and started making valid points. I'am of the opinion that the leadership of these unions that you so defend brought this upon themselves. One only has to follow …   more ›

Your Guide to Michigan Education Reform Proposals

Find out what the bills entail, where they are in the legislative process, the pros and cons, and when an informational meeting will be held near you.

State House and Senate committees on Wednesday will consider portions of a proposed education reform package that has sparked howls of protest throughout Michigan. The bills' timing coincides with the waning terms of "lame duck" lawmakers who have only a few weeks left to serve and little to lose by potentially pushing through parts of the controversial legislation that would transform education in Michigan. Supporters argue underperforming schools and achievement gaps necessitate the reforms, which they say would make students more competitive when they enter college or the work force. But opponents say the measures are moving too quickly, do not provide proper regulations for new schools and would strip communities of control over their …

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Bills Introduced by Rep. Forlini Signed into Law

Two bills introduced by State Rep. Anthony Forlini were recently signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Two bills introduced by State Rep. Anthony Forlini, R-Harrison Township, were recently signed into law by Gov. Rick Snyder. Bill to end prisoner sales tax exemption This bill amends the General Sales Tax act and ends the tax exempt status for prisoners. By repealing the exemption, the House Fiscal Agency anticipates an increase of sales tax revenue by nearly $500,000. Medical amnesty for minors in possession This bill was introduced by Rep. Forlini in attempt to remove the fear a person under 21 who has been under the influence might have about contacting the authorities for medical assistance if they are in need it, or if they saw someone potentially in need of it. The new public act will grant those individuals medical amnesty as opposed…

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Edward Cardenas

5:16 pm on Friday, May 11, 2012

What are your thoughts about these new laws?   more ›

UPDATE: Gov. Snyder Signs Law Making Motorcycle Helmets Optional in Michigan

Michigan Senate joins the House in voting to lift the safety requirement for riders older than 21.

Michigan will become the 31st state to give motorcyclists the option of wearing a helmet since Gov. Rick Snyder signed the legislation, his office announced today.  Motorcyclists who are 21 or older can ride without a helmet if they have at least an additional $20,000 in medical insurance and passed a motorcycle safety course or had their motorcycle endorsement for at least two years. Opponents of state mandates feel use should be a personal choice. They say helmets can limit peripheral vision, muffle traffic awareness sounds and create additional injury risk because of their weight. Arguments in favor of crash helmets cite safety studies, lower public medical costs, eye protection if face shields are used and reduced fatigue by improving …

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Report: Selfridge Could Lose Jobs if Squadron is Cut

Gov. Rick Snyder told the Detroit News that proposed cuts to the Air National Guard could cost Selfridge nearly 560 jobs. Crains Detroit Business analyzes the proposed cut of the A-10 squadron at Selfridge, and provides a brief history of changes at the H

Snyder Endorses Romney at Chamber Event in Farmington Hills

Livonia mayor Jack Kirksey also gave his endorsement to Romney at Farmington Hills Manor.

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney came to Farmington Hills Manor for a luncheon Thursday expecting – and getting – an endorsement from Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder. But Romney picked up a "two-fer," as longtime Livonia Mayor Jack Kirksey also threw his support behind the Michigan native, asking those in attendance to talk with their friends and make a commitment to vote for Romney in the Feb. 28 Michigan primary. "I didn't want to collide with Governor Snyder's endorsement," Kirksey joked. "As you can see, I have a great feeling of self-esteem." In his endorsement, Snyder ticked off the progress his administration made in eliminating Michigan's state budget deficits and the state's complex and much-hated business tax. He said …

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Joni Hubred-Golden

12:58 am on Friday, February 17, 2012

He was, Thomas - I'm working on a video for tomorrow with more on the locals, including Mr. Brickner's interesting observation about presidential candidates and Farmington Hills.   more ›

Macomb County Politicians Weigh in on PPT, Right to Work and Roads

The Macomb County Chamber's third annual Reinventing Macomb panel discussion featured local and state officials debating their views on right to work, the personal property tax and infrastructure.

They sat on opposite sides of the room, but when pressed to weigh in on making Michigan a right to work state, eliminating the personal property tax and improving area infrastructure, Macomb County’s local and state officials stood side-by-side on nearly every issue. More than a dozen county commissioners, city mayors and state representatives gathered at Sycamore Hills Golf Course Jan. 9 to field political and economic questions posed by senior capital correspondent Tim Skubick. “Talk to us about right to work. Is it going to be on the agenda in this new legislative year and why would you stiff your governor by debating it?” Skubick asked state Rep. Pete Lund (R-District 36). While Gov. Rick Snyder maintains he does not want Michigan to …

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