Michigan Government News

“The state budget should be their No. 1 priority, so setting that straight is good”

The state Legislature's nearly year-round rumble with Michigan's budget crisis has overshadowed efforts to do much of anything else. via WILX-TV Lansing

State attorneys plan to appeal a court ruling that kept Michigan from moving near the front of the pack in the presidential primary season. via WFRV

Eighty-two percent of those who voted from Local 898, which represents about 1,200 workers at Ford's Rawsonville plant in Ypsilanti Township, supported the new four-year deal, while 75 percent of the 900 union ... via WLS-AM Chicago

The selection of New Hampshire's primary date is temporarily on hold as Michigan sorts out a legal challenge. via WNNE

“I'm not in favor of repealing the services tax”

A state House committee has passed a bill that would kill a much-maligned tax on services and replace the lost revenue by raising Michigan's main business tax. via WOOD-TV Grand Rapids

“After significant examination we convened a meeting today and upheld the rules that were unanimously passed by our party in 2004”

The Republican Party announced Thursday that it will punish five states for scheduling early nominating contests. via MLive.com

“This puts the Legislature on par with other state employees”

Lawmakers no longer would qualify for full health care coverage in retirement for just six years of work under legislation approved Thursday in the state Senate. via WILX-TV Lansing

A University of Michigan professor was among eight honorees presented the Presidential Medal of Freedom. via WLNS-TV Lansing

The State Senate Finance Committee voted on Tuesday to repeal the oncoming tax on landscaping, travel agencies and a variety of other services that would take effect December 1st. via WSNX-FM Grand Rapids

Legislation that would lift restrictions on embryonic stem cell research in Michigan soon could come up for a vote in a state House committee. via WSBT

“Serious people who evaluated the policy -- the governor, the Legislature, the business community, etc. -- all support this”

Utah voters on Tuesday killed the nation's first statewide school voucher program that promised tax dollars for private tuition, no matter how much a family earned or whether kids were in bad schools. via Fox News

“The taxpayers are saying enough is enough.”

Last updated: 2:42 a.m., Wednesday, November 7, 2007 Utah voters on Tuesday killed the nation's first statewide school voucher program that promised tax dollars for private tuition, no matter how much a family ... via Times Union

“It's the same sad story we are hearing from all over”

A state Senate committee took another step Tuesday toward repealing a much-maligned services tax that affects a wide range of businesses from landscaping to consulting. via MLive.com

The Michigan Supreme Court is weighing whether state universities and governments can provide health insurance to the partners of gay workers. via ClickOnDetroit.com

A hunting and fishing agreement between the state of Michigan and five American Indian tribes is now official. via WWMT-TV Kalamazoo

“People that have worked assembly jobs, machining or fabricating in the automotive industry, ours is a lot heavier duty than that, but the basics are the same and can translate”

TV Report Could wind, water, and other natural resources help turn around Michigan's struggling economy? Governor Jennifer Granholm says yes. via South Bend Tribune

“I think Kellogg and most other Michigan manufacturers are quite willing to commit to shouldering a portion of the financial burden, and that's why we've come up with an alternative proposal, which would be a surcharge to the Michigan Business Tax.”

The top executive at another large, Michigan-based company urged state lawmakers on Monday to repeal a 6 percent tax on services that they passed a month ago. via Canadian Business Magazine

“Michigan is a car-crazy state, and many drivers see their vehicles as extensions of themselves, especially when you're a commuter -- it becomes a home away from home”

It's the automotive equivalent of wearing our causes on our sleeves. Tens of thousands of Michigan drivers declare their favorite state-supported university each year by buying or renewing license plates that ... via LivingstonDaily

A University of Michigan researcher says there's another reason to get the kids to bed early -- more sleep may lower their risk of becoming obese. via WOOD-TV Grand Rapids

For all the political angst and sleepless nights of the past month, Gov. Jennifer Granholm and the Legislature produced a budget that is pretty much status quo with higher taxes. via "That's Saul, folks!"Michig...