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Testimony opened in a state Senate committee Wednesday on legislation that would end welfare for families with repeatedly truant children. House Republican Al Pscholka is the bill sponsor. He told the Senate Families, Seniors and Human Services Committee the best defense against poverty is an education and, he says, the …

Charitable groups are lauding a Michigan Senate committee following the panel’s approval of a measure codifying existing rules that regulate so-called “millionaire parties.” Those fund raising events, which often feature the popular Texas Hold’em poker games, have been a boon in recent years for charitable organizations. But they’ve complained recently …

Integrys Energy Group is reporting lower earnings in the first quarter of 2015 in the ballpark of $8.5 million over the same period last year. In a statement, officials at Integrys say lower earnings at both the electric transmission investment segment and electric utility segment drove the decrease. The first quarter 2015 …

Who is running for mayor of Flint? At this point, nobody. No candidates have qualified for the ballot. The city clerk’s office reportedly had told candidates for mayor and city council that they had until April 28 to turn in nominating petitions. Several did, but it turns out the deadline …

Hearings began Tuesday in Lansing on a proposal to eliminate the statute of limitations for first-degree criminal sexual conduct committed against those under the age of 18, including any assaults that occurred in the past. While the statute of limitations was eliminated in 2001, it was not retroactive to assaults …

The debate over “millionaire parties,” “Texas Holdem” and other charitable gaming events heats up again in Lansing Wednesday. A Michigan Senate Committee may vote on a proposal to codify current “emergency rules” regarding the events. The proposal is supported by the Michigan Charitable Gaming Association, which represents non-profit groups. State …

The Michigan Senate has given the go-ahead to a nearly 54-billion dollar spending plan. The budget, which breaks down to $15.9 billion going to education and the remaining $38 billion going to state departments, was approved on mostly party line votes. It does not include some of the fee increases …

Now that voters have said “no” to increasing the state sales tax a penny to raise more funding for roads, Michigan residents want lawmakers to head right back to drawing board, according to a new poll. The survey by Lansing-based EPIC/MRA shows 87-percent say Governor Rick Snyder and lawmakers should …

It’s back to work for lawmakers in Lansing after Prop 1 failed on Election Day. House Appropriations Chair, State Representative Al Pscholka, says he’ll be in early this morning to start brainstorming solutions. House Minority Leader Tim Greimel expects what passed the House in December to be Plan A once …

Michigan voters were asked Tuesday to increase the sales tax a penny to help raise $1.2 billion for roads and their answer to Proposal 1 was a resounding “no.” Nearly 80-percent of voters voted “no” compared to just 20 percent that said “yes” Despite the loss, Governor Rick Snyder says …