State News

The State of Michigan is setting up four task forces to address the spreading COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak. While no cases have yet been confirmed in Michigan, Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the virus has the potential to impact nearly every aspect of our lives. The task forces include: – The COVID-19 …

Personal service providers generated the most consumer complaints recorded by the Michigan Attorney General’s office in 2019. The category that includes everything from beauty shops to tax advisers jumped from seventh place up to first place on the list, driven by complaints against the Family Fitness Center chain in West …

Michigan’s subsidized Lifeline telephone service could disappear soon. The program requires telecom companies to provide subsidized landline telephone service for low-income residents. At one time, it was very popular. In recent years, though, the number of customers using it has fallen by 95 percent, to just around 6,000. Yesterday, Governor …

More than 6,000 Michiganders have applied to serve on the Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission than will draw new legislative boundaries after the 2020 census. The commission was established when voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2018. Boundaries for state House and Senate seats, and U.S. House seats, had previously been …

The UP’s Energy Task Force’s next meeting, is tomorrow in St. Ignace. The Task Force, will be looking for public input, regarding propane availability in the UP. The results of the meeting will be included in the report that must be turned over to Governor Whitmer by March 31st.  Last …

There are now new resources to help Michigan’s drivers with the state’s new auto insurance laws, set to take effect July 1st. The Department of Insurance and Financial Services has launched a new website, created consumer guides and has a new toll free hotline. Implementing legislation that protects consumers and …

The Great Lakes could be receiving additional funding. The House in Washington, DC has passed House Resolution 4031, the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The bill has been reinstated and could increase funding through 2026. Co-Sponsor of the Bill, Michigan’s Jack Bergman, said he was thankful the house came together, to …

Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer has been selected to deliver the Democratic response to the State of the Union address. President Donald Trump plans to make the annual speech to a joint session of the legislature on February 4th. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said they …

The governor signed a wide array of bills into law on Friday. Highlights include… – Legislation that expands the Neighborhood Enterprise Zone property tax exemption to encourage redevelopment in disadvantaged communities. – County boards of commissioners that want to take over the responsibilities of elected road commissions will need to …

A third woman has accused a Michigan state senator of inappropriate sexual behavior. Melissa Osborn says Republican Peter Lucido made crude comments, leered at her, and touched her inappropriately at a conference last May. Osborn is a regulatory affairs specialist for a trade group. The allegation was first reported by …