State News

The State of Michigan will join other states in a potential deal with Purdue Pharma over the damage caused by its drug OxyContin. Attorney General Dana Nessel confirmed the decision yesterday, saying the move would be better for the state than trying to pursue an individual settlement. The arrangement would …

With bipartisan talks at a standstill, Michigan’s Republican-led House and Senate moved forward yesterday with budget proposals of their own. Bills approved by various committees would provide little increase for higher education, a larger boost for K-12 education, and a significant boost for clean drinking water funding. Democratic Governor Gretchen …

The fragile budget truce between Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Michigan legislative Republicans broke down late yesterday. The refrain is a familiar one – Republicans say Whitmer walked out of negotiations; Whitmer accused them of negotiating in bad faith, after taking a two-month vacation. More specifically, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey …

Michigan’s most iconic hotel has been sold. The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island is being taken over by a private equity firm called KSL Capital Partners. The announcement was made yesterday by hotel chairman R.D. (Dan) Musser III, whose family has owned the historic hotel since the 1930s. Musser will …

Governor Gretchen Whitmer, Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, and House Speaker Lee Chatfield say they’ve agreed to put rancor about road repair funding aside, and focus on building a state budget before the fiscal year ends on September 30th. The three released this joint statement this morning: “The people of …

Michigan has joined a multi-state lawsuit against one of the nation’s largest student loan servicers. The action against Navient was begun in Pennsylvania, but now includes 30 other states. Pennsylvania authorities allege that Navient engaged in unfair and deceptive practices, including consistently making payment processing errors that added unnecessary penalties …

State Representative Greg Markkanen is disappointed with the way Governor Gretchen Whitmer handled the new ban on flavored nicotine e-cigarettes. Whitmer initiated the ban with an emergency order, bypassing any legislative hearings or votes. Markkanen says he supports keeping such products out of the hands of minors, but would have …

A state audit has found problems in the management of the Michigan Office of the Great Lakes. Doug Ringler The report signed by Auditor General Doug Ringler rates the overall work of the office as “moderately effective.” It reported weaknesses, though, in the way the office monitored how grant money …

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s plan to ban flavored electronic cigarettes in Michigan has been clarified. While the initial release earlier this week said the ban would take effect immediately, that will not be the case. Instead, the state health department is preparing emergency rules that will prohibit the sale of flavored …

Michigan is banning the sale of flavored e-cigarettes, effective today. The ban will include both on-site and online sales. It will last for six months, and can be renewed for another six months, as the state investigates permanent regulations. Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the move was necessary to protect the …