michigan legislature

Pot and pregnancy: Senate to debate product labels

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 11, 2019

Some Michigan lawmakers think women need to be warned of the potential dangers of using marijuana while pregnant.

Whitmer and legislative leaders reach consensus: budget first, roads later

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 10, 2019

Negotiations to come up with a long-term plan to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads have been put on hold. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican legislative leadership announced Monday that their main priority is the budget.

Sexual assault bills pass out of House committee

By Cheyna Roth • Aug 28, 2019

Some lawmakers in Lansing want to take away the licenses of medical professionals who sexually assault their patients under the guise of treatment.

Lawmakers return to Lansing with criminal justice changes at top of to-do list

By Cheyna Roth • Aug 27, 2019

The state Legislature plans to go back to its normal schedule this week. Republicans in the state House plan to keep working on a budget and road funding plan they can agree on along with the Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer, but they’ve got other priorities too.

School year could begin with no state budget

By Rick Pluta • Aug 22, 2019

The school year is about to begin in Michigan without contracts between many districts and teachers. That’s because the state Legislature has not adopted a K-12 schools budget to let school boards and teachers unions know how much money they’ll have to work with.

Whitmer: Gas tax increase is economically responsible

By Rick Pluta • Aug 20, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer toured an elementary school in Flint Monday to call attention to the fact that schools have started their academic year, but they don’t know how much financial support to expect from the state.

Group meets to discuss an Inman recall

By Taylor Wizner • Aug 15, 2019

More than 50 people wanting to recall Rep. Larry Inman, R-Williamsburg, met at the Traverse Area District Library yesterday, asking people for help collecting signatures and donating money and supplies.

Petitioner Sandy Hardy says the group seeks a recall because Inman is not serving his constituents.

“So we are here because we want representation and we feel we deserve it,” she says.

Many people were upset Inman has missed over 80 legislative votes since May and that he is still collecting a salary.

Whitmer wants tougher 'red flag' gun law

By Rick Pluta • Aug 14, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she would support a “red flag” law to allow law enforcement to seize firearms from someone who is deemed a risk.

Whitmer says Legislature should return to work on roads

By Rick Pluta • Aug 13, 2019

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer watches as road expert explains damage to bridge infrastructure. — Rick Pluta

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has again called on Republican leaders to reconvene the Legislature to wrap up work on a new state budget and a plan to fix the roads. But GOP leaders say there’s no reason yet.

Michigan 'falling short' on cancer-fighting policies

By Max Johnston • Aug 1, 2019

According to the American Cancer Society, Michigan is in the bottom-half of states when it comes to policies that fight and prevent cancer.

AG’s office to argue both sides of 'Adopt and Amend' in front of MI Supreme Court

By Cheyna Roth • Jul 17, 2019

Lawyers from the state Attorney General’s Office will be in front of the Michigan Supreme Court Wednesday. The twist? They’ll be arguing both sides of the same issue.

Michigan Supreme Court asks for input on jurisdiction on adopt and amend case

By Cheyna Roth • Jul 10, 2019

The Michigan Supreme Court is unsure if it can weigh in on the method used to change Michigan’s minimum wage and earned sick time laws, and it wants Attorney General Dana Nessel to weigh in.

Farmers get state and federal money to help with wet weather

By Max Johnston • Jul 9, 2019

Record rainfall this year has hit northern Michigan crops hard, and now farmers Up North are getting some help from the federal and state governments.

Public beach access affected by high water

By Daniel Wanschura & Morgan Springer • Jun 27, 2019

Dan Wanschura / Interlochen Public Radio

Michigan has complicated laws when it comes to private beaches and public access, and the rules for inland lakes are different from the Great Lakes.

Points North, Ep. 18: Getting a good education

By Morgan Springer • Jun 20, 2019

This week on Points North, a good preschool education can lead to success later in life. As Michigan officials push to enroll more kids in programs, poor funding and infrastructure get in the way. Plus, we celebrate the teachers who have impacted your lives.

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Committee hears testimony on financial disclosure legislation

By Cheyna Roth • Jun 13, 2019

Some Michigan lawmakers are trying – once again – to pass legislation that would require elected officials to file financial disclosures. It’s an issue that lawmakers have been trying to get past the finish line for decades.

Bills to expand who can administer opioid antagonist see movement in Legislature

By Cheyna Roth • May 23, 2019

The list of who can administer emergency opioid overdose medication in Michigan could grow.

Group plans to try to bypass Whitmer signature on abortion changes

By Cheyna Roth • May 22, 2019

A Michigan group wants to ban abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected. This would effectively ban abortions after around six weeks. The Michigan Heartbeat Coalition filed ballot petition language with the Secretary of State Tuesday.

Procedural move blocks snow day forgiveness bill

By Cheyna Roth • May 1, 2019

Michigan students may not get any additional snow days forgiven this year.

The state Senate unanimously passed a bill Tuesday that would have forgiven four state declared emergency snow days. But after that vote, several Democrats voted to not give the bill immediate effect. It’s a procedural move which renders the bill useless because it would not take effect until well after the school year has ended.

Shirkey balks at Benson’s call for increased financial disclosure

By Cheyna Roth • Apr 19, 2019

The leader of the state Senate Republicans says he’s not in favor of the Secretary of State’s call for candidates to disclose their financial information.

All branches of government on board for new jail task force

By Cheyna Roth • Apr 18, 2019

A new task force will explore who is in Michigan’s jails and why they’re there. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Wednesday.

Bill to penalize operation of a medical marijuana facility without a license passes House committee

By Cheyna Roth • Apr 10, 2019

State lawmakers want to put in place a final deadline for medical marijuana facilities to get a license, or not be able to stay open.

A state House committee unanimously passed a bill Wednesday. It gives a June 1st deadline for facilities – and if they stay open without a license, the facility can’t get a license for a year.