TheRepublic.com - Michigan State Legislature News

Gov. Snyder, GOP lawmakers agree to budget targets

Tue, 21 May 2013 23:05:28 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and leaders of the GOP majority in the Legislature reached a budget agreement Tuesday for next fiscal year that doesn't include an expansion of government health insurance for low income-adults and puts Michigan's unexpected surplus toward funding roads and K-12 education.

Proposal to block insurance coverage for abortions

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:42:28 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Michigan's election board on Wednesday is expected to consider a petition form for a proposal that would prohibit Michigan health insurance plans for covering elective abortions unless individuals or businesses buy a supplemental policy.

Mich. reveals program to prevent school violence

Tue, 21 May 2013 19:14:47 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Michigan's attorney general laid out a proposal Tuesday aimed at preventing violence in schools by creating a confidential tipline for parents and students to report potentially dangerous behavior.

Michigan Democrats lay out auto insurance bills

Mon, 20 May 2013 15:49:04 -0400

DETROIT - Detroit's Democratic state House Caucus is laying out an effort to change Michigan's auto insurance policies.

Free hunting, fishing licenses for Mich. military

Mon, 20 May 2013 13:00:04 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Active-duty military members living in Michigan can now get annual hunting and fishing licenses for free.

Snyder officials to meet with Michigan residents

Mon, 20 May 2013 12:43:33 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Officials from Republican Gov. Rick Snyder's administration are planning to travel across the state this week to take suggestions and answer questions from Michigan residents.

Mich. cancer patients to back Medicaid expansion

Mon, 20 May 2013 04:07:17 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Cancer patients and survivors in Michigan are expected to call on lawmakers to expand Medicaid coverage for about 400,000 uninsured Michigan residents.

Mich. disabled vets could see property tax relief

Sun, 19 May 2013 08:42:42 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Some disabled veterans living in Michigan could get some relief next tax season under legislation being debated in the state Senate.

Law requires 1 form for authorization of medicine

Sun, 19 May 2013 04:02:04 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A new Michigan law calls for the creation of a universal form that doctors can use when patients need prior authorization for coverage of prescription drugs.

Mich. customers oppose fees to refuse power meters

Sat, 18 May 2013 07:02:21 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A small but outspoken group of residential customers vows to continue battling Michigan's largest utility company over the freedom to opt out of having "smart" meters installed outside their homes.

Michigan lawmaker backs anti-cyber-bullying bill

Sat, 18 May 2013 04:05:04 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A Democratic Michigan lawmaker is backing an effort aimed at preventing cyber-bullying in schools.

Lawmaker proposes changes to Mich. fireworks law

Fri, 17 May 2013 07:58:12 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A lawmaker has proposed changes following a slew of complaints, safety concerns and confusion about a law that made powerful fireworks legal in Michigan.

Mich. Senate votes to extend health claims tax

Thu, 16 May 2013 23:54:29 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A continuation of a 1 percent tax on health insurance claims passed the state Senate Thursday, but yet to be resolved is how to ensure the levy brings in enough revenue for Medicaid, which serves 1.9 million low-income Michigan residents.

Mich. Senate budget has no Medicaid expansion

Thu, 16 May 2013 12:20:05 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - The Michigan Senate has approved a budget bill that doesn't include Gov. Rick Snyder's proposed expansion of government health insurance for low-income adults.

Snyder sign bills for vets driver's licenses, IDs

Tue, 14 May 2013 16:25:05 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Gov. Rick Snyder has signed legislation to allow Michigan veterans to get a special designation on their driver's license or state ID card.

Michigan House committee to debate FOIA fees cap

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:10:43 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A Michigan House committee is expected to take up a bill that would restrict how much government agencies can charge for Freedom of Information Act requests.

Mich. Democrats to introduce women's health bills

Mon, 13 May 2013 14:08:46 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Michigan Democrats are introducing legislation they say will improve women's access to health care.

W. Mich. Lawmaker: State rejects dune road request

Sun, 12 May 2013 12:41:05 -0400

WHITE RIVER TOWNSHIP, Michigan - A western Michigan lawmaker says the state Department of Environmental Quality has rejected a proposal to build a 1,200-foot private driveway across a strip of government-owned Lake Michigan dune habitat.

Michigan lawmakers debate teacher performance pay

Sun, 12 May 2013 04:14:32 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Michigan teachers' performance in the classroom would play a bigger role in the amount they get in their paychecks under a proposal being debated in the Republican-controlled state House.

Mich. road funding talks still at standstill

Sat, 11 May 2013 04:04:35 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - High-level talks over fixing Michigan's deteriorating roads are at a standstill.

Proposal would restrict use of kids in drug stings

Fri, 10 May 2013 08:32:15 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - A Michigan lawmaker wants to restrict the use of children in police drug stings after authorities in suburban Detroit used a 14-year-old boy to help bust a suspected drug dealer.

Bill helps Mich. schools with too many snow days

Thu, 09 May 2013 17:40:03 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Students in many school districts across Michigan who rejoiced at the news of repeated snow days now must sweat out an extended stay in the classroom.

Mich. Democrats push measures to halt gun violence

Thu, 09 May 2013 11:20:30 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Michigan House Democrats are introducing legislation aimed at reducing gun violence in Michigan, including expanding background checks for gun purchases.

Snyder to sign bills to keep 0.08 BAC for drivers

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:04:48 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - Republican Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign legislation that will prevent a scheduled rise in Michigan's blood alcohol content limit for drivers.

Emergency manager funding uncertain in Legislature

Wed, 08 May 2013 17:09:59 -0400

LANSING, Michigan - The state office helping cities and school districts placed under financial control has been given $20 million since its creation a year ago.