Insider Intelligence

Yesterday, the House voted in support of a bill package ending driver responsibility fees and forgive outstanding fees. The fees are currently scheduled to be phased-out, however this proposal would speed up the date for removing such fees. Driver responsibility fees are assessed after a driver accumulates a certain number of points on their license […]

This week, a seven-bill package was introduced by members of the House Democratic caucus reforming petition circulation in Michigan.  According to the bill sponsors, the legislation was introduced in response to complaints across the state that a number of petition groups are using varying degrees of dishonesty when attempting to gather signatures. The legislation as […]

In 2010 the legislature passed reforms to teacher retirement pensions and healthcare. Since it was signed into law by Governor Rick Snyder, unions have been fighting against the law, contending that it is unconstitutional.  Specifically, the law stated that a teacher must contribute 3% of their pay towards healthcare benefits in retirement.  The legal question […]

The House and Senate are scheduled to hold their typical Tuesday – Thursday session schedule. Following next week, the legislature will be on their annual two-week break, resuming session on November 28. On Tuesday, November 7, Michigan residents in seventy-five counties will head to the polls for local elections. For your personal voter information, please […]

In the second post of my two-part series, we examine how invaluable knowledge and experience can be to the government procurement process. KNOW your product This seems obvious, but unbelievably there are companies that do not prepare their team to present their product to prospective clients.  Many companies have a government sales person.  This is […]

Below are some of the articles that the MLC lobby team has been reading this past week.  We hope you find them as interesting and useful as we do. Google Search Trends Reveal the Types of Businesses Americans Want to Start Most – What are the country’s and Michigan’s start-ups? Did the Clinton Campaign Really […]

What advice does MLC lobbyist Cami Pendell give to new legislators and legislative staff when asked? Governor Snyder signed legislation prohibiting local governments from enacting taxes on the production, distribution, and sale of food. The House Insurance Committee reported legislation reforming Michigan’s auto no-fault insurance system. Legislation was reported by the House Elections and Ethics […]

On Thursday, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation ensuring local units of government cannot impose an excise tax on the production, distribution, and sale of food.  Dubbed “The Michigan Food Access and Affordability Act,” it places a prohibition on local governments from creating such a tax. While making its way through the legislature, the bill received […]