Insider Intelligence

It was announced on Friday that David Behen, Director of the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB), will be leaving his position on June 16 to return to the private sector.  He was first appointed Chief Information Officer at DTMB in February 2011, and in March 2014 he also became the director of the […]

This week, the Building Michigan’s 21st Century Economy Commission presented their report to Governor Rick Snyder.  The report states that for the state to achieve economic success, it must lead on talent, invest in infrastructure, create a competitive business climate, and ensure a good quality of life.  “The commission was first called for during the […]

This week, Lt. Governor Brian Calley made two big announcements during the Detroit Regional Chamber’s Mackinac Policy Conference.  On Tuesday, he announced his support for a constitutional amendment that would enact a part-time legislature.  Additionally, he went a step further in announcing that he is not only lending support, but would lead the petition drive […]

This week, legislative movement continued on the budget for the upcoming 2017-2018 Fiscal Year.  Following last week’s approval of the budgets in different forms, the House and Senate appointed conference committee members for each of the budgets.  Additionally, a few of the conference committees negotiated agreements and voted to report their budget from the committee […]

Last Friday, Governor Rick Snyder announced the initial appointments to the Medical Marihuana Licensing Board established by the Medical Marihuana Facilities Licensing Act.  Housed within the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, the five-member board was created to implement the system of licensing and regulation established under the Act.  The initial appointees are: For a […]

On Tuesday, the House Judiciary Committee reported a four-bill package that would allow residents to carry a concealed pistol without a permit or without the currently mandated training.  The legislation has been hotly contested, mostly along party lines, since its introduction.  During committee testimony, it was fiercely debated by advocates and opponents to the change […]

Legislative session continues next week with the usual Tuesday – Thursday schedule. The deadline for candidates to file for the special election primaries in the open 1st House District and 109th House District is Tuesday, June 6.  Look for an overview of the candidates who file next week on the MLC Blog. Several Conference Committees […]

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. The Disappearance of Virtue from American Politics – Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse is working to restore the shared moral language in our country, so much so […]