Insider Intelligence

On Thursday, the Michigan State Police announced they are changing the criteria for issuing an AMBER Alert in Michigan.  Effective, January 1, 2017, AMBER Alerts will only be issued for cases of child abductions, involving victims under the age of 18, but all AMBER Alerts will receive a Wireless Emergency Alert.  A vehicle license plate […]

On Wednesday, Governor Rick Snyder signed legislation providing heightened protections to survivors of human trafficking.  The three-bill package provides assistance to survivors by giving them resources to help support their recovery.  The bills also increase penalties for those who commit crimes by coercing victims to engage in the activity.

On Monday, December 19, the Michigan Electoral College will meet in the Michigan Senate Chambers to officially cast their votes for President of the United States.  This is a ticketed event, but can be watched on Michigan Senate TV online at www.senate.mi.gov. State of Michigan offices will be closed on Friday, December 23, in observance […]

Today, Governor Rick Snyder announced the resignation of John Roberts as the State Budget Director, a role he has served since his appointment by the Governor in March 2014.  Mr. Roberts is returning to the private sector in February.  “I’ve known John for 18 years and will greatly miss working with him.  Throughout his tenure […]

Barring any further appeals, the presidential recount in Michigan has been halted. The House passed a package of bills requiring a voter to show photo identification prior to casting their ballot, with certain provisions. A House committee reported a bill requiring that an individual requesting an election recount cover the full cost of recounting the […]

This week, U.S. District Court Judge Mark Goldsmith issued an order dissolving the temporary restraining order he issued on Monday, thus ending the state’s recount of the presidential election results.  Following Monday’s initial order, several counties in Michigan began the process of recount ballots.  However, on Tuesday the Michigan Court of Appeals ordered the recount […]

This week, the House passed legislation requiring photo identification when casting a ballot.  Under the legislation as passed, if a voter does not have photo ID when attempting to vote, they will be given a provisional ballot.  Within ten days they must go to their local clerk’s office to show their identification.  Along with the […]

This week, the House Elections Committee reported a bill requiring that the full cost of a vote recount be covered by the individual requesting the recount.  Under the legislation as reported by the committee, a candidate requesting a statewide recount for an election that resulted in more than a 5% difference between the winning candidate […]