Insider Intelligence

This week, the three newly elected House members were officially sworn into office and given committee assignments.  Representative David LaGrand (D-Grand Rapids) will serve on the Transportation Committee and the Military and Veterans Affairs Committee.  Representative Gary Howell (R-North Branch) will serve on the Criminal Justice Committee, the Workforce and Talent Development Committee, and the […]

The House and Senate are scheduled to hold session Tuesday – Thursday, this will be their last week before their annual two-week in-district work period. The Joint Select Committee on the Flint Public Health Emergency will hold their second hearing on Tuesday, March 22. Throughout the week, House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees will begin reporting […]

Media buzz surrounding Michigan’s resurgence are plentiful; however, they tend to only spotlight Detroit. While the city’s success is undoubtedly important to the state, and it has certainly earned it in recent years, there’s more to Michigan’s comeback than Detroit alone. Other areas of the state, such as Grand Rapids, Traverse City and Ann Arbor, […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder signed an executive order creating the 21st Century Infrastructure Commission, something he called for in this year’s State of the State address.  The commission will identify long-term strategies to help ensure the state’s infrastructure remains safe and efficient.  Additionally, it will be responsible for identifying strategic best practices to modernize […]

According to numbers released this week by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget, January’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined to 4.9%.  In January, the workforce increased by 27,000, while the number of unemployed workers decreased by 6,000.  The rate is two-tenths lower than the December 2015 rate and 1.1% below the January 2015 rate.  […]

This week, two Flint area legislators, Representative Phil Phelps (D-Flushing) and Representative Sheldon Neeley (D-Flint), announced a four-bill package addressing concerns stemming from the Flint water crisis.  Representative Phelps’ bills would institute an emergency response plan to set clear guidelines to mobilize in the event of a water crisis.  The bills also requires the Department […]

This week, the State Board of Education unanimously approved a one-year contract extension for the Superintendent for Public Instruction, Brian Whiston.  The extension followed the high marks the board gave him during his first annual evaluation.  The evaluation was comprised of several key factors, including his alignment with the State Board; his work with the […]

This week, the Board of State Canvassers approved a petition seeking to recall Governor Rick Snyder due to his handling of the Flint water crisis.  A recall petition filed against Senator Jim Stamas (R-Midland) for his affirmative vote on the infrastructure funding package was also approved.  The board considered a third petition filed against Lt. […]