Insider Intelligence

This week, the 2015 Michigan Human Trafficking Commission Annual Report was presented to Governor Rick Snyder and the legislature.  It highlights the work undertaken by the commission and sets the stage for the continuing work moving forward.  The report highlights the efforts of the commission over the past year, including developing recommended legislative changes, developing […]

Last Friday, Governor Rick Snyder signed a $30 million supplemental appropriation, which provides water bill credits to Flint residents.  The credits provided will be for the portion of their water bill used for drinking, bathing, and cooking.  However, residents are responsible for the sewer portion of the bill.  Credit amounts will reflect rates paid at […]

Michigan’s Invasive Species Program this week announced the launch of its new website, which will provide information about existing and potential species threatening the state’s natural resources.  It includes a catalog containing identifying photos and reporting information.  The website is a collaborative effort between the Department of Natural Resources, the Department of Environmental Quality, and […]

On Sunday, March 6 at 8 p.m., CNN will host a Democratic Presidential Primary Debate in Flint.  The event is being held in the Whiting Auditorium and will be broadcast live on CNN. On Monday, March 7, the Board of State Canvassers will meet to consider if three submitted recall petitions state factually and clearly […]

This week the creation of the Joint Committee on the Flint Water Public Health Emergency was announced.  The new committee is tasked with reviewing the findings surrrounding the Flint water crisis, taking testimony on the mistakes at all levels of government, and exploring potential policy solutions to prevent a similar disaster in the future. Dates […]

On Thursday, the U.S. House Oversight and Government Reforms Committee announced two upcoming hearing dates related to the Flint water crisis.  On March 15 at 10 a.m., the committee will hear testimony from former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley, former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Susan Hedman, and Virginia Tech researcher Marc Edwards.  Two days […]

This week, the House Appropriations Committee held a hearing on a set of House bills seeking to make reforms to Detroit Public Schools (DPS).  The legislation would create a new district charged with education, while the DPS would exist only to pay off the current debt.  It also calls for the state to invest $72 […]

On Friday, Attorney General Bill Schuette and the Michigan State Police (MSP) announced that felony charges of misconduct in office have been filed against former State Representatives Cindy Gamrat and Todd Courser.  The charges come as a result of joint investigation by the MSP and the Department of Attorney General into the actions of the […]