Insider Intelligence

Former Michigan State Senator and Representative, Jason Allen, this week announced his run for the 1st United States House District.  He is running to replace retiring U.S. Representative Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls).  In 2010, Mr. Allen lost the Republican primary election for the seat to Congressman Benishek by only fifteen votes.  Prior to his announcement, […]

In observance of Martin Luther King Day state and federal offices will be closed on Monday, January 18. The House and Senate are scheduled to be in session Tuesday – Thursday. On Tuesday, January 19, Governor Rick Snyder will give his sixth annual State of the State address before a Joint Convention of the Michigan […]

The resignation of Dan Wyant, director of the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) was announced last week.  The announcement comes after months of harsh criticism and a recent task force report regarding the department’s handling of the elevated levels of lead found in the city of Flint’s drinking water.  In a statement, Governor Rick Snyder […]

As a result of the ongoing health and safety issues caused by elevated levels of lead in the City of Flint’s water, Governor Rick Snyder on Tuesday declared a state of emergency for Genesee County.  The declaration makes available all state resources in cooperation with local response and recovery operations.  “The declaration not only makes […]

On Monday, Governor Rick Snyder announced the appointment of Sally Talberg as chair of the three-member Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).  Ms. Talberg will replace current Chairman John Quackenbush, who intends to return to the private sector.  He will continue as a commissioner until March 31, 2016 to help facilitate a smooth transition.  Ms. Talberg […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder signed a piece of legislation eliminating straight ticket voting in Michigan.  Under the newly enacted law, a vote must be cast for each partisan race on a ballot, instead of casting one vote by party for all partisan races on the ballot.  It also includes a $5 million appropriation for […]

This week Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a bill reforming aspects of the Michigan Campaign Finance Act.  Prior to final passage, the bill saw significant changes on the last day of session leading to confusion amongst members on the content and repercussions of the new language.  Since that time, members of both parties called […]

Late last month, Governor Rick Snyder signed two bills providing tax exemptions for data centers.  Specifically, they provide exemptions from the Use and Sales Taxes for items in a qualified data center, such as computers, servers, and routers, among others.  Currently, there are approximately forty data centers that would be eligible for the exemptions.  The […]