Insider Intelligence

On Thursday, Governor Rick Snyder signed a bill aiming to increase reading proficiency in Michigan.  The bill was approved by the legislature at the end of September (see previous article) following over a year of work on the final proposal.  The new law sets forth a plan that is aimed at increasing the reading proficiency […]

This week, the House passed a ten-bill package creating the Legislative Open Records Act (LORA) which would include certain records from the offices of the governor, lieutenant governor, and the legislature under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA).  The package would mirror existing FOIA rules and processes, however it prevents the judiciary from getting involved […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder signed a three-bill package regulating the medical marijuana industry.  The new laws will set up a licensing structure, provide guidelines for dispensaries, allow patients to use non-smokeable forms of marijuana, impose a tax, and allow local governments to decide how many dispensaries there can be and where they may be […]

This week Governor Rick Snyder requested a study on the benefits of better electrical connections between Michigan’s two peninsulas and Canada.  The letter to the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) was also signed by Michigan Agency for Energy (MAE) executive director, Valerie Brader.  In the request, they specifically ask MISO to study the near and […]

This week, the Senate Energy and Technology Committee announced it will hold an Advise and Consent hearing for the Michigan Public Service Commission’s newly appointed commissioner, Rachel Eubanks.  Ms. Eubanks was appointed to the commission by Governor Rick Snyder on July 6, for a term expiring July 2, 2017, completing the remainder of the prior […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote auto industry innovation and regional competitiveness.  One of the stated goals is to leverage strengths and assets to promote and support innovation.  In 2015, two-way goods traded between the two totaled $74 billion and more than 65% […]

On Wednesday, by Executive Order, Governor Rick Snyder created the PreK-12 Literacy Commission.  The commission was created after state government leaders formed a workgroup to review state policies on literacy and determined an independent commission was needed to set literacy goals for the state and provide reports on progress.  The commission will be housed within […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder announced leadership changes in both the Talent Investment Agency (TIA) and the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).  Serving as the new Director of TIA will be Wanda Stokes.  Currently, Ms. Stokes serves as Deputy Director at LARA.  Prior to that, she worked in the Attorney General’s Consumer Protection […]