Insider Intelligence

Representative Martin Howrylak (R-Troy) introduced legislation creating additional Open Meetings Act parameters. The bill provides for injunctive relief if a public body is not in compliance with the Open Meetings Act. Under the proposal, an individual who brings forth a civil action due to an alleged lack of compliance would be awarded court costs and […]

On Friday, September 14, the Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF) is awarding grants at FireKeepers Casino Hotel in Battle Creek. The fund was developed to help offset costs associated with projects promoting positive relationships and accurate information about the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in the state. Funds are available […]

Michigan’s K-12 schools, community colleges, universities, and local governments are now eligible for funding through the Native American Heritage Fund (NAHF). Funding from the program was designed to defray the costs of projects that promote positive relationships and accurate information about the history and role of Michigan’s Indian tribes and Native Americans in Michigan. Projects […]

This week, the Senate passed legislation, 37-0, ensuring Michigan taxpayers can continue to claim the personal exemption on income taxes. Due to a quirk in current laws, Michigan’s exemption was tied to the federal government’s rate. Following the recent federal tax reform, which eliminated the exemption, taxpayers in Michigan would no longer be able to […]

This week, the House and Senate gave final approval to a package of bills making reforms to retiree benefits in local communities. Following months of debate, and the legislature working on the bill package for weeks, a final agreement was made to move the bills to final passage. As introduced, stakeholders raised several concerns with […]

This week, the House and Senate passed identical bill packages making reforms to retiree benefits in local communities. Originally as introduced the bills would have made major reforms and included changes that police and firefighters believed would significantly reduce or remove their earned benefits.  Following a major push by stakeholders and several legislators, the House […]

This week, the House and Senate introduced legislation making reforms to retiree benefits in local communities. Over the past month there has been increasing talk around the Capitol of making such changes in response to local governments who are facing unfunded liabilities. On Wednesday, police and firefighters, who receive local pensions and benefits, showed up […]

City and county governments in Michigan are using social media in unique and interesting ways to stay in touch with their citizens.