Insider Intelligence

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 […]

Under the terms of a plea agreement, Senator Virgil Smith (D-Detroit) would resign from his senate seat.  The deal is a result of an incident last May where the Senator allegedly assaulted his ex-wife and fired shots at her car.  While Senator Smith and the prosecutor have come to an agreement on the terms of […]

This week the Senate Education Committee reported a three-bill package aiming to reinforce Michigan’s current law barring teachers from striking, including court imposed fines of those participating in a strike.  The package is comprised of several provisions, including requiring the Michigan Employment Relations Commission to be notified by the superintendent of a public school employee’s […]

This week the Senate unanimously passed an amended version of a House bill providing $28 million in state funding for the Flint water crisis.  Prior to final passage by the Senate, several amendments were adopted to the bill in both the Senate Appropriations Committee and on the Senate floor.  The most notable change to the […]

On Thursday, the Board of State Canvassers rejected eight recall petitions filed against Governor Rick Snyder.  Each petition included as their main reason the Flint water crisis, but each stated different incidences related to the situation.  One stated he should be recalled for “failing to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Flint,” […]

Representative Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), chairman of the House Oversight and Ethics Committee, announced his intention to hold hearings on the Flint Water Crisis.  The chairman is waiting for the audit of the Department of Environmental Quality and the Flint Water Task Force’s final report before starting the hearings.  Hearings could begin as early as March. […]

On Thursday, the Senate adopted a resolution amending the standing rules of the Senate in order to add an additional member, Senator Jim Marleau, onto the Senate Insurance Committee.  With the addition, the committee is now comprised of ten members.  The full roster is as follows: •    Senator Joe Hune (R-Whitmore Lake), Chair •    Senator […]

Tonight, Governor Rick Snyder delivered the annual State of the State address to a joint convention of the Michigan Legislature.  In what has been called the biggest speech of his career, the Governor spent the majority of his time focusing on the ongoing Flint water crisis. After his introductory remarks, the Governor shifted to talking […]