Leaked SCOTUS opinion: A look at the future of abortion in Michigan if Roe is overturned
The right to abortions has been widely debated among Americans and lawmakers alike in recent years -- a debate that has nearly reached a boiling point today, given that the U.S. Supreme Court is expected to decide this summer whether to overturn a landmark 1973 abortion ruling.
Michigan Sen. McMorrow: Republicans โcreating issue that doesnโt existโ with education laws
A Democratic Michigan state senator whose passionate Senate Floor speech went viral last week is saying that her Republican colleagues are creating problems that donโt exist in an effort to rile up their supporters and avoid addressing โreal issues.โ
Michigan Gov. Whitmer joins bipartisan call for marijuana banking reform
On Monday, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer joined with fellow governors to call on Congressional leadership to pass the Secure and Fair Enforcement (SAFE) Banking Act, which would remove legal limitations and allow financial institutions to bank with state-licensed cannabis businesses.
Bill to stop drunk driving reintroduced 2 years after crash that killed Northville family
WASHINGTON โ On Tuesday, members of Congress reintroduced legislation to reduce drunk driving deaths across the country. The legislation, Honoring Abbas Family Legacy to Terminate (HALT) Drunk Driving Act, will require the commercialization and standards for advanced drunk driving prevention technology systems in all new cars. Two years ago, Dingell honored their lives on the house floor and pledged action to reduce drunk driving crashes. The HALT Drunk Driving Act will make our roads safer, and will help us bring an end to the trauma of drunk driving deaths and injuries in this country.โMADD National President Alex Otte has spoken out in support if the bill. Read more on the HALT Drunk Driving Act
Michigan eyes bill to clean up voter registration rolls
Adam Reames, Michigan Department of State's Legislative policy director, testified in opposition to the legislation during two committee hearings in February. He said about 540 names are in the voter rolls with placeholder birthdays. If those who haven't participated in the past 20 years of elections don't properly return the mailing, their voter registration would be marked as challenged. If they don't participate in elections by the second November general election after receiving notice, their registration would be canceled. About 300,000 people are on voter rolls who haven't voted since before 2000, Reames said.
New Michigan bill seeks to observe permanent daylight saving time, end clock changes
AdRelated: No need to lose sleep over shift to daylight saving timeIn recent years, some states have moved to end the usage of daylight saving time -- and now Michigan can be added to that list. However, states do not have the authority to adopt a permanent daylight saving time, like Sen. Irwin is pushing for. 5 questions as the nation prepares to spring forwardThe U.S. isnโt the only country that uses daylight saving time. Countries in North America and Europe are the primary practicers of daylight saving time, but parts of Australia and South America have also adopted the concept. You can see a map of countries that use daylight saving time here.
US House passes police reform bill named for George Floyd
Itโs coming in the form of a bill that was just passed by the U.S. House -- and itโs named after George Floyd. After months of protests over the last summer, Americans across the country said that the killing of George Floyd -- a Black Minnesota man -- was a wake up call for the nation. Lawrence says that members of Congress couldnโt ignore what happened to George Floyd and the cultural aftermath. โThe George Floyd (Justice in Policing Act) is not a โBlack bill,โ itโs not just for African Americans,โ Lawrence said. We wanted body worn cameras,โ Craig said.
Michigan governor signs bills to limit incarcerations
LANSING, Mich. โ Legislation that allows for alternatives to jail and aims to limit recidivism in Michigan were among the dozens of new laws Gov. Among the measures were 20 based on the recommendations of the Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration formed in 2019. The task force heard testimony from hundreds of people and reviewed 10 years of statewide arrest and court data after the stateโs incarcerated population nearly tripled over four decades. โDespite the challenges 2020 presented, I am proud of the incredible work we have done as a state to reform our criminal justice system,โ said Whitmer. โAfter establishing the bipartisan Michigan Joint Task Force on Jail and Pretrial Incarceration we were able to make real and meaningful change that will impact the lives of thousands of Michiganders.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer reviewing Republican-led state relief bill before signing
DETROIT โ The State of Michigan has been working on its own COVID relief bill. It passed through the Republican led House and Senate and is now on Michigan Gov. Read more: Michigan Senate passes $465 million COVID-19 relief billOn Monday, her office stated that Republicans did not negotiate this bill and are reviewing it. After weeks of negotiations the stateโs $465 million relief package passed in the state legislature last week. Additionally, there is $63 million set aside for small business relief and $3.5 million for concert venues.
Live stream: Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers announce โbipartisan legislationโ ahead of Veterans Day
LANSING, Mich. โ Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and state lawmakers are set to announce โbipartisan legislationโ ahead of Veterans Day. READ: Whitmer, Michigan lawmakers pass legislation to reduce professional licensure barriers for veteransA press conference is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. You can watch live in the stream posted above. Whitmer will be joined by Sen. Adam Hollier, Sen. John Bizon, Rep. Sarah Anthony, Rep. Andrea Schroeder, LARA Director Orlene Hawks, MVAA Director Zaneta Adams, Adjutant General DMVA Director Major General Paul D. Rogers and Lt. Col. Karen Sims.
Former UK leaders unite to slam Boris Johnson on Brexit plan
FILE - In this Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019 file photo, former British Prime Ministers Tony Blair, left and John Major attend the Remembrance Sunday ceremony at the Cenotaph in Whitehall in London. One major element of the Brexit withdrawal agreement is the section related to ensuring an open border on the island of Ireland to protect the peace process in Northern Ireland. The issue proved thorny during the more than two years of discussions it took to get a Brexit deal done, as the border between Northern Ireland and Ireland is the only land link between the U.K. and the EU. As a result, the two sides agreed there would be some kind of regulatory border between mainland Britain and Northern Ireland. Major and Blair, who both vociferously opposed Brexit, said the planned legislation puts the 1998 Good Friday agreement that ended decades of violence in Northern Ireland at risk.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer defends veto of nursing home bill
LANSING, Mich. More than 2,000 of the coronavirus (COVID-19) deaths in Michigan have occurred in nursing homes. That puts Michigan in, or near, the top 10 in the nation in nursing home fatalities. Gretchen Whitmer about it on Tuesday, she pushed back on the suggestion that Michigan handled the virus badly when it comes to nursing homes. READ: Michigan governor vetoes nursing home bill calling it a political gameI think I would challenge you on the statement you just made, Whitmer said. Hes the one who brought forth the bill Whitmer vetoed.
Michigan governor vetoes nursing home bill calling it a political game'
Gretchen Whitmer signed several bipartisan budget bills into law Friday, while she vetoed nursing home legislation. Whitmer vetoed Senate Bill 956, which she believes would have jeopardized the health of Michigans nursing home residents and other COVID-19-positive patients. Vetoed LegislationProtecting the health and safety of nursing home residents and their staff continues to be a top priority for my administration, said Whitmer. Senate Bill 956 is nothing more than a political game that would relocate vulnerable seniors without any requirement for consent, doctors approval, or notification to patients and their families. Last week, Whitmer extended protections by continuing limited and temporary restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities.
Michigan lawmakers battle over nursing homes during COVID-19 pandemic
Gretchen Whitmers COVID-19 nursing home policies spoke out Saturday. Whitmer said she vetoed Senate Bill 956 Friday because she believes it would have jeopardized the health of Michigans nursing home residents and other COVID-19-positive patients. COVID-19 patients have been placed in nursing homes with healthy residents since the beginning of the pandemic -- a policy the legislature disagreed. A new policy, sponsored by Sen. Peter J. Lucido, aimed to prohibit the transfer of people who have COVID-19 into nursing homes and long-term care facilities unless a facility was capable of keeping the patients separate. Health officials claim more about one-third of Michigans COVID-19 deaths came in nursing homes.