MICHIGAN SENATE

Earlier this month, the Michigan Senate approved a $3.3 billion water infrastructure bill which allocates $1 billion of those funds to replace lead service lines across the state. As communities like Flint and Benton Harbor continue to suffer from the effects of lead contaminated drinking water, Michigan Democrats are also working to replace the emergency manager legislation that has contributed to these issues. She says with $1 billion allocated to lead service line replacement, Michigan has the funding to get half of the lead pipes out of the state. “Michigan is the first state in the country to have a requirement to replace all of the lead service lines,” Betanzo says. He says this $3.3 billion water infrastructure bill signals that the Michigan Senate is starting to make real investments in the state’s water systems.

An effort to entice big businesses with government-backed incentives advanced in the Michigan Senate Thursday, just a day after the state House approved similar legislation. Senate Bills 769, 770 and 771 passed with bipartisan support in the Michigan Senate on Thursday and would create the “Strategic Outreach and Attraction Reserve Fund” and the “Critical Industry Fund” where state dollars could be diverted to businesses interested in building new manufacturing or commercial sites and creating jobs. They are essentially the same as a three-bill package that cleared the House Wednesday.

A man from Mt. Clemens was charged after leaving a circuit court judge a threatening voicemail.

High Profile attorney Geoffrey Fieger files 2 $100 million lawsuit against Oxford School District/Officals on behave of sister’s who attend Oxford High, one was shot and the other barely missed by bullets.

According to the Canton Police Department, school dismissal is being delayed until the investigation is complete.

On Thursday, Dec. 9, the Michigan Senate approved bills that would boost job-creation and expansion incentives offered to businesses, amid efforts to land unspecified major projects in the auto industry as it shifts to greener technology.

LANSING, MI — A bill that would use billions in federal funding to address several water infrastructure issues was approved by the Michigan Senate Thursday. Senate Bill 565, sponsored by Sen. Jon Bumstead, R-Newaygo, would provide funding for water quality and dam safety concerns, wastewater facilities, PFAS contamination concerns and other water programs.

It’s a brief in support of a lawsuit filed by the other states.

Critical race theory debate turned contentious as Michigan’s GOP-led House voted to ban race or gender stereotyping in curriculum. The Democrats refused to vote.

Michigan Republican senators say vaccines, masks, and testing are fine for parents who want them for their children but schools shouldn’t require them.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday directed the state to expedite the ordering of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children ages 5-11 so that it will be quickly available once the federal government gives it the green light.

Monroe County would be given oversight of Fairview County Home under legislation approved by the Michigan Senate on Wednesday.

The Detroit Police Department is asking for help to find two suspects after two people were killed.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan House passed a controversial election bill Thursday that would add steps for voters without an ID and ban election officials from sending unsolicited absentee ballot applications. SB 303 and 304 passed the Michigan Senate last week amid contentious debate. Currently, voters without ID are allowed to cast a ballot by swearing to their identity with an affidavit. Michigan Department of State data shows that of 2.3 million voters who cast a ballot in-person in Michigan’s 2020 general election, 11,417 voted without an ID. Gretchen Whitmer has indicated she will veto the bills, but a petition initiative that mirrors the language within the bills is underway.

Read more: Oops: Election package left partially passed after Democratic ‘hijinks’ trick Republicans into adjourningThe main piece of legislation, SB 303, passed the chamber on Wednesday. It would require absentee voters to put their license, state ID number, or last 4 digits of their social security number on ballot applications. It was the rest of the package the Senate passed Thursday: SB 304 would prevent voters from signing an affidavit to cast a provisional vote without identification. Under SB 304, voters without IDs would no longer be allowed to use affidavits to obtain a provisional ballot. Two amendments to HB 5007 introduced by Senate Democrats were rejected by Republicans.

Senator Jeff Irwin (D-Ann Arbor) is pushing to reinstate “good time” credits for inmates in the Michigan prison system.

The Michigan Senate passed a bill package Thursday meant to enhance voting security, though some of the proposed measures are already in place. The bills are part of Republican-led legislation to tighten the security of Michigan elections. HB 4837, HB 4838, HB 4528 and HB 4492 all passed the Michigan Senate Thursday 21-15 in a mostly partisan vote. Read more: Michigan House OKs election security bills some call redundantWhile several House Democrats voted with Republicans to support the package back in August, their Senate colleagues took a harsher tone against the bills. Since electronic poll books are not connected to the internet at any time during an election, Senate Democrats said the bill further legitimizes conspiracy theorists and those pushing election lies.

LANSING, MI — A Republican-backed group filed petition language Thursday with the Michigan Bureau of Elections in an initiative to create new voter identification requirements that wouldn’t require the governor’s signature to become law. The group behind the initiative, Secure MI Vote, said the changes would make it harder to cheat. It’ll takes 340,047 petition signatures from Michigan registered voters to give the state Legislature a chance to approve the proposed new laws. Michigan’s election laws currently requires voters to either show ID or sign an affidavit in order to cast a ballot. Democrats in Michigan have accused Republican lawmakers of pushing the reforms in response to former Trump’s unfounded claims of voter fraud.

An independent commission is drawing out Michigan’s new political maps, but time is running out to get the job done.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan House passed a bill package Tuesday that seeks to enhance voting security measures, though some of the measures are already in place. The bills are part of Republican-led legislation that aims to ensure the security of the Michigan elections. Hall referenced the concerns that constituents had over the 2020 election in his justification for the bill. Rep. Matt Koleszar, D-Plymouth, took to the House floor Tuesday to speak against House Bill 4838, sponsored by Rep. Phil Green, R-Millington. All three bills passed in the Republican-controlled House on Tuesday and will now go to the Michigan Senate for consideration.

Monroe City Councilman John Iacoangeli responds in a letter to Sen. Dale Zorn, Rep. Joe Bellino.

Under Michigan law, citizen-led ballot initiatives approved by both chambers of the Michigan Legislature do not need the governor’s approval to become law. “Our Unlock Michigan citizen army collected over 540,000 signatures in just 80 days,” Unlock Michigan spokesperson Fred Wszolek said. She continued to do so until the Michigan Supreme Court determined she didn’t have that authority last fall. Opponents of the Unlock Michigan initiative in the Legislature defended the actions Whitmer took during the pandemic. Under state law, the Legislature gets the first pass at citizen-led ballot initiatives proposing statutory changes before they head to the ballot.

Republican state senators have approved the repeal of the Michigan law that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to order emergency lockdowns at the beginning of the pandemic, when Michigan was among the states hardest hit by COVID-19.

Republican lawmakers who are trying to restrict voting in Michigan are risking a legal showdown with the Justice Department. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland made...

The House approved budget guarantees baseline funding of $8,700 for every Michigan student next year. This year it ranges from $8,111 to $8,529.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan House and Senate each passed bills this week, including the state’s long-negotiated budget, approved in the House with a significant boost to school funding. As budget talks between the two chambers and the governor’s office continue, the Michigan Senate has teed up a bill to delay the statutory July 1 budget deadline if necessary. Read more: Michigan House approves big boost for schools in budget vote, but Senate not yet on board. Some budget questions remain unsettled under the House budget proposal, including funding for community colleges and universities and how to allocate additional federal funding available to the state. Last week, the Michigan Senate teed up a bill to delay the statutory July 1 budget deadline if necessary.

Senate to review voting bills passed by House

Under the House-passed budget legislation, funding for K-12 schools clocks in at about $16.7 billion, up nearly 8% from current-year spending levels. Some budget questions remain unsettled under the House budget proposal, including funding for community colleges and universities and how to allocate additional federal funding available to the state. House leaders are eager to meet the statutory July 1 deadline agreed to in 2019 for determining an overall state budget and a school funding plan. Last week, the Michigan Senate teed up a bill to delay the statutory July 1 budget deadline if necessary. Whitmer visits Bay City Central, announces funding plan for K-12 educationHow Michigan governments can, can’t spend their $11B in COVID-19 stimulus moneyFederal stimulus, consumer spending habits give Michigan a multibillion-dollar budget boost

First Read is your briefing from "Meet the Press" and the NBC Political Unit on the day's most important political stories and why they matter.

Another House change would require election workers to compare a voters’ signature with digitized signatures in the state’s qualified voter file. Companion House legislation added to the Senate package Wednesday would make ID cards free to all Michigan residents. Related: Michigan Senate passes controversial election bills that put emphasis on ID requirementsThe two Senate bills and House Bill 5007, the bill to make state ID cards free for all Michigan residents, passed 58-52 along partisan lines. In March, Michigan Senate Republicans debuted their initial plan to overhaul the state’s election laws. On Tuesday, state House Rep. Steve Carra, R-Three Rivers, introduced House Bill 5091, which would create a bipartisan audit board to review the 2020 general election, to complete what he described as a forensic audit.

LANSING, MI — A Republican-led Michigan Senate committee unveiled a report Wednesday morning which found no evidence of widespread or systematic voter fraud in the 2020 general election, but said that “continued investigation” into the issue is possible should other details emerge. The Michigan Bureau of Elections conducted statewide audits and released a report in April, which made a similar conclusion. “This Committee found no evidence of widespread or systematic fraud in Michigan’s prosecution of the 2020 election. McBroom said he is keeping a close eye on the forensic audit happening in Arizona, and left the door open to further investigation in Michigan if “genuine issues” come up there. The report is released in the midst of Michigan Republican lawmakers pushing bills to expand voter ID requirements.

The investigation included 30 hours of public hearing, witness testimony from nearly 90 people, more than 400 pages of testimony and subpoenaed key documents from Secretary of State and municipal governments.

This week in Lansing brought bipartisan efforts toward improving child care and bitter debate over the use of federal unemployment funding and election reform. Bipartisan legislation pitched by lawmakers Tuesday would let child care providers operate in multi-use buildings such as strip malls, a concept supporters said could give working parents child care options closer to their home or work. Other components of the bill package would create a contract model aimed at increasing access to infant and toddler child care in “child care deserts” and create statewide child care networks to provide business support for providers. The proposed policy changes come on the heels of Whitmer’s recommendation Monday to spend $1.4 billion in federal funding on expanding child care assistance and support child care workers. Democrats scolded their colleagues’ efforts to stop using the federal funding for the supplemental benefits, saying that doing so would deny Michiganders their own tax dollars.

Conservative activists who falsely claim former President Donald Trump won reelection asked the Republican-led Michigan Senate on Thursday to order an audit of the results, seeking a review like one that is underway in fellow battleground...

Billions of dollars on a deadline can change a freezeout in a hurry.

LANSING, MI — The Michigan Senate approved three bills Wednesday that would change some of the state’s election laws, putting an emphasis on ID requirements for in-person voters. The controversial election reform bills passed the Michigan Senate along party lines Wednesday amid contentious debate over the purpose of the legislation. In March, Michigan Senate Republicans debuted their plan to overhaul the state’s election laws. Gretchen Whitmer has said that voting bills introduced in the Michigan Senate won’t get past her desk. READ MORE FROM MLIVE:Michigan Senate tweaks ID requirements in absentee voting bills; Benson still unimpressedWhitmer, Gilchrist & liberal activists prepping to fight Republican voting bills, potential petitionsMichigan Senate GOP debuts election reforms critical of Secretary of State’s handling of November electionDemocrats challenge ‘easier to vote’ pitch in Senate GOP election package

Republicans who control the Michigan Senate have passed legislation to mandate a photo ID to vote in person and add identity requirements for people who want to vote by mail.

The Michigan Senate has voted unanimously to allocate nearly $4.4 billion in federal COVID-19 aid to K-12 schools after Republican lawmakers and Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration reached an agreement.

On Thursday, June 10, the Michigan Senate voted to give drivers more time to renew an expired license and vehicle registration during the coronavirus pandemic and to pressure Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson to restore people's ability to...

Both the Michigan House and Senate have formally recognized June as Pride Month for the first time in state history, according to the key backer of the measure. Senate Resolution 60 and House Resolution 122, sponsored by Sen. Jeremy Moss, D-Southfield, and Rep. Tim Sneller, D-Burton, recognizes June 2021 as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month in Michigan. The resolutions outline the history of Pride Month, acknowledge ongoing struggles the LGBTQ community has faced and recognize the contributions of Michigan’s LGBTQ residents to the state. Previous efforts by Moss and other lawmakers to adopt Pride Month resolutions were not adopted by the Republican-controlled Legislature. Moss said his work on advancing LGBTQ rights doesn’t stop with a Pride Month resolution and is hopeful continuing to press for significant policy changes will help move the needle.

Republicans alongside a handful of Democrats in the Michigan House passed a bill that would ban government-required COVID-19 vaccine passports, even though they do not exist and no legislative effort is being made to utilize them.

The bills introduced in the Michigan Senate aim to prevent a dangerous dog attack before it happens.

Every 10 years, every state redraws all of its district election maps. For Michigan, that’s 110 House district maps, 38 Senate district maps.

The Senate Election Committee unanimously approved substitutes to two bills during a May 26 hearing. The first addressed a bill requiring absentee ballot applications to be submitted with a photocopy of personal identification, while the other prevents Benson’s office from mass-mailing absentee applications. Johnson criticized Benson before the 2020 General Election for mailing absentee ballot applications to everyone in the Qualified Voter File. These substitutes are the newest tweaks to Senate election bills, which Democrats and liberal activists lambasted as “voter suppression” tactics upon their introduction. In the bill’s current form, absentee voters could submit their ballots to their clerk’s offices in person after 5 p.m.

The Michigan Senate is getting in the middle of the covid vaccine debate and working to put laws on the books to keep kids out of it.

The Michigan House approved a bill on Tuesday, May 25, that was sponsored by 96th District Rep. Timothy Beson, R-Bay City. The bill, HB 4501, proposes to prohibit the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) from levying civil penalties, such as fines and fees, against businesses for first-time violations of pandemic emergency orders. Other sponsor of HB 4501 include Reps. Andrew Beeler, Joseph Bellino, Matt Maddock, Steve Carra, Mary Whiteford, Gary Howell, John Roth and Andrew Fink. “From executive orders to state health department mandates, COVID-19 protocols constantly evolved, making it difficult for business owners to comply,” Beson said. Click here to read HB 4501 as passed by the House.

A Michigan bill that would limit transgender high school athletes' ability to compete on girls teams drew fiery debate Tuesday.

LANSING, MI - The Michigan Senate passed a bill banning state or local health officers from mandating children receive COVID-19 vaccines. Albion College, a private university, is also requiring vaccines for students and staff. Children aged 12-15 recently became eligible to receive Pfizer’s two-dose COVID-19 vaccine. Clinical trials are also underway to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in younger children, including infants. Read more from MLive:Vaccinating youth will be key in reducing COVID-19 spread, new variantsPetition for COVID-19 vaccine mandates gaining steam at Michigan’s public universitiesHouse hearing on COVID-19 vaccine passport ban includes testimony invoking HolocaustPfizer COVID-19 shot expanded to U.S. children as young as 12 years old‘Backdoor to a mandate’: Protesters, Republican lawmakers oppose COVID-19 vaccine passportsCDC’s advisory group recommends use of COVID-19 vaccine in teens 12-15

A Michigan Senate committee will hold a hearing on a bill requiring high school athletes to compete on sports teams based on their "biological sex."

The Michigan House voted unanimously to place new limits on separation agreements between agencies and departing state employees Tuesday.

LANSING, MI - The stench of sexual harassment has pervaded the Michigan State Capitol and surrounding political circles for years, acknowledged, for the most part, only in whispers among those who endured it. Here are the highlights:Negotiations begin over controversial Republican voting packageOne month ago, Michigan Senate Republicans debuted their plan to overhaul the state’s election laws. Read more: RNC brushes off report of Ronna McDaniel mulling run for Michigan governorMore on legislation:The Michigan Senate approved Senate Bill 134 , which would ban the distribution, delivery, sale or possession of drug masking products. Read more: Ban on ‘drug-masking’ products on urine tests approved in Michigan SenateThe Michigan Senate unanimously approved $110,000 in private money to provide meal vouchers to National Guard members currently deployed to the U.S. Capitol. Read more: Michigan Senate approves funds to buy better meals for National Guard deployed in D.C.

It previously stated the bill came from federal COVID-19 relief. LANSING, MI - The Michigan Senate unanimously approved a chunk of private money to provide better meals to National Guardsmen deployed in Washington. The appropriation would send $110,000 toward providing meal vouchers to National Guard members, many of whom reported poor food conditions to lawmakers. All of the references to the old federal COVID-19 relief bill were removed, a Barrett spokesman told MLive. The House will have to approve the National Guard allocation substitute before the bill heads to Whitmer’s desk for final signature.

Ford and General Motors joined more than 30 Michigan corporations to denounce voting bills introduced by the Michigan Senate, calling them an attempt to curb voting by “historically disenfranchised communities.”The corporations released a joint statement Tuesday, April 13 criticizing the 39-bill package introduced by Michigan Senate Republicans last month, as well as a potential ballot petition. “Our nation is strongest when we stand together,” the corporations said in the joint statement. Dow Chemical released a statement with the Civic Alliance on April 1 that blasted national voting law efforts. Read more: Democrats challenge ‘easier to vote’ pitch in Senate GOP election packageDemocrats are focusing the majority of their criticism of Senate bills 273 through 311 on absentee ballot measures. Some of the bills “gum up the process,” said Sam Inglot, deputy director for the liberal advocacy group Progress Michigan.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson declined to appear in front of the state’s Senate Oversight Committee on election matters, saying she feared the spread of misinformation.

Michigan legislators from both sides of the aisle sent a join letter to Michigan State University Thursday requesting thousands of documents related to the Larry Nassar investigation be released. UPDATE: Michigan AG: Michigan State University refuses to release Nassar documents, investigation forced to closeLed by Michigan Reps. Ryan Berman and Julie Brixie and state Sen. Curtis Hertel, a coalition of nearly 50 Michigan state lawmakers are calling on the MSU Board of Trustees to waive privilege for about 6,000 documents that are related to the investigation of former MSU and USA Gymnastics sports physician Nassar. However, the Attorney General’s Office cannot complete its investigation without your cooperation and the release of these documents. Ad“Full transparency is essential to restoring public trust,” the legislators wrote to the MSU Board of Trustees. You have the opportunity to ensure this happens.”You can see the legislators’ entire letter to Michigan State University below.

Gretchen Whitmer is doing with 17 appointments made Thursday to various state agencies and commissions, all of which were previously blocked by the Michigan Senate. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, has said that the previous slew of rejections were a “political gesture” to urge changes in COVID-19 restrictions. The Senate historically has not blocked these routine appointments, but Whitmer’s appointees have faced more scrutiny. The Senate also blocked the appointment of Cheryl Kobernik to the Commission of Agriculture and Rural Development in a Jan. 27 vote. Read more from MLive:Michigan Senate won’t block new state health directorRepublicans block more Whitmer appointees, won’t name specific goal of ‘political gesture’Michigan Senate rejects 13 Whitmer appointments in show of disapproval over coronavirus response

A bill that will stop state and county health departments from banning family gatherings during an emergency, like a pandemic, passed the Michigan Senate on Monday. Under the bill, sporting events include school, college, and any organized sporting activity. Whitmer vetoed $652 million in spending and the tied-barred policy bill limiting the administration’s authority to issue pandemic-related orders on March 9. In response, Michigan Senate Republicans threatened to sue Whitmer’s administration if it tried to separate federal funding from the tied-barred policy. Related: Michigan Senate approves creation of committee to suspend public health orders between sessionsOn Dec. 31, Whitmer vetoed a pair of Republican lame-duck efforts to curb her administration’s emergency powers.

LANSING, Mich. – A divided Michigan Senate on Tuesday again sought to limit state pandemic restrictions, voting to let all family members attend an athlete’s sporting event and large families eat at a restaurant table. The Republican-sponsored legislation was approved 20-15 on party lines and sent to the GOP-led House at a time COVID-19 cases are surging. The measure also would prohibit the state health director from issuing an order to cap residential gatherings, bar high school graduation ceremonies or prevent people from traveling between multiple properties. AdThe state Department of Health and Human Services has recommended, but not required, that spectators be limited to two per athlete. AdWhitmer, whose administration has gradually eased restrictions in recent months, has said she will not surrender powers she needs to save lives.

Lawmakers in the House voted 61-47 on House Bill 4115, which would give local governments the option to let bars in their communities serve alcohol between 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. A similar bill also sponsored by Berman passed the House last year, but didn’t get taken up in the Senate before session was over. An assortment of groups — including the Michigan Council on Alcohol Problems, Michigan Alcohol Policy Promoting Health and Safety, the Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police and the Michigan Sheriffs’ Association — are opposed to the concept on grounds extending alcohol sales could contribute to alcohol-related harm. “It doesn’t do us any good until we’re back to normal,” Scott Ellis, executive director of the Michigan Licensed Beverage Association, said after a similar bill passed the House last session. Read more on MLive:Opening Michigan bars until 4 a.m. would be ‘nice,’ but not top priority for industry4 a.m. closing time could come to a Michigan bar near youMichigan bars could stay open until 4 a.m. under Senate-passed bill

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. isn’t 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.

The Michigan Senate on Thursday approved a resolution urging Congress and President Joe Biden to oppose a federal election reform bill, H.R. State Sen. Ruth Johnson, R-Holly, sponsored Senate Resolution 25 which says H.R. Michigan rejected more than 15,000 ballots from the November election, including 3,469 from voters who cast absentee ballots but died before Election Day. Michigan Senate Minority Leader Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, said H.R. Shirkey supported Johnson’s resolution, saying “Michigan not Washington should determine Michigan’s election laws.”He said the H.R.

Senate Resolution 15 passed Tuesday, March 9 along a party-line vote, with all 20 seated Republicans supporting the resolution. The Michigan DNR reiterated its position on a hunt in response to Tuesday’s resolution adoption. If Michigan were to hold another wolf hunt, it would be the state’s second ever. The DNR estimates Michigan’s population to be holding stable in recent years at roughly 700 wolves spread among 143 packs. Related stories:Hunt supporters argue wolves need population controlRepublicans push to open season on wolvesDNR calls first Michigan wolf hunt a ‘success’Michigan voters reject wolf hunting lawsEndangered or not?

Read more: Restaurants, casinos, gyms, nursing homes: All the changes Michigan made to COVID-19 restrictions on TuesdayAdditionally, Michigan nursing homes in all counties can allow indoor visitors and are encouraged to resume activities like communal dining and group activities. Read more: Michigan to allow nursing home visitation statewideAll staff at nursing homes have been offered both doses of the vaccine, according to the state. Slightly more than $347 million in COVID-19 testing funds is tied to the bill, which will see a vote next week in the House. House Bill 4220, sponsored by Rep. Joe Bellino, R-Monroe, would allow for the first-time offender to apply for expungement from a judge. Read more: Michigan House renews bipartisan push for first-time drunken driving expungementThe other delayed package is a set of election reforms recommended in 2019 by the Auditor General.

A Michigan state senator’s bill is aiming to give drivers the option of having the classic blue and black Michigan vehicle license plates for a $100 fee. Sen. Mallory McMurrow’s (D-Royal Oak) Senate Bill 1146 also would allow the Secretary of State to readminister the blue license plates Michigan used from 1983 until 2007, as well as the black plates issued between 1979 and 1983. The blue and black license plates would be available to all drivers in Michigan for an added fee of $100. Michigan License Plate -- white with blue letters, with "Pure Michigan" campaign, first issued in 2013. We are happy to support the classic license plate design knowing it will produce a positive influence on both our culture and our economy.”

WASHINGTON – Questions are being raised about the public apology sent out on Tuesday night by Michigan’s highest-ranking Republican, State Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey. READ: Top Michigan Republican stands by Capitol ‘hoax’ commentsShirkey apologized on Tuesday after a video was released of a Feb. 3 meeting in which he told Republicans that the siege at the Capitol “wasn’t Trump people. He claimed to believe it was a hoax. During Wednesday morning’s Senate session, Shirkey appeared to double down on those beliefs in a side conversation that was caught on a nearby live microphone. READ: Michigan Sen. Mike Shirkey falsely claims US Capitol riot was ‘hoax from day one’ in videoAdIn a private conversation with Democratic Lt. Gov.

Related: 45 total cases of COVID-19 B117 variant confirmed in 10 different Michigan countiesMichigan high school basketball and ice hockey players will be required to wear masks at all times, even during games. The pandemic has forced changes to school count day in Michigan. New COVID-19 cases have plateaued and deaths are starting to slow. New: 7 takeaways from Whitmer’s COVID briefing: Could Michigan variant spread lead to another lockdown? The state also reports “active cases,” which were listed at 56,100 on Monday -- near the lowest it’s been since October.

Gretchen Whitmer and questioned him when he told them voter fraud was not a factor in the state’s presidential outcomes. In the video, Shirkey was asked about the Jan. 6 Capitol riot in Washington D.C. That was all prearranged.”AdREAD: Man charged in US Capitol riot worked for FBI, lawyer saysThe video was posted Feb. 4 on YouTube by R.O.A.R. When asked about the video, Whitmer said she hadn’t seen it but had been told of comments being made. “That’s what I’m going to continue putting my energy toward.

(AP Photo/Al Goldis, File)DETROIT – Michigan’s top Republican called the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, which resulted in five deaths including a Capitol police officer, a hoax, in a video posted to YouTube last week. Michigan GOP Senate Leader Mike Shirkey appears in a video posted on Feb. 3 by the “R.O.A.R. The video appears to show Shirkey meeting with Hillsdale County Republican Party officials, one day before the county voted to censure Shirkey. The reported video comes right after the New York Times published an article detailing Shirkey’s involvement with Michigan militias, who held armed protests at the Michigan Capitol last year over COVID-19 restrictions. For all these reasons, Mike Shirkey should be out.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Republicans have unveiled a $2 billion COVID-19 relief plan for residents who are struggling due to shutdowns sparked by the pandemic. They said it will provide another $2 billion for the fight against COVID-19 and help families, workers and employers who are struggling financially “due to Gov. $300 million for Michigan workers and businesses struggling financially. An additional $110 million in testing funds will be appropriated when a return-to-learn plan is finalized. The general fund portion of the plan is included in Senate Bill 114, and the School Aid section will be inserted into Senate Bill 29.

The Michigan House announced Monday morning it has approved a $483 million COVID-19 relief bill that was passed by the Senate on Friday night. According to the House, the bill includes:$64 million in small business survival relief$220 million to extend unemployment benefits$45 million in direct payments to workers who have been impacted by the virus$75 million for hospitals and healthcare workers,$22 million for increased testing$57 million for vaccine distributionThat adds up to $483 million in relief. The Senate voted 35-2 to approve Senate Bill 748. Congress is expected to pass a relief bill today that includes stimulus checks, enhanced unemployment benefits, rental and eviction relief, money for schools and small business loans. As we continue working to eliminate this virus, I urge all Michiganders to be smart and stay safe.

LANSING, Mich. – The Legislature approved changes last week to Michigan’s sex offender registry after federal courts declared the current policy unconstitutional. In 2006, the state prohibited those on the registry from living or loitering within 1,000 feet of school property. In 2011, the state approved a requirement for registrants to immediately report changes in addresses, vehicles and phone numbers. Since the judge's February decision, officers were advised not to take enforcement action for certain violations involving the registry and school safety zones, said Michigan State Police spokeswoman Shanon Banner. The legislation would require offenders to report changes in phone numbers and vehicles to authorities.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Senate passed a $465 million COVID-19 relief bill during session Friday night. The Senate voted 35-2 to approve Senate Bill 748. Some of the money distribution includes:$220 million for unemployment$48 million for COVID vaccine distribution and testing$45 million in grants for workers laid off or furloughed in business impacted by restrictions$55 million in small business survival grantsThe bill is set to go to the Michigan House on Monday. UPDATE: Michigan House approves $483 million COVID relief billREAD: Michigan revises COVID-19 order to reopen high schools, some entertainment venuesWatch the report in the video posted above. After her friend Wayne County sheriff Benny Napoleon died from COVID-19, Whitmer said when it comes the vaccine distribution is bottlenecked due to Washington.

FDA advisory panel to meet today on Moderna’s COVID vaccineWe could have a second COVID-19 vaccine as early as next week if the FDA decides whether to authorize Moderna’s vaccine for emergency use. A key FDA panel is set to vote Thursday on whether to recommend the approval of Moderna’s COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use. A favorable vote form this panel could clear the path for Moderna’s vaccine to become the second approved for use in the United States. On Tuesday, the state reported a total of 442,715 confirmed cases and 10,935 deaths. According to Johns Hopkins University, more than 6.2 million have recovered in the U.S., with more than 16.7 million cases reported across the country.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Senate is considering Concurrent Resolution 36, which would form a joint committee of the Legislature acting between sessions to suspend rules or regulations administered by state administrative agencies. Under the resolution, the Legislature could call a joint committee after the current session -- ends Dec. 18 -- through Jan. 13. Whitmer’s COVID-19 briefingREAD: Whitmer says Michigan’s increased COVID-19 restrictions are working: ‘We are making progress’The Michigan Constitution gives the committee the power to suspend rules and regulations, such as new COVID-19 orders issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). It would only apply to any new orders agencies would submit during the time the entire Legislature was out of session. Several people gathered outside the home of Robert Gordon, director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS), on Dec. 15 to protest the state’s current COVID restrictions.

DETROIT – The Michigan House and Senate Oversight committees subpoenaed Detroit City Clerk Janice Winfrey and Livonia City Clerk Susan Nash. Both cities had a number of precincts where the poll books did not match the vote tally and are not explained. Both city clerks have until Jan. 12 to present documents explaining how the election was handled. The Michigan House and Senate are holding hearings on alleged voting irregularities, which have found no proof of fraud at this point and nothing to suggest the vote in Michigan was not secure or accurate. House Oversight Chair Matt Hall, of Marshall, issued the following statement Tuesday after a joint hearing of the House and Senate Oversight committees:

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan’s top Republican says the state’s Senate oversight committee has not found evidence of fraud on a scale that would change the outcome of the 2020 election. Michigan Senate Leader Mike Shirkey said this in a statement Monday as the state’s electors are scheduled to gather to seal the Electoral College win for Joe Biden. More from Shirkey below:“Today Michigan’s electors convene, according to state law, to cast their votes for the next president and vice president of the United States. President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris won Michigan’s presidential election. And I intend to.”Related: Michigan Electors to be given police escort to Lansing Capitol Building for vote

After her son Wyatt nearly lost his life to child abuse, Hammel started campaigning for a child abuse registry. It's been years of effort, but on Thursday the Michigan Senate passed legislation to create the registry. Hammel said she tried to investigate the background of the abuser, who had previous convictions of child abuse. All we’re trying to do is to make this information easy for parents.”Hammel is not alone in campaigning for a child abuse registry. In 2017, Indiana’s child abuse registry went online under Kirk’s Law after the death of 19-month-old Kirk Coleman.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson is under investigation after she posted on social media a response to the many violent, vulgar and racist death threats she’s received. The video, posted Tuesday night, has quickly gone viral and legislative leadership removed her from her House Oversight Committee assignments Wednesday. “My soldiers, they are soldiers for Christ, soldiers against racism, soldiers against domestic violence, soldiers against domestic terrorism,” Johnson said. Rep. Johnson has been removed from her committee assignments, and we are looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their own investigations. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep. Johnson herself, and others.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan Rep. Cynthia Johnson, the Democratic chair of the House Oversight Committee is receiving death threats due to the election. She posted several of the threats to social media. After both Democratic and Republican representatives have received threats of violence over the election, Michigan Assistant Minority Floor Leader Laurie Pohutsky posted on Twitter about the SNL sketch. The SNL skit was amusing, I guess, but last night my caucus was trying to figure out how to keep those on that committee safe from the deluge of death threats they’re receiving. I’m sorry to be a bummer and I’m glad people enjoyed the skit, but the reality of it is heinous.

LANSING, Mich. – While supporters of President Donald Trump stood outside the Michigan House office building, Trump’s attorney Rudy Giuliani testified before Michigan House on Wednesday, claiming massive voter fraud in Detroit. Giuliani brought with him witnesses, who signed affidavits that have already been presented in court in Trump campaign lawsuits and have been dismissed or pulled by the campaign. READ: Giuliani to Republicans: Pressure Legislature on Biden winThe Michigan Senate held a similar hearing on Tuesday. Michigan House Republications made it clear that Wednesday’s hearing was not about overturning election results in Michigan, but about listening to people who claimed they saw irregularities at the TCF Center in Detroit. Disputing President Donald Trump’s persistent, baseless claims, Attorney General William Barr declared Tuesday the U.S. Justice Department has uncovered no evidence of widespread voter fraud that could change the outcome of the 2020 election.

LANSING, Mich. – President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, Rudy Giuliani, will appear before the Michigan House Oversight Committee Wednesday evening. He will discuss the allegations of voter fraud in the 2020 General Election. As of Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020, no judge has seen any evidence on which to rule. The Michigan Legislature has two committees listening to claims about election irregularities. A Michigan Senate hearing, where those who identified themselves as GOD poll watchers made claims about the vote-counting process at the TCF Center, lasted seven hours.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan House Oversight Committee will be hearing from Rudy Giuliani Wednesday evening on allegations of election fraud in Michigan. Giuliani has made a series of allegations about the 2020 election that have not been backed by evidence or data. The legislature has two committees listening to claims about election irregularities. The Michigan House committee will hold a similar hearing Wednesday. Streaming video of Wednesday’s House Oversight Committee hearing can be seen here.

LANSING, Mich. – A day ahead of Michigan lawmakers returning to work in Lansing, mayors and business leaders on Monday called on the federal and state governments for coronavirus pandemic relief as Gov. “I think 2021 and 2022 are going to be some of the toughest times facing municipal governments certainly since the Great Recession, perhaps even worse,” said Michigan State University professor Eric Scorsone during a Monday press conference. Scorsone has done work with Michigan municipalities like Lansing, Flint and Detroit. READ: Michigan governor, state legislature far apart on COVID-19 responseAlso on the table for discussion is the state’s election. There has been no evidence of fraud in Michigan’s election and the Michigan Board of State Canvassers certified the 2020 election results last week.

LANSING, Mich. – In a letter addressed to Michigan legislative leaders, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is asking for three pieces of major legislation -- a $100 million state-based stimulus package, permanent extension to unemployment benefits and more public health measures. The letter is the first public attempt to appeal to legislative leaders directly with concrete measures. Small Business Saturday is here and the stakes are higher than ever for local businesses in the pandemic. The state has launched a new “Support Local” campaign to help Michigan Businesses make it through the winter.

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State House and Senate Oversight Committees will be in session Saturday to discuss the ballot counting process. Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was in Oakland County Friday asserting that there are claims that need to be addressed. READ: Michigan House Speaker says GOP will launch vote counting inquiryREAD: Republican National Committee chair calls for investigation into Michigan ballot-counting processREAD: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson disputes claims by Republican National Committee chair on Michigan’s ballot counting processIssues included complaints about the counting process at the TCF Center. There were also questions on why Antrim County had flipped votes for incumbent President Donald Trump and challenger Joe Biden. Every vote that was cast was counted accurately and there is a paper ballot backup," said Rochester Hills city clerk Tina Barton.

Michigan State Senator Jim Ananich has tested positive for OCIVD-19, according to a Twitter post. Sen. Ananich, Michigan Senate Minority Leader and representative of the state’s 27th district, tweeted Friday afternoon that he contracted the virus, but is doing well. I wanted to update you all that I have tested positive for Covid. — Senator Jim Ananich (@jimananich) November 6, 2020“I wanted to update you all that I have tested positive for Covid,” Sen. Ananich wrote Friday. New: Friday, Nov. 6, 2020: Michigan coronavirus cases up to 200,569; Death toll now at 7,513

The Republican-led Michigan State House and Senate will hold hearings on the “voting and counting process” in the state, according to House Speaker Lee Chatfield. The proposed inquiry comes as President Trump is seeking to stop vote counting in key election states, including Michigan. There is no evidence of voter fraud tied to the 2020 Michigan election. Republicans are expected to keep control of the Michigan House. Michigan Republicans held a press conference on Friday, alleging voter fraud in Michigan, but offered no evidence to back the claims.

LANSING, Mich. – On Monday morning, Michigan’s chief medical executive Dr. Joneigh Khaldun appeared remotely before a joint House and Senate committee that is overseeing the state’s COVID-19 response. Lawmakers questioned her on a range of topics, often with the seeming intent to identify the data used by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in her Executive Orders. The COVID-19 is a medical and public health event. Khaldun said Michigan did submit an interim COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan to the CDC on Friday.

House Bill 5334 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of US-10 in Warren Township in Midland County in honor of Corporal Casey P. Zylman. Senate Bill 132 amends the Michigan Memorial Highway Act to designate the portion of US-12 in Lenawee County in honor of Michigan State Trooper Rodger M. Adams. Senate Bill 432 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to revise an exemption of certain property from taxes collected under the General Property Tax Act. Senate Bill 1066 amends the Michigan Strategic Fund Act to transfer and deposit $37.1 million from the Michigan Film Promotion Fund to the state’s general fund for fiscal year (FY) 2019-20. The bills would have amended the Uniform Unclaimed Property Act to make it easier and cheaper for for-profit property finders to get access to Michigander’s private data.

LANSING, Mich. – Michigan lawmakers approved a COVID-19 response plan early Wednesday morning. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus-related executive orders. Senate bill 1094 is aimed at reducing the spread of COVID-19 in nursing homes by implementing recommendations of the Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force. House bill 6159 would provide liability protections for health care providers for services related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for approval.

A Michigan state senator’s bill is aiming bring back the classic blue Michigan vehicle license plate originally issued from 1983 until 2007. Sen. Mallory McMurrow’s (D-Royal Oak) Senate Bill 1146 also would allow the Secretary of State to bring back the black plate originally issued by the State of Michigan from 1979 to 1983. “Any Michigander who grew up here in the 80s and 90s remembers the simple, iconic design, and knows bringing back the blue plate is a no-brainer,” said McMorrow. “Bringing back the blue plate offers a creative way to generate much-needed revenue to help fix the roads without raising taxes.”The state switched to a white plate with blue letters and numbers in January 2007. The state plans to keep the white plate as the standard issue.

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – Larger Michigan municipalities could begin processing an expected surge of absentee ballots sooner in the November presidential election under a bill approved Tuesday by the state Senate. The 34-2 vote followed a monthslong delay in the Republican-led chamber amid lobbying from clerks in both parties who warned of significant delays in counting the votes. Absentee voting, already on the rise in recent election cycles, is an increasingly popular option during the coronavirus pandemic and following the passage of a 2018 ballot initiative that lets people cast one for any reason. The legislation would let clerks in bigger communities start processing ballots the day before Election Day. They still could not be counted until Election Day.

Allowing clerks to begin processing, but not counting, ballots the day before the election would not necessarily be a permanent change, he said. He said he could not predict if or when the Senate would act but said it is “being very seriously considered.”He said some jurisdictions efficiently processed an enormous number of absentee ballots while others “struggled to get it done. About 1.6 million ballots cast were absentee — returned by mail, at drop boxes or inside clerks' offices — topping the record of 1.3 million from November 2016. Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, local clerks and voting-rights groups have urged the Republican-led Legislature to let election workers start processing absentee ballots the day before Election Day. Johnson said cities or townships with more than 25,000 residents should be able to do certain processing of absentee ballots on Monday, Nov. 2.

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission is comprised of four Republicans, four Democrats and five independents who were selected at random from a pool of more than 9,000 applicants. The commission is made up of people from most parts of the state, but most come from eastern Michigan and none live in the Upper Peninsula. Three of the 13 are not white, which is roughly in line with the percentage of non-white residents in the state. The commission will begin meeting in the fall and use census data to redraw lines by Nov. 1, 2021. The commission was formed after voters passed a state constitutional amendment in 2018 to allow an independent group of Michigan residents, instead of partisan legislators, to redraw the states electoral boundaries.

Gretchen Whitmer is holding a briefing on Friday at 11 a.m. to update the states response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. With the start of the school year fast approaching, there are lingering questions about how it all will work. The Michigan Senate has scheduled a rare Saturday session to pass a bill package to address the start of the school year. Under Whitmers current COVID-19 plan, its up to individual school districts to decide its fall academic plan and some districts are opting for a hybrid approach. The Senate will also discuss the issue of the funding mechanism for schools, which has always relied on in person, in seat attendance.

Heres whats coming up on Local 4 News at 5:Michigan Senate calls rare Saturday session to debate forcing school districts to offer in-person optionThe Michigan Senate is calling a special Saturday session to tackle the debate centered around forcing school districts to offer an in-person option. Among the topics of debate is whether schools would risk losing their funding if they dont offer an in-person option, but thats not a done deal.

LANSING, Mich. The Michigan Senate is calling a special Saturday session to tackle the debate centered around forcing school districts to offer an in-person option. Among the topics of debate is whether schools would risk losing their funding if they dont offer an in-person option, but thats not a done deal. Some districts, such as the Detroit Public Schools Community District, are offering in-person summer school. Other districts, such as Ann Arbor, have decided to keep everything remote at the start of the school year. The Michigan Senate is set to debate a number of school-related issues Saturday, including the in-person mandate.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan House and Senate lawmakers said they will announce the Return to Learn plan on Tuesday. Related: Michigan schools face budget cuts amid coronavirus pandemicState Rep. Pamela Hornberger and Sen. Lana Theis, chairs of the House and Senate education committees, will deliver an overview of the bicameral plan. School districts were forced to shift to remote learning during the unprecedented school closures, which many werent prepared to do. Whitmer says the Michigans Return to School Roadmap will be released on June 30. Gretchen Whitmer to outline next steps for schools to reopen this fallMeanwhile, Michigan State University has compiled an array of recommendations and guidelines from the CDC and other research, officials said.

LANSING, Mich. Michigan legislators passed a new bill Thursday that establishes mandatory training for incoming law enforcement officers on implicit bias, de-escalation techniques and mental health screening. Officials say some Michigan police departments already require some form of de-escalation, cultural competency or implicit bias training, but it is not currently required as part of law enforcement officers Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards training. Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer showed support for Bill 945 in a Facebook post Wednesday. She also urged law enforcement to prioritize policies requiring officers to intervene if they see a colleague doing something wrong. The passage of Senate Bill 945 is a necessary step in the right direction.

LANSING, Mich. – A Michigan lawmaker was stripped of a committee chairmanship and ordered to undergo training Thursday after the state Senate concluded allegations of sexual harassment lodged by several woman, including a legislator, were credible. UPDATE: Lucido after removal from Michigan Senate committee: ‘I have not sexually harassed anyone’Republican Sen. Peter Lucido of Macomb County’s Shelby Township lost his position leading the Senate Advice and Consent Committee. A female senator then accused him of sexually harassing her at a Capitol orientation. “We take accusations of inappropriate behavior in the workplace seriously,” said Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a Clarklake Republican. “It is my sincere hope that this experience will serve as motivation for us all to do better and be better in our personal interactions and our public discourse.”Read back: 3rd woman accuses Michigan Sen. Peter Lucido of sexual harassment