Whitmer and GOP-led legislature clash on how to return state budget surplus to Michiganders
Michigan is expecting a budget surplus, but the governor and the GOP-led state legislature have different ideas on the best way to return that money to Michiganders. After Whitmer called on the legislature Thursday to approve a $500 rebate for Michigan’s working families, the state Senate instead passed a package of bills that include $2.7 billion in tax cuts. In a letter sent to legislative leaders Thursday, May 19, Whitmer urged them to work with her on the proposed rebate plan “MI Tax Rebate Right Now,” saying “the pain being felt by people is tangible.”Related: Gov. Whitmer wants to give $500 to working Michigan familiesThe details of who would be eligible for the money has not been specified. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, R-Clarklake, called Whitmer’s rebate plan a “pandering effort” and pointed to the long-lasting relief this tax plan hopes to provide.
mlive.comMichigan House passes bill to study adding new nuclear power plants in the state
LANSING, MI – A bill passed by the Michigan House of Representatives Thursday would study how the state could add more nuclear plants after one of the state’s existing plants closes. House Bill 6019, sent to the state Senate after passing in an 85-20 vote Thursday, May 19, would require the Michigan Public Service Commission to hire an outside consultant to study the feasibility of new nuclear energy generation. If the bill is enacted, the commission would deliver its findings to the governor and legislative leadership within 18 months, including possible sites for new nuclear power plants in Michigan.
mlive.comSenate poised to pass $40 billion in Ukraine aid, sending bill to Biden
The bill provides a combined $20.1 billion in military aid that is expected to provide for the transfer of advanced weapons systems, such as Patriot antiaircraft missiles and long-range artillery. AdvertisementThe package totals $7 billion more than the $33 billion Biden initially requested. “This aid has been critical to Ukraine’s success on the battlefield,” Biden said in a May 9 statement. Brink told the committee on May 10 that her top priority was coordinating the flow of military and humanitarian aid into Ukraine amid the ongoing Russian invasion. Schumer said Wednesday Brink would be an “outstanding” envoy and would help Ukraine defeat the invasion launched by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
washingtonpost.comRepublican senate candidates pledge loyalty to Trump, not McConnell
In early primaries, Republican voters continue to side with nominees who, should they win, will probably have more loyalty to the former president than Mitch McConnell, creating potential headaches down the road for the long-serving Senate GOP leader.
washingtonpost.comBarnette blames Sean Hannity for loss in Pennsylvania
Failed GOP Pennsylvania Senate candidate Kathy Barnette took to Twitter to blame Fox News host Sean Hannity for her primary election loss. “Never forget what Sean Hannity did in this race,” she said in a video posted on Twitter Wednesday. “Almost single handedly Sean Hannity sewed deep seeds of disinformation, flat out lies every night…
news.yahoo.comState Senator among 15 candidates disqualified from Michigan primary ballots
Fifteen candidates including a current state senator, a notable 2020 election denier and a Congressional candidate were disqualified from the 2022 primary election ballots, the Michigan Department of State announced late Tuesday. The disqualifications were for a mix of violations of state election law. Sen. Betty Alexander, D-Detroit, was among 11 candidates the state department said made false statements about complying with the Michigan Campaign Finance Act. She was running for reelection in the 6th state Senate district, which after redistricting covers Detroit suburbs like Redford Township and Farmington Hills. The other three candidates were Michael Shallal (57th state House district), Steven Thomas (31st state Senate district) and Howard Weathington (3rd state Senate district).
mlive.com'Reprehensible': Oz condemns GOP opponent's tweet on Islam
Republican Senate hopeful Mehmet Oz is stepping up his criticism of far-right candidates in Pennsylvania who are gaining traction ahead of Tuesday's primary election. After spending much of the campaign steering clear of fellow Republican Senate contender Kathy Barnette, Oz on Saturday said she was out of step with the GOP and would be unable to win the general election in November. In an interview, he took issue with a 2015 tweet from Barnette in which she wrote that “Pedophilia is a Cornerstone of Islam.”
news.yahoo.comPowell: 'Soft' economic landing may be out of Fed's control
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, fresh off winning Senate confirmation for a second term earlier in the day, acknowledged for the first time Thursday that high inflation and economic weakness overseas could thwart his efforts to avoid causing a recession. For weeks, Powell has portrayed the Fed's drive to raise interest rates as consistent with a so-called “soft landing” for the economy. Under that scenario, the Fed would manage to tighten borrowing costs enough to cool the economy and curb inflation without going so far as to tip the economy into recession.
news.yahoo.comThe Army Is Preparing for the End of Nationwide Abortion Rights as Senators Press to Keep Access
The Army is weighing new policies in response to the Supreme Court's expected decision to reverse Roe v. Wade and eliminate protections on abortion rights across the country, the service's senior enlisted leader told Congress.
news.yahoo.comJackson confirmed as first Black female high court justice
The Senate has confirmed Ketanji Brown Jackson to the Supreme Court, shattering a historic barrier by securing her place as the first Black female justice and giving President Joe Biden a bipartisan endorsement for his effort to diversify the court.