Michigan Legislature

The Michigan Legislature ended its spring recess and returned to the state Capitol to begin a lawmaking sprint before the summer and fall campaign season takes off.

State lawmakers and the governor's office are not subject to the Freedom of Information Act and certain open meetings regulations.

The May 5 special election between Republican Jason Tunney and Democrat Chedrick Greene will determine if Senate Democrats will be able to hold a one-seat majority in Lansing.

Michigan lawmakers and local leaders are promoting bipartisan legislative efforts to support water affordability programs for Michigan households.

Democrat Chedrick Greene and Republican Jason Tunney both held campaign events in Midland on Wednesday to rally support for a special election on May 5 that will determine if Democrats in the Michigan Senate will be able to maintain their one-seat majority.

Bill co-sponsor said the barriers to retirement plans are too high for many employees and small businesses. She hopes the change would provide more long term financial security.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer is campaigning to continue the state’s program to provide free school meals for all Michigan K-12 students.On Wednesday, the Democratic governor spooned out fruit, beans and vegetables and delivered a few fist bumps to hungry students at Baker Middle School in Troy.

Michigan could start allowing digital IDs under bills that received a state Senate committee hearing Tuesday. The IDs would be saved to someone’s phone and could be used for things like buying alcohol or getting into a bar.

A national Democratic party group is focusing resources on Michigan’s 35th state Senate District. Analysts have framed the mid-Michigan area as a bellwether for the country’s political climate.

A plan to prepare Michigan for the possibility of a federal constitutional convention got a state House committee hearing Thursday.