Michigan Legislature

Michigan groups that help provide public assistance with federal grant money testified before the state Senate Oversight Committee Wednesday. The committee focused on how groups that work in areas like public health and childcare handled a pause in their federal grant funding in late January, and are preparing for possible future cuts to that money.

A new bill introduced in the Michigan House of Representatives would lower the state’s income tax rate by a fraction of a percent, from 4.25% to 4.05%. It’s a callback to a couple years ago. That’s when strong state revenue triggered a law that temporarily lowered the tax rate in 2023.

A Democratic state lawmaker has sponsored a proposal to strike the language of a dormant same-sex marriage ban from the Michigan Constitution.

A Republican-led state House committee opened hearings Tuesday on a proposed amendment to the Michigan Constitution that would require people to show proof of citizenship to register to vote. The measure would also require people to show a government issued ID before they can cast a ballot.

A Republican state lawmaker says he hopes Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s support will help get a proposal enacted into law to help reduce the distraction of students staring into electronic screens during class time.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says her legal is still trying to determine when they will call a special election in state Senate district 35, which represents the cities of Midland, Bay City and Saginaw. It's been vacant since Jan. 3 after Kristen McDonald Rivet was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer said divided government in Lansing should not stop Democrats and Republicans from finding ways to get things done. The governor delivered her seventh State of the State address on Wednesday.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed bills that change minimum wage and requires most employers institute paid sick days.

A bill to change Michigan’s minimum wage law ahead of it taking effect passed the state Legislature Wednesday. The law is scheduled to take effect Friday.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle said they hope a deal can be reached without waiting until July. “We have zero interest in an extension,” said a House Republican source. “A deal is on the table now.”