I am writing today to announce the closure of the Michigan Messenger. After four years of operation in Michigan, the board of the American Independent News Network, has decided to shift publication of its news into a single site, The American Independent at Americanindependent.com. This is part of a shift in strategy, towards new forms [...]
An abstinence-only presentation provided to numerous school districts in Calhoun and Eaton Counties in October of this year provided false and misleading information to students about HIV, experts allege.
Two county registers of deeds filed a class action lawsuit Monday on behalf of Michigan’s 83 counties alleging that the Mortgage Electronic Registration Services owes millions of dollars in property title transfer taxes.
Despite evidence of the impact of mercury on children and public health, Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette last month joined with 24 other state attorneys general in filing a lawsuit to scuttle new EPA regulations that would reduce mercury emissions from power plants.
LANSING — With time running out rapidly before the operation of Michigan’s government grinds to a halt, Republican leadership in the Senate brought a piece of legislation to the floor which would increase Michigan’s income tax to 4.8 percent and raise nearly $800 million in additional revenues for the state.
The bill failed in a 33-2 vote. Democratic Sens. Liz Brater of Ann Arbor and John Gleason of Flushing cast the lone votes to support the increase.
But Senate Democrats cried foul at the move, accusing Republicans of a last-minute move for political gain.
“For you to spring this for full political gain does not serve the state of Michigan well,” said Senate Democratic Leader Mike Prusi of Ipsheming. He accused the Republican Senate leadership of playing political games.
Senate Majority Leader Mike Bishop, a Republican from Rochester, shot back that it was Democrats who were playing games.
“The Senate Democrats are using the Senate rules to block the budgets,” Bishop charged.
Bishop and his colleagues allege the income tax increase is a revenue solution the Senate Democrats have sought, while Dems argue they wanted targeted taxes on such items as bottled water, soda and entertainment tickets.
As the Senate cast its votes, and the nays filled up, the gallery of spectators began to laugh, but were gaveled down by Lt. Gov. John Cherry.
GOP leaders allege the Democrats are blocking the passage of several controversial bills, including higher education, Department of Human Services, and Department of Community Health budgets. Senate Democrats have used procedural operations to prevent the bills from being voted for immediate effect and sent to Gov. Jennifer Granholm for her signature.
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