State Rep. Julie Calley’s plan to simplify and improve transparency in Michigan’s campaign finance laws has been signed into law. Calley, of Portland, said her legislation will help people understand the campaign finance process by eliminating inconsistencies and providing precise rules, especially regarding prizes and gifts associated with fundraising. “This is a common practice that…
The House Health Policy Committee has approved a plan sponsored by state Rep. Douglas Wozniak, of Shelby Township, to help employees in Michigan’s health care sector recover from traumatic events in the workplace. “Hospital workers throughout Michigan have been experiencing increasing incidents of violence and harassment,” Wozniak said. “And it’s starting to take a serious…
Rep. Ben Frederick of Owosso recently hosted an agriculture listening event at the farm of Don and Jamie Somers, of Henderson. Rep. Luke Meerman, vice-chair of the House Agriculture Committee, spoke at the event, along with Janna Fritz of the Michigan Soybean Association and Ryan Findlay of the American Soybean Association. The speakers covered topics…
Rep. Jason Sheppard’s plan to help Tenneco keep jobs in Monroe County and elsewhere in Michigan has been signed into law. Sheppard, of Temperance, is a key sponsor of the legislation allowing Tenneco to keep Michigan Economic Growth Authority credits originally awarded to Federal-Mogul. Tenneco finalized a deal to acquire Federal-Mogul in 2018, and transferring…
Rep. Michael Webber’s legislation helping preserve jobs in Oakland County has been signed into Michigan state law. Webber’s legislation allows Tenneco to keep Michigan Economic Growth Authority credits originally awarded to Federal-Mogul. Tenneco finalized a deal to acquire Federal-Mogul in 2018, and transferring the credits will help the company preserve jobs. There are no additional…
Last week, Gov. Whitmer used her veto power to cut roughly $1 billion in essential programs from the budget plan approved by the Legislature. Our governor admitted to reporters that she targeted her political opponents with these cuts in an attempt to get her gas tax increase approved. Bringing this attitude to the table is…
State Rep. Joe Bellino of Monroe this week introduced legislation to restore an important program fighting opioid abuse among high school students – resources cut by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s reckless budget vetoes. Bellino’s plan would restore a grant program for Michigan ‘recovery’ high schools to provide substance use disorder counselors, therapeutic staff, and recovery coaching…
PHOTO INFORMATION: State Rep. Brad Paquette welcomed Juan and Esther Gomez, along with their two children, Angely and Johnathan, to the state Capitol for Thursday’s House Session. The Gomez family, of Berrien Springs, wanted to become more engaged as citizens and to learn more about the Legislature. Their interest prompted Rep. Paquette to invite them…
State Rep. Scott VanSingel, of Grant, has sponsored a plan to restore funding vetoed by the governor for the Michigan Tuition Grant. The Michigan Tuition Grant is a needs-based grant providing up to $3,000 each school year to eligible students attending any of Michigan’s 30 independent colleges. VanSingel, who chairs the House Appropriations Subcommittee on…
State Rep. Doug Wozniak announced today the Michigan Strategic Fund, an arm of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, approved a grant supporting a project in the village of Romeo. The Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant will total $450,000 and support the relocation of an Arlington Automotive facility from Illinois to Romeo. Arlington Automotive is…
PHOTO INFORMATION: Charlie VanderBough, of Holton, joined Rep. VanWoerkom at the state Capitol for Tuesday’s House session. VanderBough, a student at Holton Elementary, was the winner of VanWoerkom’s “Rep for a Day” summer reading contest. Rep. VanWoerkom worked with several local libraries over the summer to host this reading contest, designed to encourage students to…
State Rep. Ann Bollin has introduced a plan to restore funding to help people recovering from opioid addiction after Gov. Whitmer gutted the program. The Legislature set aside $600,000 to form a grant program to help community organizations establish or expand support services for people seeking long-term recovery from substance use disorders. The program was…
The Michigan House of Representatives last week overwhelmingly approved a plan led by Rep. Jeff Yaroch to protect firefighters and communities from the risks associated with firefighting foam containing PFAS. The House approved both bills in the plan 104 to 4. “We’ve come to understand the risk of PFAS that’s in firefighting foam and, as…
This year’s budget process has got me thinking about what leadership for our state should look like to continue moving Michigan forward. One thing has become very clear to me: Governor Whitmer is saying one thing to the public and then doing the opposite. I am deeply disappointed in a leader who believes this is…
State Rep. Hank Vaupel, of Fowlerville, will host an elder abuse town hall event on Monday, Oct. 21 from 4 to 5:30 p.m. at the Livingston County EMS building located at 1911 Tooley Road in Howell. Rep. Vaupel, along with special guest AG Nessel, will deliver an informational overview of the growing problem of elder…
