Policy Issues

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and several Democratic legislators put up opposing comments as the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) held a well-attended virtual hearing about speeding up approvals for DTE to provide electrical service to a proposed Washtenaw County data center.

(Source: MIRS.news , Published 11/25/2026) With DTE Energy asking the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) to quickly approve electric service to two high-electricity-using data centers, Attorney General Dana Nessel said Tuesday that the situation is “highly unusual” and that DTE is “making unverified promises (that) nobody else will shoulder these costs.”   At the end of October, a new data center project in Saline Township was announced, and DTE was selected as the ene

Slotkin Accuses Trump Administration Of 'Weaponizing' FBI

From Pilot To Program, Educating Prisoners In Michigan

Speaker Talks About 428 Second-Chamber Bills That Remain In Limbo

A new statewide survey of local government leaders across Michigan shows a paradox: officials say local democracy is functioning well, even while their trust in residents has fallen to its lowest recorded level.

U.S. Rep. Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-Bay City) described the United States' health care system as being in a “crisis" that, in the long term, should include affordable insurance programs, which “likely means . . . a reasonable proposal that opens up Medicare for people who want it."

"If you remember only three words out of this presentation: minors can't consent,” Rep. Mark Tisdel (R-Rochester) said to the Regulatory Reform Committee in support of his HB 4388, which would require age verification to sign up for a social media account.

U.P. Lawmaker Says ‘Destruction’ Of U.P. Possible If Senate Doesn’t Move On RICE Bills

Foreign contributions to ballot initiatives would be banned under HB 5197 and HB 5198, just like they are banned from political candidates and Super PACs.

(Source: MIRS.news , Published 11/5/2025) Michigan organizations that provide food assistance and early childhood education warn that the ongoing federal government shutdown is cutting off services for children and families, and could force more programs to close if funding is not restored soon.   During a virtual press conference Wednesday, leaders from early education programs and anti-poverty agencies said families are beginning to lose access to meals, childcare and class

(Source: MIRS.news , Published 11/05/2025) The Departments of Natural Resources and Environment, Great Lakes & Energy would need court-issued warrants to search property regardless of the search’s environmental protection intentions, under two bills that both passed 63-37 in the House Tuesday   Rep. Dave Prestin (R-Cedar River)’s HB 4073 applies to the DNR and Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare)’s HB 4421 applies to EGLE. Kunse said in his floor speech that the right to private property

Sen. Thomas Albert (R-Lowell) is leading a 53-bill proposal to eliminate the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), the public-private agency offering grants and programs to entice businesses to locate or grow in Michigan. The legislation comes as some Republican gubernatorial candidates call for the MEDC's demise as a core campaign message.

Congressional candidate William Lawrence's night sleeping on the lava rocks outside U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte)'s Lansing office in protest of the presumed suspension of federal food assistance benefits – which Lawrence believes Barrett is partially responsible for – was not uneventful.

Republican members of Congress and supporters of President Donald Trump, like U.S. Senate candidate Mike Rogers, are to blame for the pending double-digit increases in health insurance premiums because the Republican majority in Washington D.C. has neglected the rising issue of uncompensated care, Michigan Democratic Party Chair Curtis Hertel Jr. said Thursday.

Democrats Mobilize Around SNAP Funding 

Water Affordability Bills Make Another Splash In Senate Housing

Appeals Court: House Must Present 9 Lame Duck Bills To Governor

Hall's Office Shooting Down Senate's Increased Hunting, Fishing Fees Upon Arrival 

No Kings Protests See Signature Gatherers Galore