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Research Service Inc.
Policy Issues


Forum: Cannabis Shouldn't Be Treated 'Like It's Plutonium' By Policymakers
State regulators shouldn't treat cannabis “like it's plutonium," but regulate it based on the harms it could cause and not on “archaic” rules, according to Michael Bronstein, co-founder and president of the American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp, who spoke at a National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) forum earlier this month.
Aug 25, 20253 min read


No Outside Military In Michigan Without Governor's Approval Under Pohutsky Bill
Unless the President validly invokes the military to come to Michigan, only the Governor has the authority to let armed forces in from another state, territory or district, under legislation spotlighted Thursday y sponsor Rep. Laurie Pohutsky (D-Livonia).
Aug 22, 20251 min read


Suspending Lawmakers' Pay For Missing Budget Deadline Fails In House
The House failed by four votes to adopt a measure that would put on the ballot a constitutional amendment that would withhold the Governor’s and legislators’ pay if they don’t pass a budget for the upcoming fiscal year by the July 1 statutory deadline.
Aug 22, 20255 min read


States in ‘Fairly Strong Position’ at FY '25 End But Challenges Loom
(Source: MIRS.news , Published 08/20/2025) (BOSTON) -- Thanks to strong revenue growth in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and robust...
Aug 20, 20253 min read


Whitmer Brings Total Public Acts To 9
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills Friday, bringing the total number of bills passed through the Legislature and signed into law in 2025 to nine.
Aug 18, 20251 min read


Crime Is Falling In Michigan, Across the U.S. Despite Public Perception
Contrary to widespread public belief, crime in both Michigan and the United States is on the decline – and has been for years - according to the latest law enforcement and victimization data.
Aug 18, 20252 min read


School Transfer Proposal May Cut Down On 'Ghost Children'
School districts would be blocked from transferring children's records to new schools without written confirmation that the child has been enrolled there, under a bill Oakland County's top public safety officials see as removing a current loophole for hiding child abuse and neglect.
Aug 15, 20253 min read


Natural Resources Commission Commits To Reopen Year-Round Coyote Hunting
The Michigan Natural Resources Commission (NRC) voted Thursday in Gaylord that it “is committed” to reinstating the year-round hunting season on the overpopulated coyote, a reversal in approach from a year ago.
Aug 15, 20253 min read


Deepfake Porn Ban, WorkKeys Exemption For High Schoolers, More Pass Senate
Creating pornographic or sexual deepfakes of someone will result in a $3,000, one-year misdemeanor and possibly a daily $1,000 court-issued injunction if it's not erased, under House bills the Senate moved Wednesday.
Aug 14, 20252 min read


Immaculate Conception Comment Causes Stir
Ideological tensions between conservative Republicans and progressive Democrats exposed themselves Tuesday in a House committee during testimony over revised legislation that would allow unwanted newborns to be deposited in a safety delivery box attached to a hospital, police station or fire station.
Aug 13, 20253 min read


Property Tax Relief Up Next For House Republicans
It's been a whopping 47 years since the Michigan Legislature has seriously tackled property tax relief and another 31 years since it took another look at the Headlee Amendment and Proposal A.
Aug 11, 20252 min read


Foreign Ag Land Ownership Is Up, China's Is Down
While foreign investment in U.S. agricultural land has increased in the last 15 to 20 years, China’s share of that has decreased since 2021 from 383,000 acres to 277,000 acres in 2023, said Danny Munch of the American Farm Bureau Federation.
Aug 7, 20252 min read


Our Electric Grid Needs To Be 'Secured With AI, From AI and For AI'
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues on its path of reshaping nearly every sector of American life, Tuesday’s panel at the National Conference of State Legislatures explored the emerging question: How will the nation's energy grid be impacted by AI and cloud technologies?
Aug 6, 20252 min read


Disabled Children, Custodial Kidnapping Eligible For AMBER Alerts Under Bills
Michigan State Police (MSP) would have the authority to issue an AMBER Alert if they believe a child is in danger even in the situation of a custodial kidnapping under Rep. Jerry Neyer (R-Shepherd) and Angela Rigas (R-Caledonia)’ HB 4517 and HB 4518.
Aug 4, 20253 min read


National AFL-CIO Labor Bus Tour Rolls Through Warren
The AFL-CIO’s “It’s Better in a Union: Freedom, Fairness & Security” bus tour stopped in Warren this week, where union members, community leaders and working families gathered to demand an economy that “puts people before profits and lifts up the voices of workers.”
Jul 21, 20251 min read


Psilocybin Decriminalized Under McFall Bill
Rep. Mike McFall (D-Hazel Park) introduced HB 4686 last month that decriminalizes psilocybin possession for those with a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosis.
Jul 8, 20251 min read


Dems Host Busy Townhall On What Happens Next With Medicaid Reforms
(Source: MIRS.news , Published 07/07/2025) (TROY) – Four Democratic lawmakers representing parts of Oakland County spoke to a filled room...
Jul 7, 20253 min read


What Guardrails Are Needed For AI As Its Creators Struggle To Control It?
What Guardrails Are Needed For AI As Its Creators Struggle To Control It?
Jun 25, 20253 min read


Energy Advocates Respond To Rumor Of Possible MPSC Appointment
Energy Advocates Respond To Rumor Of Possible MPSC Appointment
Jun 23, 20251 min read


States Agree To $7.4B Settlement With Purdue In Opioid Litigation
States Agree To $7.4B Settlement With Purdue In Opioid Litigation
Jun 16, 20252 min read
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