Results for “local government”
27 stories
- Michigan Legislature
Rural Township Bills Stall in Lansing as Crisis in Local Government Grows
Bills that would help Michigan's rural townships fill clerk vacancies and hire back-office support have stalled in the Legislature even as officials warn of a coming crisis in the state's front-line units of government.
September 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Michigan Budget
Whitmer Announces First Disbursement of Neighborhood Roads Fund, Directing $240 Million to Local Projects
Governor Whitmer announced Monday that local agencies across Michigan are receiving their first payments from the Neighborhood Roads Fund, the centerpiece of the state's new long-term road funding plan, with $240 million committed to local bridges, public transit, and rail grade separations.
September 15, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Ex-Treasurer Sherine Miller Returns to Ballot After Contentious Exit From Kalamazoo Township
Former Kalamazoo Township Treasurer Sherine Miller has filed to run for the same position she vacated after a contentious dispute with the township board. Township officials say she cannot be her own successor, but county clerks say there is nothing in election law preventing her from running.
April 23, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - politics
Michigan Governor Signs Health Care and Local Development Bills Including Wood Duck as Official State Duck
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs three bipartisan bills addressing physician licensing through the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, downtown revitalization via tax increment financing in St. Clair County, and designation of the wood duck as the official state duck in recognition of conservation success.
April 8, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Upper Peninsula
Sault Tribe Board Weighs Delaying Constitutional Vote as Director Proposes Withholding Board Pay
At its September 1 meeting, the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians board will consider rescinding its unanimous May authorization of a Secretarial Election on a proposed three-branch government. One director wants the board's compensation forfeited if it reverses course, while a rival resolution presses ahead with implementation planning.
September 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Michigan Supreme Court to Decide Whether South Haven Has Immunity in Beach Drowning Lawsuit
Michigan Supreme Court will decide whether the City of South Haven has governmental immunity in a wrongful death lawsuit after an 18-year-old drowned at a city beach in 2020. The lower court ruled in the city's favor in September 2025, but the state Supreme Court is now reviewing whether beach operations qualify as a governmental function or proprietary function.
April 9, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Michigan Budget
Michigan House Settles $370 Million Work Project Dispute With 31 State Departments
The Michigan House of Representatives reached a settlement with 31 state departments, allowing $370 million in previously disputed work project funding to lapse into state funds. The deal ends a months-long legal and political battle that began when House Republicans used a rarely invoked statutory provision to disapprove $645 million in spending in December.
October 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - Michigan Transportation
State mileage tax study draws conflict-of-interest criticism
A legislator says the company Michigan hired to study a per-mile road tax is not independent because it already sells such systems.
October 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - Northern Michigan
MEDC to Cut 15 Percent of Its Workforce Amid Revenue Decline and Legislative Scrutiny
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation announced it will eliminate up to 15 percent of its workforce through layoffs and unfilled positions, citing declining revenue and a reduced budget. The cuts come as the agency faces growing scrutiny over its grant programs and oversight.
September 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - West Michigan
A complete guide to what Michiganders will vote on this November
The November 2026 midterm elections will decide a new governor, a new U.S. senator, every seat in the state legislature, the Michigan Supreme Court, and two statewide ballot measures. Here is everything Michiganders will see on the ballot this fall.
September 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - Southeast Michigan
UAW's Fain urges Michigan workers to back Democrats in November midterms
United Auto Workers President Shawn Fain used Detroit's Labor Day parade on Sept. 7 to rally union members to support Democratic candidates in the upcoming midterm election, where control of Congress and key Michigan races are at stake.
September 7, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - Michigan Environment
Michigan invests $7.5 million to explore geologic hydrogen buried beneath the state
The Michigan Infrastructure Office announced a $7.5 million investment to research and explore geologic hydrogen, a clean energy source that forms naturally underground. The funding follows an executive directive from Governor Whitmer and aims to determine whether the state sits on a vast, untapped energy resource.
September 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - West Michigan
Michigan governor candidates and attorney general unite in push to overhaul MEDC
Both top gubernatorial candidates and state Attorney General Dana Nessel are calling for sweeping changes to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, as new grant fraud allegations and a Senate Republican bill package intensify pressure on the taxpayer-funded agency.
September 3, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - Michigan Budget
Michigan's new budget pushes state workers back to the office
The newly passed Michigan state budget sets a target of at least 80% in-office attendance and requires every state department to adopt a uniform return-to-office policy, ending years of widespread remote work.
September 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - lansing
Lansing Lawmakers Introduce Reparations Bills Targeting Descendants of Slavery in Michigan
Michigan lawmakers introduced a three-bill reparations package targeting descendants of enslaved Americans. The bills would create a state commission, a dedicated office, and new data categories. House Speaker Matt Hall opposes the effort.
June 20, 2026·Michigan Capitol·5 sources - kalamazoo
Kalamazoo City Approves $3.225M Plan to Close 42 Railroad Crossings, Relocate Rail Yard
Kalamazoo City Commission approved $3.225 million in state and federal funding to close up to 42 railroad crossings and relocate the city's rail yard, with planning expected to take up to three years and completion possibly into the 2030s.
May 12, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Michigan Conservation District Elections Plagued by Errors, Leaving Unelected Board Members in Power
Michigan conservation district elections have been invalidated repeatedly due to errors, leaving unelected board members in power and raising questions about oversight of these little-known environmental bodies.
May 4, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Michigan Lawmakers Seek Millions for Theaters and Orchestras as Budget Earmarks Draw Scrutiny
Four Michigan House members are seeking $6.7 million for theaters and orchestras as the 2027 budget draws scrutiny over earmarks targeting specific organizations.
April 13, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - politics
Haley Stevens Running for U.S. Senate as She Pushes to Restore Social Security Staffing After Trump Administration Cuts
Haley Stevens enters the Michigan U.S. Senate race as incumbent Gary Peters retires, launching the Social Security Customer Service Act to reverse Trump Administration staffing cuts and restore agency service levels.
April 8, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - Michigan Governor
Whitmer announces first disbursement of Neighborhood Roads Fund
Local agencies across Michigan are receiving their first payments from the Neighborhood Roads Fund, a key element of the state's new long-term road funding package worth nearly $2 billion annually.
September 19, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - Southeast Michigan
Two Michigan Bills Seek to Restrict E-Bike Use by Minors
State lawmakers in Lansing introduced two bills that would add licensing, helmet, and age restrictions for teens riding e-bikes in Michigan. The measures follow a spate of local restrictions across Southeast Michigan municipalities.
September 18, 2026·Michigan Capitol·3 sources - Michigan Legislature
Michigan Ballot Proposal to Ban Utility Political Donations Faces Supreme Court Challenge and Legislative Deadline
The Michiganders for Money Out of Politics ballot proposal, which would ban campaign contributions from DTE Energy, Consumers Energy, and companies with large government contracts, has cleared signature certification hurdles but now faces a legal challenge at the Michigan Supreme Court. The Legislature has until September 5 to adopt, reject, or take no action on the proposal.
August 24, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - holland
Simpatico Coffee closes one location, opens another in Holland Township
Local coffee shop Simpatico has closed one location and opened another in Holland Township, with founder Alex Fink calling the new building a love letter to the community.
May 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source - politics
Michigan Supreme Court Bans Civil Immigration Arrests at Courthouses
The Michigan Supreme Court adopted a rule banning civil immigration arrests at state and local courthouses to protect access to judicial proceedings, a move that aligns the state with New York, Connecticut and Illinois while drawing criticism from a dissenting Republican justice.
April 30, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - politics
Michigan Legislature Advances Voter ID, Anti-Terrorism and Business Bills in March 2026
Michigan Legislature advances multiple bills in March 2026 covering voter ID requirements, anti-terrorism law updates, and small business regulations amid split government dynamics
April 6, 2026·Michigan Capitol·2 sources - politics
Governor Whitmer Issues Executive Order to Evaluate Tariff Impacts and Help Michiganders Seek Federal Refunds
Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive directive ordering state agencies to evaluate the economic impact of federal tariffs and help Michigan businesses seek refunds from the federal government after the Supreme Court struck down portions of the tariffs.
April 2, 2026·Michigan Capitol·4 sources - politics
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Announces Conviction of Fugitive Sexual Assault Offender in Northern Michigan Case
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced the extradition and conviction of a fugitive sexual assault offender who abused three Northern Michigan minors in the early 2000s. The case was resolved through Operation Survivor Justice, a collaborative program between the Attorney General's office, local prosecutors, and federal law enforcement.
March 31, 2026·Michigan Capitol·1 source