State Government

Eight State House Dems get their committees back

Andrew Robins — Wed, 01 May 2013 19:50:35 +0000

Eight state House Democrats who lost their committee assignments Tuesday got them back Wednesday.

Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger of Marshall removed the lawmakers, including Representative Kate Segal of Battle Creek, saying they had missed too many committee meetings. But the Gongwer News Service says Bolger reversed the decision after what he called “positive” meetings with the eight legislators.

State prison food may go private

Andrew Robins — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 16:35:17 +0000

State corrections officials have reversed course and decided to privatize food services in Michigan’s prisons. The Gongwer News Service says the decision was announced today. The Corrections Department had earlier rejected all bids by private companies saying they wouldn't save enough money. That led to criticism by majority Republicans in the legislature.

Officials say the winning bid by Aramark will save the state $16 million a year but could eliminate nearly 400 jobs.

WMU hosts state energy forum

Andrew Robins — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 15:30:05 +0000

The future of energy in Michigan – how it is used and produced – will be the focus of a forum in Kalamazoo on Monday, March 18th, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Western Michigan University’s Fetzer Center. It’s the fourth in a series of seven public meetings around the state sponsored by the Michigan Public Service Commission and the state’s Energy Office.

House speaker nixes abortion ultrasound bill in Michigan

Andrew Robins — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 21:45:46 +0000

State House speaker Jase Bolger says his chamber will not approve any bill that would require women seeking an abortion to get trans-vaginal ultrasounds. The Marshall Republican’s announcement this afternoon followed national media attention to a bill introduced by another lawmaker that would require the exams. Similar proposals in other states have been very controversial.

Snyder: Medicaid expansion "makes sense"

Andrew Robins — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 19:45:45 +0000

Governor Rick Snyder says he wants state lawmakers to approve expansion of Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act. The request is included in the budget Snyder will deliver to the legislature Thursday. The Detroit Free Press reports that about 470-thousand more low-income people would get coverage if lawmakers approve the plan. However the governor is expected to face resistance from some fellow Republicans opposed to “Obamacare”.