Friday - May 3, 2024
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Michigan Newsletter for Sunday December 17, 2023 ( 28 items )  

Adrian Dominican Sisters: Author to Speak on 25 Years of Experience Teaching Inmates at Federal Correctional Facility
ADRIAN, Michigan, Dec. 16 (TNSres) -- Adrian Dominican Sisters issued the following news on Dec. 15, 2023: What is it like to teach high-school completion courses to inmates in a federal correctional facility? Judy Wenzel, author of the 2017 book Light from the Cage: 25 Years in a Prison Classroom, speaks of her experiences with the inmates at the Federal Correctional Institution in Milan, Michigan. Her presentation, Light from the Cage, begins at 7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 11, 2024, at Weber   more

Detroit Regional Chamber: New Statewide Poll - Michigan Voters Express Concern With State's Competitiveness in Wake of UAW Strike, View Public ED System and Tax Climate as Disadvantages
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 12 (TNSres) -- The Detroit Regional Chamber issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2023: Today, the Detroit Regional Chamber released findings from its latest statewide poll of 600 registered Michigan voters in partnership with the Glengariff Group, Inc. The poll was conducted between Nov. 5-9, 2023. "Michiganders are realizing that our state is not competitive in key areas, such as economic growth approaches and our public education system, and concerns about Mi  more

Detroit Regional Chamber: Resolve, Unity, Vision Essential to Reverse Michigan's Population Crisis
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 15 (TNSres) -- The Detroit Regional Chamber issued the following statement Dec. 14, 2023: * * * Jeff Donofrio, President and Chief Executive Officer of Business Leaders for Michigan, Sandy K. Baruah, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Detroit Regional Chamber, and Brian Calley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Small Business Association of Michigan, as leaders of Michigan's business community and members of the Growing Michigan Together Council, ha  more

Ducks Unlimited: Michigan DNR to Invest $4 Million in Water Quality
MEMPHIS, Tennessee, Dec. 15 -- Ducks Unlimited issued the following news release: Water quality in the western Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay watersheds is getting a major boost: a $4 million initiative aimed at advancing wetland restoration and reducing harmful algal blooms (HABs) in the two regions. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Ducks Unlimited (DU) are partnering on the project, through the Lake Erie and Saginaw Bay Wetland Conservation Program (WCP) with funding from t  more

EMILYs List Endorses Mai Xiong for Michigan House District 13
WASHINGTON, Dec. 15 -- EMILY's List issued the following statement on Dec. 14, 2023: * * * Today EMILYs List, the nation's largest resource for women in politics, endorsed Mai Xiong for the special election in Michigan House District 13. EMILYs List Interim President Jessica Mackler released the following statement: "Mai Xiong is ready to step into this new leadership role and hit the ground running on day one. She will ensure that residents of Michigan's 13th House District will always have   more

EMILYs List Statement on Gov. Whitmer Signing Final Bill in Reproductive Health Act
WASHINGTON, Dec. 13 -- EMILY's List issued the following statement on Dec. 11, 2023: * * * Today, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed the final bill in the Reproductive Health Act, expanding abortion access for Michiganders. The bill, sponsored by state Rep. Laurie Pohutsky, repeals Michigan's ban on insurance coverage for abortion without the purchase of a separate rider, and implements protections for doctors and patients. EMILYs List Interim President Jessica Mackler released the following stateme  more

Environmental Organizations Call on General Motors and Ford to Distance Themselves From the Alliance for Automotive Innovation
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 14 -- The Sierra Club issued the following news release on Dec. 13, 2023: Today, the Sierra Club delivered a letter to the CEOs of General Motors (GM) and Ford, calling on the two companies to stop hiding behind the Alliance for Automotive Innovation (AAI), the auto industry trade association, which is lobbying against U.S. regulations that would further speed up the electric vehicle (EV) transition to reduce harmful emissions and protect the health of our communities.   more

Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation: Patient Spotlight - Mara Watson
GRANDVILLE, Michigan, Dec. 13 -- The Fibrous Dysplasia Foundation issued the following news: * * * Mara's battle with FD/MAS began when she was a toddler. * * * After a seemingly minor fall she avoided putting any weight whatsoever on her leg and foot. A doctor's appointment revealed a peculiar spot on her fibula that was diagnosed as benign. Mara is now a resilient thirteen-year-old who has displayed an indomitable spirit throughout her childhood. Despite multiple bone fractures, she never  more

Flint Groups Welcome Federal Action Against RJ Torching
FLINT, Michigan, Dec. 13 -- Earthjustice issued the following news release: Environmental justice groups in Flint are demanding much-needed changes to a joint federal and state consent decree against RJ Torching, a scrap metal yard that routinely emits more harmful chemicals than is permitted by law. "RJ Torching and other polluters have profited off the lungs of this community," said Rev. Monica M. Villarreal of Michigan United. "We are eager to see polluters held accountable." The enforceme  more

Foundation for Economic Education: AFUERA! Milei Leads the Way on Slashing Bureaucracy
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 15 -- The Foundation for Economic Education issued the following news: Promises made; promises kept. On president Javier Milei's first day in office, he made the best move he could've made. Milei signed an executive order cutting the number of Argentinian government ministries from 18 (or 21 depending on how you count) down to nine. The immediate proposal consolidates these ministries into a single ministry. The long-term number of bureaucratic jobs eliminated is unkno  more

Foundation for Economic Education: Why a New Internal Revenue Service Change Will Push Some Entrepreneurs Into Corporate Desk Jobs
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 12 -- The Foundation for Economic Education issued the following news: As the end of the year approaches, the IRS has announced its new late repayment penalty rate. The rate has climbed from around 3% two years ago to 8% today. Most workers in the US are W-2 employees and have taxes deducted from their paychecks each pay period. However, if those employees claim more exemptions, the taxes deducted from each check decrease. At the end of the year, though, the IRS requir  more

Juvenile Justice Advocates Send Letter Urging Michigan Senate to Pass Legislation That Provides Legal Representation for Children
LANSING, Michigan, Dec. 12 (TNScapv) -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan issued the following news release on Dec. 11, 2023: Today, juvenile justice advocates shared an open letter with the Michigan Senate, calling on it to pass legislation that mandates legal representation for children entangled in the criminal legal system. Specifically, advocates urge the Senate to pass House Bill 4630, which would require the state to fund juvenile defense, as well as provide training for leg  more

LDF Files Amicus Brief Arguing That Juvenile Life Without Parole Violates the Michigan State Constitution
NEW YORK, Dec. 16 (TNSres) -- The NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund issued the following news on Dec. 15, 2023: Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF), joined by Safe & Just Michigan (SJM), filed an amicus brief in the Michigan Supreme Court, urging the Court to grant review and hold that juvenile life without parole (JLWOP) sentences violate the state's constitutional prohibition against "cruel or unusual" punishment. The brief is filed in support of Efren Paredes, who was sentenced to JLW  more

Mackinac Center for Public Policy: Reforming Union Contracts Can Improve Policing
MIDLAND, Michigan, Dec. 16 (TNSres) -- The Mackinac Center for Public Policy issued the following news release: A new study from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy recommends reforms at both the state and local level to improve disciplinary measures in police union contracts. These reforms would protect police officers who perform their duties honorably while ensuring that command officers can properly hold accountable those who fall short. Incidents of excessive police force in the past fe  more

MI City Agrees to Pay $825K, Protect Farmer's Religious Freedom
KALAMAZOO, Michigan, Dec. 16 -- The Alliance Defending Freedom issued the following news release: * * * ADF attorneys favorably settle lawsuit on behalf of Country Mill Farms, owner Steve Tennes * * * To settle a lawsuit brought by a Catholic farmer, the city of East Lansing has agreed to protect Country Mill Farms' constitutional right to operate according to its religious beliefs and also agreed to pay $825,000 ($41,199 in damages and $783,801 in attorneys' fees). A federal district court  more

Michigan Environmental Council: Disastrous Enbridge Line 5 Tunnel Permit Approved
LANSING, Michigan, Dec. 12 (TNSres) -- The Michigan Environmental Council issued the following news on Dec. 11, 2023: * * * The following article was written by the Michigan Climate Action Network, a Michigan Environmental Council member group. MiCAN, along with fellow member groups Clean Water Action - Michigan and FLOW are longtime, leading advocates against the Line 5 oil pipeline that cuts through the Great Lakes. * * * The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) has granted Canadian o  more

Michigan Municipal League, Michigan Economic Development Corporation Partner Again to Deliver Housing Options in Great Lakes Vernacular of Residential Architecture
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, Dec. 15 -- The Michigan Municipal League issued the following news release: The Michigan Municipal League and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation have produced a second volume of Pattern Book Homes for 21st Century Michigan. Volume II, The Missing Middle Mixtape, is available now. The Missing Middle Mixtape is a continuation of Volume I, This Used to Be Normal: Pattern Book Homes for 21st Century Michigan. Melissa Milton-Pung, Program Manager with the Michigan Mu  more

Michigan Retailers Reports Retail Sales Fall Again
LANSING, Michigan, Dec. 14 (TNSres) -- The Michigan Retailers Association issued the following news release: * * * Retailers report second consecutive month of sales decrease * * * Michigan Retailers Association today reports that November 2023 sales fell for the second consecutive month, landing at 41.0 on the 100-point Retail Index. Sales dropped from October 2023's Index value of 43.1. Last November, the Retail Index came in at 52.6. Thirty-three percent (33%) noted an increase over Octo  more

MSU Research Foundation Announces Conquer Startup Accelerator in Detroit
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 12 (TNSres) -- The Michigan State University Research Foundation issued the following news on Dec. 11, 2023: The Michigan State University Research Foundation announces the launch of its Conquer Accelerator program for healthcare-related startup businesses in Detroit. Building upon the success of the program in East Lansing and Grand Rapids, this new accelerator offers programming, mentorship, and investment opportunities that emerge from the Henry Ford Health + Michigan  more

National Center for Youth Law: 'Debt Free Justice' for Michigan Youth, Families - Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Signs Sweeping Reforms
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 14 -- The National Center for Youth Law issued the following news on Dec. 13, 2023: In a major victory for Michigan's children and families, young people will no longer be subject to burdensome juvenile court fees and fines and potentially life-altering debt, among other reforms included in a package of landmark bills signed today by Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist. The bipartisan package of new laws -- Senate Bills 428/429 and House Bills 4636/4637 -- mark a welcome shift in  more

New Host Cities Announced for U.S. Travel's IPW
WASHINGTON, Dec. 6 -- The U.S. Travel Association issued the following news release: U.S. Travel Association announced today the 2026-2030 host cities for its IPW international travel trade show: Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida (2026), New Orleans, Louisiana (2027), Detroit, Michigan (2028), Denver, Colorado (2029) and Anaheim, California (2030). Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and Detroit, Michigan, will serve as first-time IPW hosts. "By serving as host site of IPW, each of these world-c  more

Progress Michigan: New Poll - Voters' Holiday Wishlist Includes More Progressive Legislation in 2024
LANSING, Michigan, Dec. 12 -- Progress Michigan, an organization that says it holds public officials and government accountable and assist in the promotion of progressive ideas, issued the following news release: To close out a year of Lake Effect poll newsletters, Progress Michigan released a December edition focused on progressive policies that will be up for discussion in the new year. "It's been an incredible year for Michigan, and we are proud of the accomplishments of our lawmakers in La  more

SAE Government Technologies President Brandon Card Appointed to New DoD Microelectronics Program Board
TROY, Michigan, Dec. 11 -- SAE International issued the following news: SAE Government Technologies (SAE GT) is pleased to announce that SAE GT President Brandon Card has been appointed as a board member for the Silicon Crossroads Microelectronics Commons (SCMC) Hub. The SCMC Hub enables next-generation microelectronics innovation by cultivating an unprecedented Midwestern ecosystem of diverse partners including academia, small business, federal labs, and prime defense contractors. This new De  more

SME Seeking Proposals To Update Association Management System
SOUTHFIELD, Michigan, Dec. 5 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers issued the following news: SME, the nonprofit committed to accelerating new manufacturing technology adoption and building North America's talent, is launching a request for proposal (RFP) process to identify a powerful and customizable association management system (AMS) to support many of the organization's key functions. SME's mission to accelerate widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and build North America  more

Southeast Michigan Council of Governments Announces $2.3M in Funding Awards for Walking and Biking Projects in Southeast Michigan
DETROIT, Michigan, Dec. 13 -- The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments issued the following news release: SEMCOG, the Southeast Michigan Council of Governments, has awarded $2,282,690 in Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP) funding for five projects for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025. SEMCOG will consider additional projects for FY 2025-2027 in winter 2024. "Creating a transportation system that provides access for everyone begins with safety," said Amy O'Leary, Executive Director of SEMCOG.   more

Students at Bay City Western High School Gain Skills for Manufacturing Careers Through SME Prime
BAY CITY, Michigan, Dec. 5 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers issued the following news: Since the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, the SME Education Foundation has made it possible for students at Bay City Western High School to have access to new manufacturing education resources through its SME PRIME(R) program. The Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of SME, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing technology and fostering ma  more

Students at West Ottawa High School Gain Skills for Manufacturing Careers Through SME Prime
WEST OTTAWA, Michigan, Dec. 12 -- The Society of Manufacturing Engineers issued the following news: Since the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, the SME Education Foundation has made it possible for students at West Ottawa High School to have access to new manufacturing education resources through its SME PRIME(R) program. The Foundation operates as the philanthropic arm of SME, the national nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of manufacturing technology and fostering man  more

White House Must Not Sacrifice U.S. Asylum System in Funding Negotiations: PHR
NEW YORK, Dec. 15 (TNSres) -- Physicians for Human Rights issued the following statement on Dec. 13, 2023: * * * In response to reports (https://www.cbsnews.com/news/immigration-white-house-congress-border-security-detention-deportation/) that the White House and congressional leaders are considering overhauls to the U.S. asylum system as a compromise to secure funding for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, the following quote is attributable to Michele Heisler, MD, MPH, medical director at PHR and   more