Thursday - November 21, 2024
Public Policy Tipoffs Involving Michigan Newsletter for Sunday June 30, 2024 ( 27 items )  

ACLU and YWCA Kalamazoo File Lawsuit Challenging Constitutionality of Michigan's Ban on Medicaid Coverage for Abortion Care
DETROIT, Michigan, June 28 -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan issued the following news release on June 27, 2024: The ACLU of Michigan, the American Civil Liberties Union, and the law firm Goodwin Procter filed a lawsuit today challenging Michigan's ban on Medicaid coverage for abortion and related care. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of YWCA Kalamazoo, contends that the ban violates the newly enacted fundamental right to reproductive freedom in the Michigan Constitution, which vot  more

Analysis: Proximity to Cannabis Retailers Associated With Rising Home Values
WASHINGTON, June 27 [Category: Sociological] -- The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws issued the following news release: Seattle, WA: Homes located near cannabis retailers are more likely than others to appreciate in value, according to an analysis provided by Tomo Real Estate. Analysts assessed the relationship between cannabis retailers and home prices in three states: Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon. Researchers examined annual increases or decreases in median home price  more

Chicago Agrees to Prominent Route for DNC Demonstration
CHICAGO, Illinois, June 27 -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Illinois issued the following news release: A coalition of feminist and LGBTQ+ organizations will march on historic Michigan Avenue starting at 5 pm, Sunday, August 18th on the eve of the Democratic Convention as delegates, media and their entourages gather in the downtown area. The coalition, Bodies Outside of Unjust Laws: Coalition for Reproductive Justice & LGBTQ+ Liberation (Bodies Outside) will be permitted to march on Mi  more

Civil Rights Advocates Achieve the Nation's Strongest Police Department Policy on Facial Recognition Technology
DETROIT, Michigan, June 29 -- The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: Civil rights advocates announced today a settlement in the lawsuit brought on behalf of Robert Williams, who was wrongfully arrested by the Detroit Police Department in 2020 after the department relied on incorrect results from facial recognition technology. The groundbreaking settlement agreement achieves the nation's strongest police department policies and practice  more

Community Foundation Secures $35M Fund to Complete Detroit Riverfront Revitalization
DETROIT, Michigan, June 25 -- The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan issued the following news release: * * * * Creates philanthropic fund with seed money from Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation. * Fund to complete East and West Riverfront Capital Projects. * Ensures historic transformation amid embezzlement investigation. * * * The Detroit riverfront is one of our region's greatest assets, having been named the best riverfront in the nation for three years running. As a collection   more

Critical Funding for EV Charging Included in Michigan State Budget
LANSING, Michigan, June 29 -- The Electrification Coalition, a group that facilitates the deployment of plug-in electric vehicles, issued the following news release on June 28, 2024: Yesterday, the Michigan State Legislature released its annual budget, which includes $30 million for the Clean Fuel and Charging Infrastructure program. Electrification Coalition Senior Director of Campaigns Aaron Viles responded: "Michigan's legislature continues to lead the way in transitioning to an electric t  more

Doctors Urge State Officials to Phase Out Industrial Livestock Facilities Where Diseases Like Bird Flu Can Easily Spread
WASHINGTON, June 26 [Category: Health Care] -- Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine issued the following news release: As reported by the Toledo Blade, the Physicians Committee--a national nonprofit with 17,000 doctors nationwide--is asking officials in Ohio, Michigan, and other agricultural states to phase out large-scale livestock facilities including mega-dairies and massive egg farms. The current bird flu crisis is an urgent reminder to transition food production away from intens  more

Environmental Law & Policy Center: Groups Urge Michigan Court to Reverse Enbridge Line 5 Permit
LANSING, Michigan, June 29 -- The Environmental Law and Policy Center issued the following news release: The Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELPC) and Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN) filed a brief asking the Michigan Court of Appeals to reverse the Michigan Public Service Commission's flawed order approving a permit for Enbridge to build its "Line 5" oil pipeline tunnel in the lakebed of the Straits of Mackinac. ELPC and MiCAN intervened in the Commission's tunnel permit application  more

Feds' new 'anti-harassment' mandate to universities: Violate the First Amendment
PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania, June 27 -- The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression issued the following news release: The Department of Education is required by law to guard against discrimination on the basis of race, color, or national origin in higher education. Now the agency is telling college and university administrators they can only achieve this important goal by violating the First Amendment. That's the chilling takeaway from agreements publicized this month between the Depa  more

FIFTH TERM'S THE CHARM: PROGRESS MICHIGAN STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF FOIA REFORM
LANSING, Michigan, June 28 -- Progress Michigan, an organization that says it holds public officials and government accountable and assist in the promotion of progressive ideas, issued the following statement on June 27, 2024: * * * On Thursday, the Michigan State Senate voted nearly unanimously to reform Michigan's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) laws to include the executive offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, along with the Michigan Legislature. Progress Michigan released the  more

Former Michigan Teacher of the Year Flies with Thunderbirds
ARLINGTON, Virginia, June 27 [Category: National Defense] -- The Air and Space Forces Association issued the following news release: Colleen Cain, the third-place winner of AFA's 2023 National Teacher of the Year award, was named a distinguished "Hometown Hero" by the famed Thunderbirds, earning a flight with the demonstration team--even getting her name printed on the plane. Cain, a 7th grade science teacher at Larson Middle School in Troy, Mich., was first recognized by AFA Michigan's Mt. Cl  more

Growth Energy Applauds Advance of Michigan E15 Tax Incentive
LANSING, M, June 28 -- Growth Energy, a trade association that represents ethanol producers, issued the following statement on June 27, 2024: * * * Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor issued the following statement after the Michigan legislature passed legislation including a $0.05 per gallon tax credit for E15--a fuel option made with 15% bioethanol that can be used in 96% of cars on the road today: "This new tax incentive will give Michigan drivers even more opportunities to take advantage of E15,  more

Health & Hospital Association Elects 2024-2025 Officers and Board Members
LANSING, Michigan, June 27 -- The Michigan Health and Hospital Association issued the following news release: Members of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association (MHA) elected new officers and appointed board members during the association's Annual Membership Meeting June 26. Officers of the 2024-2025 MHA Board of Trustees include Julie Yaroch, DO, chair; Bill Manns, chair-elect; and Brittany Lavis, treasurer. In addition, Brian Peters was reappointed to serve an indefinite term of office as   more

Landmark Ruling Ends Judicial Deference to Bureaucrats
MIDLAND, Michigan, June 28 [Category: Government/Public Administration] -- The Mackinac Center for Public Policy issued the following news release: The United States Supreme Court's 6-3 decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo reins in the unwarranted power of the federal administrative state. The ruling overturns the 40-year-old Chevron doctrine, which required courts to defer to executive branch agencies' interpretations of ambiguous laws. The Mackinac Center for Public Policy has lon  more

LatinoJustice PRLDEF Announces Summer 2024 Nixon Peabody Civil Rights Fellow
NEW YORK, June 28 (TNSres) -- LatinoJustice PRLDEF issued the following news release: LatinoJustice PRLDEF - a national civil rights organization working to protect and expand the rights of Latinos has announced Patricia De La Hoya-Velez as the recipient of the Nixon Peabody LatinoJustice Summer 2024 Civil Rights Fellowship. Ms. De La Hoya-Velez, who grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a third-year law student attending the Michigan State University School of Law in East Lansing, Michigan. The Ni  more

Lawmakers Allocate Funding Boost for Tobacco Reduction Efforts
WASHINGTON, June 27 [Category: Medical] -- The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network issued the following news release: LANSING, MICH. - Today, the state legislature passed its final version of the budget, which included increased funding for programs that address tobacco use. The following is a statement from Molly Medenblik, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) in Michigan: "Tobacco use remains the leading cause of preventabl  more

LCV Action Fund Endorses Kristen McDonald Rivet for U.S. House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, June 28 [Category: Environment] -- The League of Conservation Voters issued the following news release: The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Action Fund, which works to elect pro-environment candidates, announced today the endorsement of Kristen McDonald Rivet for election to the U.S. House of Representatives representing Michigan's 8th district. "Kristen McDonald Rivet has been a fighter in the Michigan Senate for clean water and air, clean energy jobs, our communities, and our  more

Michigan Abortion Restrictions Blocked by Court
NEW YORK, June 26 -- The Center for Reproductive Rights issued the following news release on June 25, 2024: Today, a Michigan state court temporarily blocked three Michigan abortion restrictions. The laws will remain blocked as the case proceeds. The Center for Reproductive Rights filed this case in February on behalf of Northland Family Planning Centers and Medical Students for Choice. The lawsuit asserts that the three restrictions violate Michigan's Reproductive Freedom for All constitutiona  more

MICHIGAN CHAPTERS OF STUDENTS DEMAND ACTION, MOMS DEMAND ACTION APPLAUD INTRODUCTION OF SB942 TO BAN BUMP STOCKS
LANSING, Michigan, June 27 -- Everytown for Gun Safety issued the following statement on June 26, 2024: * * * The Michigan chapters of Moms Demand Action and Students Demand Action, both part of Everytown for Gun Safety's grassroots network, released the following statement applauding the introduction of the bill SB942 by Senator Polehanki, that would ban bump stocks statewide. Bump stocks are replacement shoulder stocks for semi-automatic AR- and AK-style rifles - effectively turning rifles   more

Michigan Health & Hospital Association: Michigan Legislature Champions Healthcare Funding
LANSING, Michigan, June 28 -- The Michigan Health and Hospital Association issued the following statement on June 27, 2024: * * * The following statement can be attributed to Brian Peters, CEO of the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. The Michigan Legislature passed a state budget that champions crucial healthcare funding and protects access to vital healthcare services across Michigan communities. The fiscal year 2025 state budget and fiscal year 2024 supplemental proposals continue fu  more

Michigan League for Public Policy: Agreement on 2025 State Budget Includes Strong Investments in What Michiganders Need Most
LANSING, Michigan, June 28 -- The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following news release: * * * Sustained Funding Still Needed for Positive, Long-Term Impacts League applauds basic cash assistance improvements, continuation of universal free school meals, child care funding improvements and more * * * The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on the bipartisan 2025 state budget agreement finalized by the Michigan Legislature today. The statement can   more

Michigan League for Public Policy: League Celebrates Passage of Bills That Will Prohibit Housing Discrimination Based on Source of Income
LANSING, Michigan, June 28 (TNSres) -- The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on June 27, 2024: * * * The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on the Michigan Legislature's passage of bills early this morning that will prohibit discrimination in housing based on payment type. Discrimination from landlords has limited the effectiveness of Housing Choice Vouchers (HCVs) and other non-wage sources of income, including social security and v  more

Michigan League for Public Policy: League Praises House Passage of Bill That Will Extend Unemployment Insurance Benefits to 26 Weeks
LANSING, Michigan, June 27 -- The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on June 26, 2024: * * * * * * New legislation will bring Michigan up to speed with majority of nation, create stability for those with fewer employment opportunities * * * The Michigan League for Public Policy issued the following statement on the Michigan House passage of HB 5827, which would extend the state's Unemployment Insurance benefits to a maximum of 26 weeks, up from the current 20 w  more

MICHIGAN SENATE VOTES TO UNLOCK POLLUTION RULES
LANSING, Michigan, June 28 -- The Michigan Environmental Council issued the following news: A single sentence has rendered the State of Michigan unable to protect people and ecosystems from water pollution for over 18 years. Legislation passed out of the Michigan Senate Wednesday would take a red pen to the phrase. Senate Bill 663 cleared the chamber in a 20-18 vote. The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Sue Shink (D-Ann Arbor) would eliminate a sentence within the 22,000-word-long Part 31, a sub  more

New Study Reveals Investments Will Create More Than 190,000 Clean Energy and Infrastructure Jobs Per Year in Ohio, Michigan, Colorado and Oregon
WASHINGTON, June 27 (TNSres) -- The National Skills Coalition issued the following news release: * * * Research shows that historical investments from new federal laws could present an opportunity for states to build a diverse workforce in these sectors. * * * New analysis commissioned by National Skills Coalition (NSC) and the BlueGreen Alliance (BGA), shows that combined historic investments in clean energy, manufacturing, and infrastructure from three new federal laws--the Inflation Reduc  more

PROGRESS MICHIGAN STATEMENT ON RECENT GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION DEVELOPMENTS
LANSING, Michigan, June 25 -- Progress Michigan, an organization that says it holds public officials and government accountable and assist in the promotion of progressive ideas, issued the following statement on June 24, 2024: * * * On Friday, the United States Supreme Court issued an 8-1 decision to uphold a ban on domestic abusers owning guns and Governor Gretchen Whitmer's office announced that they are establishing a gun violence prevention taskforce. Progress Michigan Executive Director S  more

Statement From the Michigan Municipal League Regarding the Passage of the State Budget and Increase in Statutory Revenue Sharing
ANN ARBOR, Michigan, June 29 -- The Michigan Municipal League issued the following statement on June 27, 2024: * * * "As Michigan's leading advocate for placemaking, we know that any successful economic development strategy must include efforts to foster thriving communities. We appreciate the Governor and legislature passing a budget that makes a significant investment in revenue sharing. This investment in place aligns with Michigan's goals for growth and supports prosperity for every commun  more