STATE LEGISLATURE

Saturday is Veterans Day—but Democratic lawmakers have been working to support Michigan veterans all year long.

After several delays and a host of amendments, the Democratic-led Michigan House on early Thursday morning passed financial disclosure legislation for elected officials that they’re required to have on the governor’s desk by the end of the year as part of a state constitutional amendment voters approved in 2022.

Michigan Democrats who have controlled the governor’s office and slim majorities in both chambers of the Legislature will at least temporarily lose their full control after two state representatives won mayoral races Tuesday, which will soon put the state House in a deadlock.

Bipartisan legislation signed into law this week aims to support victims of crime by boosting access to support services, adding new privacy protections in the courtroom, and ramping up the criminal penalties for certain crimes.

State lawmakers are charging forward with new standards for electric companies to accelerate a transition to cleaner—and much more affordable—energy for all Michigan families. 

A newly signed state law aims to help lower costs for spouses of disabled military veterans by ensuring they won’t have to pay property taxes, even after their partner has died.

Members of the House Energy, Communications and Technology Committee in their hearing on Wednesday voted to refer a package of bills that would move permitting of large-scale solar energy developments to the Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC).

Bills that passed the Michigan House on Tuesday will allow juveniles involved in the criminal justice system to better navigate it and grow from the experience, sponsor Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) said on the House floor.