Senate passes bill to cap governor’s debt-issuing power
Senate passes bill to cap governor’s debt-issuing power
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unilaterally moved to borrow $3.5 billion for her road plan in January. State senators just voted to limit that power.
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan personal income growth beats every surrounding state since passing right to work
Michigan personal income growth beats every surrounding state since passing right to work
Even with recent weaknesses due to the auto strike, the Wolverine State has seen roaring income growth since enacting right to work in 2013.
By Mighty Michigan
Senate bill would prevent billion-dollar road borrowing from Michigan governor, unelected board
Senate bill would prevent billion-dollar road borrowing from Michigan governor, unelected board
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unilaterally moved to borrow $3.5 billion for her road plan in January.
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan loses 5,300 manufacturing jobs, in part from auto strike
Michigan loses 5,300 manufacturing jobs, in part from auto strike
While Michigan overall gained jobs in 2019, it lost jobs in its most lucrative category. Now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer favors a tax structure that has hurt other states’ economies.
By Mighty Michigan
Whitmer TV ad backing $3.5B spending plan features roads she can’t fix
Whitmer TV ad backing $3.5B spending plan features roads she can’t fix
Because the governor unilaterally pushed for the new debt package, the money can only be used on 8% of Michigan roadways. Those aren’t the roads in her ad.
By Amelia Hamilton
Whitmer borrows $3.5B without approval from voters, lawmakers
Whitmer borrows $3.5B without approval from voters, lawmakers
The new bonds were authorized less than 24 hours after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State speech. But Michiganders will be paying them off for 25 years.
By Amelia Hamilton
Patchwork of plastic bag taxes and bans may be coming to Michigan
Patchwork of plastic bag taxes and bans may be coming to Michigan
Bag taxes and bans are bad for businesses and consumers, but are they any better for the environment?
By Amelia Hamilton
Bill would tax Michigan trucks by the mile
Bill would tax Michigan trucks by the mile
Michigan lawmakers’ plans to tax trucks per mile and hike their bridge tolls would raise costs for consumers with no guarantee roads would improve.
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan’s comeback spurs construction boom, job openings
Michigan’s comeback spurs construction boom, job openings
Private sector economic growth since the Great Recession is also driving gains in the state’s construction industry, leading to job openings for skilled labor
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan budget deadline intended to avoid government shutdowns
Michigan budget deadline intended to avoid government shutdowns
Michigan now has a legal mandate that a state budget bill be in place by July 1. The three-month cushion is intended to stop government from closing down.
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan GDP growth since Great Recession is region’s highest
Michigan GDP growth since Great Recession is region’s highest
Michigan was one of the states hit hardest by the recession, but pro-growth reforms have led to the state’s gross domestic product enjoying an average annual growth of 2.3%.
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan’s roads rank as worst despite 5th-highest vehicle fees
Michigan’s roads rank as worst despite 5th-highest vehicle fees
Michigan vehicle fees are among the nation’s highest and its roads rank as the nation’s worst. Will making gas taxes the nation’s highest really fix anything?
By Amelia Hamilton
Michigan lawmakers moving to weaken term limits on themselves
Michigan lawmakers moving to weaken term limits on themselves
Voters overwhelmingly passed term limits on state leaders in 1992. Now some state leaders are pushing voters to give them more time in office.
By Amelia Hamilton