Michigan Senate Archives - The Michigan Star

Michigan Senate OKs Financial Disclosure

November 3, 2023November 2, 2023 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate passed financial disclosure bills voters approved in November 2022 through Proposal 1 to expose conflicts of interest but one lawmaker says the rules are all “smoke and mirrors.”

Senate Bills 613, 614, 615, and 616 aim to require lawmakers and candidates for public office to disclose assets and income above certain thresholds. The bills seek to require candidates and officeholders to disclose their spouse’s employment, including their status as a registered lobbyist.

Multiple Voting Access Bills Move to Michigan Senate

October 1, 2023September 30, 2023 The Center Square

Four bills aimed at voting that passed the Michigan House continues to get pushback from Republicans who say they will corrupt the state’s election system.

The bills, introduced earlier this week, are aimed at military voting, voter ID, voter transportation and online absentee ballot access. Rep. Josh Schriver, R-Oxford, took to social media to voice his opposition to each of them.

Rules Changes for Unions, Hunting Guides Favored in Michigan Senate Legislation

June 11, 2023June 10, 2023 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate approved four bills on Thursday covering two topics.

The Senate approved Senate Bill 169 along party lines, which aims to require employers to share employees’ names, home addresses, cellphone numbers, work address locations, and personal email addresses with labor representatives every 90 days.

Michigan Senate OKs Speeding Low-Income Tax Credit

April 29, 2023April 28, 2023 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate approved a bill aiming to speed up the earned income tax credit refund to low-wage workers from 2024 to this year.

Senate Bill 144 passed on a vote of 27-10 in the Democrat-dominated Senate.

Michigan Senate Dems Push 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2035

April 16, 2023April 15, 2023 The Center Square

Michigan Senate Democrats introduced on Thursday a clean energy plan to force a 100% clean energy standard by 2035.

The plan includes forcing the end of coal-fired electricity generating plants by 2030, requiring utilities to move toward eliminating greenhouse gas emissions from power generation by 2035, and developing a 100% clean energy standard by 2035.

Michigan Senate Approves Cocktails-to-Go

March 27, 2023March 26, 2023 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate passed Senate Bill 141 on a vote of 37-1, which aims to make cocktails-to-go permanent.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, lawmakers allowed cocktails-to-go to provide businesses another way to generate revenue while the operation of bars and restaurants were restricted by the state.

Michigan Senate OKs Bill to Ban Employer Retaliation for Abortions

March 19, 2023March 18, 2023 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate voted along party lines to prohibit some employers from firing an employee for having an abortion.

The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Erika Geiss, D-Taylor, said Senate Bill 147 aims to close a “loophole” in the Elliot Larson Civil Rights Act.

Michigan Senate Approves Red Flag, Safe Storage Gun Bills

March 18, 2023March 17, 2023 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate passed gun legislation on party lines Thursday.

The bill package aims to expand background checks, enact safe storage requirements, and add red flag laws.

Michigan Senate Votes to Repeal Right-to-Work, Reinstate Prevailing Wage

March 16, 2023March 15, 2023 The Center Square

The Democrat-dominated Michigan Senate voted to repeal right-to-work and to reinstate the prevailing wage.

The House passed bills to repeal right-to-work last week.

Michigan Senate Approves $565 Million for Mental Health

June 17, 2022June 16, 2022 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate approved a $565 million bill, which appropriates mostly federal funding to improve the state’s mental health system.

Senate Bill 714 aims to fund jail diversion, create treatment units to reduce emergency room overcrowding, and bolster substance abuse programs.

Michigan Senators Take Steps Toward Gas-Tax Vacation

May 29, 2022May 28, 2022 The Center Square

As residents of the Great Lakes State and out-of-state tourists prepare to inaugurate the 2022 outdoor vacation season, they’re being stymied by gasoline prices rising steadily toward the $5 per gallon range.

The Michigan Senate has passed a slate of bills designed to alleviate drivers’ pain at the pump. If signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the bills would save Michigan drivers between 40 cents to 50 cents a gallon by temporarily eliminating the state’s 6% sales tax and 27-cent-per-gallon excise tax.

Michigan Senate Passes Bill to Lower Prescription Drug Prices

February 19, 2022February 18, 2022 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate approved a bipartisan plan to reduce prescription drug prices in the state.

House Bill 4348 aims to save patients money by regulating pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) who serve as facilitators between health plans, drug manufacturers and pharmacists.

Michigan State Senate Passes Bill to Drop Personal, Corporate Tax Rate to 3.9 Percent

February 17, 2022February 16, 2022 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate approved a bill that aims to lower the personal and corporate tax rate to 3.9%.

Michigan currently taxes corporations at 6% and Michiganders at a flat 4.25% income tax.

Michigan State Senators Introduce Bill to Create Exemptions to College Vaccine Mandates

September 4, 2021September 3, 2021 Bradley Vasoli

State Senators Kim LaSata (R-MI-Coloma) and Jim Runestad (R-MI-White Lake) introduced legislation on Wednesday that would allow students in Michigan’s colleges and universities the right to opt out of vaccine mandates imposed by those institutions.

The bill would create a range of medical and non-medical exceptions to requirements for students at any higher-education institution in Michigan to get any kind of vaccine.

Michigan Senate Approves Petition to Revoke Whitmer’s Pandemic Powers

July 17, 2021July 16, 2021 The Center Square

The GOP-led Michigan Senate approved the Unlock Michigan campaign on a 20-15 vote, likely ending the 1945 law employed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to exercise pandemic powers for the past 16 months.

Democrats and Republicans exchanged heated remarks over COVID-19 policy.

“This petition will hamstring our leaders of both parties — from preventing or slowing the spread of a deadly disease. This is about our ability to react to other pandemics and disasters in the future,” Sen. Rosemary Bayer, D-Beverly Hills, said pre-vote.

Michigan Senate Report Concludes Mailing of Unsolicited Ballot Applications Poses Risk of Fraud

June 25, 2021June 24, 2021 Michigan Star Staff

Republican lawmakers in Michigan released a report Wednesday concluding there was no widespread fraud in the state’s November election, debunking many speculations, but they pointedly warned that the mailing of unsolicited absentee ballot applications creates “a clear vulnerability for fraud that may be undetected.”

“The serious, potential outcomes of these vulnerabilities versus the minor effort to request an application make a strong and compelling necessity to not provide such applications without a request from a voter – as was standard practice until this past year,” the Michigan Senate Oversight Committee concluded. “Therefore, the committee recommends the Michigan secretary of state discontinue the practice of mailing out unsolicited applications.”

The committee also recommended that the state strengthen voter ID requirements, not weaken them like Democrats in Congress have proposed, as the practice of absentee or not-in-person voting grows.

Michigan Senate Passes $4.38 Billion Federally Funded School Aid Fund Bill

June 17, 2021June 17, 2021 The Center Square

The Michigan State Senate passed a School Aid Funding supplemental appropriations bill.

The entire $4.38 billion sum approved by the Senate on Tuesday afternoon is derived from federal funding, which includes $700 million of COVID-19 relief money approved last year during the administration of Donald Trump and another $3.66 billion from the American Rescue Plan signed by President Joe Biden in March.

Legislative Oversight Committees Assume Subpoena Authority in Election Investigations

December 19, 2020December 18, 2020 The Center Square

The Michigan House and Senate Oversight Committees are assuming authority to issue subpoenas, administer oaths and examine books and records related to the 2020 election.

The committees immediately proceeded to issue subpoenas to election clerks in Detroit and Livonia. Detroit Clerk Janice Winfrey and Livonia Clerk Susan Nash have until the end of business on Jan. 12 to turn over documents pertaining to their respective elections.

Michigan Senate Passes Bill Aiming to Limit Epidemic Orders to 28 Days Without Additional Approval

December 12, 2020December 11, 2020 The Center Square

The Michigan Senate on Thursday night approved a bill 22-16 along party lines that aims to limit the state health department’s epidemic order power.

SB 1253, if signed into law, would amend the Public Health Code so Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) Director Robert Gordon’s epidemic orders would be only valid for up to 28 days unless both houses of the Legislature approves Gordon’ extension request.

Michigan Senate Approves Tax Breaks in the Face of a Looming Budget Deficit

December 6, 2020December 5, 2020 The Center Square

The GOP-led Michigan Senate passed bills that, if passed, will reduce government revenue in a year when the state will soon be strapped for cash.

Currently, the state is facing a projected deficit between $170 million and $1.17 billion for fiscal year 2022.

Senate Approves Measure to Protect Electronic Data from Unreasonable Search and Seizure

June 14, 2020June 13, 2020 Michigan Star Staff

The Michigan Senate unanimously approved a measure that aims to require a warrant for search and seizure of electronic documents.

The federal and state Constitution protects against unreasonable search and seizure of people’s “houses, papers, and effects” without a warrant, but Senate Joint Resolution G clarifies that electronic data and communication fall under those protected items.

Senate Republicans Block ‘Gun-Grabber’ from Leading Michigan’s Natural Resources Commission

March 3, 2020March 2, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

The Michigan Senate voted to reject Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s appointment of former Grand Rapids Mayor George Heartwell to lead the Natural Resources Commission last week.

Republicans React to Gov. Whitmer’s $61 Billion Budget Proposal

February 8, 2020February 7, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan Republicans said they are committed to working with the governor to avoid more budget drama, but expressed a number of concerns with her new budget proposal.

Michigan Democrat Accuses Republican Colleague of Sexual Harassment

January 22, 2020January 21, 2020 Anthony Gockowski

A Michigan Democrat filed a sexual harassment complaint Tuesday against State Sen. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Township) just a week after he was accused of making “sexist” and “belittling” comments towards a female reporter.

Former Lawmakers Sue to Overturn Michigan Term Limits Passed By Voters

November 24, 2019November 23, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

A bipartisan group of former lawmakers filed a lawsuit last week in an effort to overturn Michigan’s “draconian” term limits law.

Senate Majority Leader Says Gov. Whitmer Is ‘On the Bat S–t Crazy Spectrum’

November 23, 2019November 22, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) recently told a group of College Republicans that his Democratic colleagues are “on the bat s–t crazy spectrum.”

Michigan Republican Refuses to Apologize for Comparing ‘Scourge’ of Abortion to Slavery

November 13, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) refuses to back down from comments he made comparing the “scourge” of abortion to slavery.

Michigan Republican Refuses to Apologize for Comparing ‘Scourge’ of Abortion to Slavery

November 13, 2019November 12, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey (R-Clarklake) refuses to back down from comments he made comparing the “scourge” of abortion to slavery.

Michigan Democrats Introduce Bills to Provide Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Immigrants

November 1, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan Democrats called a press conference Thursday to introduce their Drive SAFE legislation, a pair of bills that would provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants in the state.

Michigan Democrats Introduce Bills to Provide Driver’s Licenses to Illegal Immigrants

November 1, 2019October 31, 2019 Anthony Gockowski

Michigan Democrats called a press conference Thursday to introduce their Drive SAFE legislation, a pair of bills that would provide driver’s licenses to illegal immigrants in the state.

‘Raise the Age’ Bill Passes Michigan Senate Committee

October 14, 2019October 13, 2019 Michigan Star Staff

A bill that would place 17-year-olds in the juvenile justice system instead of the adult criminal court system, barring heinous crimes, passed the Senate Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety on Thursday. The Raise the Age bill is sponsored by Sen. Peter Lucido, R-Shelby Township.