Matt Hall

Already past the July 1 deadline set in state law, lawmakers spent nearly 24 hours straight in an overnight session to approve the spending plans.

Michigan lawmakers are trying to finalize a state budget as the July 1 deadline approaches, with House Speaker Matt Hall pushing new negotiating tactics while Governor Gretchen Whitmer is abroad on a European trade mission.

Hall jumped on the Trumpian bandwagon of delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, the bridge that Canada paid for. This also is a negotiating tactic. It's from the "never miss an opportunity to screw your neighbor" school of negotiating.

Hall (R-Richland Township) turned the tables on Democrats who’ve complained he’s foot-dragging as the July 1 budget deadline looms.

The bill would dilute a key power used by state attorneys general of both parties to offer binding advice on constitutional questions and interpretations of state law.

Michigan Democrats have introduced a Pride resolution annually, in both the House and Senate, in recent years. It often fails to pass when Republicans are in charge.

The law was repealed a couple of years ago while the legislature was under Democratic control. It required kids to read proficiently by third grade, or face being held back in school.

With gas currently heading toward $5/gallon, it seems particularly ill-timed to be looking for ways to limit our energy options. Especially because renewables (and especially wind and solar) are viable, low-cost sources of electricity now with great potential for technology and scaling to lower costs in the future. So even if you don't believe in climate change (or science in general), the economics are enough to win the argument.

Sunshine Week is a nonpartisan collaboration among groups in the journalism, civic, education, government, and private sectors that shines a light on the importance of public records and open government.

The Michigan House approved a more than $152 million spending bill Monday to work on runways at Michigan’s Selfridge Air National Guard” base.The base is expecting federally-funded construction to support a new fighter mission that President Donald Trump announced last year.Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Twp) said he fears that mission won’t actually happen if the work isn’t done before Trump leaves office.