Colin Jackson

Lansing

Capitol Bureau Reporter at WUOM-FM (Ann Arbor, MI)

Capitol Reporter made possible through listener support. Previously: WKU Public Radio, WDET, The Game 730AM, 97.5 Now FM, Impact 89FM. [email protected]

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Articles

Michigan House committee to consider tax breaks for pregnant people

2 days ago | wemu.org | Colin Jackson

Michigan tax code would count fetuses as dependents under a bill getting a state House committee later today. Republican Representative Gina Johnsen says her bill would help families.
Fetuses could count as a tax dependent under Michigan House bill

2 days ago | wkar.org | Colin Jackson

A fetus would count as a dependent for Michigan taxes under a bill getting hearing Tuesday before the state House Finance Committee. The bill would apply to people who are at least 10 weeks pregnant by the end of the tax year. A doctor would have to verify that pregnancy status. State Representative Gina Johnsen (R-Lake Orion) sponsors the bill. In an interview, Johnsen said she hopes it encourages more people to start families.
UP Travel & Recreation Association reports $1.6B in 2023 tourism spending

1 week ago | uppermichiganssource.com | Colin Jackson

UPPER PENINSULA, Mich. (WLUC) - We now know how much visitors spent in the U.P. in 2023, and it’s even higher than the year before. The total comes to $1.6 billion. That is how much visitors contributed to the U.P.’s economy through lodging, dining and other tourism activities in 2023. According to the UP Travel & Recreation Association, this follows a trend of growth that has been consistent post-COVID-19 pandemic.
Michigan House votes to undo clean energy siting reforms

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Colin Jackson

Renewable energy projects could lose their power to go around local zoning laws under bills that passed Wednesday in the Michigan House. A state law passed in 2023 gave utilities the ability to turn to state authorities to greenlight renewable projects that were rejected by local officials, as a way of ensuring there’s enough renewable energy to meet statutory goals. Opponents at the time argued that route went against principles of local control.
Mich. House votes to undo clean energy siting reforms

2 weeks ago | michiganpublic.org | Colin Jackson

Renewable energy projects could lose their power to go around local zoning laws under bills that passed Wednesday in the Michigan House. A state law passed in 2023 gave utilities the ability to turn to state authorities to greenlight renewable projects that were rejected by local officials, as a way of ensuring there’s enough renewable energy to meet statutory goals. Opponents at the time argued that route went against principles of local control.
Michigan Senate K-12 spending plan looks at teacher pay, class sizes, grants

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Colin Jackson

Michigan Senate Democrats unveiled a $21.8 billion K-12 spending plan Wednesday. That’s around a billion more than the current school aid budget. Some of the largest spending increases in the proposal for next year’s schools budget come from raises in per-student spending and funding for kids considered “at-risk.”In total, the plan would put an extra $517 million toward the base amount schools get for every student they have. Half of that raise would go toward increasing teacher pay.
Republicans laud Trump’s first 100 days ahead of Michigan visit as Democrats say he's hurt the state

2 weeks ago | michiganpublic.org | Colin Jackson

President Donald Trump will be celebrating 100 days in office Tuesday with a trip to Macomb County. Trump’s visit comes as Americans remain divided over policies like his mass deportation strategy, cuts to the federal workforce, and tariffs. Michigan Republican Party Chair Jim Runestad praised the president for trying to make good on campaign promises and supported the pace it’s happening at.
Michigan House bills would stop utilities from making political donations

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Colin Jackson

New bills introduced in the Michigan House would stop public utilities from donating to political campaigns. The ban on political giving would apply to utilities, their officials, and their lobbying organizations. It would also apply to some government contractors with awards totaling more than $250,000. The restrictions on contractors would span the length of the contract as well as a year-and-a-half period before and after the award.
PDAB bills pass Michigan Senate again

2 weeks ago | wemu.org | Colin Jackson

Bills aimed at reducing the cost of some prescription drugs passed in the Michigan Senate Thursday. The legislation would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would have the power to set price limits on certain medications. State Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) said that power to cap prices is necessary to keep drugmakers from overcharging Michigan residents.
Bills to create board focused on prescription drug affordability pass Michigan Senate again

2 weeks ago | michiganpublic.org | Colin Jackson

Bills aimed at reducing the cost of some prescription drugs passed in the Michigan Senate Thursday. The legislation would create a Prescription Drug Affordability Board that would have the power to set price limits on certain medications. State Senator Darrin Camilleri (D-Trenton) said that power to cap prices is necessary to keep drugmakers from overcharging Michigan residents.