Scott McClallen

Detroit

Michigan and Minnesota Goverment Reporter at Freelance

Managing editor @MichCapCon DMs open. Author "Twisted Tech": https://t.co/iHZ7T8JrCq. @Hillsdale alum. tips to [email protected]

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Articles

Michigan owns 48M square feet of buildings

1 week ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

If Michigan's government were strapped for cash, it could sell some of its 48 million square feet of office space. MIRS asked Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on May 8 if the state needs all its state buildings it has, given that state employees work remotely“We have shrunk our footprint, and we want to make sure that we can do the job,” Whitmer said.
Gone fishing - for your wallet: Michigan Senate budget hooks boaters, anglers, drivers

1 week ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

Michiganders will pay higher fees for vehicle registration, boating, and fishing if the state enacts the $84.6 billion budget for fiscal year 2026 that was recently passed by the Michigan Senate. The recommendation exceeds Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget by more than a billion dollars but still requires the approval of the Michigan House. The fee increase comes after a six-year period during which Michigan’s budget has grown by 47%.
State sued over death of Detroit toddler allegedly abused for years

1 week ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

A representative of a deceased three-year-old Detroit resident, Chayce Allen, has sued the state in federal court after employees of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services failed to stop a death allegedly caused by years of abuse. Chayce Allen, 3, was one of 9,200 children in Michigan’s foster care system. On June 24, 2022, Chayce’s decaying corpse was found in a broken freezer in the basement of his mother’s home.
Complaint claims Michigan city misled voters with AI images of fantasy projects

2 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

News Story City expects allegation to be dismissed quickly A Sterling Heights official has filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of State alleging that the city violated campaign finance law by using artificial intelligence in advertisements and not that fact. City council member Henry Yanez filed the complaint, according to a March 10 letter obtained by Michigan Capitol Confidential.
Nessel, 14 other attorneys general sue Trump administration over declared energy emergency

2 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel filed a lawsuit May 9 against President Donald Trump and various federal officials. The suit, filed with 14 other state attorneys general, challenges the Trump administration’s declaration of an energy emergency.
Food stamp fraud is ‘devastating’ Michiganders, document says

2 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

When Michiganders’ food stamps are stolen, it can take six to eight weeks for the state to replace the card, according to a fraud expert. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services administers the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, which helps feed the state’s most vulnerable people — about 800,000 households.
Michigan food stamp fraud spiked nearly 400% from 2023 to 2024

3 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

Payments caused by fraud in Michigan’s food stamp program jumped by 387% from fiscal year 2023 to 2024, according to documents obtained by a records request. The increase comes at a time when Michigan officials still haven’t switched to safer, more secure cards with embedded microchips. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services approved 592 of 651 requests in fiscal year 2023 to replace stolen benefits, for a total of $181,778.
Michigan ratepayers pick up energy tab of 55,732 households

3 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

In 2024, thousands of Michigan households — 55,732 in all — struggled to pay their energy bills and received relief through a state requirement that made other customers pay a portion of their bills, according to a document obtained through a records request. In 2013, Michigan lawmakers created the Low-Income Energy Assistance Fund and charged the state health department with spending money under the Michigan Energy Assistance Act.
Livonia to pitch $150M bond proposal on Aug. 5

3 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

Voters in the city of Livonia will decide Aug. 5 whether to raise taxes for 25 years. The City Council unanimously approved placing the bond proposal on the ballot. The city says it needs $150 million to renovate outdated municipal buildings and fight population decline. The bond would fund a new police station, a new library, expanded and renovated fire stations, a new central gathering space and plaza, and a new walking and biking loop to Five Mile and Farmington Roads.
Michigan has referred 24 people for prosecution over wetland laws over 3 years

4 weeks ago | michigancapitolconfidential.com | Scott McClallen

News Story State environmental agency referred 24 people to Attorney General Dana Nessel for prosecution One of Michigan’s environmental agencies referred 24 people for prosecution to Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office over 2023, 2024, and 2025 so far, according to a document obtained through a public records request.