The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Michigan

Cities, States Face Off on Mandatory Paid Sick Leave

Stateline - NYC and Portland will require businesses to provide paid sick leave. But many states are less than enthusiastic.

Federal Cuts Could Harm Flood Forecasting

As climate change increases the likelihood of extreme droughts and floods, experts say shutting off the stream-flow gauges could have costly consequences.

Motorcycle Deaths Climb as States Repeal Helmet Laws

With fatalities rising, safety experts say states should force motorcyclists to wear helmets. But legislators are heading in the opposite direction.

Lawmakers Chew on Weighty Issues: ‘Whose shad fry is the best?’

Photo Slideshow: Lawmakers call time out to weigh delicious legislation.

Supreme Court Will Review Michigan’s Affirmative Action Ban

The nation’s highest court will decide whether a Michigan affirmative action ban passed by voters in 2006 can prevent colleges and universities from using race when they decide which students to admit.

Michigan Employee Unions Race to Beat Right-to-Work

Unions try to beat the clock and set long-term contracts before Michigan’s right-to-work law takes effect March 28. Legislature may respond with cuts to education.

Should Public Workers Have to Live Where They Work?

Municipal residency requirements have gradually become less common. State efforts to ban them can get ugly as cities fight to maintain their middle class population base.

30 Cities: An Introductory Snapshot

Pew recently updated its 30-city snapshot interactive, with new data on population, home values, income and unemployment. Pew's American Cities Project focuses on the biggest city in the nation's 30 largest metro areas.

Reversing Policy, Michigan to Grant Driver’s Licenses to Deferred Action Qualifiers

Michigan will begin issuing driver’s licenses to undocumented immigrants who qualify for delayed deportation under federal law.

In Michigan and Wisconsin, Some Lawmakers Want to Go Part-Time

Should lawmakers in Michigan and Wisconsin cut their work hours? That’s what some hope to do, as they push constitutional amendments that would convert their states’ full-time legislatures into part-time bodies.

Michigan State of the State Address 2013

LANSING, Michigan -- Jan. 16 -- Following is a transcript of Gov. Rick Snyder's (R) 2013 State of the State Address:

Seniors Are New Target for Tax Increases

Over the years, states have carved out ever more generous tax breaks for the elderly. Now, Kentucky and a few other states are beginning to question whether these policies cost too much.

Public Safety in Michigan

Public safety in Michigan.

The Uncertain Effects of Right-to-Work

Michigan and Indiana endured divisive and bruising political battles to enact right-to-work legislation in 2012. It will be years before the full impact on economic development and on labor unions becomes clear.

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Michigan

How well is Michigan protecting kids from tooth decay?

Toledo Blade: Taxpayers Can’t Afford Blank Checks to Business

Santa Claus has parked his sleigh for another year. But for a lot of businesses, the penchant of state officials — including those in Ohio and Michigan — to play Jolly Ol’ Saint Nick with taxpayer money is the gift that keeps on giving.

Cyberattack: The Silent Nightmare

Every state knows that a deceptive computer hack-attack could bring crucial activities to a standstill. But most states are doing little about it. Michigan is an exception.

In Massacre’s Wake, Michigan Governor Vetoes Concealed Pistol Bill

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons into schools and other places that are off limits under current state law.

New York, California Seek Ways to Help Fiscally Fragile Cities

Top officials in two of the nation’s largest states have decided they need to do more to avert disaster in communities that are having budget trouble.

Another Mass Shooting Revives Debate on Gun Laws

Another mass shooting is fueling another debate about the nation’s patchwork of gun laws. But this time some new and prominent faces are calling for the stricter gun measures.

Best of #StateReads: California Leads U.S. Pay Giveaway

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

States Begin Giving Driver’s Licenses to Young Immigrants

The federal government thrust states back into dealing with the contentious issue of driver’s licenses for illegal immigrants, after years when the practice had become rare and the issue dropped off most legislative agendas.

Amid Protests, Michigan Leaders Press for Quick Enactment of Right-to-Work Legislation

Michigan would be the 24^th state to pass legislation making it illegal to require workers to pay union fees as a condition of their employment.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Michigan

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Unions Make Strong Showing at the Polls

Labor won big contests in Indiana, California and New Hampshire, while results were mixed in Michigan.

Federal Charge Doesn’t Thwart Illinois Lawmaker’s Reelection Bid

Derrick Smith’s return to the Illinois General Assembly isn’t much of a welcome back party. With the dust barely settled on his easy win on Election Day, a top Republican lawmaker is already calling for the Chicago Democrat’s ouster — again.

Voters Give New Detroit Bridge a Green Light

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder’s plans to add a second bridge for cars and trucks between Detroit and Canada are moving forward, after the governor and his allies defeated a $33 million campaign to block it.

In Iowa and Florida, Judges Survive Expensive Ouster Attempts

Three justices in Florida and one in Iowa held off conservative efforts to remove them from office. In Michigan and North Carolina, conservatives retained power on the Supreme Court following expensive campaigns.

On the Ballot (And in the Constitution?): Michigan’s Energy Future

Renewable energy advocates will be looking to Michigan on Tuesday (November 6), hoping its voters validate a bold experiment in growing the state’s renewable energy portfolio: If at first you’re stymied at the statehouse, just but it on the ballot — and in the constitution.

Best of #StateReads: Michigan Term Limits Encourage Politicians To Go Professional

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

U.S. Supreme Court To Hear Arizona Voter Registration Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will decide whether states may require a would-be voter to first prove their citizenship — a case likely to answer larger questions about the sometimes conflicting roles of state and federal governments in regulating elections.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Michigan

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Four of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Michigan and hold 36 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Michigan may be paying.

Michigan Unions Seek Constitutional Protection

A ballot measure in Michigan would give labor’s collective bargaining rights an almost impregnable status.

Michigan Addresses Head Injuries in Youth Sports

Michigan is poised to join the growing list of states addressing head injuries in youth sports.

Best of #StateReads: Michigan Confronts Crime by Parolees and Probationers

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

California Reconsiders “Three Strikes”

Voters in California will decide whether to revise the state’s “three strikes” law, largely considered to be the nation’s harshest on repeat offenders. Polling is strong for revision, but many police officers, victims’ advocates and district attorneys oppose the change.

Michigan Lawmakers Mandate Pledge of Allegiance in Schools

The Michigan Senate on Thursday passed legislation requiring public schools to display a U.S. flag in every classroom and to give students an opportunity each day to recite the Pledge of Allegiance.

Michigan Military and Overseas Voters

Of Michigan’s 1,533 townships and cities, 70 missed the federal and state deadline to mail absentee ballots to military and overseas voters for the August 7 primary. An additional 215 townships and cities did not respond to the Secretary of State’s office when asked if they had mailed their ballots on time.

Michigan’s Emergency Managers Seen as Major Threat by Labor

In Michigan, state-appointed emergency managers can assume vast powers over distressed localities. The state thinks that’s necessary. Localities and labor think it’s undemocratic.

In Kansas Primary, Results Could Advance Governor’s Agenda

On a busy primary day in four states, conservatives in Kansas are looking to oust moderate Republicans, freeing up room for the governor to push his ambitious agenda.

Michigan’s Emergency Manager Law Repeal Headed for Ballot

The Michigan Supreme Court has resolved a dispute about whether opponents of the state’s emergency manager law had used the correct type size on their ballot initiative petitions, which was challenging their validity.

Michigan Creates Data-Driven Standards for Home Visiting

On August 1, Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law a measure that ensures that the state’s investment in home visiting goes to proven, effective programs. The act, which was approved unanimously in the senate and by a bipartisan majority

States Reconsider Juvenile Life Sentences

The Supreme Court ruled that mandatory life without parole for juveniles convicted of murder is unconstitutional. But the court left little guidance for states on what to do next.

Art for the Economy’s Sake

After years of budget cuts, state funding for the arts is making a comeback.

Infographic: S&P State Credit Ratings, 2001–2012

Private, independent credit rating agencies evaluate states’ financial health. States with the lowest grades typically have trouble keeping their spending in line with their tax revenues.

New Anti-Abortion Strategy Pays Off

The past few months have seen a flurry of new state laws restricting abortion, most of them based on the concept of “fetal pain.”

Detroit and Its Unions Fight Over Work Rules

As Detroit’s workforce shrinks, labor and city leaders face tough questions about how to make do with the employees they have left. Antiquated work rules are at the heart of the dispute.

Medicaid Financing of Early Childhood Home Visiting Programs

Various funding streams—federal, state, local, and private—support home visiting programs. Recently, in light of Medicaid's ability to reach so many low-income and at-risk families, interest has been growing in its potential to finance home visiting services for eligible mothers and children.

Detroit and Michigan: A Fragile Bargain

The state of Michigan and its largest city have pledged cooperation to keep the city afloat. But neither quite trusts the other.

Voter ID in Michigan

As noted in a recent dispatch, measuring the impact of state photo ID laws presents certain challenges. There have been a few pieces of data from several states examining how many voters show up to cast a ballot without the proper identification. Recently, the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) added to this picture with new data from Michigan.