Darrin Camilleri

Michigan lawmakers passed a $75.2 billion bipartisan budget for fiscal year 2026-27 after an all-night session, avoiding new taxes and preserving the rainy day fund. The budget includes investments in education, healthcare, and community programs, though one senator opposed it citing structural issues.

The Michigan Legislature missed the July 1 deadline to finalize the 2026-27 budget, with House and Senate leaders continuing negotiations. Lawmakers aim to reach a deal by Friday, but educators criticize delays in funding schools. Progress has been made on resolving budget bills, but a final agreement remains pending.

Michigan Senate Democrats introduced a package of bills to regulate data centers, addressing community concerns about energy costs, water resource impacts, and lack of local benefits. The proposals include water-use permits, clean energy requirements, and protections for ratepayers.

The Michigan Senate passed four bills to establish a state-level Voting Rights Act, aiming to counter weakened federal protections after a Supreme Court decision. The legislation, now moving to the Republican-led House, seeks to prevent discriminatory voting policies and ensure access for protected groups.

Michigan Senate passed four bills to establish a state Voting Rights Act in response to the federal act's weakening by the U.S. Supreme Court. The legislation aims to protect voting access for protected groups and faces the Republican-led House next.

A 92-year-old Southgate woman, Carrie Turner, lost a birthday letter from Barack Obama in an apartment fire but received a replacement after a state senator contacted Obama's office. Turner, who escaped the fire with minimal belongings, now has the restored letter along with a new message for her 90th birthday.

States are enacting their own voting rights laws to counter federal court rulings that weakened protections against gerrymandering and voter suppression. Ten states currently have such laws, while nine others introduced similar bills this year, aiming to require preclearance for election policy changes and address racial minority representation in electoral maps.

States are enacting their own voting rights laws to address protections weakened by recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings. Ten states currently have state-level versions of the Voting Rights Act, while nine others have introduced similar legislation this year, aiming to prevent discrimination in state and local elections.

States are enacting their own versions of the Voting Rights Act to counter federal rollbacks, with ten states currently having such laws and nine others introducing similar legislation. These laws aim to prevent gerrymandering and voter suppression by requiring state approval for election map changes and addressing discriminatory policies.

Michigan Senate Democrats are advancing bills to create a state-based health and dental insurance exchange, which passed the Health Policy Committee along party lines. The exchange, governed by state officials and appointed members, aims to expand coverage and lower costs. Additional bills by Senators Darrin Camilleri and Chedrick Greene target eliminating deductibles for EpiPens, inhalers, and insulin.

A Wayne County judge blocked Wayne Disposal Inc. from accepting radioactive waste linked to the Manhattan Project, following a lawsuit by local communities. Lawmakers, including Rep. Reggie Miller and State Sen. Darrin Camilleri, celebrated the ruling and called for continued efforts to reform hazardous waste policies in Michigan.