Michigan Political Reporthttp://blog.mlive.com/peterluke/News and Notes on Michigan GovernmentenMovable Type Enterprise 4.29-advance http://www.sixapart.com/movabletype/noNews and Notes on Michigan Governmentmichigan_political_reporthttp://feedburner.google.comStabenow receives American Medical Association's top government service awardhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/yRJzxq9dLzM/stabenow_receives_american_med.htmlSue Thoms | sthoms1@mlive.comWed, 15 Feb 2012 10:48:37 PSTtag:blog.mlive.com,2012:/peterluke//3589.7738318 ]]>She is praised for her commitment to health care for seniors and children. http://blog.mlive.com/peterluke/2012/02/stabenow_receives_american_med.htmlA final column: Politicians, give us a reason to regain confidence in Michigan (Peter Luke)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/7rlPTEcAS8c/peter_luke_column_2.html212121Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineSun, 02 Oct 2011 10:13:55 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.7047661.20111002131355 ]]>Lansing bureau correspondent Peter Luke is retiring from Booth Newspapers after nearly 25 years of Capitol coverage. http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/10/peter_luke_column_2.htmlLatest developments on efforts to cut auto insurance, limit cash welfare, increase income taxes and reduce business taxes http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/blcVYiHLC90/latest_developments_on_republi.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineMon, 12 Sep 2011 07:21:09 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6944478.20110912102109 ]]>Here's what's new in the ongoing effort to put Michigan back on track, plus the biggest developments out of Lansing on other fronts.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/latest_developments_on_republi.htmlMichigan Supreme Court seems more interested in debate over taxing rich than pensions (Peter Luke column)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/8Vi92RdAhus/peter_luke_column_1.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineSun, 11 Sep 2011 10:29:40 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6939704.20110911132940 ]]>If there is a constitutional offense in Snyder's plan, it's not a big one.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/peter_luke_column_1.htmlFormer Gov. Jennifer Granholm talks about success, regret, legislative 'idiots,' and defeating Dick DeVos in her new bookhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/eccPXzluwJY/former_gov_jennifer_granholm_t_1.html212121Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineSat, 10 Sep 2011 06:08:24 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6946712 ]]>In her gubernatorial battle with DeVos, she said her campaign adopted the strategy, "When your foot is on the throat of your enemy, press harder.”http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/former_gov_jennifer_granholm_t_1.htmlLocal officials want guaranteed replacement if business property taxes are cuthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/bBk6BfvwZOg/local_officials_was_guaranteed.html4031742121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineThu, 08 Sep 2011 13:03:19 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6938807 ]]>Gov. Rick Snyder and lawmakers want to deal with the issue this fall. Burned by the state in the past when it comes to state aid, city and school officials say voters should have a say.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/local_officials_was_guaranteed.htmlMichigan Supreme Court takes up constitutionality of Gov. Rick Snyder's income tax overhaulhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/_UBehoR2XeU/michigan_supreme_court_takes_u.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineWed, 07 Sep 2011 10:11:56 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6933206 ]]>Justices during 75 minutes of arguments seemed less interested in taxing pensions than whether the law inappropriately taxes upper income filers more.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/michigan_supreme_court_takes_u.htmlGov. Rick Snyder says Michigan welfare system returned 'to its original intent' after signing law putting tighter 48-month limit on benefitshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/k48jhNYKf70/gov_rick_snyder_signs_tougher.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineWed, 07 Sep 2011 07:37:01 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6929421 ]]>Some 11,000 Michigan families who have been receiving cash assistance will lose benefits effective Oct. 1.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/gov_rick_snyder_signs_tougher.htmlHealth providers say auto insurance choice would leave motorists footing the billhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/khfQ9mmYn0w/health_providers_say_auto_insu.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineWed, 07 Sep 2011 03:39:32 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6928550 ]]>Insurance industry proposal would cap optional medical benefits at $5 million.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/health_providers_say_auto_insu.htmlState Supreme Court to hear arguments on Gov. Rick Snyder's tax overhaul this week (Peter Luke column)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/iavAQWiLD7I/state_supreme_court_to_hear_ar.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineTue, 06 Sep 2011 06:34:26 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6912487.20110906093426 ]]>The key issue is whether applying the income tax to the pensions of Michigan public employees diminishes or impairs their benefits, which the state constitution prohibits. http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/state_supreme_court_to_hear_ar.htmlLatest developments on auto insurance, tuition costs, labor talks and Michigan unemploymemthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/yGJAXk_jmqQ/latest_developments_on_auto_in.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineMon, 05 Sep 2011 08:09:04 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6910508.20110905110904 ]]>Here's what's new in the ongoing effort to put Michigan back on track, plus the biggest developments out of Lansing on other fronts.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/latest_developments_on_auto_in.htmlWhy Michigan should form a state-regulated, independent medical marijuana cooperative (Peter Luke column)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/Kj1t-xC3t3c/why_michigan_should_form_a_sta.html212121Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineSun, 04 Sep 2011 18:04:52 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6904960.20110904210452 ]]>Closing dispensaries and rewriting the law doesn’t help those who could really use the drug.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/why_michigan_should_form_a_sta.htmlGov. Rick Snyder says no layoffs of state employees, for nowhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/ZpEOZhi4tc8/gov_rick_snyder_says_no_layoff.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineFri, 02 Sep 2011 07:24:48 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6906499 ]]>No real bargaining yet to renew contracts that expire at the end of the month.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/09/gov_rick_snyder_says_no_layoff.htmlWant to grow pot? Better get Michigan medical authorization firsthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/ABzAQrIaDSI/want_to_grow_pot_better_get_mi.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineThu, 01 Sep 2011 05:42:18 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6900283 ]]>Court of Appeals continues to frame the legal boundaries of Michigan medical marijuana law.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/want_to_grow_pot_better_get_mi.htmlA changing Michigan economy means longer unemploymenthttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/tmQx4e7ugs0/a_changing_michigan_economy_me.html4031742121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineWed, 31 Aug 2011 10:21:48 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6899215 ]]>But the number of workers in low wage jobs is up, says the Michigan League for Human Services.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/a_changing_michigan_economy_me.htmlMichigan universities say 'college is still affordable' because aid programs defray half of costhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/_wfvj5OCGNQ/michigan_universities_say_aid.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineTue, 30 Aug 2011 15:46:26 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6895068 ]]>On a per-student basis, grants and scholarships exceeded $4,800.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/michigan_universities_say_aid.htmlPoll says Michigan motorists object to auto coverage limitshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/WJJ8ffEgHDg/poll_says_michigan_motorists_o.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineMon, 29 Aug 2011 11:58:53 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6888846 ]]>Auto insurance is a fall topic for the Legislature.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/poll_says_michigan_motorists_o.htmlLatest developments on Gov. Rick Snyder's job performance, marijuana dispensaries, welfare limits, and mandatory health co-pays http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/oIiBd8UTaG8/latest_developments_on_gov_ric.html2121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineMon, 29 Aug 2011 07:43:08 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6869283.20110829104308 ]]>Here's what's new in the ongoing effort to put Michigan back on track, plus the biggest developments out of Lansing on other fronts.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/latest_developments_on_gov_ric.htmlShared sacrifice is only way to maintain workforce (Peter Luke column)http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/3uSNj0WHMxU/shared_sacrifice_is_only_way_t.html212121Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineSun, 28 Aug 2011 08:04:32 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6864752.20110828110432 ]]>Does it make sense to lay off young teachers in order to preserve benefits for older colleagues? No.http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/shared_sacrifice_is_only_way_t.htmlAttorney General Bill Schuette says prosecutors can now take action against "pot shops"http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/michigan_political_report/~3/7Z6QoxgBbZU/attorney_general_bill_schuette_3.html52982121211134252Peter Luke | Bridge MagazineThu, 25 Aug 2011 07:18:08 PDTtag:www.mlive.com,2011:/politics/index.ssf//3203.6859365 ]]>He says the 2008 voter-approved law never authorized "legalization of marijuana."http://www.mlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2011/08/attorney_general_bill_schuette_3.htmlnonadult