New Michigan Law Prohibits Teens From Using a Cell Phone While Driving

Lawmakers representing Berkley and Huntington Woods supported the legislation that Gov. Rick Snyder signed Tuesday.

A new Michigan law prohibits teen drivers from using a cell phone while driving. According to MichiganVotes.org, Senate Bill 756 applies to any driver with a temporary driver's permit or a level 1 or 2 graduated license – meaning any driver younger than 17. The law, building on current texting-and-driving laws, makes it a civil infraction for a teen to use a hands-on cell phone. [Do you think the new law goes far enough? Leave a comment!] Dubbed "Kelsey's Law," the legislation is named for a 17-year-old Sault Ste. Marie girl who died in a car crash in 2010 while she was using her cell phone. Gov. Rick Snyder signed the bill into law Tuesday, according to The Detroit News. The law passed 74-33 in the House of Representatives and 28-10 in …

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Will Right-to-Work Law Lead to Recall of Gov. Snyder?

A political expert said Michigan could be “ground zero for a recall vote” against Snyder in 2013.

Could the sudden passage of the highly controversial right-to-work legislation lead to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's name appearing on a statewide ballot for something other than his re-election campaign? One political expert thinks it's possible. Joshua Spivak, a senior fellow at Wagner College’s Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform, told Politico that Michigan could be “ground zero for a recall vote” against Snyder in 2013. “There doesn’t seem to be a specific goal of going after state legislatures or state governors in any significant way, though that might change in Michigan because of right-to-work (legislation),” Spivak said in the Politico story.  Local recall elections, such as the one voters recently approved against Troy …

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Barack Obama Takes Aim at Right-to-Work Laws

President says proposed right-to-work laws give people "the right to work for less money" during an appearance in Redford Township.

President Barack Obama took direct aim at proposed right-to-work legislation during an appearance Monday in Redford Township. Obama waded into Michigan’s brewing labor battle that erupted last week when Gov. Rick Snyder said right-to-work legislation was on his agenda and union groups protested at the state Capitol in Lansing. "We should do everything we can to keep creating good middle-class jobs that help folks rebuild security for their families," Obama said Monday in a speech at the Daimler Detroit Diesel plant, according to the Huffington Post. Obama added that with right-to-work laws, “what they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money.” More protests are expected in Lansing on Tuesday as right-to-work …

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DJG

7:28 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Ohh..Lianne, don't get me started on Politicians. They get time off like they still travel with horse and buggy, compared to 20th and 21st century means of transportation. Our government, their work schedule and pay/benefits is a mockery of our system. I'm with you 100% on that one!   more ›

What Do You Think? Influential Republicans Disagree with Snyder on Voter Fraud Veto

Leave a comment to join the conversation on the first Red Mitten survey.

Influential Republicans Disagree with Snyder on Voter Fraud Veto

In our first Red Mitten survey, more than half of the respondents say they disagree with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to veto a GOP-backed bill that requires photo ID for first-time voter registration or to obtain an absentee ballot.

Conservative Michigan insiders disagree with Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to veto a bill dealing with voter fraud: that’s the finding of this week’s inaugural Red Mitten survey of influential Republicans. Fifty-one conservatives from southeastern Michigan used an automated anonymous survey tool to offer their opinions about voter fraud in the state. Thirty responses were collected. According to Politico.com, Snyder said he vetoed the bill because it could cause "confusion among absentee voters." But some respondents in the Red Mitten survey feel differently. In fact, more than half, 53.3 percent, say they disagree with Snyder’s decision to veto a GOP-backed bill that requires photo ID for first-time voter registration or to obtain an …

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Hundreds Rally Outside Troy Marriott Before Romney Fundraiser Event

The presidential candidate is in town for a private event hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday night.

A crowd of about 200 people gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Troy Marriott hotel on Big Beaver Road to rally in protest of visiting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney is in Troy for a private fundraiser hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder at the hotel. Protesters carried signs and waved at motorists along Big Beaver, many of whom were honking as they passed by. "We're here to support Barack Obama," said Jeff Klayo of Mt. Clemens, who attended the rally with two fellow UAW members. "He stands for the little guys... The working class." Liz Ratzloff of Ann Arbor attended the rally and wore the official "Pillamina" mascot costume for Planned Parenthood. "I'm here sporting Pillamina because Romney doesn't support low-cost …

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Dianne Miller

12:33 am on Monday, July 16, 2012

Unsubstantiated claim.   more ›

Video: Michigan Republicans Impressed With Santorum Speech, GOP Event

Republicans praise GOP star-studded Lincoln Day Dinner in Novi.

Michigan Republicans who attended Thursday's Lincoln Day Dinner at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi lauded the star-studded lineup, which included surging GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum. Santorum spoke before 1,400 party supporters, and was joined by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Ann Romney — wife of presidential candidate Mitt Romney — and other party leaders and political organizers.

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New Michigan Laws for 2012 Govern Foreclosures, Schools, Jobless Benefits

Statutes regulating film incentives, heating aid, fireworks, business taxes and public safety mergers also take effect.

Residents, workers and employers are affected by Michigan laws that took effect in late December or will do so as calendars flip to 2012. Gov. Rick Snyder this year signed legislation regulating home foreclosures, charter schools, student bullying, teachers' unions and other areas. Take a look at some of what's now the law of our state as a new year starts. Mortgage lenders must provide a list of nonprofit consumer counselors with the first foreclosure step so borrowers can seek immediate advice. Two bills signed Dec. 22 also provide additional time and ways for owners to arrange modifications such as interest rate reduction and principal reduction to cut monthly payments. To minimize solicitations by for-profit "rescue" advisers, …

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