Women of East Lansing were recognized and honored on March 21 for their contributions to the community. City Council approved a resolution recognizing March as Women’s History Month at their regular council meeting.
Business & Economy
Historic Preservation Tax Credit seeks $100 million to provide ‘more equitable’ restoration across Michigan
|
The Michigan Historic Preservation tax credit, signed into law in 2020, currently allows renovators of historic buildings across the state to apply to receive a portion of a $5 million pool of tax credits. But now, the Michigan Historic Preservation Network (MHPN) says that Michigan’s rehabilitation needs are 20 times that amount.
Representative Joey Andrews (D-38) sponsored House Bill 54390, a resolution to expand the Michigan State Historic Preservation Tax Credits pool from $5 million to $100 million.
Federal Government
Michigan’s ‘red flag laws’ extend protections from firearms in light of SCOTUS decision
|
On June 21, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled 8-1 in United States v. Rahimi, upholding a federal law barring individuals under domestic violence restraining orders from possessing firearms. In Michigan, those under a domestic violence restraining order are unable to purchase firearms but are not always required to hand over the ones they already own. With the Supreme Court ruling, legal support for firearm removal from domestic violence perpetrators has gained precedent, which will allow little room for objections to Michigan’s new “red flag laws.”
Business & Economy
State pushes to expand free pre-K programs
|
FREE PRE-K: The governor is pushing to expand free pre-K programs for 4-year-olds. We hear from the Department of Lifelong Education, Advancement and Potential, the Wayne Regional Education Service Agency and a Wyoming legislator who is enthusiastic about its potential benefits. By Sophia Ceru. FOR GREENVILLE, WKTV, DETROIT AND ALL POINTS.
Business & Economy
Agencies, lawmakers act against child labor abuses
|
CHILD LABOR: Federal and state agencies have been taking action against employers who hire underage workers following news reports of child labor abuses at a Kentwood company and elsewhere. Pending legislation is intended to crack down on illegal child labor and protect whistleblowers. We hear from the lead sponsor from East Grand Rapids, Michigan Immigration Rights Center in Grand Rapids and federal and state labor agencies. The other sponsor is from Muskegon. For business and news sections. By Alex Walters. FOR CORP! GRAND RAPIDS BUSINESS, WKTV, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
Bath
MCAH works “behind the scenes” to end homelessness
|
Chronic homelessness is defined as living on the streets for 12 months out of the last 36. A number of shelters and organizations are finding their own ways to address the needs of these citizens in Lansing. One of the organizations is the Michigan Coalition Against Homelessness (MCAH). According to MCAH’s communications manager Amy Stephenson, MCAH works more “behind the scenes.”
Business & Economy
Measures, new birth center, take aim at disparities in maternal health care
|
IMPLICIT MATERNAL BIAS: New Senate legislation may allow Michigan to join 41 other states in licensing and reimbursing birth centers for their services. The proposal comes as a Detroit organization plans to open a Black-led birth center later this year. Sponsors are from Detroit, Lansing, Taylor and Redford Township. We hear from BirthDetroit, the Department of Health and Human Services and the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. By Sophia Ceru. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
Business & Economy
Legal aid groups welcome proposed state funding to help asylum-seekers
|
ASYLUM SEEKERS: The Whitmer administration wants $8 million to fund nonprofit legal services that could be lifesaving for immigrants seeking asylum. Wayne State’s Asylum and Immigration Law Clinic and Freedom House in Detroit explain why the money is necessary. By Elijah Taub. FOR DETROIT, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.
Business & Economy
U.P.’s tight-knit Schoolcraft County a tourist hot spot with unique issues
|
SCHOOLCRAFT COUNTY PROFILE: When you ask residents of the UP’s Schoolcraft County to talk about their home, they usually first mention the scenic environment and how close they are to Lake Michigan. But the rural qualities they value present difficulties for the community that other, larger counties, something that affects the area’s concerns, solutions and political landscape. By Jack Armstrong, Wajeeha Kamal, Maya Moore and Sheatlyn Paulis. FOR MARQUETTE, BAY MILLS, IRON MOUNTAIN, ST. IGNACE, SAULT STE. MARIE, CHEBOYGAN AND ALL POINTS.
Diversity Issues
East Lansing City Council passes resolution to honor Ramadan in solidarity with Muslim community
|
On March 5, East Lansing City Council passed its fourth resolution to honor the month of Ramadan in solidarity with the Muslim community. This resolution was issued before the beginning of the Islamic holy month and the annual mayors’ Ramadan unity dinner fundraising event.
Business & Economy
Undocumented new mothers need health care coverage for 12 months, advocates say
|
POSTPARTUM: There’s a push to extend Medicaid coverage for undocumented immigrants from two months to 12 months after giving birth. The change in policy for the Maternity Outpatient Medical Services program would cost $6 to $10 million a year, says the Michigan League for Public Policy. The Michigan Immigrant Rights Center, with offices in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, Ypsilanti and Detroit, and an NYU expert explain. By Theo Scheer. FOR DETROIT, WKTV, LANSING CITY PULSE AND ALL POINTS.