Government

Bill would allow liquor sales at senior homes

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By YUEHAN LIU
Capital News Service
LANSING— Residents and their guests would be able to be purchase alcoholic beverages at homes for senior citizens if a recent proposal becomes law. Currently, Michigan homes for the aged can’t legally sell liquor, because they don’t have the license to do so. To change that situation, Sens. Peter MacGregor, R-Rockford; Ken Horn, R-Frankenmuth, Curtis Hertel Jr., D-East Lansing, and Marty Knollenberg, R-Troy introduced legislation to authorize the Liquor Control Commission to issue licenses to allow the facilities to sell and serve alcohol. Knollenberg said he introduced the bill for two reasons.

Business & Economy

Make professional licensing easier for immigrants, advocates say

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BY EDITH ZHOU
Capital News Service
LANSING – From physicians to architects to barbers, immigrants and other people educated or trained abroad must meet Michigan’s licensing requirements to continue their professional and vocational careers in this country. And difficulties in doing so could impede efforts by the Snyder administration to attract skilled immigrants to Michigan. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 6 percent of the state’s population was born abroad. Ryan Bates, director of the Alliance for Immigrants Rights and Reform-Michigan, said, “The requirements are complicated. It depends on different types of licenses.”

According to the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affair (LARA), all applicants for commercial licenses must meet the same requirements.

Business & Economy

Beer, wine may be sold at small stores near you

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By LAUREN GIBBONS
Capital News Service
LANSING — Proposed changes to Michigan’s alcohol licensing regulations have some residents up in arms, but supporters say those in the business of selling booze could benefit from looser requirements. The Office of Regulatory Reinvention’s Liquor Control Advisory Rules Committee has recommended changes to the Liquor Control Commission in hopes of making regulations more business-friendly and easier to comply with. The committee of business owners and citizens is part of the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and was created to address discrepancies between an aging framework of liquor control and the realities of modern sales and consumption, said Phil Hendges, an attorney with the Office of Regulatory Reinvention. One aspect of the plan would let more gas stations and convenience stores sell alcoholic products by easing liquor control standards. Currently, the Liquor Control Code mandates convenience stores and gas stations to maintain an inventory of $250,000 or more — excluding gas or alcoholic beverages — to be eligible for a liquor license.