Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/tag/senate/)
In a series of shocking twists and turns, Senate Republicans were able to pass their tax bill, their first legislative victory of the year. The Senate Tax bill calls for a mass overhaul of the American tax code. Everything from tax brackets, health care to graduate student loan rates were touched upon.
By JASMINE WATTS
Capital News Service
LANSING – Some lawmakers want to change the standards for preparing students for college in hopes of raising Michigan’s education rankings. But critics say they are lowering the standards. The state now falls under the national Common Core standard where schools work with a state’s four-year public university system to certify that students will not need to take remedial coursework in college. Standards are based on what students must know at each grade level to graduate from high school and college to be career-ready. Some lawmakers are sponsoring legislation that would end the Common Core standard and move to a new assessment based on one that Massachusetts used to use.
By ERIC FREEDMAN
Capital News Service
LANSING – Thirty years ago this month, angry voters in Macomb and Oakland counties set the stage for a 30-year Republican lock on the Senate. They recalled two Democratic senators who had voted for Gov. James Blanchard’s 38 percent temporary income tax hike. The Democratic governor had won legislative approval for the increase to balance the state budget amid deep economic problems.
Sen. Phil Mastin of Pontiac lost his job in a Nov. 22, 1983, recall election, and Sen. David Serotkin of Mount Clemens suffered the same fate on Nov. 30.
By R.J. WOLCOTT
Capital News Service
LANSING — Newly re-elected Sen. U.S. Debbie Stabenow not only defeated Republican rival Peter Hoekstra, but she also outpaced President Barack Obama in nearly every Michigan county. Stabenow, D-Lansing, secured 58 percent of the vote to Hoekstra’s 38 percent in her campaign for a third term. She won 61 of 83 counties, according to the Secretary of State’s unofficial election results. Obama won 20 counties. Hoekstra is a former member of the U.S. House from Holland who lost an earlier race for governor.
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By JON GASKELL
Capital News Service
LANSING — Legislation that would place new restrictions on voter registration has passed the Senate. The bills, aimed at stopping potential voter fraud, would require a photo ID or birth certificate to register to vote. It would also create rules for groups that register voters. Senate Republicans say the measure is necessary to combat voter fraud, but Democrats and some advocacy groups argue it could block voters’ access to the polls. “There is a concern about voter fraud and registration issues,” said Erika Farley, chief of staff to Grand Blanc Republican Sen. David Robertson.