Cash-for-jobs deals targeted in Michigan. What to know about agency funding them

Cash-for-jobs deals targeted in Michigan. What to know about agency funding them

Legislators are debating next year’s funding for a quasi-governmental partnership that oversees billions in job-growth programs That spending is controversial; some lawmakers call it ‘corporate welfare, ’ others say subsidies are vital  Bridge dug into documents to lay out how the MEDC was created and how it functions Funding for Michigan’s controversial economic development agency […]

Whitmer biz incentives may face chopping block as part of Michigan budget deal

Whitmer biz incentives may face chopping block as part of Michigan budget deal

Michigan Senate Democrats on Thursday proposed legislation to divert money from economic development to roads The plan would ax $500M in annual funding for the SOAR fund, sending some of that back to a state transportation fund The proposal comes as Michigan lawmakers race to finalize a budget deal to avoid a government shutdown next […]

Michigan legislators kill Gretchen Whitmer’s $2B cash-for-jobs program

Michigan legislators kill Gretchen Whitmer’s $2B cash-for-jobs program

Michigan’s record-setting business subsidy plan was cut out of the 2026 state budget on Friday The program, known as SOAR, turned controversial as skepticism grew over the billions in taxpayer money promised to companies Opponents cheered the move, but business leaders caution that Michigan’s competitiveness could be harmed When lawmakers passed an $81 billion state spending […]

Michigan lawmakers: Eliminate economic development agency

Michigan lawmakers: Eliminate economic development agency

State House lawmakers are proposing two new bills that would abolish the agency in charge of business growth The legislation follows other MEDC-ending legislation proposed last week in the state Senate Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she will veto the bills if they pass to protect Michigan’s economy One month after lawmakers chopped Michigan’s economic development spending, […]

Migrant farm work has boomed in Michigan. The feds just cut workers’ pay

Migrant farm work has boomed in Michigan. The feds just cut workers’ pay

Michigan is a top 10 state for migrant farmworkers here on H-2A visas, with some 15,000 farmhands in the state  The federal government just lowered the minimum wage for such workers by as much as $4.50 an hour Many farmers welcome the change and the associated cost savings, but others wonder if they’ll still be […]

Michigan border towns say ‘enough’ to weed shops

Michigan border towns say ‘enough’ to weed shops

Voters in Menominee and Niles Township along Michigan’s borders have voted to limit marijuana businesses in their communities Michigan’s marijuana market has been stifled by oversupply, and dispensaries are especially concentrated in border towns Pending legislation would cap marijuana businesses statewide while allowing existing businesses to continue to operate In the summer, the board in […]

Michigan has spent $261M on Mundy megasite. Now, the public weighs in

Michigan has spent $261M on Mundy megasite. Now, the public weighs in

A public town hall on Thursday the impact of the controversial megasite under development near Flint The event offers a rare chance for the public to ask questions and seek information A panel of supporters and skeptics will speak, including former US Rep. Dan Kildee and state Senator John Cherry, D-Flint. It’s the public’s turn Thursday […]

So long, pennies! US stops making cents. Michigan customers feel the pinch

So long, pennies! US stops making cents. Michigan customers feel the pinch

The last new penny was stamped Wednesday Pennies cost more than their face value to produce The phase out is causing shortages at stores that have a lot of cash sales The United States has stopped making cents. The penny, that is. Production of pennies has been phasing down for months. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent […]

Turkey prices up for Thanksgiving. Blame bird flu, which hit Michigan

Turkey prices up for Thanksgiving. Blame bird flu, which hit Michigan

Bird flu outbreaks hitting poultry farms in Michigan and nationwide, causing major losses  In Michigan, more than 300,000 turkeys were affected by avian influenza since October  Reduced supply is pushing turkey prices for retailers higher ahead of Thanksgiving Michigan and U.S. turkey farmers are losing millions of birds to bird flu this year, pushing wholesale […]

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