Michigan Capitol Confidential

08/22/2026

Ann Arbor officials paid more than $100,000 for a 49-page study considering the city’s new program for unarmed responders.

City Council approved pilot program in July aimed at diverting mental health calls from police

08/22/2026

An Oakland County enhancement millage that would have increased property taxes by 1.5 mills was voted down Aug. 4.

Tax initiative would have allowed unrestricted use of funds in district where per-pupil funding has risen but M-STEP scores have not

08/22/2026

Delta Township canceled, for two years in a row, Fourth of July fireworks after receiving $3.4 million in federal COVID-19 money and an additional $10 million COVID state grant in 2023. The 2025 cancelation announcement came just two weeks after voters turned down a millage twice in six months, according to the Lansing State Journal.

Lansing suburb says it can’t afford to staff police force or honor A250; budget shows spike in revenue and state grants

08/21/2026

The Michigan Association of County Treasurers tried to get state taxpayers to pay for the legal expenses of counties that foreclosed on family homes and kept the excess proceeds from the sales. Read story: https://www.michigancapitolconfidential.com/news/counties-sought-taxpayer-bailout-after-keeping-excess-money-from-foreclosed-homes

08/21/2026

Coal’s comeback: Report says old plants could power AI boom.

When the lights almost went out in 2026 winter storms, coal kept them on

08/21/2026

A village boasting the highest median income in the state sought $988,000 from Michigan’s 2027 budget and got most of it.

‘Residents of this village ought to be able to afford the costs of their municipal infrastructure,’ says critic

08/20/2026

The 370 coal-fueled generating plants across 37 states are among the nation’s most valuable and immediate sources of energy, according to a new report released by the National Coal Council.

When the lights almost went out in 2026 winter storms, coal kept them on

08/20/2026

A Michigan House bill would allow parents greater access to their minor children’s medical records.

House Bill 5974, sponsored by Rep. Joseph Aragona, R-Clinton Township, passed the House in June with bipartisan support in a 61-46 vote.

Lawmakers weigh healthcare privacy and parental rights

08/19/2026

A state lawmaker is taking aim at regulations from the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development that make it difficult for residents to know what licenses they need to sell their homemade products to consumers. Learn more: https://michigancapitolconfidential.com/news/house-bill-would-reform-food-truck-regs