A conversation with Anat Cohen

Revenue in Michigan fell a little last month compared to a year ago. That’s according to recent reports from the state House and Senate Fiscal Agencies.One of the main areas where revenue fell was business tax collections. The Senate Fiscal Agency blames some of that on refunds outpacing collections in some areas.

Inmates in Michigan’s only prison for women are suing the state Department of Corrections for alleged forced labor and gender discrimination.The lawsuit claims the plaintiffs at the Women’s Huron Valley Correctional Facility were forced to work as unpaid porters, cleaning common areas like showers and hallways, despite having chronic medical conditions. It’s asking the Michigan Court of Claims to certify its class action status.

The Legislature faces a Friday deadline to make alterations to Michigan’s earned sick leave and minimum wage laws before a state Supreme Court order takes effect. Business groups and some tipped workers are pressing the Legislature for changes to the court-ordered resolution. They say the scheduled hikes in the minimum wage and a lot of the rules surrounding the earned leave policies would pose a hardship for small businesses, public safety agencies and employees who earn tips.

Federal immigration agents are now allowed to visit schools and arrest students. How are districts responding?

A conversation with Dr. Quincy Thomas

Some Democratic Michigan lawmakers are raising concerns over reported plans to significantly scale back the U.S. Department of Education.President Donald Trump and some of his Republican allies in Congress have called for the total elimination of the department. They argue the department has become too sprawling, saying state and local governments should have a bigger role in education.

The Michigan Court of Appeals has struck down the state’s terroristic threats law. A unanimous three-judge panel agreed the law violates the First Amendment.The decision says the law violates the First Amendment because it focuses on how a communication might be perceived by the target of an alleged threat, instead of whether a perpetrator acted with intent or recklessness.

The Rx Kids program, which began last year in Flint, will give pregnant moms $1,500 and $500 a month for the baby's first six months, with no strings attached.

$21 billion in federal grants, loans, and loan guarantees for Michigan projects are being rescinded or held back for clean energy efforts by the Trump administration.