Legislation designed to respond to former MSU sports doctor Larry Nasser could get a vote in a state House committee today. Portage approves a new budget with a lower millage and more spent on capital improvements. Amazon plans a fullfillment center south of Grand Rapids. Three WMU players earn spots on post season all MAC baseball teams.
Long debated legislation in response to the Larry Nassar sexual assault scandal could move out of House committee Wednesday. Nassar is the former Michigan State University sports doctor who will likely spend the rest of his life in prison for sexually assaulting his patients. There are more than 30 bills in the committee in response to Nassar. The committee has made amendments to some of them – but others might not get a vote at all. The committee has changed bills that would give childhood victims of sexual assault more time to sue in civil court or have a prosecutor file charges. The committee plans to pass a version that gives victims more time than current law – But it gives victims less time than the version passed by the Senate.
Michigan voters may be deciding a ballot question in November that would change the state constitution. A grassroots effort by the group Voters Not Politicians says the elections bureau is recommending that the State Board of Canvassers approve the measure. If passed the state constitution would require a non-partisan panel draw political district boundaries every 10 years instead of politicians. Opponents have filed court and Board of Elections challenges contending among other things that the action would require a constitutional convention. Voters Not Politicians Executive Director Katie Fahey says the ballot measure is expected to be approved by the State Board of Canvassers Thursday. (WDET)
The city of Portage has approved a new budget with a lower millage rate and more money for capital improvements. The spending plan, which is nearly 77-million dollars was approved Tuesday for the fiscal year beginning July first. The Kalamazoo Gazette says the millage rate will go from 10.9 to 10.8 mills. The budget also includes more money for street repairs and other upgrades.
Legislation that’s supposed to make Michigan schools safer is on the move in the state Senate. Multiple bills passed out of committees yesterday. Some would create an Office of School Safety within the Michigan State Police. That office would create model practices for school safety, apply for federal money and distribute money to make schools safer. Schools would also send the state police a report on all attempted acts of violence or threats of violence that happen on school grounds. Lawmakers also passed a bill that would require law enforcement officers complete active shooter response training.
After online retail giant Amazon rejected Grand Rapids as a potential site for the company’s second headquarters, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation says West Michigan has been chosen to house a future distribution center. Amazon plans to invest $150 million in a new fulfilment center just south of Grand Rapids in Gaines Township-- a move that includes 1000 new jobs. The MEDC made the announcement Tuesday after approving state grants that will give Amazon $4 million up front. The fulfillment center will be built on 1000 acres of land currently owned by Steelcase. (WGVU)
A Muskegon man has been convicted in the 2016 shooting death of a Western Michigan University student in an apartment near campus. The Kalamazoo Gazettesays a Kalamazoo County Circuit Court jury found Jordan Waire guilty Tuesday on all six counts including first degree murder in the death of 19 year old Jacob Jones. Waire faces life in prison when he is sentenced June 25th. Waire’s co-defendant, former Western Michigan University basketball player Joeviair Kennedy faces open murder and other charges. His trial is scheduled to start June 5th.
Three Western Michigan players have landed spots on the post-season all Mid-American conference baseball teams. Bronco Junior Connor Smith was named first team all-MAC. Juniors Nate Grys and Nic Layo were named to the conference second team.