Yearly Archives: 2017

he Michigan Department of Civil Rights confirmed today that it has opened a complaint against James Prater of Mason, Michigan for discriminatory advertising in the sale of a home. Posted on the lawn of Prater’s home is a “For Sale by Owner” sign and a separate sign that states “Terms, No Foreigners, Iraq Vet.” Advertising that includes discriminatory language like a statement excluding a protected class is a violation of both the state’s Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA) and the federal Fair Housing Act.

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointments of Margaret Burns of Detroit and Patti Schaefer of Eagle to the Manufactured Housing Commission. The commission establishes uniform policies related to all phases of manufactured housing, business manufactured housing parks, and seasonal manufactured housing parks

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) concurred with the State of Michigan’s plans to forgive $20.7 million in past Drinking Water State Revolving Fund debt owed by the City of Flint. Taking this step is in line with the May 2017 Consolidated Appropriations Act signed by President Trump and will help Flint, the state, and EPA continue working together to protect public health and improve the city’s water system.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today released the following statement after the House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced H.R. 3387, the Drinking Water System Improvement Act, by a unanimous vote

The House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously approved legislation introduced by U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) to make consumer confidence reports on drinking water quality more frequent and easier for every American to understand. The legislation, which advanced as part of the Drinking Water System Improvement Act, would require the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to instruct large drinking water systems to issue biannual consumer confidence reports, rather than annual, and increase the effectiveness and understandability of the reports to improve transparency and help prevent future drinking water crises

Seven local governments will soon be using a new, rapid testing method known as quantitative polymerase chain reaction that counts the DNA of E. coli in a water sample thanks to grants provided by the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ).

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Mark Jenkins of Rockford as well as the reappointments of Ronald Wheeler of Dewitt and David Worthams of Kalamazoo to the Michigan Board of Real Estate Appraisers.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, today joined his colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives in voting to advance H.R. 3050, the Enhancing State Energy Security Planning and Emergency Preparedness Act of 2017. Upton sponsored the bill.

More than 270 tax-foreclosed properties in eight Michigan counties will be offered at public auctions between July 31 and Aug. 28, 2017, according to the Michigan Department of Treasury.

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Luke Terry of Haslett to the Michigan State Housing Development Authority Board. The eight-member board supports MSHDA’s mission of enhancing Michigan's economic and social health through housing and community development activities.

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) announced today more than $14 million in loans to fund municipal water and sewer projects to improve water quality and public health. The loans include $700,000 in principal loan forgiveness for employing green practices or because of a disadvantaged community status.

The State of Michigan encourages all residents with a private drinking water well that has been covered by flood water to have their well cleaned and tested to ensure the water is safe to consume. Lt. Gov. Brian Calley declared a “state of disaster” for Isabella and Midland counties Friday after severe weather and intense rain struck the counties, resulting in widespread flood damage.

Gov. Rick Snyder today announced the appointment of Kevin Barker of Belmont as well as the reappointments of Phillip Copeland of Holly, Steven Karbal of Bloomfield Hills, and William Lettinga of Byron Center to the Manufactured Housing Commission.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette today announced that he has charged Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Director Nick Lyon, former Flint Emergency Manager Darnell Earley, former City of Flint Water Department Manager Howard Croft, as well as Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s Drinking Water Chief Liane Shekter-Smith and Water Supervisor Stephen Busch with involuntary manslaughter related to their alleged failure to act in the Flint Water Crisis.

State leaders today shared Michigan’s draft Domestic Action Plan for Lake Erie—a targeted approach for improving water quality and helping to prevent algal blooms, making it safer for people and aquatic life.