State Rep. Penelope Tsernoglou

Yesterday, I sent a letter signed by 24 of my Democratic colleagues to express my support for the public release of all government files related to Jeffrey Epstein. Despite sharing the letter with all 110 members of the Michigan House on August 7th, not one Republican signed on to the letter. Republicans here in the Michigan House appear determined to avoid talking about Epstein at all costs, even as the vast majority of the American public supports the release of all files related to Epstein. I remain committed to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure that our government maintains the highest levels of ethics, accountability, and transparency.

Michigan House Republicans propose jail time for unpermitted street protests

Protesting and marching in the street without a permit in Michigan is currently only a civil infraction. House Republicans are pushing to criminalize this act.

Next week, the House Judiciary Committee will hear testimony on the Republican bill that, if passed, would make it a misdemeanor for a group of 10 or more people to block or impede traffic on a public roadway.

The charge would carry up to 93 days in jail and a fine of up to $5,000.

A total of 32 other Republican representatives have co-sponsored St. Germaine’s bill. Testimony on the bill will be heard during the House Judiciary Committee at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday.

Whitmer signs bills cutting regulations for distillers, honoring service members

ACLU of Michigan Legislative Director Kyle Zawacki said his organization has grave concerns about the chilling effect the escalated penalties would have on free speech and the right to assemble.

“The state already has the ability to enforce and regulate this with civil infractions,” Zawacki said. “The idea of increasing this with a monetary fine and jail time and the criminalization of it into a misdemeanor goes well above something necessary to protect the public interest. All that does is just looking to criminalize political speech and assembly, and that’s something that we are vehemently opposed to.”

On Friday, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer put her pen to three bipartisan bills, aimed at supporting distillers and mixed spirit manufacturers and remembering a member of the national guard and a member of state police.

“Michigan’s small businesses should be able to work together to keep costs low and grow their businesses,” Whitmer said in a statement. “These bipartisan bills will help our distiller and mixed spirit manufacturers do just that by cutting unnecessary red tape. This will lower costs for these businesses and boost our economy by making it easier for more people to make it in Michigan.”

House Bill 4403, sponsored by state Rep. Pauline Wendzel (R-Watervliet) permits these manufacturers to use the same space and equipment to make their products, allowing them to share costs on that equipment, as well as rent and utilities.

“This bill is a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together,” Wendzel said in a statement. “The unanimous support it received in the House and Senate shows that helping our small businesses and local job creators is a shared priority. By clarifying the law around alternating proprietorships, we’re not just supporting distillers; we’re fostering innovation and ensuring Michigan’s craft beverage industry can continue to grow and thrive.”

House Bill 4003, sponsored by state Rep. Tom Kunse (R-Clare), designates a portion of U.S. Highway 131 “Sergeant Matthew Webber Memorial Highway” in honor of a member of the Michigan National Guard who was killed in the line of duty while deployed in Iraq.

House Bill 4046, sponsored by state Rep. John Roth (R-Interlochen), designates a portion of U.S. Highway 131 “Trooper James E. Boland Memorial Highway,” honoring a member of the State Police who was struck by a drunk driver and killed in the line of duty.

Excerpt from Michael Kransz | mkransz@mlive.com

By: Kyle Davidson Michigan Advance

Demand EGLE Comprehensively Review Enbridge's Line 5 Oil Tunnel Project

Enbridge's 72-year-old Line 5 pipeline has spilled 1.1 million gallons along its length. In 2010, another Enbridge pipeline ruptured in the Kalamazoo River, spilling over 1 million gallons of oil in one of the largest inland oil spills in U.S. history. Its construction projects have punctured aquifers and violated treaties.

Despite this track record, Enbridge now wants to build a massive tunnel through the Straits of Mackinac to extend the life of its 72-year-old Line 5 crude oil pipeline.

Red Flags on Tunnel Project

Scientific experts are raising serious red flags about Enbridge's tunnel proposal, including difficult geologic conditions, poor quality bedrock, fault zones, unconsolidated sediments, and high groundwater pressures. The company took boring samples every 950 feet, which is significantly less than the industry standard of every 50 to 200 feet, and plans to discharge up to 5 million gallons of wastewater per day into Lake Michigan during construction.

EGLE Must Act

Now here's the regulatory loophole Enbridge is trying to exploit: The company's proposed tunnel involves excavating millions of cubic yards from lands under the lakebed. This work clearly falls under state regulatory authority. But the company says these underwater lands somehow don't qualify as "bottomlands" under the Great Lakes Submerged Lands Act (GLSLA). That's just crazy.

Add Your Voice - Protect the Great Lakes

Send a strong message to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) that all the impacts of a massive oil tunnel project need to be examined! Michigan needs a comprehensive review of the entire 4.3-mile tunnel project and its full range of environmental and safety impacts.