WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 25, 2023 |
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In today's newsletter, an update on the snow forecast for Michigan, low-income families in Michigan could see additional tax relief this year and the state's 7-day COVID case average hits a 9-month low. |
The reminder fairy is here. 🧚‍♀️ |
You know that little "Reminder" app on your phone? I am a big fan of that thing. I remind myself of all kinds of stuff. There's the regular reminders, like appointments and meetings. But I go crazy. I add reminders for taking out the trash, to call people I haven't talked to in a while and some random things I am too embarrassed to share here. But pro tip: It's perfect for setting up alerts to cancel those free streaming service subscriptions before they charge you.
Anyway, I decided to get some inspiration from that app and be the Morning Briefing reminder fairy today. Here's a reminder to watch "The Pez Outlaw" on Netflix, since it's about a Michigan man and it cracked the top 10 list on the platform. Also, a reminder to sign up as a campground host for summer 2023 before spots are filled. And I wouldn't be a good reminder fairy if I didn't remind you to schedule a dentist appointment.
I'll end this with one final reminder — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's State of the State address is tonight at 7 p.m. If you can't watch it live, we will have all the news for you after the speech on MLive.com.
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Two land conservation projects in northeast Lower Michigan make more than 1,500 acres of forever-protected wilderness along Lake Huron when combined with a third tract of recently preserved property. Pictured here is Birdsong Bay Nature Preserve. Read more on the protected lands here. (Photo courtesy of Huron Pines) |
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Who funded Michigan campaigns? For nearly every legislator, it wasn't their constituents. |
Following the money: When new district maps were finalized at the end of 2021, many candidates pivoted to appealing for votes from new communities. But did legislators rely on the people they hoped to represent to fund their campaigns? According to a new analysis of campaign finance records, the answer is largely no.
The numbers: According to Google data, currently elected state senators raised, on average, only 11% of their campaign funds in that period from the districts in which they ran. Representatives raised an average of 17% of their funds from future constituents. See more on the data here. Speaking of the legislature: A traditionally joyous time for some Asian cultures has turned into sorrow following Saturday’s mass shooting in Monterey Park, California. In Michigan, Asian-American legislators doubled down on calls for gun reform in the state and throughout the country. |
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Michigan's low-income families could receive additional relief in this year's tax filings. |
Seeking relief: Michigan Senate Democrats are now seeking to provide immediate relief for working families after a change in their tax plan could mean more money going into in the pockets of those qualified this year. The details: At a Tuesday Senate Housing and Human Services committee hearing, legislators adopted a bill substitute that would raise the current Earned Income Tax Credit— a break given to low- and moderate-income working families — to 30% and make the EITC retroactive to the 2022 tax year for this year’s tax filings. ICYMI: Tax season is now underway. Taxpayers now have roughly three months to file returns before the deadline. But there are a few changes to filing this year that could mean smaller refunds. |
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Michigan's 7-day COVID case average has hit a 9-month low. |
Cases down, deaths up: After a month of consecutive declines, the seven-day average reached its lowest point since early April. However, COVID-19 deaths have headed in the opposite direction in recent weeks. Michigan averaged 28 reported deaths per day over the last week, compared to seven per day at the beginning of the month. Where deaths occurred: There were 50 counties that reported at least one new death last week, which was up from 37 counties the week prior. Wayne County identified 34 deaths, while Oakland and Macomb had 25 each, Kent and Genesee had 11 each, Kalamazoo had nine, Calhoun and Bay each had six, and Ingham and Saginaw each had four. In other COVID news:The FDA has proposed a simplified approach for future COVID-19 vaccination efforts, allowing most adults and children to get a once-a-year shot to protect against the mutating virus. |
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I hope you enjoy this snowy (for some) Wednesday. To get weather updates and all the latest Michigan news, head over to MLive.com any time. If you appreciate the hard work of our journalists across the state, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.
Cara will be here with you tomorrow for the Morning Briefing.
— Jessica Shepherd |
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