Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson announced on Tuesday that she is adding more appointment slots for branch offices, including more next day appointments and prioritizing people who need disability placards.

I am pleased to see that Secretary Benson is finally listening to Michigan families and implementing changes to better serve residents, especially for people with disabilities. However, this took far too long. Michiganders have been voicing their concerns about their inability to receive service from their local branch offices. In addition, Secretary Benson still needs to reopen branches for same-day and walk-in service.

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On Thursday, the Michigan Senate approved legislation to extend the expiration date of Michigan driver’s licenses and personal identification cards and waive COVID-19 related fines.

It’s unfair for Michiganders to be getting $200 tickets for expired plates or licenses because the current secretary of state’s office only allows service by appointment. Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson needs to reopen branch offices for walk-in service and restore options to customers.

Senate Bill 508 would extend the expiration of enhanced licenses and state ID cards until Sept. 30. The move would be retroactive to April 1. Senate Bill 507 would make the same extension to driver’s licenses and vehicle registrations and Senate Bill 509 would apply the extension to standard state ID cards.

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The Senate Elections Committee recently approved three bills to strengthen voter ID requirements.

There is bipartisan support for requiring voters to use ID to vote. Michigan voters want reassurance that their elections are safe and fair. Strengthening ID requirements is critical to a healthy democracy and requiring voters to verify their identity with an ID is the best way to protect the one person, one vote standard.

Currently there is no real system for us to check if someone who shows up to vote is actually eligible or if they have already voted at another location. Currently, people are allowed to show up on Election Day and register and vote immediately, without showing any form of ID.

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Governor agrees to withdraw permanent MIOSHA rule changes
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republican legislative leaders reached a broad deal late Thursday that may give lawmakers more authority in future pandemic orders and Whitmer’s team a better position on budget negotiations, according to news releases from the elected leaders.
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Rep. Hornberger, Michigan House take action to prohibit ‘vaccine passports’
State Rep. Pamela Hornberger and the Michigan House today approved a measure to prohibit government entities in Michigan from requiring vaccine passports.
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Michigan Gov. Whitmer caught violating her own public health guidelines
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer was forced to apologize Sunday after she was caught attending a party that violated her own health department’s social distancing guidelines.
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Michigan may have undercounted COVID-19 nursing home deaths, records show
The death toll in Michigan’s nursing homes and other senior long-term care facilities may be higher than the 5,600 COVID-19 deaths currently attributed to the facilities, according to newly released information. Nursing homes nationwide were among the hardest hit by COVID-19 and Michigan’s official total accounts for nearly 30 percent of the state’s 19,090 deaths.
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Bad Axe claims first district softball title since 1999
The Bad Axe varsity softball team captured its first district title since 1999 with a 19-6 victory over Sandusky in Cass City. The Hatchets move on to the Region 23 semifinals on Saturday at Millington, where they take on the Millington Cardinals at 10 a.m.
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Construction underway on $1M McMorran Place Plaza project
Construction for the long-awaited makeover of McMorran Place Plaza begins this week after Port Huron officials adjusted the layout of new features – including an ice rink, state, and green space – to help save on costs.
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A groundbreaking event in Marlette
The groundbreaking ceremony for the Heartlands, an $11.2 million senior living complex in Marlette, took place on May 26. The building site is the former Marlette golf course proper-ty on M-53. The Heartlands will be owned by United Healthcare Partners of Marlette and Deckerville hospitals.
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