Updates About People

Recently, the United States Supreme Court (SCOTUS) refused to hear Kim Davis v. David Ermold, where Davis had hoped the Court would overturn a lower court’s decision awarding damages to a same sex couple that Davis refused to issue a marriage license to while working as a count clerk. Davis also requested that the Court overturn Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court case that established marriage equality for same-sex couples.

Among those celebrating the decision was Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, who is the state’s first openly LGBTQ+ individual elected to a statewide office. In a statement released shortly after the Court announced they would not be taking on the case, Nessel expressed relief but gave a warning: this is only a battle won, and to secure lasting victory against other efforts to overturn Obergefell, Michigan must change the state Constitution to protect marriage equality.

The Michigan Energy giant DTE Gas Co. is asking state regulators to approve an increase in gas rates by 8% for residents and 7.1% for businesses. The company claims they need additional revenue to pay for infrastructure, maintenance expenses, and wage increases. DTE’s 1.3 million gas customers are expected to absorb an increase totaling $237 million starting next October. This amount could be reduced to $163 million if a previously approved infrastructure recovery mechanism surcharge is incorporated into the rates.

This is not the only increase that Michigan consumers have been subjected to in recent history. Last year, DTE raised gas rates by more than $113 million. Attorney General Dana Nessell scrutinized the increases and reaffirmed that her office will work to defend DTE customers. Bob Richard, President and COO of DTE, defended the rate hikes by arguing that the request will allow DTE to continue to invest in the safety and reliability of their energy system while keeping long term costs lower. In early November, DTE’s main competitor, Consumer Energy Co., also raised rates — 8% on residents and 1.4% on businesses.

See Also: AG NESSEL PUSHES BACK ON CONSUMERS ENERGY $436M RATE HIKE PROPOSAL

The wait is over! The 39th official state Christmas Tree has been selected by the Department of Technology, Management, and Budget (DTMB). This year’s winner is a 68-foot spruce tree from Sault Ste. Marie donated by Linda Reid in honor of her grandparents. The tree is set to be harvested on October 30th and arrive in Lansing on November 1st.

Once at the Capitol, local Boy Scouts troops will continue their tradition of untying the tree. Next, the City of Lansing’s forestry team will prepare the tree for decorations and lighting developed by the Lansing Board of Water & Light and the Michigan Capitol Commission. After the long journey and preparation process, the tree lighting ceremony will take place at the 41st annual Silver Bells in the City ceremony where the thousands of decorative lights will be flipped on at approximately 7:30 PM.