Updates About Press Releases

On Tuesday, July 26, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Directive 2022-7 in an effort to reduce crime and gun violence following the passage of the federal Bipartisan Safer Communities Act.

The Bipartisan Safer Communities Act designates funding for local and state governments to combat gun violence. Under the executive directive, state departments are required to designate a representative within 30 days to develop a response to gun violence. The state police will be required to improve their processes for reporting criminal, mental health, and juvenile records, as well as establish the Community Violence Intervention Office, which will coordinate grants for agencies involved in community violence intervention programming.

The directive is effective immediately.

For the first time in almost ten years, Fitch Ratings boosted Michigan’s credit rating from AA to AA+ with a “stable outlook”.

In its report Fitch increased the credit rating to reflect Michigan’s higher level of fiscal resilience and diversified economy, as well as fiscally responsible budgeting and efforts to address debt. The state has also managed economic risks through increased fiscal reserves, paying down liabilities, and practicing conservative budgeting and revenue forecasting. With the rainy-day fund having been replenished, Michigan has maintained structural balance.

On June 28, the Michigan Supreme Court ruled 6-0 that the Attorney General’s use of a one-person grand jury system could not issue indictments, and anyone charged under the system has the right to a preliminary examination. This was seen as a win for the Flint Water Crisis defendants; however, the ruling did not throw out the suit entirely.

Solicitor General Fadwa Hammoud and Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy filed two sets of motions with the Genesee County Circuit Court. The first motions ask for the cases to be remanded to the District Court for preliminary exams in compliance with the Michigan Supreme Court. The second motions inform the court that the cases will proceed upon formal complaint.

All criminal charges that were announced last year can be found here.