Jake Neher

The first bill to pass a chamber of the state Legislature this year is one of several dealing with firearms.  The Michigan Senate approved the legislation Thursday.

The bill would change the state’s definition of a “federally-licensed firearms dealer.”

It's a technical fix, according to supporters of the measure. They say state law isn’t in sync with federal regulations. That means some gun dealers can’t sell certain weapons because of a technicality.

A bill that would shield some guns in Michigan from federal regulations is going to the floor of the state Senate. A panel of state lawmakers Wednesday passed the bill along with other gun-related measures.

The federal government would not be able to regulate guns made and sold in Michigan, as long as they don’t cross state lines. It’s a response to recent Obama administration gun control recommendations.

Republican state Senator Phil Pavlov says the federal proposals could threaten both the Second Amendment and states’ rights.

A proposal in Lansing would limit the state’s legislative session to 90 days a year.

Certain information about guns and their owners could not be made public under a bill in the state Senate.

If an animal welfare group gathers enough signatures over the next few weeks, a law opening Michigan to a wolf hunt will be put up for referendum.

The top Democrat in the state House says Governor Rick Snyder will be dishonest if he says the state is turning around during his State of the State address Wednesday night.

Senator Debbie Stabenow says Michigan agriculture leaders need to ramp up pressure on Congress to pass a new farm bill.

Governor Rick Snyder says he’s not a fan of a controversial ad tying the Pure Michigan brand to the state’s right-to-work law.  The Michigan Public Radio Network's Jake Neher has more.

Governor Rick Snyder says he’ll outline a new plan to fund road improvements during his State of the State address on Wednesday. The plan could include higher vehicle registration fees to pay for road projects and maintenance.

State lawmakers are already sorting through bills introduced on the first day of their new session. They include ones that would boost funding for roads and make public information requests cheaper.

Union groups say they won’t stop shouting over the state’s new “right-to-work” law any time soon.

State lawmakers start their new session this week. Some of the first bills likely to come up would ease restrictions on owning and breeding large carnivores like tigers and bears.

Some state lawmakers say they hope to pass an overhaul of Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Michigan after dropping some controversial abortion language.

Governor Rick Snyder says expanding a state-run district for struggling schools is one of his top priorities for 2013.

Michigan residents applying for cash assistance will have to get through a new three-week assessment and training period. 

A coalition of Michigan clergy members is applauding Governor Rick Snyder’s veto of a controversial gun bill. 

Michigan’s delegates to the Electoral College have cast their 16 votes for President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden. 

Governor Rick Snyder will have the final say as to whether Michigan will become a so-called “right-to-work” state. 

Police officers from across the state are in Lansing preparing for protests as lawmakers get ready to vote on so-called “right-to-work” bills. 

Supporters of a plan to overhaul Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan are praising state lawmakers for passing the measure. Some critics say more work needs to be done.