Unemployment Third Lowest Among Great
Lakes States
Michigan’s
April unemployment rate remained at 4.8 percent while other Great Lake States’
rates increased. Minnesota ranks as the lowest of the seven states with 3.8
percent followed by Wisconsin at 4.4 percent. Nationally, Michigan was tied
with Florida at 4.8 percent. South Dakota had the lowest unemployment rate at
2.5 percent.
Gilbert to Withdraw from Election
Democrat
Melissa Gilbert has withdrawn her candidacy for Michigan’s 8th
Congressional District race, citing that she is physically unable to run. Her
resignation comes after the deadline; however Michigan law allows a candidate
to withdraw if they have physical ailments preventing a run. The Department of
State has not officially commented on the situation, but did say Ms. Gilbert’s
name will remain on the August 8th primary ballot, since the
deadline has passed.
Forced Abortion Bills to Snyder
The
Senate on Wednesday passed HB
4787 and HB
4830. These bills allow people to be fined if convicted of
forcing a pregnant woman to have an abortion. Under legislation, a person who
forces a woman to end her pregnancy can be fined $5,000 and charged with a
misdemeanor. If that person is the father, the fine can be up to $10,000.
Energy Emergency Declared for Memorial
Weekend
Governor
Rick Snyder declared a state of energy emergency on Tuesday to ensure drivers
have enough gasoline and diesel fuel available for the upcoming weekend. This
Executive Order comes in response to a fuel pipeline being shut down in
Wisconsin and an outage at the Marathon refinery in Detroit. The order suspends
all state and federal regulations to hours of service for drivers carrying
transportation fuels. The order is in effect now until it is rescinded or at
11:59 p.m. on June 6, whichever is first.