Morning Briefing: Michigan's pension tax repealed

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Morning Briefing

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2023

In today's newsletter, another snowstorm is on its way to Michigan, Tom Izzo has no apologies for how MSU got its No. 4 seed in the Big Ten Tournament and 13 Michigan hospitals are ranked among the best in the world.

Watch out, your car might be able to repo itself in the future.

In the future world of self-driving vehicles, you had better stay on top of your car note. Why? Well, a Ford patent implies that these futuristic wheels can drive themselves straight to the repossession lot.

OK, for now it's only an idea, according to Ford, but it's one that grabbed my attention. And it's not the only headline that jumped out to me today. I was also very interested to see that you can see the prestigious Detroit Symphony Orchestra for just $3. Sign me up!

And, that's not all. Every story in the rest of today's newsletter caught my eye, of course. So read on, readers.

Curated by Jessica Shepherd

Take a look at 18 inventions from Michigan students that would make a child's life easier. Pictured are Brendel fifth-graders Raysheen Harris, 11 at left, and Elijah Gittens presenting their invention, "Chewing Jewelry." (Photo by Jake May | MLive.com)

Democrats realize a decade-long goal to repeal the pension tax and restore tax credits.

A victory for Democrats: Fulfilling a key campaign promise to reverse tax policies enacted more than a decade ago, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed into law Tuesday a repeal on pension income taxes and an expansion of Michigan’s match of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit.

But they didn't get everything: Though Whitmer touted the tax plan as an unmitigated victory, a keystone provision introduced late in the package’s development — $180 direct checks to taxpayers — won’t be realized after Democrats couldn’t get any of the six Republican senators on board they needed to pass a crucial procedure vote.

Speaking of money: A year of research by the Public Sector Consultants, a nonpartisan Lansing firm, found the state is facing an annual shortfall upwards of $3.9 billion to fix Michigan’s deteriorating roads and bridges.

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Yes, the next snowstorm is already aimed at Michigan.

The cycle continues: Large-scale storm systems are hitting the U.S. West Coast about once a week. These storm systems have been traveling across the U.S. at a speed that brings them across the Great Lakes region also about once a week. We’ve had several weeks now with a late-in-the-work-week snowstorm.

What we're in for this week: The next snow-maker shows up in Michigan this Friday. The two best weather models at forecasting a large-scale storm system show Friday as a fairly snowy day across much of Michigan. See MLive Chief Meteorologist Mark Torregrossa's full report here.

Weather about to go 'in the tank' : We’ve spent most of winter with temperatures warmer than normal. Now we have an upper-air pattern change coming that will send Michigan’s temperatures the other way — the cold way.

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Michigan libraries don't stock 'obscene' books GOP rep's bill would age-restrict, group says.

A proposed bill: Public libraries would have to keep books deemed obscene in a separate part of their facilities, accessible only by those aged 18 and older, under legislation introduced in early March in the House. It would require the governing body of a library to create and enforce a policy addressing "obscene or sexually explicit matter."

But it's not possible, library association says: Public libraries do not have the ability to sequester specific books in an age-restricted area, said Debbie Mikula, executive director of the nonprofit organization Michigan Library Association, and public libraries cannot buy materials legally considered obscene.

While we're discussing the legislature: Another recently proposed bill encourages Michigan schools to put cursive writing into curriculum. The legislation has 22 cosponsors, all Democrats.

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Tom Izzo isn't apologizing for Michigan State's route to a Big Ten Tournament double-bye.

Losses for others are a win for MSU: The Spartans needed a specific series of results in the Big Ten’s six Sunday games to break its seven-way tie in the conference standings and earn a coveted top-four seed in the conference tournament. When the teams that needed to lose to make it happen did just that, Tom Izzo had no apologies regarding the outcome.

How to get tickets: Want to see the Spartans in the Big Ten Tournament? Here's a look at how to secure tickets for the games, which start for MSU Friday at approximately 2:30 p.m.

What about the Wolverines? What does Michigan need to do in the conference postseason to feel better about their chances of earning an NCAA tourney bid? MLive’s Ryan Zuke, Aaron McMann and Andrew Kahn discuss on the latest episode of "Wolverine Confidential" podcast.

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A Newsweek ranking has listed 13 Michigan hospitals among the best in the world.

World's Best Hospitals 2023:The periodical Newsweek says 13 of the hospitals in Michigan are among the best anywhere. The publication ranked 420 hospitals across the world out of about 2,300 that were evaluated. The scoring methodology was based on care, research, innovation, patient feedback and more.

The cream of the crop: University of Michigan Health in Ann Arbor ranked No. 11 internationally and first in the state. The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota ranked first in the world.

ICYMI:In August, Kalamazoo's Borgess hospital took steps to cut its nurse midwife staff from seven full-time caregivers down to three. But the move, which was explained to staff as a financial COVID-19 recovery effort, resulted in all but one midwife leaving. Now it's reconsidering the decision.

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That's all from me.

This was my last time writing to you here in the Morning Briefing. But, don't worry, the newsletter isn't going anywhere! Cara and Jamie will be here with you each weekday morning.

And, of course, MLive.com is always here for you any time, day or night, with the latest Michigan news. If you appreciate the hard work of local journalists, consider becoming an MLive subscriber.
I've had a really wonderful time sharing stories with you here in the newsletter. Thanks for letting me into your inbox over the years.

— Jessica Shepherd

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