When the leaves begin to turn colors each autumn, the wardrobe around the MEC offices also undergoes an unmistakable change.

Michigan lawmakers are in for a bumpy ride home.

(Second update: President Obama signed the bill March 13, designating roughly half of the Sleeping Bear Dunes as a federal wilderness area!)

Please show your support for public lands by attending a town hall meeting hosted by Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) on Monday, February 17, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. at the Acme Township Hall.

Good Friday everyone! Here are some items of interest from the week that's drawing to a close:

The good news is the Michigan Legislature is on summer recess.

SB 78, the "Anti-Biodiversity Bill" passed the full Michigan Senate on March 5.

Another hearing on SB 78, the "anti-biodiversity bill," has been scheduled for Thursday, February 21. Last week's hearing was packed and those who were allowed to testify did a great job. Thank you League of Women Voters, Michigan Botanical Club and others! I have added some commentary below to explain and highlight some issues that were raised there.

Limiting Public Land Jeopardizes Michigan's Character Nobody's going to confuse it with Chicago or Denver, but Lansing is an honest-to-God city, albeit mid-sized. We've got a decent food scene, a solid bus system, skyscrapers-even our own professional ball club.