MIRS Monday, Oct. 23, 2017

It sounds ominous and scary, but the "Dark Stores" decision by the state Supreme Court on Friday is being described as an "awesome" result for local governments. Chris Hackbarth of the Michigan Municipal League explains why. He'll also talk about why it's important for the legislature to still address the dark stores issue and why his members want the municipal retiree benefits issue tackled by lawmakers by year's end.

At least one Democratic House member is openly supporting the Leonard-Duggan auto insurance bill, but the MIRS team explains why there is likely to be more if House Speaker Tom Leonard puts the bill up for a vote.

And, in June the state nixed an independent "risks" assessment being conducted on Line 5 that was weeks away from release due to an alleged conflict of interest. What was that report going to say and is there anyone who is qualified to do these type of report who haven't been touched by Line 5's owner, Enbridge? A FOIA ordered by MIRS holds some answers.