economy

The cannabis business in Washtenaw County has been rather robust since the legalization of recreational use. Now, the state is putting an additional 24% tax to help fund road repair and construction. WEMU's David Fair and Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Chamber Executive Vice President Andy LaBarre spoke with Mike DiLaura about potential business impacts in Washtenaw County. Mike is the Chief Corporate Operations and General Counsel at House of Dank, which has stores in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti.

President Trump’s suggestions to allow 50-year mortgages for homeowners is running into a lot of skepticism. As WEMU's Kevin Meerschaert reports, many economists say it will only increase debt and not lower housing costs.

Michigan’s monthly jobs report that would reveal employment data for the month of September wasn’t released Thursday due to the federal government shutdown. We have more from Rick Pluta.

The business community in Washtenaw County is central to the health of the local economy. WEMU has teamed with the Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti Regional Chamber to take a closer look at local businesses and the people that make them run. On the 2nd Friday of every month, we’ll bring you "Washtenaw Business Lens" and explore the perspectives on how local, state and national news impacts our business community, and ultimately you. The chamber’s Andy LaBarre will be here each month and bring with him a special guest. In this inaugural edition of "Washtenaw Business Lens," Andy and WEMU's David Fair look at federal immigration policy and its impact on the business community. Their guest is Phillis Engelbert. She owns three vegan establishments in Ann Arbor, those being: Detroit Street Filling Station, The Lunch Room Bakery & Café, and North Star Lounge.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed a budget Tuesday totaling $80 billion for K-12 schools, higher education, and state government spending. Rick Pluta reports.

Cannabis industry supporters are heading to Lansing on Tuesday opposing a proposed doubling of the state marijuana tax. Ann Arbor State Senator Jeff Irwin says its passage could devastate the cannabis industry. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Michigan’s monthly unemployment rate dropped slightly from July to August to 5.2%. It’s not so much that more people are finding jobs, but more people are exiting the workforce. Rick Pluta reports

Governor Gretchen Whitmer says the budget standoff at the state Capitol is adding to the economic uncertainty created by federal tariffs. She delivered a short address urging the Legislature to get a state budget adopted before the end of the month. Rick Pluta reports.

Officials are coordinating efforts to fight back against the House GOP eliminating state funding for arts and culture programs. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

Canadian wildfires have played havoc with air quality in Washtenaw County and the state of Michigan for the past few summers. Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian is the chief medical executive for the state of Michigan. She joined WEMU's David Fair to look at the short and longer-term implications.