Good morning reader, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Friday signed bills repealing Michigan’s Right-to-Work law and restoring prevailing wage rates, a major victory for Democrats and labor unions that was blasted by business and conservative groups. The governor framed the passage as restoring workers rights, but her critics said that forcing workers to pay union dues to keep their jobs did not seem like an expansion of such rights. In other Michigan news: The union representing University of Michigan graduate student workers is poised to strike over wage and other benefits, a showdown that could end up in court. Grad students who teach undergraduate classes and perform other tasks, seek a 60 percent wage increase next school year, while the university has offered an 11.5-percent raise over three years. A state wildlife biologist offers advice on what ordinary residents can do to help preserve hibernating bats in Michigan, which are being wiped out by the millions by a fungus. Health reporter Robin Erb takes readers to a farm outside a Ypsilanti teaching hospital, where workers are growing fresh produce for hospitalized patients and the community. And artificial reefs in Lake Huron’s Thunder Bay are attracting wild lake trout and could teach people how to restore fish populations across the world. Thanks for reading Bridge Michigan. We’d love your feedback in our annual reader survey. And if you like our work, please consider donating to our nonprofit newsroom. – David Zeman See other newsletter options Whitmer signs Right-to-Work repeal, prevailing wage restoration Repealing Right-to-Work and restoring prevailing wage were top priorities for unions, while business groups and Republicans have argued doing away with current policy would be bad for business. Support Bridge Michigan's nonpartisan reporting Thank you for subscribing to our daily newsletter! We currently have more than 120,000 email subscribers. Yet, just eight percent of subscribers financially support our newsroom. You count on Bridge Michigan. Can we count on you? See our member benefits University of Michigan graduate student workers vote to strike The union representing the grad students passed a strike vote late Thursday as they seek a 60-percent pay hike and other benefits. The school said walking out on teaching undergrads would violate the current contract and vowed to continue classes if there is a strike. How you can help Michigan’s bats amid a deadly epidemic Millions of hibernating bats have died from white-nose syndrome, a disease caused by fungus. Here’s how you can help scientists buy time to find a cure. Michigan health care reimagined using dirt, worms and fresh veggies In this Michigan hospital farm, shovels replace scrubs and leather replaces latex in a “food is medicine” effort. Artificial reefs bring wild lake trout to Lake Huron The constructed reefs are likely to be adequate for fish to breed and reproduce indefinitely. culture club Bridge Culture Club resumes in April with ‘We Kept Our Towns Going’ Join us April 18 for our latest Bridge Culture Club event with author Phyllis Michael Wong to discuss ‘We Kept Our Towns Going: The Gossard Girls of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula’ Twitter Facebook Website Instagram Email Too many Bridge emails? Update your preferences Never want another Bridge email? Unsubscribe here This email was sent to: Cb31450@gmail.com Copyright © 2023 The Center for Michigan • 220 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197