Lindsay VanHulle

Lindsay VanHulle is a Lansing-based Capitol reporter covering state government and politics. She covered the intersection of business and public policy in a joint venture for Bridge and Crain’s Detroit Business until December 2017. Prior to joining Bridge in 2015, she was a reporter at the Lansing State Journal and Traverse City Record-Eagle. Her work also has appeared in the Detroit Free Press and USA Today. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Michigan State University and is president of the Mid-Michigan Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. You can reach Lindsay via email at lvanhulle@bridgemi.com, or call her at 517-657-3401.

Articles

Snyder’s Michigan: Fewer prisoners, less prison spending

Snyder’s Michigan: Fewer prisoners, less prison spending

February 6, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Michigan Governor Rick Snyder has backed efforts to lower the price tag on corrections costs and programs designed to keep offenders from returning to prison. In this series we examine seven years of Gov. Rick Snyder's budgets as he prepares to present his final budget proposal.

Snyder’s Michigan: Less crime, but more funding for State Police

Snyder’s Michigan: Less crime, but more funding for State Police

February 6, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Does the drop in Michigan crime suggest State Police now get too much funding? Or did a beefed up agency help bring crime numbers down? In this series we examine seven years of Gov. Rick Snyder's budgets as he prepares to present his final budget proposal.

Snyder’s Michigan: Budgets for executive branch and Legislature grow

Snyder’s Michigan: Budgets for executive branch and Legislature grow

February 6, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Michigan Republican leaders have preached the mantra of smaller government, but funding for the governor’s office and Legislature have grown more than 40 percent since Gov. Rick Snyder took office.  In this series we examine seven years of Snyder's budgets as he prepares to present his final budget proposal.

Snyder’s Michigan: Business taxes fall, burden shifts to residents

Snyder’s Michigan: Business taxes fall, burden shifts to residents

February 6, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Michigan has seen more than $2 billion in business tax cuts from 2008 through 2016. In this series we examine seven years of Gov. Rick Snyder's budgets as he prepares to present his final budget proposal.

Snyder’s Michigan: More spending, but Michigan government remains small

Snyder’s Michigan: More spending, but Michigan government remains small

February 6, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Total state of Michigan spending is up 10 percent since 2012, when adjusted for inflation. But the state still has the second smallest state and local government workforce. In this series we examine seven years of Gov. Rick Snyder's budgets as he prepares to present his final budget proposal.

Snyder’s Michigan: Agriculture spending has spiked 64 percent since 2011

Snyder’s Michigan: Agriculture spending has spiked 64 percent since 2011

February 6, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

The state is building staff and investment in helping Michigan farmers “stay ahead of the curve.” In this series we examine seven years of Gov. Rick Snyder's budgets as he prepares to present his final budget proposal.

Group against Michigan's prevailing wage asks to skip signature review

Group against Michigan's prevailing wage asks to skip signature review

January 29, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

The ballot committee Protecting Michigan Taxpayers wants to send prevailing wage repeal proposal to GOP-led Legislature for approval

How Michigan tax proposals will affect you ‒ and the state budget

How Michigan tax proposals will affect you ‒ and the state budget

January 25, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Gov. Rick Snyder and House and Senate lawmakers disagree on how much money Michigan taxpayers should recoup following changes to federal tax law.

Five big things Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants done. All of them iffy.

Five big things Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder wants done. All of them iffy.

January 25, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle, Riley Beggin

Snyder begins his final year as a lame duck, wrestling with fellow Republicans on tax cuts, funding for roads, schools and talent. Bridge asked five experts to predict his success.

Michigan business climate improves, but educated workforce is shrinking

Michigan business climate improves, but educated workforce is shrinking

January 23, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle, Ted Roelofs

Michigan’s economy has long centered around manufacturing — especially autos. But reliance on a single industry produces boom and bust cycles.

Business incentives cost Michigan millions, and it’s uncertain they work

Business incentives cost Michigan millions, and it’s uncertain they work

January 23, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Incentives generally are not the deciding factor for a company looking to move or expand. But incentives are at the center of an economic development arms race, one in which states that don’t play can find themselves losing out on high-profile projects.

Does state make $8.33 for every $1 spent on Pure Michigan campaign?

Does state make $8.33 for every $1 spent on Pure Michigan campaign?

January 23, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

As it enters its second decade, the Pure Michigan campaign has become a flashpoint for critics who say its success is evaluated based on flawed assumptions about its return on investment.

Michigan needs $4B more per year for infrastructure, but how to pay for it?

Michigan needs $4B more per year for infrastructure, but how to pay for it?

January 23, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

We see the problem every time we drive into a pothole or read headlines about sinkholes, broken water mains and flooded freeways. Yet state leaders haven’t yet done much.

2018 Michigan ballot initiatives may decide marijuana, gerrymandering

2018 Michigan ballot initiatives may decide marijuana, gerrymandering

January 23, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Michigan voters may decide as many as eight ballot measures in November 2018, from legalizing recreational marijuana to changing the way Michigan politicians are elected.

Michigan Truth Squad: Brian Calley’s claims on state’s economic gains

Michigan Truth Squad: Brian Calley’s claims on state’s economic gains

January 18, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

Lt. Gov. Calley is taking credit for some of the major tax and business policy successes of the Snyder Administration.

Michigan Truth Squad: Gretchen Whitmer’s role in Larry Nassar case

Michigan Truth Squad: Gretchen Whitmer’s role in Larry Nassar case

January 18, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle, Mike Wilkinson

Truth Squad explores Gretchen Whitmer’s mantle as an advocate for sexual assault victims after a cop accuses her of hesitating to prosecute a sexually abusive doctor.

5 things Michigan Republicans want in 2018

5 things Michigan Republicans want in 2018

January 9, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle

In a major election year, can anything worthwhile get done in Lansing?

Fending off state, cities vow to rein in retiree benefits costs

Fending off state, cities vow to rein in retiree benefits costs

December 17, 2017 | Lindsay VanHulle

Cities facing large unfunded health and pension benefits for government workers say they’re already making changes, without need for state intervention

Slideshow: 8 Michigan ballot issues in 80 seconds

Slideshow: 8 Michigan ballot issues in 80 seconds

November 27, 2017 | Lindsay VanHulle

Here are the basics on 8 measures activists are fighting to get on the 2018 ballot in Michigan, delivered in just over a minute.

Which 2018 Michigan ballot issues are going strong. Or going down.

Which 2018 Michigan ballot issues are going strong. Or going down.

November 27, 2017 | Lindsay VanHulle

Petition drives to stop gerrymandering or end prevailing wage laws are going strong. Others, like an effort to allow pot even for minors, not so much. A quickie guide to 8 potential ballot issues.

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