Riley Beggin

Riley Beggin is a Capitol reporter covering Michigan politics, including legislative, gubernatorial and other statewide elections. She joined Bridge in January 2018 after working at KPCC, Los Angeles’ NPR member station. Before that, she was a fellow at ABC News’ Washington Bureau and an intern with NPR’s investigative unit. Riley majored in history and international relations at the University of Wisconsin—Madison. She also holds a master’s degree in investigative journalism from the University of Missouri. You can reach Riley at rbeggin@bridgemi.com or call her at 517-657-3580.

Articles

Michigan eyes reform to costly, confusing system of expunging criminal records

November 4, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Republicans and Democrats seem to be on the same page — it’s time to give former offenders a second chance with new reform.

Applications open for new Michigan redistricting commission. What to know.

October 24, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Registered state voters can apply to serve on the commission until next June. Here’s what you need to do.

Michigan Republicans say ‘the budget is done.’ Here’s what they really mean.

October 24, 2019 | Riley Beggin

For weeks, GOP leaders have said the state budget is in place, even though $1 billion of their priorities were cut and negotiations continue with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. At the core of the standoff is broken trust and the GOP’s insistence on capping how much money the governor can shift from department budgets.

Anti-gerrymandering group may team with GOP to tackle term limits

October 22, 2019 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Interest in changing Michigan’s strict legislative term limits may produce an unlikely alliance: Voters Not Politicians, the GOP and Michigan Chamber.

U.S. high court kills Michigan gerrymandering case ordering new districts

October 21, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The decision makes it official: A federal district court order to redraw gerrymandered lines and stage new elections is moot.

Score one for bipartisanship: Michigan Dems, GOP pass ‘raise the age’ bills

October 16, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The legislation would make 17-year-olds automatically treated as juveniles in criminal proceedings. Advocates say it will help curb recidivism among young offenders. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the legislation.

Michigan Republicans want to rein in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget power

October 10, 2019 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin

Republicans explore taking power away from Whitmer, as her Democratic allies submit bills to restore some unpopular budget cuts, including $1 million for an autism program and $34 million for rural hospitals.

Senate panel passes bills to try 17-year-olds as juveniles in crimes

October 10, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The ‘Raise the Age’ package would treat 17-year-olds as juveniles in the eyes of the law, allowing them access to education and rehab unavailable to adult prisoners.

Michigan Republicans jockeying to override Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget vetoes

October 8, 2019 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin

Ahead of a Thursday meeting with the first-term governor, GOP lawmakers are drafting bills to restore funding for popular programs Whitmer cut including an autism hotline.

Michigan has $1B left over from budget. What happens to all that money?

October 7, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Now that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has gone on a line-item veto spree, some $947 million in taxpayer money is unspent. Time is running out, but Whitmer says ‘all is not lost’ and there’s still an opportunity to salvage programs.

Michigan businesses don’t have to choose between safe water and bottom line

October 3, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Michigan’s freshwater resources don’t have to be in conflict with smart business investment and partnerships, experts said Thursday at the Center for Michigan’s Water Summit in Lansing.

Here are the winners and the losers in Michigan’s new budget

October 2, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer line-item vetoed nearly $1 billion of the budget and shifted $625 million. Michiganders are left with a budget that advocates say will help make drinking water safer and preschool more reliable but college tuition higher.

What Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget cuts and shifts mean to Michigan residents

October 1, 2019 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

No money for Pure Michigan and less for rural hospitals. More money for Medicaid work rules and water testing. How Gretchen Whitmer’s nearly $1 billion in changes could have a big impact on everyday residents.

Gretchen Whitmer uses line-item veto – 147 times – on GOP’s Michigan budget

September 30, 2019 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Government shutdown avoided, as Whitmer cuts nearly $1 billion in the $59.9 billion budget through line-item vetoes. But a bigger battle could be looming, as she plans to invoke a rarely used power to change the Republican-approved budget.

Michigan law limiting ballot drives unconstitutional, court rules

September 27, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The law places a 15 percent cap per congressional district on signature gathering for ballot initiatives. The court said that unfairly hampers the public’s rights.

Michigan GOP budget contains 7 big surprises for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer

September 26, 2019 | Jonathan Oosting, Riley Beggin, Ron French

Tucked inside the $59.9 billion budget, Michigan legislators have proposed big cuts to the Department of Education unless it creates A-F school grades, shifts money for redistricting and requires the construction of a controversial psychiatric facility in Caro.

Michigan House considers expungement of marijuana, traffic convictions

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