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

National Republicans want in on case challenging Michigan voting laws

February 20, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A Democratic super PAC hopes to strike down state rules barring transportation to polls and help delivering absentee ballots. Republicans say they have an interest in stopping that.

Michigan clerks’ pleas for help with absentee ballots fall on deaf ears

February 19, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Clerks fear an uptick in absentee ballots will mean late nights and delayed election results, but a leading lawmaker says proposed solutions won’t move.

Court: Much of Michigan sex offender registry not enforceable until fixed

February 14, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The federal ruling puts pressure on the state Legislature to produce clearer rules that are fair to offenders on the list and stand up to constitutional scrutiny.

Fact Squad | Gary Peters touts veterans work, bipartisan record in first ad

February 14, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The first-term incumbent senator says he’s one of the most effective and most bipartisan legislators in Congress. A subjective claim? For sure. Fact Squad takes a look.

Pot businesses join Michigan GOP in opposing labor pacts with workers

February 12, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A debate over marijuana industry rules made unlikely bedfellows of the state’s new marijuana industry and conservative politicians and business groups that had opposed recreational pot.

Rockford residents skeptical of Michigan PFAS deal with Wolverine World Wide

February 11, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A proposed $69.5 million settlement with the state raised questions among residents over the company’s future obligations to monitor health and listen to public concerns.

Michigan is a toss-up state again after favoring Democrats for a generation

February 10, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Mike Wilkinson

Michigan has only 16 electoral votes among the 538 in the Electoral College that decides the U.S. presidency. But the state is expected to be a key battleground for Democrats and President Donald Trump.

Michigan voters may weigh ballot issues on abortion, LGBTQ, lobbying reforms

February 10, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A number of hot-button issues could be on the ballot in Michigan in November besides the presidency. Among them: banning some abortions, extending civil rights laws to LGBTQ community and adding disclosure rules to lobbyists.

Whitmer’s budget: more help for Michigan moms, not so much for local roads

February 6, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Much could change before Michigan adopts a budget this year, but Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants more money for vulnerable mothers, environmental cleanups and education. College and municipal leaders aren’t so happy.

Fact Squad | Dueling ads take on Gov. Whitmer and those damn Michigan roads

February 6, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Is Gretchen Whitmer a hero for borrowing billions to fix highways or has she already broken a central campaign promise? Michigan Fact Squad investigates ads reaching opposite conclusions on the governor.

Trump is in Michigan to tout the new NAFTA. Here’s what it means to Michigan.

January 30, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement is expected to provide some boost to the auto industry in the short term, but economists warn it may harm manufacturing jobs in the long run.

Whitmer and GOP agree $3.5B won’t fix Michigan roads, swap blame on funding

January 30, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republicans agree $3.5 billion bonds plan isn’t a long-term solution for Michigan’s ailing roads. But they contend it’s up to the other side to come up with a better solution.

Frustrated Gov. Whitmer vows no more ‘games’ with GOP on fixing Michigan

January 29, 2020 | Riley Beggin, Jonathan Oosting

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, in her second State of the State, says she’ll work around recalcitrant Republicans to fix roads, maintain Affordable Care Act protections and ensure students don’t repeat the third grade because of the reading law.

Michigan may study whether tolls are solution to state’s awful roads

January 28, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Plenty of obstacles remain, but the Michigan Senate wants to study whether tolls could help fix roads. The proposal comes as Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to announce her new plans for road repairs.

Law limiting Michigan ballot drives mostly unconstitutional, court rules

January 28, 2020 | Riley Beggin

House and Senate Republicans may appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court.

Three possible Michigan cases of deadly coronavirus being tested

January 24, 2020 | Riley Beggin

State health officials say two people in Washtenaw County and one in Macomb have “mild” symptoms of the illness, but that a diagnosis remains days away.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to give response to Trump’s State of the Union

January 24, 2020 | Riley Beggin

The speech is often given to rising stars in the party that is not in the White House. That provides opportunities and risks for the state’s first-term Democratic governor.

Liberal group launches ballot effort to change Michigan lobbying laws

January 23, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Voters could decide in November whether to approve a constitutional amendment to increase disclosure rules for lobbyists and bar them from giving lawmakers anything of value.

Along Michigan-Ohio border, small-town Morenci is transformed by marijuana

January 20, 2020 | Riley Beggin

Once a frontier town dominated by agriculture, Morenci now finds itself on a new frontier, with the scent of pot wafting through its streets. Despite reluctance from “conservative farm folks,” most support the financial boost the industry has brought.

The answer to swelling jails? Stop jailing so many folks, Michigan report says

January 14, 2020 | Riley Beggin

A high-level report unveiled Tuesday recommends sweeping changes to Michigan’s criminal justice system to reduce the number of people sent to jail. The group found that far too many inmates are people of color or have mental illnesses.

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