Riley Beggin

Riley Beggin is Bridge’s Capitol watchdog reporter. She lives in Lansing, where she covers Michigan politics, including legislative, gubernatorial and other state-wide elections. Riley will be reporting stories that aim to shed light on state governance and hold public officials accountable to those they serve. She joined Bridge in January 2018 after working as a digital producer for 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

Pro-Whitmer group broke Michigan campaign finance laws, Benson finds

February 8, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Build a Better Michigan and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s campaign committee engaged in express advocacy, Democratic Sec. of State Jocelyn Benson announced Friday, and must pay pay a $37,500 fine.

Meet the ex-drug cop who now helps regulate Michigan marijuana

February 8, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Michigan Medical Marihuana Licensing Board member Don Bailey, a retired cop, has drawn the ire of industry advocates who accuse him of unfairly opposing licensing requests. He says he’s just watching out for public safety.

In one month, Dana Nessel erases many of Bill Schuette’s federal pursuits

February 4, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The progressive attorney general has reversed or withdrawn from more than a dozen cases involving abortion, religious rights, Obamacare, environmental rules and other hot-button issues championed by her conservative predecessor.

Legal marijuana didn’t end black market elsewhere. What can Michigan learn?

February 1, 2019 | Riley Beggin

States that legalized recreational marijuana say low prices have pushed local producers to sell out-of-state on the black market.

Michigan Democratic leaders Whitmer, Nessel and Benson working in concert

January 31, 2019 | Riley Beggin

The women meet regularly and, just weeks into office, are finding strategic ways to disrupt GOP laws and policy. Their alignment contrasts with the frosty relations between Gov. Snyder and Republican leaders during his tenure.

Bipartisan bills: New year, new chance for Michigan asset forfeiture reform

January 29, 2019 | Riley Beggin

With Republicans, Democrats and many stakeholders pushing for change, the odds seem good for Michigan’s first big bipartisan push under divided government.

Business owners, educators have outsized influence in new Michigan Legislature

January 14, 2019 | Riley Beggin

Nearly a third of the state Legislature is comprised of business owners. Educators, ex-military and law enforcement also represent larger swaths among newly elected members of the Legislature.

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer lays down ethical rules for her administration

January 3, 2019 | Riley Beggin

In her second full day in office, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed six executive directives demonstrating her interest in ethics and transparency. But experts say there’s a long way to go.

Michigan Republicans’ 2019 to do’s: roads and auto insurance

January 3, 2019 | Lindsay VanHulle, Riley Beggin

Fixing the roads and reforming Michigan’s expensive no-fault auto insurance are issues that both major parties say they want to fix. Republicans say they are willing to work with new Democractic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Lawsuits, ballot reform and sterile deer: A recap of lame duck’s longest day

December 21, 2018 | Riley Beggin

Republicans pass bills to allow lawmakers to intervene in lawsuits, impose barriers to ballot measures, roll out new voting requirements and, yes, ensure that deer aren’t sterilized against their will. All that and more awaits Gov. Rick Snyder’s signature.

Michigan lawmakers send Gov. Snyder bill to add hurdles to ballot drives

December 21, 2018 | Riley Beggin

Two months after voters approve three ballot measures, Michigan lawmakers approve reforms that critics say would make it impossible to place measures on the ballot.

Michigan bill allowing legislative lawsuits goes to Gov. Snyder

December 20, 2018 | Riley Beggin

The state Legislature may soon have a voice in court under a bill that is under consideration by Gov. Rick Snyder.

Out of the shadows: The people and motives behind one of the nation's worst cases of gerrymandering

December 20, 2018 | Joel Kurth, Mike Wilkinson, Riley Beggin, John Bebow, Lindsay VanHulle

Michigan lame duck: Ballot rules may tighten, campaign finance stays with SOS

December 20, 2018 | Riley Beggin

A controversial change to the state’s ballot petition signature gathering requirements moved one step closer to becoming law Wednesday. Two other Republican efforts fell short as lame duck session nears the finish line.

Bill to protect ‘dark money’ groups in Michigan passes House

December 18, 2018 | Riley Beggin

The Republican bill would largely prevent the incoming Democratic Secretary of State and Attorney General from accessing information about groups that influence elections.

Michigan House passes bill putting new requirements on ballot initiatives

December 13, 2018 | Riley Beggin

The Republican bill requires signatures to be collected from across much of the state and adds more rules for signature collectors. The bill is also supported by business groups but opposed by Democrats, Right to Life and the ACLU.

Bill placing new rules on Michigan ballot initiatives advances over opposition

December 12, 2018 | Riley Beggin

The bill would require signatures from a wide variety of congressional districts and add other restrictions to the signature gathering process necessary for citizens to bring an initiative to the ballot or their legislators.

Michigan Lame Duck Tracker

December 12, 2018 | Riley Beggin, Mike Wilkinson

Since the chaotic lame duck session began in late November, hundreds of bills have been introduced and voted on, some that would have major effects on Michigan.

Michigan Democrats stay quiet in lame duck. Some say it’s part of a plan.

December 11, 2018 | Riley Beggin, Lindsay VanHulle

Party activists want Gretchen Whitmer and other incoming Dems to lash out as Republicans seek to rein in their power. But party insiders urge patience as they try to limit damage and quietly seek vetoes from Gov. Snyder.

Michigan Senate GOP moves bills enacting Props 2 and 3, despite objections

December 5, 2018 | Lindsay VanHulle, Riley Beggin

Republicans say they are setting processes in place for a commission to oversee political redistricting, as well as reforms such as same-day voting. Proponents suspect an ulterior motive.

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