Michigan officials were unable to finalize a budget agreement by the state’s July 1 deadline for the second year in a row, frustrating schools seeking funding certainty.
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster is a Capitol Reporter for Bridge Michigan. Simon joined Bridge Michigan in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and later covering politics on their investigative team. He spent three years tracking the influence of political money in Michigan as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit. A Michigan native, Simon received a bachelor's and a master of public policy from Michigan State University, where he was a policy fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Outside of work you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia. He lives in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Mystery group circulates health petitions — and attacks Republicans
As it circulates petitions to create citizen health care committees in six Michigan cities, a new group is also attacking Republican incumbents.
Posted inMichigan Government
Perry Johnson leads pack as spending tops $50M in Michigan governor race
Amid ‘exponential’ growth in election spending, more than $50 million has already poured into ads in the Michigan governor’s race. Nearly half of that came from self-funded Republican Perry Johnson.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump gives ‘total endorsement’ to John James in Michigan governor race
President Donald Trump backs Republican John James for Michigan governor, saying he has the “courage and wisdom” to deliver results.
Posted inBusiness Watch, Michigan Government
Bridge Listens: How Michigan’s next governor would fix economy, lower costs
Promising major tax cuts or speedier homebuilding, Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates explain how they would kickstart the state’s economy.
Posted inMichigan Government
In their words: How Michigan governor candidates would build the state economy
Michigan’s gubernatorial candidates tell Bridge Michigan how they would make life in the state more affordable, grow its population and more.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: John James ‘kill switch’ claims rile Michigan governor’s race
In a new ad, Republican gubernatorial hopeful Perry Johnson claims rival John James supported a vehicle ‘kill switch mandate.’ His voting record is complicated. Here are the facts.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lee Chatfield’s wife avoids prison with guilty plea in Michigan corruption probe
Stephanie Chatfield is expected to serve probation but no jail time after pleading guilty to embezzling from a nonprofit fundraising account alongside former House Speaker Lee Chatfield.
Posted inMichigan Government
House Speaker Matt Hall threatens budget stall over impasse with Senate Dems
With less than three weeks until Michigan schools have to finalize their own spending plans, GOP legislative leaders downplayed the prospect of getting a state budget done in time.
Posted inMichigan Government
Chris Swanson brings ‘boundless energy’ to Michigan governor run. He may need more
Chris Swanson is winning over crowds in his bid for Michigan governor. His problem? Most voters still don’t know who he is.