Our Capitol watchdog crowdfunding campaign is happening now!
We are seeking to raise $25,000 to support the work of our Capitol news team in the lead up to next year’s statewide and congressional elections. There's no better time to become a Bridge Club member. Not only does your tax-deductible gift to our nonprofit newsroom power our nonprofit newsroom, but gifts from first-time donors will also be matched by the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation and the Herrick Foundation.
Two GOP lawmakers say their plans cut bureaucracy and save millions of dollars. Some worry, though, that any reform that shifts care to the private sector or distant agencies will compromise vulnerable patients.
One week after Gov. Whitmer tied lifting remaining restrictions to the benchmark, new modeling shows the state is months away from the milestone — which could amp up pressure to change paths quicker.
State Republicans pushed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for months to set metrics for relaxing pandemic restrictions. The governor did so Thursday, tying the loosening of pandemic rules to state vaccination rates. Republicans don’t like that metric.
Heralded as bipartisan legislation that ensures state officials are held accountable for financial conflicts, the bills keep most officials’ sources of income a secret from the public, unlike in many states. Critics denounce the reform effort as “a farce” that maintains the status quo.
Following recent calls to change the culture at the Capitol, the Michigan Senate’s new policy allows visitors to file complaints and strengthens reporting protocols.
The Democratic governor is offering an olive branch to Republicans who control the Legislature. They aren’t happy, though, that Whitmer made the peace offering through the media.
Mandatory IDs, limits on absentee ballot drop boxes and a ban on prepaid postage are among the limits Michigan Republicans are proposing in what they can an effort to deter fraud. Others call it voter suppression.
Open records reform has the votes. It has momentum following an outcry over Gov. Whitmer’s secret payments to top aides. But the Senate majority leader has blocked similar legislation before.
In the weeks since the former president left office, Republicans have squabbled with themselves, floated forming a separate party and censuring those who favored to impeach.
Time was, Michigan Senate leader would be an ideal candidate against Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. But he’s alienated conservatives and liberals with inflammatory statements that have some calling for him to quit.
The Michigan Senate majority leader on Tuesday apologized for conspiratorial comments. The next day he was caught on camera again, this time saying ‘I don’t take back any of the points I was trying to make.'
Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey is in hot water again after he went off-script in a video secretly filmed by a Hillsdale County activist who says the top Republican candidate isn’t conservative enough.
Five public health leaders have sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey rebuking his comments about “herd immunity” and asking for a hearing focused on the science of the virus.
Michigan’s K-12 schools face a $1.2 billion shortfall for the school year ending in June. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says he will push the feds to fill the gap. But next year’s school budget is in far greater danger.
Michigan Republicans say they are still planning to sue Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her emergency power, contemplating a large-scale petition drive to limit her authority and preparing to begin oversight hearings on her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Just not this week.
Senate majority leader says, unlike other states, Michigan won’t extend its stay-home order after April 30. But Mike Shirkey says plenty of restrictions are likely even after the order expires.
Hearing concerns from educators, Michigan’s Senate Majority Leader says he’s considering changes to the law that could flunk 5,000 third-graders in May.
