Public Sector
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing. Bridge will take you beyond the political food fights into the policy decisions that affect everyday life.
Articles
Bill Schuette no longer touts Trump ties, but president’s shadow follows
Michigan's November election will be all about President Donald Trump, whether the candidates for governor like it or not. (Spoiler alert: Democrats like it.)
Turning Gretchen Whitmer into Granholm, a Republican gamble in governor race
Republicans say Gretchen Whitmer would push the same tax and economic policies as Michigan’s last Democratic governor, Jennifer Granholm. The record is more complicated.
Two Michigan House rivals say hello, talk. In other news: Hell freezes over.
What candidates across a divided political landscape can learn from two men competing for a House seat in Kalamazoo.
Michigan redistricting group gets $250,000 donation for fall ballot battle
Voters Not Politicians received the money from a national group pushing redistricting reform headed by former Obama Attorney General Eric Holder. Critics say it’s more proof of a Democratic scheme.
Bridge Magazine guide to the 2018 Michigan ballot proposals
Three statewide ballot proposals will appear in November, ranging from legalizing recreational marijuana to voting and redistricting reform. Bridge offers a quickie guide to their pros and cons, and who is funding them.
Michigan voters to governor candidates: Fix the roads, schools, insurance
At a recent Truth Tour stop, voters tell Bridge their concerns mostly align with top issues identified by Bill Schuette and Gretchen Whitmer in their campaigns for governor.
Expansion of Michigan's voting access to be decided by November ballot
The Michigan Board of State Canvassers unanimously voted to place a ballot proposal to expand voting access on the November ballot. It would allow, among other things, same-day voter registration and no-reason absentee voting.
Michigan Legislature passes minimum wage, paid sick leave bills to avert ballot
The Republican-led legislature could be in for a legal fight if they try to blunt or kill these measures after the November election. Democrats accuse GOP of foiling the will of voters by keeping measures off ballot.
Michigan senator introduces bill to fund $2B in water cleanups
The bonding bill, sponsored by Sen. Margaret O’Brien of Kalamazoo County, differs from a plan backed by Gov. Rick Snyder, who prefers to raise needed revenue via higher fees.
Here’s how Michigan’s redistricting commission would work
Voters will decide in November whether they’d like to create a citizens redistricting commission for drawing district lines. Here’s what we know, and don’t know about how that commission would work.
Michigan redistricting ballot language rejects partisan phrasings
The Bureau of Elections’ proposed ballot wording for the Voters Not Politicians initiative focuses on the structure of what a new redistricting commission would look like. It faces a hearing Thursday.
In final year, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder checks off much of ambitious agenda
In his State of the State address in January, the term-limited governor outlined an aggressive strategy in a lame-duck election year. Business and political leaders were skeptical.
Amid jeers, Michigan Republicans select a supreme court justice who strayed
Elizabeth Clement, an incumbent justice who voted in favor of two Republican-opposed causes, secured her party’s nomination Saturday despite some palpable frustration on the convention floor.
Tom Leonard is Michigan Republican Attorney General pick, Treder Lang nabs SOS
Michigan Republican delegates chose nominees Saturday for attorney general, secretary of state, two Supreme Court seats and other statewide offices, while urging unity against Democrats.
Minimum wage hike on November ballot, pending Michigan Supreme Court appeal
The Board of State Canvassers on Friday voted to certify the proposal, following a Michigan Court of Appeals ruling this week ordering that a citizen petition to raise the state’s minimum wage to $12 appear on the November ballot.
Where they stand: Michigan Attorney General candidates
Candidates running to be the state’s top prosecutor will be chosen at this weekend’s state Republican and Democratic conventions. Bridge sought their positions on Flint water prosecutions and criminal justice reform.
Where they stand: Michigan Secretary of State candidates
Candidates running to be the state’s top elections administrator will be chosen at this weekend’s state Republican and Democratic party conventions. Bridge quizzed them on redistricting and election reform issues.
Will Michigan Republicans take down Justice Clement? If so, here’s how.
The Michigan GOP Supreme Court justice is under fire for votes in recent cases on guns and redistricting. Some party delegates remain furious, but it’s unclear if they will challenge her at Saturday’s party convention.
Michigan appeals court orders minimum wage proposal put on November ballot
Opponents of the Michigan minimum wage bill, including the hospitality industry, may appeal the decision to the Michigan Supreme Court.
Get to know Garlin Gilchrist II, Gretchen Whitmer's pick for Lt. Governor
Garlin Gilchrist, 35, is not well known outside Detroit so it’s unclear how many votes he can inspire as candidate for Michigan's lt. governor under Gretchen Whitmer. He does bring smarts, national organizing skills and diversity.