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Michigan Government
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
Michigan finalizes plan to spend $880 million in federal coronavirus funds
Michigan is poised to create a business grant program, cut child care rates, boost summer school and invest in its unemployment insurance system using federal COVID-19 relief funding.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel pushes police reforms, with limits
Officers should lose their license for a broad range of misconduct and disciplinary records should be permanently maintained, she said. But Nessel said she may support limits on which disciplinary records are made public.
‘Dehumanized’ by police at 16, Garlin Gilchrist seeks Michigan reforms
Gilchrist, the state’s first African-American lieutenant governor, is helping lead the charge for police reforms amid mass protests after the death of George Floyd in Minnesota.
Michigan Right to Life abortion ban may fall short on signatures
Right to Life of Michigan did not collect enough valid voter signatures to advance an initiative proposing to ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure, according to new estimates from the state Bureau of Elections.
Michigan woman helps win gay, transgender worker rights in Supreme Court
The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday ruled in favor of Aimee Stephens of Michigan, who was fired by her funeral home employer after telling the company she intended to “live and work full time as a woman.” That firing was held to violate the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.
Michigan Democrats ‘in knots’ as calls to ‘defund the police’ grow louder
A newly popular proposal with an inflammatory name puts Democrats in a tricky situation. Republicans are making the most of it.
Whitmer lifts ban on summer camps, some school sports workouts
As coronavirus infections and deaths recede in Michigan, the governor on Friday lifted a ban on children summer camps. That’s a huge relief to some families.
Michigan lawmakers fast-track police reform but some question necessity
Bills to ban chokeholds, require more training and ensure officers step in over excessive force have been introduced in recent weeks. Police officials, though, say the bills are mostly symbolic as such practices are already unauthorized.
Michigan gay rights proposal off fall ballot; ruling opens door for 2022
A judge ordered Michigan to give the Fair and Equal Michigan ballot committee 69 additional days to collect signatures, mirroring the duration of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s stay-at-home order that was lifted June 1. That means the group will not complete its petition drive to qualify for the 2020 ballot and will aim for the 2022 ballot instead.
Lawsuit: Jocelyn Benson allowing ‘suspiciously high’ voter registration rates
A conservative activist sues Michigan’s top elections officials, alleging that 16 of the state’s 83 counties have registration rates of more than 90 percent of eligible voters. A state spokesperson calls the suit a publicity stunt.
Midland failed dams, floods caused $200M in damages to 2,500 buildings
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer revealed the estimates on Monday while announcing she is seeking a federal major disaster declaration. Just 8 percent of homes damaged had flood insurance, local officials estimated.
Michigan freezes 340k unemployment accounts amid fraud probe and pandemic
The state of Michigan has frozen 340,000 unemployment accounts, blocking cash assistance for jobless residents while it investigates suspected fraud by imposters seeking to take advantage of enhanced benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials said Friday.
Salons to reopen statewide June 15, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says
Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula will have even more freedoms beginning June 10, when most entertainment venues and gyms will also be allowed to reopen.
Michigan Supreme Court kicks GOP challenge of Whitmer powers to lower court
The Michigan Supreme Court, in a close ruling mirroring the bench's split, tells the state Legislature that a lower court must first consider its challenge to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's emergency powers.
Michigan Senate passes training bill aimed at reducing police brutality
The legislation would require training in personal biases, de-escalation techniques and safely policing people with mental illnesses and comes amid national protests against police treatment of African Americans.
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer calls for anti-bias training, police reforms
The Democratic governor urges police to increase training and implement ‘duty to intervene’ policies, as protests against police brutality and racial injustice continue in communities throughout Michigan and worldwide.
From coronavirus to unrest, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer shaped by crises
Her agenda waylaid by one emergency after another, Gretchen Whitmer now faces civil unrest in Michigan’s biggest cities. Add in a huge deficit and she could spend her term in reaction mode — provided she doesn’t leave for D.C.
What Whitmer’s new coronavirus order means for Michigan summer plans
Bottle returns can resume June 15. Drive-ins, immediately. Ditto for housekeeping services. But you have to wait until next week for restaurants and bars. And still no word on when tattoo shops, hairdressers and trampoline parks can reopen.
Michigan Gov. Whitmer: Trump ‘determined to sow the seeds of hatred’
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer blasted President Donald Trump after he reportedly lashed out at governors, telling them to “dominate” protesters or “you’re going to look like a bunch of jerks.”
Whitmer lifts stay-at-home order, will allow bars and restaurants to open statewide
Gretchen Whitmer will allow the rest of the state to follow the lead of northern Michigan next week as she lifts coronavirus restrictions, sources tell Bridge Michigan.