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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 Gov. Whitmer: ‘Bat-sh*t crazy’ jab doesn’t help resolve budget
Gretchen Whitmer responds to criticism from Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey and says both sides are no closer to finding a compromise on a weeks-long budget stalemate over $1 billion in cuts and transfers. Shirkey apologized again Monday afternoon.
Quid pro quo? Larry Inman trial to test limits of campaign cash solicitations
State Rep. Larry Inman is far from the only lawmaker who has solicited campaign contributions from special interest groups. But federal prosecutors allege he offered to sell his vote in exchange for donations.
Michigan House Speaker ordered to testify in Rep. Inman’s corruption trial
A federal judge on Tuesday denied an attempt by House Speaker Lee Chatfield to quash a subpoena ordering him to testify next week in embattled state Rep. Larry Inman's corruption trial.
Judge rejects GOP bid to delay Michigan redistricting commission
In a blow to Republicans, U.S. District Court Judge Janet Neff said delaying implementation of a voter-approved redistricting commission law would be a “drastic action” not warranted by lawsuit claims.
Dana Nessel to review Michigan DNR handling of wolf kill records
In response to a Bridge Magazine investigation, Nessel said her office will look into whether the state agency mishandled public records on the 2016 killings of protected gray wolves in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.
Pontiac thought it could handle marijuana. It’s caused confusion and delays.
More than a year after Pontiac voters approved medical marijuana businesses, investors are still waiting as politicians squabble. The delays could be a cautionary tale as retail recreational pot becomes legal in Michigan on Dec. 1.
Why easy access to recreational marijuana is taking so long in Michigan
Recreational marijuana sales are set to begin on Dec. 1, but shortages and few licensed shops mean options will be limited.
Cellphones are everywhere. Except Michigan courts. Is that an injustice?
The Michigan Supreme Court considers a rule to allow cellphones in all courts. One justice says cell bans are “callous” and “incredibly insensitive,” but others say allowing devices in courts would create security problems.
Michigan term limits face court challenge from former lawmakers
A group is arguing in a new lawsuit that Michigan’s strictest-in-the-nation legislative term limits are unconstitutional.
Michigan government 101: Want more taxes? Hold elections when few vote
Tax requests increasingly are popping up in elections with low turnouts, such as March’s heavily Democratic presidential primary. Governments say it saves money. Foes say it’s anti-democratic.
Liberal super PAC sues Michigan over voting restrictions
Priorities USA argues in two lawsuits that state laws prohibiting certain voter services unconstitutionally restrict the right to vote. A state Republican leader said the restrictions are important to discourage voter fraud.
Think your house is hard to unload? Try selling a prison.
Prison closings can decimate towns that depend on the jobs. With 24 Michigan prisons and camps shuttered in the past 15 years, state and local officials are trying to think smarter about what’s next.
No deal: Senate GOP rejects possible budget compromise
County sheriffs, small schools, local governments and other groups grappling with state funding cuts may have to wait several more weeks for Michigan leaders to resolve an ongoing budget dispute.
Michigan counties profit from foreclosure. Supreme Court urged to halt law.
An Oakland County man lost his property to foreclosure over an $8.41 tax debt. Oakland then sold the property for $24,500 and kept the profit. His lawyers want the high court to end this practice in Michigan.
Locals to Lansing: Get a budget deal, because cuts are getting real
While Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP leaders squabble, budget vetoes are forcing cuts or other tough decisions for local governments, nonprofits and service entities that have already lost state funding — or will soon if state leaders do not resolve the dispute.
Attorney General Dana Nessel takes hard line in juvenile inmate rape cases
Like her predecessor Bill Schuette, Nessel is contesting every claim by juveniles who said they were raped by adult prisoners — including whether the teens, some as young as 14, can be called children at trial.
Juvenile rape accuser: ‘Regardless of what I did, I was still a child’
Two former juvenile inmates describe being raped by adults in a Michigan prison. Attorney General Dana Nessel contests the claims as the case heads to trial. (WARNING: Video contains graphic and explicit language and content)
Michigan eyes reform to costly, confusing system of expunging criminal records
Republicans and Democrats seem to be on the same page — it’s time to give former offenders a second chance with new reform.
A year after pot became legal, Michigan still months away from retail sales
A supply shortage and regulatory hurdles means recreational pot sales aren’t likely until February or March. And two-thirds of all Michigan municipalities have already passed rules saying ‘not in our town.’
Michigan lawmakers want to expand tax break before it’s created a single job
A bipartisan effort is underway in Lansing to expand a program that so far has paid $20,000 per every job businesses have promised to create. The move comes despite growing skepticism that incentives work.