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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
Pure Michigan gets reprieve, but its future is cloudy amid budget showdown
Work on Pure Michigan tourism ads will continue through at least the end of the year after approval to use $740K to pay firms. Its long-term status remains shaky after a $37.5 million budget veto.
U.S. high court kills Michigan gerrymandering case ordering new districts
The decision makes it official: A federal district court order to redraw gerrymandered lines and stage new elections is moot.
How Michigan Republicans nearly gutted discrimination investigations
In an under-the-radar move, the GOP tried to shift $1.5 million from the Department of Civil Rights to three private museums. The move came as hate crimes are increasing.
Former Michigan Governor William Milliken dies at 97
Known for his ability to reach across the aisle, the Republican and state’s longest serving governor served Michigan as waterways commissioner, state senator and lieutenant governor before becoming governor.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer eases access to welfare in Michigan
The Democratic governor loosens policies restricting how much money recipients can have in the bank. Critics of the old rules called them ‘cruel and unusual,’ but Republicans fear the new limits will increase fraud.
Score one for bipartisanship: Michigan Dems, GOP pass ‘raise the age’ bills
The legislation would make 17-year-olds automatically treated as juveniles in criminal proceedings. Advocates say it will help curb recidivism among young offenders. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign the legislation.
Judge: Jury should decide if Michigan Rep. Larry Inman broke the law
Were Michigan Rep. Larry Inman’s solicitations for donations ‘legitimate legislative sausage making’ or a ‘criminal attempt to extort money’? A jury will decide, after a judge declines to dismiss the case.
Plans for visitor center at Michigan Capitol downsized after Whitmer veto
A visitor center next to the state Capitol will be smaller after the first-term governor nixes an additional $15 million for the project.
Dana Nessel adopts Trump defense in heated LGBT Michigan adoption case
Attorney General Nessel is asking the judge to ignore her heated rhetoric as a private citizen and suspend his recent ruling allowing faith-based adoption agencies to refuse service to gay or transgender parents.
Michigan Republicans want to rein in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget power
Republicans explore taking power away from Whitmer, as her Democratic allies submit bills to restore some unpopular budget cuts, including $1 million for an autism program and $34 million for rural hospitals.
Senate panel passes bills to try 17-year-olds as juveniles in crimes
The ‘Raise the Age’ package would treat 17-year-olds as juveniles in the eyes of the law, allowing them access to education and rehab unavailable to adult prisoners.
Michigan Republicans jockeying to override Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget vetoes
Ahead of a Thursday meeting with the first-term governor, GOP lawmakers are drafting bills to restore funding for popular programs Whitmer cut including an autism hotline.
Michigan has $1B left over from budget. What happens to all that money?
Now that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has gone on a line-item veto spree, some $947 million in taxpayer money is unspent. Time is running out, but Whitmer says ‘all is not lost’ and there’s still an opportunity to salvage programs.
Rural Michigan sheriffs fear layoffs after Whitmer vetoes road patrol
Law enforcement raises alarms after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer axed $13 million for a state grant program that has helped county sheriffs hire road patrol deputies since 1978.
Here are the winners and the losers in Michigan’s new budget
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer line-item vetoed nearly $1 billion of the budget and shifted $625 million. Michiganders are left with a budget that advocates say will help make drinking water safer and preschool more reliable but college tuition higher.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 5 big asks for new Michigan budget talks
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants Republicans to fund five “key” priorities for a potential supplemental spending bill after vetoing $947 million from GOP budgets. Don’t count on it, GOP leader says.
Bill Schuette opts against Michigan Supreme Court run
Bill Schuette, the former congressman and attorney general who ran for governor last year, was considered a top Republican recruit for the Michigan Supreme Court.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer targets rural Michigan in bid to sway GOP on budgets
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her line-item veto power to cut several GOP budget priorities in hopes of restarting negotiations. Rural Michigan is among the hardest hit.
What Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget cuts and shifts mean to Michigan residents
No money for Pure Michigan and less for rural hospitals. More money for Medicaid work rules and water testing. How Gretchen Whitmer’s nearly $1 billion in changes could have a big impact on everyday residents.
Preparing Michigan cities, health systems for more ransomware attacks
Cyberattacks on public bodies and hospitals in Michigan can cost millions if they don’t take steps to train workers and protect computer systems. “It’s just going to get worse,” one expert told Bridge Magazine.