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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
Redistricting guru: Michigan’s maps are legal, even if process was political
Michigan’s gerrymandering trial wraps up with testimony from the architect of the state’s political maps. He says he was besieged with requests but kept the process ‘bipartisan.’
Ex-Democratic chief says Michigan gerrymandering scared off candidates
Brandon Dillon, former chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party, testified at federal trial that Republican maps also made it difficult to raise campaign cash and find volunteers, claims disputed by the GOP.
Expert testifies gerrymandering in Michigan is worse than almost anywhere
An unusual federal trial that could redraw Michigan’s political boundaries before 2020 began Tuesday in Detroit. Republicans defend the maps, saying demographics are to blame, not partisan tricks.
Michigan Republicans defend political maps as gerrymandering trial opens
An unusual federal trial that could redraw Michigan’s political boundaries before 2020 begins in Detroit. The stakes are huge, but spoiler alert: there may be few theatrics.
Budget tests Gretchen Whitmer’s promise to repeal Michigan pension tax
Gov. Whitmer faces likely Republican opposition to her campaign vow. And a repeal blows a $330 million hole in the state’s already strained budget.
Read previously undisclosed Republican emails on Michigan gerrymandering
A slew of new emails were made public on the eve of a federal trial over whether the GOP illegally gerrymandered legislative and congressional districts in Michigan in 2011.
New emails show Michigan GOP used maps to consolidate Republican power
Just days before a trial over the state’s legislative maps, new records show GOP operatives working to make more districts lean Republican while lamenting some GOP dissent
Henry Ford and the Jews, the story Dearborn didn’t want told
When a city-financed journal explored a darker side of the auto titan, Dearborn’s mayor banned its distribution and fired the writer. Public officials fail the public when they stifle serious journalism. It’s media’s role to step up.
In one month, Dana Nessel erases many of Bill Schuette’s federal pursuits
The progressive attorney general has reversed or withdrawn from more than a dozen cases involving abortion, religious rights, Obamacare, environmental rules and other hot-button issues championed by her conservative predecessor.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer rips Michigan Republican pork deals; says she can't block them
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed displeasure with millions of dollars spent on dozens of pet projects during lame duck, but said state will honor the bill
Federal court scuttles Michigan gerrymandering deal, rejects trial delay
Less than a week before a trial is expected to start, federal judges paved the way for a landmark showdown over Michigan’s legislative districts, which Republicans drew and Democrats have derided as unfair.
Gov. Whitmer seeks speedy Michigan public record response, but not (yet) for her office
The Michigan governor’s order is intended to make state agencies more responsive to FOIA requests. She did not make her office subject to the law, and Republicans pounced.
Legal marijuana didn’t end black market elsewhere. What can Michigan learn?
States that legalized recreational marijuana say low prices have pushed local producers to sell out-of-state on the black market.
Michigan’s energy vulnerability exposed by natural gas scare, bitter cold
Two days of extreme cold and a Consumers Energy mishap forced Michigan into crisis that nearly disrupted the flow of energy to millions of customers. What happens next time? Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to know.
Bipartisan ex-legislators propose gas tax hike to fix Michigan roads
The newly formed Michigan Consensus Policy Project says it intends to pitch bipartisan solutions to the state’s thorniest policy problems. Why not start with roads?
Arlan Meekhof takes credit for steering grants to help ex-GOP chair’s firm
The former Michigan Senate majority leader says he helped ensure money for utility lines went to a project that will benefit Bobby Schostak. ‘I don’t think that’s unusual,’ Meekhof tells Bridge.
Michigan Democratic leaders Whitmer, Nessel and Benson working in concert
The women meet regularly and, just weeks into office, are finding strategic ways to disrupt GOP laws and policy. Their alignment contrasts with the frosty relations between Gov. Snyder and Republican leaders during his tenure.
Bipartisan bills: New year, new chance for Michigan asset forfeiture reform
With Republicans, Democrats and many stakeholders pushing for change, the odds seem good for Michigan’s first big bipartisan push under divided government.
Bipartisan bills: Michigan lawmakers take fresh aim at 'dark store' taxes
Legislation intended to change the way property tax assessments are made has been reintroduced after failing to advance last term. The issue pits big box retailers against local governments.
Bipartisan bills: Will latest measure put an end to lame duck in Michigan?
After a contentious lame-duck session and accusations of partisan power grabs, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pushing a resolution to ask voters to pass a constitutional amendment ending legislative terms before Election Day.