Approved by voters in 2018, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Panel faces several hurdles but could take a big step forward Thursday in its quest to reverse gerrymandering.
Michigan cities, townships, villages and counties are expected to receive a collective $4.4 billion from the COVID-19 stimulus package. Experts say the “rescue plan” can help local governments meet their immediate needs and think long-term.
Dominion Voting Systems is threatening to sue former state Sen. Patrick Colbeck, who has been touring the state with a PowerPoint presentation that echoes false claims about the 2020 election. “Make no mistake—Dominion will hold you accountable for these lies,” the attorneys wrote.
Whitmer said Friday the tools to solving the COVID crisis are vaccines and personal responsibility — masks, distancing, avoiding crowds — not state-imposed restrictions on businesses or gatherings, even though Michigan has the nation’s highest infection rate.
“I pledge to be part of a respectful dialogue going forward and challenge my colleagues and others to do the same,” Regent Ron Weiser said at a board meeting Friday. The group censured his harsh words about Democratic and GOP leaders.
A vote to censure is one of the few actions the body can take, since members are elected. Weiser’s comments have renewed debate over a longstanding culture of misogyny in state political circles.
Michigan Republicans are planning a rare, controversial maneuver that is permissible under the state constitution. Bridge Michigan breaks down the details on how it could play out.
According to the preliminary report, thousands more signed up since March 29, seeking a part of an historic settlement that exceeds $600 million in reimbursement for lead-poisoned city drinking water.
Thousands were freed from state jails and prisons, but a difficult transition became harder due to the pandemic. Nonprofits are stepping up to help with jobs and accessing services.
Despite gains, women lawmakers who ‘lean in’ take more ‘heat, ugliness and threats,’ Whitmer says. Lansing is roiling from GOP chair calling women ‘witches’ and harassment claims against Democratic consultant.
In a speech to Oakland County activists, state Republican Party Chair Ron Weiser also announced plans for a petition drive to tighten voting laws to give the GOP an edge.
The GOP wants openings, closings tied to specific coronavirus case rates. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has resisted, saying she needs to be ‘nimble’ during a pandemic.
A Republican proposal would restrict confidential separation agreements such as the deal $155,000 to Gov. Whitmer’s former health director that some call ‘hush money.’
Lawmakers approved a 15-bill bipartisan health care reform package that addresses cost transparency, expands telehealth services, and allows cancer patients to use oral chemotherapy and not pay higher prices than they would for other cancer treatments.
Mandatory IDs, limits on absentee ballot drop boxes and a ban on prepaid postage are among the limits Michigan Republicans are proposing in what they can an effort to deter fraud. Others call it voter suppression.
Conservatives say they’re trying to curb fraud with effort to make absentee voting harder. Others say it would be “the biggest infringement on voter rights to ever be put into public policy in this state.”
As coronavirus cases surge in Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is moving to mandate student athlete testing while expanding capacity at Comerica Park. That has some worried.
The Michigan House on Thursday unanimously approved legislation that would open the governor’s office and Legislature up to public records requests, advancing a ‘sunshine week’ package that has repeatedly died in the Senate.
Michigan Technological University has had a series of controversies over institutional racism. Now, a racist hate group has turned its sights on the predominantly white school, amid a surge in hate crimes statewide.
Asian-American Michiganders said a recent surge in cases of racism nationally reflects their experiences here. Two legislators are calling attention to concerns anti-Asian discrimination in Michigan is undercounted.