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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 civil asset forfeiture bills headed to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer
Police would no longer be able to take assets from people they arrest unless there’s a criminal conviction, under a bill going to the governor’s desk. It’s an early area of bipartisan agreement in the Michigan legislature.
Michigan’s political districts illegally gerrymandered, court rules
A three-judge panel finds that 34 districts were drawn in 2011 to benefit Republicans and orders special elections in 2020.
Nessel pushes ruling on Michigan minimum wage, sick leave laws to high court
Attorney General Dana Nessel said she will not write an opinion on last-minute GOP changes to wage and sick leave laws passed in December. Instead, she deferred to the state Supreme Court on whether the changes were constitutional.
All systems go once again for Michigan’s $2.5M rocket plan
A controversial grant to fund Michigan’s foray into the space race is revived after being grounded by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Michigan Senate panel rejects Whitmer gas tax, as budget dance continues
Senate Republicans adopted a state transportation budget without any new long-term funding for roads. That proposal will come this summer, Republicans said.
Dana Nessel, in a nod to Michigan workers, creates payroll fraud unit
The attorney general, who received heavy union support in her campaign, said Monday she will go after Michigan companies that don’t pay full wages and benefits to employees through a new payroll fraud unit
When Michigan school districts go into debt, kids and communities pay price
Michigan is among a dozen states that don’t provide funding to build or maintain buildings. That’s left districts like Whitmore Lake facing debt after trying to finance capital projects. How many more Michigan districts are in trouble?
Whitmer seeks a $5 million Pure Michigan cut to apply to roads. GOP balks.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s administration says cutting $5 million from the Pure Michigan marketing budget will free up money for roads and schools. But two key House and Senate Republicans want to keep the popular campaign intact.
Dana Nessel, Michigan’s brash attorney general, plows through Lansing
Just months into office, the state’s top lawyer has dueled with Lansing Republicans, the Trump administration and the Catholic church, while reversing course on lawsuits by her conservative predecessor. Got a problem with that?
Yes, it takes billions to fix Michigan roads. No, taxpayers don’t want to pay.
How willing are politicians to raise taxes on roads when the idea is unpopular and voters don’t trust Lansing? We’ll soon find out.
Whitmer and Republican leaders join forces to study Michigan jail reforms
Elected leaders, judges and law enforcement want to learn more about the state’s crowded jails in an era of lower crime rates, in hopes of crafting new laws to reduce the inmate population, cut costs and right wrongs.
Public outcry changed Michigan social studies standards. Add your voice.
The public has one more round of public meetings to offer its views on updating subjects covered in social studies classes across the state. Check out the schedule for a hearing near you.
A deal to fix Michigan’s roads looks to roll into summer, at least
The ball is in the Republican Legislature’s court when it comes to presenting an alternative to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s $2.5 billion road-funding plan. Will private negotiations produce a compromise both sides can sell?
No escaping billions of dollars needed for Michigan road fix, experts say
With up to half of all Michigan roads in poor shape, the state must generate new funding or residents will spend billions more in repairs and lost productivity, experts reveal at Center for Michigan road summit.
Jocelyn Benson plans overhaul of Michigan Secretary of State offices
The Secretary of State visited all 131 branch offices in her first 100 days in office. What she found, she said, “was heartbreaking.”
Bills to bar Michigan 'sanctuary cities' face headwinds in Lansing
Proponents say they would protect law enforcement from political retribution. Opponents say it would encourage racial profiling and destroy trust between local police and immigrant communities. The bills face headwinds in Lansing.
After years of impasse, bipartisan Lansing drive for criminal justice reform
Republicans and Democrats are teaming up on measures ranging from cash bail to asset forfeiture reform to finding ways to better protect young prisoners.
It’s conservatives’ turn to complain about Michigan social studies standards
Last year, a draft of state social studies standards drew outrage after references to climate change, gay rights and Roe v. Wade were cut. A new draft restored them. Guess who is outraged now?
Michigan Commission: Fund courts so judges aren’t turned into fundraisers
Trial judges routinely impose significant court costs on guilty criminal defendants that go to help fund court operations. A state-appointed commission calls the practice corrupting and evidence of a broken system.
How high is too high to drive? That’s up to police in Michigan
A state commission tells lawmakers not to set a blood limit for stoned driving because science hasn’t caught up with legalization. Critics fear that’s ripe for abuse.