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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.
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The political tale behind the selling of Proposal 1
Complex problems rarely have simple solutions, say the legislators whose last-minute work in December’s lame-duck session produced the byzantine statewide vote to fix Michigan’s roads.
A Bridge primer: Untangling the pothole promise of Proposal 1
As Michigan drivers swerve around, and fall into, cracks in the state’s transportation infrastructure, the only solution on the table is almost as much of a headache.
Who supports, and opposes, Proposal 1
A wide range of groups are urging a yes vote on the plan to fix Michigan’s roads, and a few are opposing or staying neutral. How are they lining up? It depends on who stands to get paid.
For one Michigan legislative staffer, an hour or two in the spotlight
Bill Drake won an award from his peers -- the people who work behind the scenes to keep the Michigan Legislature running. He’s not used to being in the center of the frame.
Deal to fix roads reached in lame duck, but voters must approve new tax
The bipartisan deal aligns with overwhelming public support for road investment across the state, even if it means higher taxes. The deal captures $1.2 billion a year for Michigan’s crumbling transportation infrastructure, but requires voters to approve a 1-cent sales tax increase in May.
What state House and Senate leaders say they will do first in 2015
Four legislative leaders tell Bridge Magazine what's on their mind when the new legislative session begins in January.
Legislature weighs 2 bills to aid wrongly convicted felons
Bipartisan bills to ensure DNA testing is available for some convicted felons and to compensate those who are wrongly convicted remain stalled in Lansing.
Higher death rates, medical bills for Michigan motorcyclists without helmets
Government and medical studies reveal motorcyclists are more likely to die or be seriously injured if they are not wearing helmets in a crash, raising questions about the 2012 repeal of Michigan’s helmet law. A Republican Legislature sees no reason to take up the issue.
Electoral College voting
Republicans are promising another effort to change the way Michigan electoral votes are apportioned in presidential races, giving Republican candidates an advantage even when most state votes go to a Democrat.
Road funding
Gov. Snyder, business groups and state experts agree that more than $1 billion is needed to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads. If an agreement is not brokered in lame duck, the prospects of a deal diminish significantly in January.
A-F grades for schools
Michigan currently uses a confusing, color-coded system for grading the performance of its public schools. Some lawmakers want the state to convert to an A-F grading system that they say is easier for parents and educators to understand.
First meeting of Detroit financial review board on Wednesday
Gov. Rick Snyder appoints New York’s Richard Ravitch to head a nine-member commission that will oversee Detroit’s finances post-bankruptcy.
Is Michigan now officially a red state?
What was once a state of solid Democratic majorities is undeniably moving in another direction, and has been for two decades. What might lie along that road?
10 issues to watch in Legislature’s “lame-duck” session
By all accounts, finding money to fix Michigan’s roads is a priority. But what after that? A school bill? Or something nuclear, like changing how we count presidential electoral votes?
7 ways Tuesday’s election changes Michigan
From governor on down, Republicans intensified their dominance in Lansing. Here’s what the data tell us about Michigan’s future.
Fewer voted, Snyder wins – here’s how he did it.
Despite claims that voter turnout would be above 2010 levels, perhaps turning the Michigan governor's race into a toss-up, turnout was actually down across Michigan Tuesday and Republican Gov. Rick Snyder won handily.
Election Day Playbook: What to watch for tonight
Woody Allen once famously said that “80 percent of success is just showing up.” But Dems would probably settle for half that as they seek to unseat an incumbent governor.
Election preview: How a handful of House races could shape Michigan’s future
With the state House perhaps up for grabs, uncertainty for tea party candidates and what could be a close race for governor, Lansing’s approach to road funding, education and other key issues is unsettled.
The governor’s race: where they stand (in 3 minutes or less)
Incumbent Rick Snyder and challenger Mark Schauer differ on a lot of issues. Here’s a primer before you step into the voting booth.
Election cash: How Super-PACs and ‘dark money’ are dominating state races
Record outside spending in the U.S. Senate race, and armored truck-loads of cash from unknown donors. Welcome to Michigan elections.