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Whitmer stresses bipartisanship in debate, while Dixon says she has ‘terrorized’ the state
Abortion, education and crime led the first ever debate between Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon Thursday night, showing voters the stark differences between the candidate. Dixon acknowledged early on that the debate hosted by WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids was the first time many voters would get to hear from her […]
State board rejects GOP resolution to fire superintendent over teacher training videos
A Republican member of the state Board of Education unsuccessfully put forth a resolution Tuesday to remove state Superintendent Michael Rice if the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) does not remove videos designed to help teachers learn about students’ different identities and how to avoid outing students. “A government deceiving parents about important matters involving […]
Here’s a look at the abortion bills introduced in the Michigan Legislature this term
Even before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June, sending the issue back to the states, abortion was a hot topic in the Michigan Legislature. Seventy bills and three resolutions that mention abortion have been introduced in Michigan during the 2021-22 session. Some of those bills have been introduced by Democrats to […]
After 2020 drama, experts call on state canvassers to do their job after Nov. 8 election
The nonpartisan League of Women Voters of Michigan and longtime election experts hosted a press conference Wednesday as a reminder before the Nov. 8 election that certifying results doesn’t need to be complicated — despite what we’ve seen since the 2020 election. In Michigan, election results are certified by county boards and the State Board […]
Dixon demands action on book bans, ‘grooming’ and more — but she’s quiet on the details
GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon has proposed some big ideas on education and LGBTQ+ issues during the last few weeks of her campaign. “Leadership is being unafraid to say that our school needs to get back to basics, teach kids how to read, write, and do math – and cut it out with all the […]
As Democrats run on abortion rights, more Republicans run away from the issue
There’s been a big shakeup in Michigan election politics since the U.S. Supreme Court’s June decision overturning Roe v. Wade, as polls show increasing support for abortion rights. Many Republicans in Michigan and across the country have been staying quiet or given misleading responses on their stances against abortion, while Democrats are running ads touting […]
House Republicans again shut down Dems’ attempt to repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban
Republicans who control the state House on Wednesday shut down an attempt from Democrats to tie-bar every bill being considered to a measure that would repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, declaring the effort “dilatory.” The gag rule used by the GOP majority is a rarely used mechanism that has not been seen in the House […]
Republicans saw the economy as Whitmer’s big weakness in the election. Has that changed?
Republicans have spent most of the 2022 cycle hurling attacks on the economy and inflation under Democrats Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and President Joe Biden — which many political analysts have said should help the party make gains during the midterms. “The Whitmer administration top-to-bottom is infected with a culture of progressive, anti-business political activism. It’s […]
House Republicans block resolutions celebrating Hispanic, Maltese-American and deaf communities
Three resolutions celebrating the state’s Hispanic, Maltese-American and deaf communities were sent to a House committee Wednesday where they will likely sit and wilt. Such nonbinding resolutions are typically considered non-controversial and pass on bipartisan votes. But Wednesday’s session in the GOP-controlled House, the first in months, turned long and contentious as the Nov. 8 […]
During Banned Books Week, Dixon supports a ban on ‘pornographic’ books in schools
Updated, 7:08 p.m., 9/21/22 GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon announced during a Tuesday press conference outside the Michigan Department of Education in Lansing that she would consider banning “pornographic” books in K-12 schools if she were elected governor. This is just the latest attack on books in K-12 schools, largely on books that cover race […]
How harassment and politicized issues help push Michigan teachers out of the classroom
Jake Gless worked for Lakewood Public Schools as a middle-school art teacher for about two years and six weeks before he took down the rainbow flag that was hanging on the wall of his classroom, packed his boxes of paints and papers and never stepped foot into the school building again. It wasn’t because he […]
Dixon: The governor should have the power to appoint the state school superintendent
GOP gubernatorial nominee Tudor Dixon said Tuesday she wants to change the way the state superintendent is appointed, which would mean amending Michigan’s Constitution. But she isn’t the first Michigan leader to take issue with how the Michigan Department of Education (MDE) operates. “That the Republican nominee for governor has issues with the Michigan Department […]