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I tried to interview Sen. Peter Lucido. He told me a group of schoolboys ‘could have a lot of fun’ with me.
I waited outside the Michigan Senate chamber to ask Sen. Peter Lucido (R-Shelby Twp.) on Tuesday for a comment about the Detroit Metro Times’ story reporting that he was a member of a violent, anti-Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Facebook group, which has since been deleted. What was meant to be an opportunity for Lucido to respond […]
Michigan minimum-wage workers got a raise on Jan. 1. But they won’t see $12/hour until 2030.
Michigan started the new year by joining 21 states in raising the minimum wage But workers saw a smaller increase than they would have if a 2018 citizen-led ballot initiative was still on the books. As of Jan. 1, minimum wage workers in Michigan will make $9.65 an hour, which is a 20-cent pay increase […]
Former state Rep. Tim Kelly announces congressional campaign to unseat Kildee
Updated, 1:43 p.m., 1/13/19, with comments from Lavora Barnes Tim Kelly, a former Republican state lawmaker, announced he is challenging U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint) to represent Michigan’s 5th Congressional District. Kelly, who served six years in the state Legislature and was chair of the House Education Committee, lost his nomination to fill a federal […]
Lawmakers start year by focusing on human trafficking
Ruth Rondon, who was a victim of human trafficking for 18 years, shared on Thursday her emotional story of trauma, abuse, rape and corruption to increase awareness of the issue in Michigan. “I wanted my stories to be told,” Rondon said at a joint hearing of the state House Appropriations Committee on Health and Human […]
Michigan may add 3rd gender option to driver licenses for nonbinary residents
Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is considering adding a third gender option to driver licenses for nonbinary residents who don’t identify as male or female. “We have heard the call from individuals and communities across the state seeking a sex-designation that matches their reality,” Benson said in a statement. In November, Benson announced a […]
Leaders line up to denounce Trump’s comment that late Rep. Dingell is in hell
WASHINGTON — U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-St. Joseph) was with his longtime friend and colleague, U.S. Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Dearborn), on Wednesday night when she got word that President Donald Trump had suggested during a campaign rally in Battle Creek that her husband was in hell. Upton and Dingell both serve on the bipartisan U.S. […]
Michigan Supreme Court says it’s too late to rule on GOP minimum wage, sick leave maneuvers
The Michigan Supreme Court declined to issue an opinion on the constitutionality of the GOP-led “adopt and amend” tactic used last year to water down legislation for paid sick time and minimum wage increases. In July, the issue was brought to the Supreme Court through oral arguments from both sides, but the court decided on […]
Hundreds rally at Michigan’s Capitol on impeachment eve
On the night before the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the impeachment of President Donald Trump, hundreds of people gathered on the Capitol lawn for Lansing’s “Impeach and remove” rally. Beth Bowen, event organizer and administrator of Indivisible Eaton County, a local branch of the national progressive nonprofit Indivisible, called the […]
Peters blames DeVos’ lack of oversight for charter school program waste
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is under fire again this week after the Network for Public Education (NPE) released a study that found more than $500 million of federal grants were given to fund charter schools that were either closed or never opened. U.S. Sen. Gary Peters (D-Bloomfield Twp.), ranking member of the Senate Homeland […]
More than a dozen Michigan cities to host pro-impeachment rallies
At least 18 Michigan cities are planning to rally in support of the impeachment of President Donald Trump on Tuesday evening — which is expected to be the night before the vote in the U.S. House. MoveOn.org, the national progressive nonprofit sponsoring these events, says that “Impeach and Remove” rallies are happening in almost 600 […]
Michigan nurse is NARAL’s 1st 2020 endorsement of a state legislative challenger
NARAL Pro-Choice America*, a Washington, D.C.-based abortion rights group, announced its endorsement of Julia Pulver, a Democratic candidate for Michigan’s 39th House District in metro Detroit who’s running to unseat State Rep. Ryan Berman (R-Commerce Twp.). Pulver, a registered nurse, health care advocate and founder of Women Organize Michigan, a grassroots political advocacy group for […]
The feds granted millions for Michigan charter schools that never opened. Where did the money go?
A new study from the Network for Public Education shows that 72 Michigan charter schools were granted money through the federal Charter School Program (CSP), but never enrolled a single student. Despite never opening their doors, these schools received $7.7 million from 2006 to 2014. The Network for Public Education, a New York City-based public […]