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Michigan GOP Chair Karamo repeatedly defends linking Holocaust to gun reform bills
The Michigan Republican Party garnered widespread condemnation and pushback Wednesday after a social media post explicitly linked the Holocaust to gun reform legislation introduced by legislative Democrats in the wake of the Feb. 13 mass shooting at Michigan State University. The House bills received the backing from a wide variety of individuals and groups, including […]
U of M graduate instructors to hold strike authorization vote
Updated, 7:59 a.m., 3/22/23 Members of the Graduate Employees’ Organization (GEO) AFT Local 3550 are a step closer to striking following a general membership meeting on Monday in which they voted to initiate the strike authorization process. The union, which is an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), represents Graduate Student Instructors (GSIs) […]
‘It’s a human rights abuse’: Dems reintroduce legislation to end child marriage in Michigan
Calling it an “archaic practice” and a “human rights abuse,” Democrats in Lansing this week reintroduced legislation to end child marriage in Michigan. State Sen. Sarah Anthony (D-Lansing) and Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) on Thursday held a press conference to announce a package of 10 bills that would prohibit any marriage involving a child younger […]
With landmark LGBTQ+ rights bill on the brink of becoming law, Michigan advocates look ahead
With Thursday’s planned signing by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of an expansion of the 1973 Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act (ELCRA), LGBTQ+ advocates are savoring a hard-fought victory and looking ahead to where the fight for equal rights goes now. Senate Bill 4 expands ELCRA to protect against discrimination based on gender identity or sexual orientation. After […]
Dems, Republicans push FOIA and ethics reforms during Sunshine Week
Legislative leaders from both parties this week unveiled Sunshine Week proposals in efforts to increase government transparency. Started in 2005 by the American Society of News Editors — now known as the News Leaders Association — the partnership with The Society of Professional Journalists highlights access to public information and the role a free press […]
Kildee leads congressional letter demanding strong enforcement of child labor laws
More than 60 members of Congress, including five from Michigan, signed a letter Monday urging the Biden administration, including the U.S. Departments of Labor (DOL) and Health and Human Services (HHS), to take stronger enforcement actions against those who violate child labor laws in the United States. Led by U.S. Rep. Dan Kildee (D-Flint), the […]
Michigan man charged after threatening Biden, Whitmer, members of LGBTQ+ community
A man from Michigan’s Thumb region, who authorities say made numerous threats to kill FBI agents, members of the LGBTQ+ community, President Joe Biden, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, has been charged with illegally possessing firearms. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan, Randall Robert Berka II, […]
Michigan Senate votes to repeal 1931 abortion ban
Wednesday was a frenetic day of legislative activity in Lansing, with a historic vote to expand the state’s signature civil rights statute and House approval of repealing Michigan’s right-to-work law. So one might be forgiven if they missed the repeal of a more than 90-year-old statewide ban on abortions. “Here in Michigan, the first 1931 […]
‘Unacceptable and all too common’: Dems issue condemnation of antisemitism in Michigan
Updated 8:34 a.m., 3/8/2023 Following federal authorities’ announcement last week that a Michigan man was charged with threatening to kill Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel and other Jewish elected officials across the state, the Michigan Democratic Party and the Michigan Democratic Jewish Caucus on Monday issued a formal condemnation amid what they called the growing […]
Muskegon nursing facility workers plan picket next week after contract negotiations break down
Employees at a Muskegon skilled nursing facility plan to begin picketing next week following a breakdown in talks over a new contract. The nearly 60 members of the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) work at McAuley Rehabilitation and Wellness, formerly known as Sanctuary at McAuley, and say there is a staffing crisis at the facility, […]
Legislation introduced to restore adult supervision requirement for minors handling BB guns
A bill has been introduced to require that an adult be present when minors use pneumatic guns outside their own home or yard. Introduced Thursday by Rep. Julie M. Rogers (D-Kalamazoo), House Bill 4184 would cover BB, paintball and pellet guns. “Allowing kids to use BB guns unsupervised can have life-threatening consequences,” said Rogers. “All […]
Barrett enters race for Slotkin’s U.S. House seat, while multiple Democrats ponder a run
With U.S. Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Lansing) announcing Monday that she is officially running for an open U.S. Senate seat next year, there’s no shortage of candidates who could seek her seat representing Michigan’s 7th District in mid-Michigan. First out of the gate is the man Slotkin defeated in November, former state Sen.Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte). Barrett’s […]