Author

Susan J. Demas

Susan J. Demas is a 23-year journalism veteran and one of the state’s foremost experts on Michigan politics, appearing on C-SPAN, MSNBC, CNN, NPR and WKAR-TV’s “Off the Record.” In addition to serving as Editor-in-Chief, she is the Advance’s chief columnist, writing on women, LGBTQ people, the state budget, the economy and more. For almost five years, Susan was the Editor and Publisher of Inside Michigan Politics, the most-cited political newsletter in the state. Susan’s award-winning political analysis has run in more than 100 national, international and regional media outlets, including the Guardian U.K., NBC News, the New York Times, the Detroit News and MLive.

COMMENTARY

Susan J. Demas: How we’re working to advance journalism in Michigan

By: Susan J. Demas - December 10, 2018

In our first eight days, we survived one of Michigan’s notorious November snowstorms, a reporter’s car being taken down by our terrible roads and a bomb scare across from the Capitol, just blocks from our office. It’s been quite the trial by fire for the nascent Michigan Advance. But I’d expect no less, as we […]

Michigan’s Lame Duck action makes news nationwide

By: Ken Coleman and Susan J. Demas - December 7, 2018

Michigan’s Lame Duck session has been a popular topic around the nation. More than a dozen major news outlets, including CNN, NBC and The New York Times, have reported on state GOP lawmakers and their frantic attempt to strip authority and decision-making from incoming Democratic statewide officials. Michigan’s end-of-the-year session also has attracted the attention […]

Progressives call to end Lame Duck legislative sessions

By: Susan J. Demas - December 7, 2018

Is it time to end Lame Duck action in Michigan? Sam Inglot, Progress Michigan’s relentless deputy communications director, has a provocative op-ed in the Lansing State Journal this week slamming Republicans for “gut[ting] popular policies that help working families” in this late-year session. The GOP-controlled Legislature has taken up a number of bills giving progressives heart […]

Former El-Sayed policy director behind ‘Green New Deal’

By: Susan J. Demas - December 6, 2018

Rhiana Gunn-Wright, who served as Abdul El-Sayed's policy director for his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, has moved on to the national stage.

New bill could trash part of Milliken’s environmental legacy

By: Susan J. Demas - December 4, 2018

The “bottle bill” was a key part of GOP former Gov. William Milliken’s environmental legacy.

Michigan is one of 16 states with lower tax revenue than before the Great Recession

By: Susan J. Demas - December 4, 2018

Gov. Rick Snyder is fond of bragging about Michigan’s “comeback” since the Great Recession, but one key economic indicator continues to lag.

COMMENTARY

Susan J. Demas: Whoa, there, little ladies. GOP men will show you who’s boss.

By: Susan J. Demas - December 4, 2018

The pink wave crashed in Michigan on Nov. 6, with the female-dominated Democratic ticket sweeping every statewide office.

COMMENTARY

Susan J. Demas: I thought I was done with journalism. I was wrong. Here’s why.

By: Susan J. Demas - December 4, 2018

Whenever I’m contemplating a big life change, I head to the mountains. I love the Rockies, Cascades and Great Dividing Range in Australia, but my heart belongs to the Sierra Nevadas — Yosemite, in particular. Whether it’s sweating and struggling to scale a peak or just wandering around a snow-streaked pass, it gives me time […]

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