Briefs
Michigan Legislature passes Nassar bills
Legislation aimed at curbing future sexual abuse crimes, like those of former Michigan State University Dr. Larry Nassar, passed the Michigan Legislature last week. The Associated Press reported that the bills received unanimous approval in the state Senate and are now awaiting the signature of Republican Gov. Rick Snyder, who signaled his support for helping […]
Whitmer to join governors-elect in Trump meeting this week
Michigan’s next governor, Gretchen Whitmer, is slated be part of a group of governors-elect meeting on Thursday with President Trump at the White House, the Detroit Free Press reports. A Whitmer spokesperson told the Free Press that the Democrat wants to talk about “federal trade policies, access to affordable health care, protecting our Great Lakes […]
Coleman A. Young sworn in as Michigan senator on this day in 1964
On Dec. 10, 1964, Coleman A. Young was officially sworn in as a member of the Michigan Senate. During his nine-year tenure, Young, who had previously been an elected to the Michigan Constitutional Convention of 1961 and 1962, championed civil rights and collective bargaining issues. While in Lansing, Young served as minority floor leader and […]
Progressives call to end Lame Duck legislative sessions
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 […]
Clinton torches Michigan GOP for ‘dangerous’ moves limiting new Dem leaders’ power
Updated, 10:49 p.m. Hillary Clinton, the 2016 Democratic presidential nominee, has weighed in on Lame Duck legislative sessions in Michigan and Wisconsin. In a series of tweets on Thursday, she attacked Republican efforts in both states to limit the power of incoming Democrats who won major statewide elections in November. Clinton, who narrowly lost in […]
GOP bills aimed at public sector unions moving through Legislature
Two GOP bills aimed at public sector union employees in Michigan passed out of a House committee hearing this morning.
Former El-Sayed policy director behind ‘Green New Deal’
Rhiana Gunn-Wright, who served as Abdul El-Sayed's policy director for his 2018 gubernatorial campaign, has moved on to the national stage.
Unions fight GOP effort to seize power over schools
As the frenzied-pace Lame Duck session continues, state GOP lawmakers are looking to maximize their power and influence over schools before Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is sworn in. But teacher unions are fighting back.
Former lawmaker leading economic opportunity nonprofit slams GOP-led Lame Duck assault
A former longtime state lawmaker who now leads a nonprofit policy institute focused on economic opportunity is dismayed by the frenetic Lame Duck session.
Snyder scales back constituent relations for transition
Gov. Rick Snyder’s constituent relations team is scaling back certain features it offered during the transition to Democratic Gov.-elect Gretchen Whitmer, but the office is still open, according to his spokesman.
‘I’m insulted’: Service industry worker berates Michigan lawmakers over minimum wage, sick time maneuvers
Longtime service industry worker Tracy Pease told House members on Tuesday morning that she was “insulted” by GOP maneuvering to override citizens who supported a minimum wage increase via ballot proposal. The comments came during a hearing of the GOP-led House Competitiveness Committee, in which members voted along party lines to advance legislation that would […]
Koch think tank leads legal push with big implications for Great Lakes
A conservative think tank founded and led by one of the Koch brothers is asking the U.S. Supreme Court to weigh in on a case that could determine whether people have the right to walk along Great Lakes shorelines.