Politics + Gov
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 […]
Stopgap spending bill advances in U.S. Senate after Manchin pulls his energy plan
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate advanced a catchall spending package Tuesday that would provide billions to aid Ukraine’s war effort, help communities throughout the country recover from natural disasters and keep the federal government funded through mid-December. Democrats and Republicans voted 72-23 to move the measure toward a final vote later this week—a success that […]
U.S. House panel investigating Jan. 6 attack postpones hearing
WASHINGTON — A Wednesday hearing planned by the U.S. House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the U.S. Capitol has been postponed due to Hurricane Ian nearing landfall in Florida. A new date has not been announced. “In light of Hurricane Ian bearing down on parts of Florida, we have decided to postpone tomorrow’s […]
50+ groups urge Biden, Whitmer to prevent Baldwin prison from becoming ICE detention center
Following a bid from two GOP Michigan congressmen to turn a soon-to-be shuttered immigration prison in Baldwin into an U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center, a coalition of 53 advocacy groups from Michigan and beyond are asking President Joe Biden, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and other leaders to keep it closed. The North Lake […]
Billions for natural disasters, home energy included in stopgap spending bill in Congress
WASHINGTON — Congress is on track to approve billions in funding this week to help offset rising home heating and cooling costs as well as boost aid for communities recovering from natural disasters. The package, unveiled overnight, would provide $2.5 billion in assistance for the Hermit’s Peak/Calf Canyon Fire that scorched much of New Mexico […]
Clash over climate change funding emerging in farm bill debate
WASHINGTON — As lawmakers begin envisioning the next farm bill, some U.S. House Republicans are wary of making climate change a priority for farmers and ranchers. The pushback from Republicans at a hearing last week came as the Biden administration has tried to make significant new investments in climate change mitigation on farmland, last […]
Susan J. Demas: As Trump goes full QAnon, Dixon delights in sowing Whitmer kidnapping conspiracies
It’s been a rough couple months for Donald Trump, who, as you recall, has the distinction of being our only twice-impeached president. After trying to instigate a coup because he didn’t like that he (badly) lost the 2020 election, he’s still flexing his muscles over the GOP by successfully endorsing a slew of 2022 candidates, […]
Tribal law enforcement boosted under bill proposed by members of Congress from the West
A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers re-introduced legislation Thursday to provide more resources for tribal law enforcement, an issue they say has become more urgent as Congress begins to consider how to respond to a July Supreme Court case that complicated state-tribal criminal jurisdiction. The bill, introduced in the House by U.S. Rep. Ruben Gallego […]
Foley says book industry marginalizes Black, queer people like him
Author and journalist Aaron Foley on Saturday said at a Banned Book Week event that the publishing industry too often ignores the Black queer community in America. “When it comes to writing about queer things and queer books, the industry will push a couple of white authors and say, ‘Well, here’s all your gay books.’ […]
Michigan State Police turns over Chatfield probe to AG’s office
Updated, 4:11 p.m., 9/28/22 with comments from Nessel’s office, Chatfield’s attorney The Michigan State Police’s nine-month sexual assault and financial misconduct investigation into former House Speaker Lee Chatfield (R-Levering) has concluded and has been turned over to Attorney General Dana Nessel. Chatfield, who was Michigan’s youngest-ever House speaker when he was elected to the position […]
Schools and childcare centers would get lead-free water filters under bills passed in the Senate
Two bills that streamline improving water quality in schools and childcare centers passed the Michigan Senate last week. The bills would install lead-free water filters and develop other water safety plans to be implemented in schools and childcare centers. Senate Bills 184 and 185 were introduced by Sens. Curtis VanderWall (R-Ludington) and Jim Ananich (D-Flint). […]
Detroit challenges the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates in a federal lawsuit
The city of Detroit is suing the U.S. Census Bureau, claiming it undercounted residents in the predominantly Black city. The city claims in the suit filed in U.S. District Court that the city’s population grew in 2021. If true, it would mark the first time the city’s population has increased in seven decades. The lawsuit […]