Governor Gretchen Whitmer

All branches of government on board for new jail task force

By Cheyna Roth • Apr 18, 2019

A new task force will explore who is in Michigan’s jails and why they’re there. Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed an executive order Wednesday. 

Gov. Whitmer considering a tunnel in the Straits

By • Apr 17, 2019
MARK BRUSH / MICHIGAN RADIO

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer said in an interview with the Detroit News that she is considering a tunnel for an oil pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac. A tunnel is one of several proposed alternatives to the Line 5 oil pipelines.

Whitmer signs first bill into law

By Cheyna Roth • Mar 22, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed her first bill into law Thursday. The new law will keep a judge’s seat in a court in the Upper Peninsula. 

Whitmer plan to stop using school aid fund money for higher education could hit roadblock

By Cheyna Roth • Mar 15, 2019

It could be a challenge to end the practice of shifting money meant for K-through-12 education to higher education. 

Whitmer’s top appointees officially official

By Cheyna Roth • Mar 12, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s appointees for top level offices are in the clear. The state Senate has 60 days to object to Whitmer’s appointments. It has not objected to her picks to lead departments like health and human services, natural resources, and agriculture. And the clock has run out for the Senate to stop those and other appointments.

Stateside: Whitmer on road funding; UM-MSU basketball; is business-friendly good for workers?

By editor • Mar 11, 2019

Today on Stateside, Governor Gretchen Whitmer breaks down the rationale behind her proposed 45-cent gas tax in her first state budget. Plus, the Univeristy of Detroit Mercy School of Law is celebrating the anniversary of a Detroit meeting between two prominent abolitionists 160 years ago this week. 

Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below. 

Gov. Whitmer proposes spending plan to state leglisature

By Cheyna Roth • Mar 6, 2019
ZOE CLARK / MICHIGAN RADIO

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer presented her first budget proposal to the Michigan Legislature Tuesday. Whitmer says the spending plan will help improve Michigan’s roads, clean water and education. 

Whitmer budget proposal to include spending increase for K-12 education

By Cheyna Roth • Mar 5, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal is slated to include an increase in spending for kindergarten through 12th grade education. 

Whitmer will present the plan as part of her budget proposal Tuesday. She wants to put more money toward students with additional educational needs. That includes special education, low-income, and career and technical education students. 

Governor Whitmer visits Traverse City to talk updating job skills

By Taylor Wizner • Feb 19, 2019
Governor Gretchen Whitmer visits Traverse City
Taylor Wizner

Governor Gretchen Whitmer met with employees, local business leaders and community members at TentCraft shipping facility in Traverse City on Monday.

Senate committee poised to reject Whitmer order

By • Feb 14, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer wants to re-organize the department that enforces environmental rules. Senate Republicans are opposed to the Democrat’s executive order to do that.

Whitmer sets big goals in first State of the State, Republicans question feasibility

By Jake Neher • Feb 13, 2019
ZOE CLARK / MICHIGAN RADIO

Governor Gretchen Whitmer set some big goals in her first State of the State address Tuesday night. She’s calling for major investments in infrastructure, education, and clean water, among other things. 

Whitmer gives first State of the State address

By Cheyna Roth • Feb 13, 2019

Since Governor Gretchen Whitmer took office, it’s been a lingering question whether the Republican-led Legislature can work with a Democratic governor to solve the state’s problems. During her first State of the State address, Whitmer made bipartisanship a central theme. 

Stateside: Wayne Co. tax auction controversy; Midland’s mid-century architecture; policy potholes

By editor • Feb 12, 2019

Today on Stateside, Benton Harbor's emerging problem with lead in drinking water, and what it tells us about the risk of lead in other Michigan communities. Plus, the city of Midland is documenting its unique, and massive, treasure trove of mid-century modern architecture. So far, they've found more than 400 structures. 

Listen to the full show above or find individual segments below. 

Republican Legislature moves toward undoing Whitmer’s DEQ order

By Cheyna Roth • Feb 7, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s executive order to restructure the Department of Environmental Quality could be overturned before any changes are made. 

Whitmer’s new executive directive aims to tackle equal pay

By Cheyna Roth • Jan 8, 2019
Michigan.gov

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has signed an executive directive she says will help secure equal pay for equal work among state employees.

The directive prohibits state agencies and departments from asking about a potential employee's current or previous salaries until they give the applicant a conditional offer of employment that includes proposed compensation.

Judy Welch is the executive director for the West Michigan branch of Michigan Women Forward. She says this could help women who have historically been paid less.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer signs first executive directive

By Cheyna Roth • Jan 3, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued her first executive directive as Michigan’s governor. The directive requires state department employees to report threats to public health, safety or welfare up the chain of command, and it requires those threats to be investigated.

“We thought this was an important way to lead on the first day. To tell state employees we listen to them, and public health is paramount to anyone’s ego, to anyone’s agenda, to any one department’s arena,” says Whitmer.

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