Michigan Politics

Tuesday primaries will 'stress test' Michigan election system

By • Aug 3, 2020

Don’t wait. Drop off your ballot in person. It’s too late to put it in the mail if you want it to be counted. That’s the advice elections officials are giving voters in advance of Tuesday’s primaries when a record number of votes will be cast via absentee ballot. 


Legislature to vote on extending Whitmer's emergency powers

By • Apr 7, 2020
Governor Gretchen Whitmer gives an update on Michigan's repsonse to the COVID-19 pandemic on April 6, 2020.
Michigan Executive Office of the Governor

The Legislature will meet Tuesday to vote on a resolution to extend the emergency powers Governor Gretchen Whitmer invoked to address the COVID-19 outbreak.

The House and the Senate have adopted special rules for in-person voting while adhering to health protections.


Gov. Whitmer ready with “Plan B” for road money

By • Jan 30, 2020
Michigan Public Radio Network

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer says she’s ready to go-it-alone to come up with money to pay for road repairs. That’s if Republicans won’t support her proposal for a fuel tax increase.

That was the message Whitmer delivered in her second State of the State speech Wednesday night.


Lawmakers gear up for last week in Lansing for the year

By Cheyna Roth • Dec 10, 2019
MPRN

State lawmakers plan to finish up their work in Lansing this week.

The state House is expected to vote on bills to restore funding for some of the items vetoed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in late September.

Lieutenant Gov. Gilchrist signs first bill as acting governor in Michigan

By Cheyna Roth • Nov 22, 2019
Lieutenant Governor Garlin Gilchrist signed his first bill Thursday. He's the first African American lieutenant governor to sign a bill into law.
Cheyna Roth / MPRN

Lieutenant Gov. Garlin Gilchrist became the first African American Lieutenant Governor to sign a bill into law Thursday.

Bills would swap Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples Day; make Election Day a state holiday

By Cheyna Roth • Oct 15, 2019

Some state lawmakers want to swap one holiday for another. Monday was Columbus Day, and a pair of bills would get rid of Columbus Day and make Indigenous Peoples Day a state holiday instead.

Democrat removes 'no guns allowed' sign in response to Speaker of the House

By Cheyna Roth • Oct 4, 2019

A state lawmaker says she felt “forced” by the Speaker of the House to remove a gun free zone sign from her state House office. Democratic State Rep. Kara Hope (D-Holt) put up the sign last month. She says for the safety and comfort of her staff, she didn’t want any firearms in her office.

Road budget and school aid vetoed by Michigan governor

By Cheyna Roth • Oct 1, 2019
MPRN

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed all of the state’s budgets for the new spending year — and used a lot of red ink in the process.

One of the many items Whitmer said “no” to was millions of dollars in one-time funding toward the state’s roads. She also vetoed the School Aid budget.

Budget battle: GOP budget offers millions less for redistricting commission

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 27, 2019

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has been presented a budget by the state Legislature, and one area Whitmer might have an issue with the budget is the state’s new redistricting commission.

People rally against Michigan’s auto no fault law at the Capitol

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 26, 2019
Thousands rally at the state Capitol against the state’s new auto insurance law.
Cheyna Roth / MPRN

Thousands rallied at the state Capitol Wednesday against Michigan’s auto insurance law. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed sweeping changes to the law in May that ended requirements for everyone to have unlimited, lifetime medical benefits for catastrophic car accidents.

Michigan lawmakers send governor rest of budget — she calls it ‘a mess’

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 25, 2019
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield (left) and House Appropriations Chair Shane Hernandez (right) speak to the press after the House finished its budget votes on Tuesday.
Cheyna Roth / MPRN

MichiganGov. Gretchen Whitmer says the budgets on their way to her desk are “a mess.”

Package of bills aim to expand Michigan expungement laws

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 24, 2019

Lawmakers at the state Capitol will start looking at bills to take certain crimes off criminal records. A committee hearing on a package of bills is scheduled for Tuesday.

Gambling expansion on hold until after budget drama ends

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 18, 2019
Flicker

Discussions to bring sports betting and online gaming to the state are on hold until Michigan has a budget.

Lawmaker might allow signs in Capitol on Open Carry day

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 11, 2019

A democratic state lawmaker wants the state Capitol to reverse its ban on signs. The Capitol currently prohibits protestors and other people from bringing signs into the building.

Whitmer and legislative leaders reach consensus: budget first, roads later

By Cheyna Roth • Sep 10, 2019
IPR file photo

Negotiations to come up with a long-term plan to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads have been put on hold. Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the Republican legislative leadership announced Monday that their main priority is the budget.

The fight over abortion rights in Michigan has become more partisan and more secretive

By Cheyna Roth & Craig Mauger • Sep 9, 2019

‘We Can’t Even Have Discourse’

The Michigan Senate race of 1985 shaped the current partisan abortion landscape that we see in today's politics. The race would decide which party controlled the Michigan Senate. Right to Life — the state’s leading anti-abortion group — backed a Democrat.

The Democratic candidate’s name was Stephen Monsma, a former lawmaker and Calvin College political science professor.


Governor bars embattled civil rights chief from cabinet meetings

By • Aug 15, 2019

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has barred embattled Michigan Civil Rights Department Director Agustin Arbulu. Whitmer says it’s time for Arbulu to be fired for “unacceptable conduct.”

Recall petition against federally charged state Representative can go forward

By Cheyna Roth • Aug 2, 2019

The people of the 104th District are a step closer to recalling their state Representative. The Board of State Canvassers approved a recall petition against Representative Larry Inman (R-Williamsburg) Thursday.

Republicans file lawsuit challenging new independent redistricting commission

By Cheyna Roth • Jul 31, 2019

Republican opponents of Michigan’s new independent redistricting commission are back in court.

Bills to expand who can administer opioid antagonist see movement in Legislature

By Cheyna Roth • May 23, 2019

The list of who can administer emergency opioid overdose medication in Michigan could grow.

After standoff in Senate, snow day forgiveness bill heads to governor

By Cheyna Roth • May 3, 2019

Michigan students are a signature away from getting four snow days forgiven after a brutal winter left some schools closed for weeks. The state Senate sent the bill to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s desk Thursday. 

Senate correction’s budget moves to floor with controversial immigration provision

By Cheyna Roth • May 2, 2019

A state Senate committee approved a budget provision to financially penalize communities with sanctuary city policies. 

Shirkey balks at Benson’s call for increased financial disclosure

By Cheyna Roth • Apr 19, 2019

The leader of the state Senate Republicans says he’s not in favor of the Secretary of State’s call for candidates to disclose their financial information.

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. 

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