by Jonathan Oosting, The Detroit News April 10, 2019 Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signed two laws, issued 21 executive orders or directives, closed state government three days due to inclement winter weather and proposed a controversial 45-cent gas tax increase. For the East Lansing Democrat, her first 100 days in office have felt like “drinking from […]
News
FREE PRESS: THE GLORY OF METRO DETROIT’S PAST NOW IN ASHES
How miscalculation, market trends doomed Palace of Auburn Hills by John Gallagher, Detroit Free Press, April 14, 2017 A quick look at the Palace of Auburn Hills as the Detroit Pistons prepared to move out after 29 years in the venue: (Photo: Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press) The closing of the Palace of Auburn […]
MICHIGAN’S HOT SPOT IS GRAND RAPIDS AREA, NOT METRO DETROIT, ACCORDING TO U.S. CENSUS
by John Wisely, Detroit Free Press, March 23, 2017 The western Michigan county is outpacing both Oakland and Macomb in population growth — and that hasn’t changed in last two years … (Photo: ArtPrize) When it comes to population growth in Michigan, the west is the best, according to estimates released today by the U.S. […]
WHAT KIND OF A SUPREME COURT DOES MICHIGAN HAVE, ANYWAY?
We’re about to find out. Based on what we’ve seen in the past 10 months, it appears former Gov. Rick Snyder was able to achieve something ex-state Democratic Party chairman Mark Brewer never could — destroy the perpetual conservative Republican majority concocted by another Michigan governor, John Engler, two decades ago, replacing it with a […]
MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #45 — “Victory for MSU,” State Capitol Renovation, & A New GOP Political Consulting Firm
PODCAST: Poll Pulverizes GOP/Whitmer’s Message to Dem. Prez Candidates
4/5/19 New national poll finds Republicans not as trustworthy as Democrats on health care. Same survey finds former VP Biden weathering criticism that he’s too old and not progressive. Also, more than half of voters believe Russia has compromising info on Trump. Should Democratic Presidential candidates listen to MI Gov. Whitmer? Lanae Erickson, Senior Vice […]
DETROIT NEWS: Whitmer Delivers Ultimatum, but Legislature Has More Leverage, says Ballenger
by Jonathan Oosting, The Detroit News April 2, 2019 Lansing — Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is signaling she will not sign any state budget without additional money for a “real” road funding plan, setting up a potential government shutdown showdown this fall with legislative leaders. “It just doesn’t work, and I’m not going to sign it,” Whitmer said […]
MICHIGAN TALK NETWORK: The Political Insider #44 — Bail Bond Reform, Michigan K-12 Education Policy
PODCAST: Catastrophic Car Costs/Tunnel Turbulence/Gas Tax Troubles
3/29/19 Gov. Whitmer won’t sign budget if Legislature doesn’t give her money to “Fix the Damn Roads.” Attorney General Dana Nessel torpedoes ex-Gov. Rick Snyder’s plan for building a tunnel under the Straits of Mackinac. Michigan Catastrophic Claims Assn. hikes fees to a record high $222 per vehicle, prompting outrage from legislators pledged to reforming […]