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Hard to believe anyone in Michigan does, given the way the state has treated its own horse racing industry. For the first time in 90 years, pari-mutuel horse racing is defunct in Michigan, at least for the time being. Northville Downs, Michigan’s last surviving track, closed its doors after its last standardbred race early last […]

Question 1): The administration of President Donald J. Trump seems hell-bent on dismantling the U.S. Dept. of Education — in fact, abolishing it, with the help of a Republican-held Congress. Trump’s newly-appointed Education Secretary, Linda McMahon, is on board. Aside from whether it’s a good idea, how did it ever come to this? Answer 1): […]

Inside Michigan Politics, the bi-weekly hard copy (later online) newsletter founded in 1987 and published for 27 years by William S. (Bill) Ballenger before he sold it, has been returned to him, facilitated by East Lansing attorney Mark Grebner. Dormant since 2018 after two owners over some five years, Bill Ballenger once again owns the […]

  MICHIGAN’S  EX-LAWMAKERS DON’T NEED TO BECOME LOBBYISTS. THERE IS ANOTHER PATH TO PROSPERITY  The Michigan Legislature is looking once again at instituting a ‘reform’ that has never seen the light of day  — ending the ‘revolving door.’ The state House of Representatives has sent to the state Senate a bill to prohibit state legislators […]

Gilchrist Makes A Move, But How Far? Question 1): Lt. Gov. Garlin GILCHRIST II kicked off his 2026 gubernatorial campaign this past Tuesday with a splashy opening before a crowd of some 300 at Jam Handy on the east side of Detroit. His theme is “Stand Tall for Michigan.” The former computer engineer is at least 6’6”. […]

Question 1): House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Kalamazoo Co.) has unveiled the GOP caucus government reform and transparency package (HEAT). It does not include long overdue Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) coverage for the legislature and the executive office. The centerpiece of this reform package is ending the “revolving door.” Accordingly, the state House has already […]

Question 1): What did we learn about the Michigan Democratic and Republican Parties a week ago when they elected their state chairmen for the next two years? Answer 1): There were no surprises at the Democratic conclave in Detroit, where former state Senator Curtis Hertel was elected after all his early opponents dropped out, but the […]

Question 1): Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Elizabeth CLEMENT announced this past Wednesday that she will resign from the high bench by April 30.  She has been named president of the National Center for State Courts (NCSC), a job that pays nearly twice that of a Michigan justice’s salary. The NCSC is a Virginia-based non-profit […]

Question 1): President Donald J. Trump has been doing a lot of  ‘thinking outside the box’ lately, as he is wont to do. So, which of his proposals is most likely to happen? The United States acquires Greenland? The U.S. takes ownership of Gaza and kicks the Palestinians out, at least temporarily? Canada becomes a […]

Question 1): Last Monday, Senate Majority Leader Winnie BRINKS (D-Grand Rapids) filed a lawsuit against House of Representatives Speaker Matt HALL (R-Richland Township) “for illegally blocking nine bills” that passed near the end of last year but have not been presented to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. MIRS newsletter reported that Brinks filed the lawsuit  in Michigan’s […]