State Rep. Larry Inman is far from the only lawmaker who has solicited campaign contributions from special interest groups. But federal prosecutors allege he offered to sell his vote in exchange for donations.
Jonathan Oosting
Jonathan is a deputy editor for Bridge Michigan. He helps plan and execute in-depth reporting and campaign coverage. As a longtime political reporter, Jonathan was named 2021 Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association. He and a colleague shared that honor again in 2023, when they were also named Journalists of the Year by the Society of Professional Journalists – Detroit Chapter. Jonathan covered the state Capitol for The Detroit News and MLive before joining Bridge in September of 2019. He's from Grand Rapids, lives in Lansing and loves spending time Up North.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House Speaker ordered to testify in Rep. Inman’s corruption trial
A federal judge on Tuesday denied an attempt by House Speaker Lee Chatfield to quash a subpoena ordering him to testify next week in embattled state Rep. Larry Inman’s corruption trial.
Posted inMichigan Government
Judge rejects GOP bid to delay Michigan redistricting commission
In a blow to Republicans, U.S. District Court Judge Janet Neff said delaying implementation of a voter-approved redistricting commission law would be a “drastic action” not warranted by lawsuit claims.
Posted inMichigan Government
No deal: Senate GOP rejects possible budget compromise
County sheriffs, small schools, local governments and other groups grappling with state funding cuts may have to wait several more weeks for Michigan leaders to resolve an ongoing budget dispute.
Posted inMichigan Government
Locals to Lansing: Get a budget deal, because cuts are getting real
While Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and GOP leaders squabble, budget vetoes are forcing cuts or other tough decisions for local governments, nonprofits and service entities that have already lost state funding — or will soon if state leaders do not resolve the dispute.
Posted inMichigan Government
A year after pot became legal, Michigan still months away from retail sales
A supply shortage and regulatory hurdles means recreational pot sales aren’t likely until February or March. And two-thirds of all Michigan municipalities have already passed rules saying ‘not in our town.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers want to expand tax break before it’s created a single job
A bipartisan effort is underway in Lansing to expand a program that so far has paid $20,000 per every job businesses have promised to create. The move comes despite growing skepticism that incentives work.
Posted inMichigan Government
Critics fear Michigan is promising the moon to land cloud data storage firms
Michigan lawmakers want to attract massive cloud storage data centers that technology giants like Facebook and Google are opening in other states, but critics fear the tax breaks will siphon money needed to fix struggling schools.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Whitmer to GOP: I’ll make a budget deal, but won’t cede powers
Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Tuesday offered Republican legislative leaders a series of bargaining concessions in an attempt to break an ongoing budget stalemate but made clear she will not sign away gubernatorial power.
Posted inMichigan Government
Beyond term limits: 5 ‘good government’ ideas eyed by Michigan reformers
An unlikely alliance of Voters Not Politicians and GOP leaders are discussing opening public records access laws, lobbying reforms, personal financial disclosures, ethics oversight and limitations on aggressive legislating during the state’s so-called lame-duck session.