A months-long union worker strike at one of Michigan’s largest road building firms has delayed some pavement projects and shows no signs of letting up as the summer construction season nears an end.
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
Anti-gerrymandering group may team with GOP to tackle term limits
Interest in changing Michigan’s strict legislative term limits may produce an unlikely alliance: Voters Not Politicians, the GOP and Michigan Chamber.
Posted inMichigan Government
Pure Michigan gets reprieve, but its future is cloudy amid budget showdown
Work on Pure Michigan tourism ads will continue through at least the end of the year after approval to use $740K to pay firms. Its long-term status remains shaky after a $37.5 million budget veto.
Posted inMichigan Government
How Michigan Republicans nearly gutted discrimination investigations
In an under-the-radar move, the GOP tried to shift $1.5 million from the Department of Civil Rights to three private museums. The move came as hate crimes are increasing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Former Michigan Governor William Milliken dies at 97
Known for his ability to reach across the aisle, the Republican and state’s longest serving governor served Michigan as waterways commissioner, state senator and lieutenant governor before becoming governor.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer eases access to welfare in Michigan
The Democratic governor loosens policies restricting how much money recipients can have in the bank. Critics of the old rules called them ‘cruel and unusual,’ but Republicans fear the new limits will increase fraud.
Posted inMichigan Government
Judge: Jury should decide if Michigan Rep. Larry Inman broke the law
Were Michigan Rep. Larry Inman’s solicitations for donations ‘legitimate legislative sausage making’ or a ‘criminal attempt to extort money’? A jury will decide, after a judge declines to dismiss the case.
Posted inMichigan Government
Plans for visitor center at Michigan Capitol downsized after Whitmer veto
A visitor center next to the state Capitol will be smaller after the first-term governor nixes an additional $15 million for the project.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dana Nessel adopts Trump defense in heated LGBT Michigan adoption case
Attorney General Nessel is asking the judge to ignore her heated rhetoric as a private citizen and suspend his recent ruling allowing faith-based adoption agencies to refuse service to gay or transgender parents.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans want to rein in Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget power
Republicans explore taking power away from Whitmer, as her Democratic allies submit bills to restore some unpopular budget cuts, including $1 million for an autism program and $34 million for rural hospitals.