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.
Jonathan Oosting
Jonathan Oosting is a deputy editor at Bridge Michigan, helping plan and direct in-depth reporting and political coverage. A longtime Capitol reporter, he was named Journalist of the Year by the Michigan Press Association in 2021 and shared the honor again in 2023, when he and a colleague 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 2019. He earned a master's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
From Grand Rapids and based in Lansing, Jonathan loves spending time Up North.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Caro’s psychiatric hospital is saved. Michigan’s mental health crisis persists.
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer spared a psychiatric hospital whose closure would have devastated the Thumb. But long waiting lists persist statewide, and the hospital’s problems remain.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans jockeying to override Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget vetoes
Ahead of a Thursday meeting with the first-term governor, GOP lawmakers are drafting bills to restore funding for popular programs Whitmer cut including an autism hotline.
Posted inMichigan Environment Watch
Michigan seeks to cash in on CBD craze, but hemp harvest not without hiccups
Michigan’s first-ever hemp harvest is bearing fruit. Now that CBD has gone mainstream, early returns are positive, despite fears of overproduction and overhype.
Posted inMichigan Government
Rural Michigan sheriffs fear layoffs after Whitmer vetoes road patrol
Law enforcement raises alarms after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer axed $13 million for a state grant program that has helped county sheriffs hire road patrol deputies since 1978.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s 5 big asks for new Michigan budget talks
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants Republicans to fund five “key” priorities for a potential supplemental spending bill after vetoing $947 million from GOP budgets. Don’t count on it, GOP leader says.
Posted inMichigan Government
Bill Schuette opts against Michigan Supreme Court run
Bill Schuette, the former congressman and attorney general who ran for governor last year, was considered a top Republican recruit for the Michigan Supreme Court.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer targets rural Michigan in bid to sway GOP on budgets
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used her line-item veto power to cut several GOP budget priorities in hopes of restarting negotiations. Rural Michigan is among the hardest hit.
Posted inMichigan Government
What Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's budget cuts and shifts mean to Michigan residents
No money for Pure Michigan and less for rural hospitals. More money for Medicaid work rules and water testing. How Gretchen Whitmer’s nearly $1 billion in changes could have a big impact on everyday residents.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer uses line-item veto – 147 times – on GOP’s Michigan budget
Government shutdown avoided, as Whitmer cuts nearly $1 billion in the $59.9 billion budget through line-item vetoes. But a bigger battle could be looming, as she plans to invoke a rarely used power to change the Republican-approved budget.