Some committee and audience members cried as the mother of MSU student Troy Forbush testified Wednesday about rushing to her son after he was shot during the Feb. 13 mass shooting. She urged lawmakers to pass gun safety laws.
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
Historic day for LGBTQ rights, as anti-discrimination bill goes to Whitmer
The Michigan Legislature finalizes legislation to write protections for gay and transgender residents into state law. Next up, a promised signature by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Senate votes to repeal abortion penalties under 1931 ban
Senate and House Democrats have now each approved bills to effectively repeal Michigan’s 1931 abortion ban, calling it a logical and important step after voter-approval of Proposal 3.
Posted inMichigan Government
Inflation relief checks v. income tax cuts. What saves you more in Michigan?
A proposed $180 rebate for tax filers isn’t happening, but an income tax that will save people more money in the long run is looming. When will you realize savings? It depends.
Posted inMichigan Government
House Democrats plan vote on Right-to-Work repeal
House Democrats are moving quickly on a top priority for unions: Repeal of the state’s 2012 Right-to-Work law. Committee and full floor votes are expected Wednesday.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer poised to sign repeal of Michigan read-or-flunk law
Michigan Democrats finalized legislation Tuesday that would repeal part of a GOP law that required schools to hold back struggling readers who are a year or more behind after third grade. Research shows Black and low-income students were far more likely to be held back.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs Michigan tax relief, minus $180 checks
Low-income workers and pensioners will benefit from a tax relief plan signed Tuesday by Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. Republicans blocked $180 inflation relief checks to preserve a potential income tax rate reduction.
Posted inMichigan Government
MSU police can’t explain 13-minute alert gap, remain mum on shooting details
MSU police offered a new explanation Wednesday for why it took 13 minutes after the first shooting reports to issue an active shooter warning to students. In that time, the gunman had moved from Berkey Hall to the MSU Union, where a third student was killed.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats begin repeal of 1931 abortion ban
The Michigan House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday approved and advanced legislation that would formally repeal an invalidated abortion ban and remove references to criminal penalties.
Posted inMichigan Government
National popular vote for president builds momentum in Michigan
Powerful voter rights groups that overhauled Michigan voter laws have a new goal: Electing the U.S. president based on the national popular vote. Two winners of recent presidential elections — George W. Bush and Donald Trump — took office despite losing the national vote.