Liberals say Michigan Senate GOP’s plan is not nearly enough, but conservatives argue it goes too far. Can they find common ground?
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
Amid worker shortage, Michigan to restore job search rule for jobless aid
Unemployed Michiganders will need to prove they are searching for jobs to continue qualifying for benefits when the state restores a suspended requirement by the end of May, a change employers are clamoring for as they struggle to fill openings.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fun for Michigan governments: How to spend $11 billion in federal stimulus
The federal government this week announced final stimulus funding allocations for state and local governments. State government will get $6.5 billion, up from an earlier estimate of $5.7 billion. Michigan’s 83 counties will receive a collective $1.9 billion, and the state’s 49 largest cities will receive a combined $1.8 billion.
Posted inMichigan Government
James Craig’s possible run thrills Michigan GOP. Detroiters, not so much.
Detroit’s police chief announces retirement, and observers say he would be the likely front runner for the Republican nomination for governor in 2022. His reputation in Detroit is more complicated.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer pledged openness. Lately, silence is default for Michigan governor
Her refusal to answer questions about who funded a private trip to Florida follow flaps about confidential severances and reluctance to release COVID-19 records.
Posted inMichigan Government
Abortion, Nazi conspiracies derail Michigan GOP hearing on vaccine passports
Among other things, activists testifying on behalf of Republicans raise unproven claims that smartphone apps could use artificial intelligence to spy on their social media commentary about COVID.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP relaxes ballot drop box reform. Critics say plan is still unfair
A Republican reform would lock boxes at 5 p.m. on Election Day, rather than the day before. Clerks say that could make it hard to vote and create long lines.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan has 1,100 voter drop boxes. GOP plan would lock them early.
Local officials in hundreds of Michigan communities installed more than 1,100 absentee ballot drop boxes last year, state data shows. Election officials say new regulations proposed by Senate Republicans threaten to limit the popular option in future elections.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘A personal choice.’ Michigan GOP leaders balk at COVID vaccine incentives
State Republicans pushed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for months to set metrics for relaxing pandemic restrictions. The governor did so Thursday, tying the loosening of pandemic rules to state vaccination rates. Republicans don’t like that metric.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s ex-health director: Gov. Gretchen Whitmer asked me to quit
Robert Gordon, former director of the Michigan health department, testified Thursday that he believes taxpayers got a good deal for his services, even with his $155,000 severance.