In the weeks since the former president left office, Republicans have squabbled with themselves, floated forming a separate party and censuring those who favored to impeach.
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 GOP to probe Whitmer $155K ‘hush money’ deal as new severances emerge
Two other severance deals come to light, as Whitmer defends her decision to pay her former health director, Robert Gordon, nine months’ salary in exchange for his silence. Ethics experts say the deal ‘looks like something is funny is going on,’ and Republicans plan hearings.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP sets up showdown with Whitmer, finalizing $4.2B COVID relief plan
Michigan’s Senate approves a relief plan that links more than $1 billion in education and contract tracing funding to separate bills requiring the Democratic governor to give up some of her authority.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s ex-health director got $155K separation agreement
Robert Gordon received $155,506 as part of a separation deal that prevents him from discussing his departure. His resignation has never been explained, and Republicans call the agreement ‘shocking.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan ranks low in government transparency. Ballot drive would extend FOIA
After the failure of bills to expand open records laws to the governor and Legislature, a liberal advocacy group is launching an initiative for a ‘full repeal’ of exemptions in the law.
Posted inMichigan Government
Race, abortion dominate debate on Michigan $2-billion COVID response plan
The GOP-led Senate approved nearly $2 billion in supplemental spending Thursday, but withheld another $3 billion in federal COVID funds, and sought to ban using race and income as factors in vaccine distribution, despite the heavy toll the virus has taken on African Americans.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP: Vaccine distribution shouldn’t consider race, ‘social justice’
One day after Michigan released data showing white residents are far more likely to receive the vaccine, a Senate committee voted to dump a distribution formula that gave more doses to minority and impoverished communities.
Posted inMichigan Government
COVID reveals Michigan’s internet broadband gap. Will take years to close.
The pandemic has exacerbated Michigan’s digital divide, as some students complete homework in parking lots and schools hand-deliver assignments. It’s an issue with educational, equity and economic implications as 1.2 million households lack broadband access.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan lawmakers propose health care reforms, including insulin copay caps
Republicans hope to find common ground with Democrats on a suite of bills to lower costs by restricting some laws around pharmacies, expanding telehealth options and more reporting on price increases.
Posted inBusiness Watch
Southwest Michigan First admits it has ‘work to do’ after Chatfield flap
The business group isn’t saying if the former House speaker got a severance after quitting, but it is taking stock of the controversy his hiring engendered. ‘It’s abundantly clear that the search process fell below standards.’