Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature is attempting to “build a constitutional crisis atop a public health crisis” by challenging Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency authority during the coronavirus pandemic, her attorneys said Tuesday in a court filing
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 Health Watch
Health board accuses Michigan State Police of being lax on Capitol protesters
An Ingham County community health board said state and Lansing officials endanger public safety by not cracking down on anti-Whitmer protesters who do not follow restrictions intended to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Police say they will take enforcement action when necessary.
Posted inMichigan Government
No, the Michigan Capitol Commission will not ban guns, at least not yet
The Michigan Capitol Commission won’t immediately ban guns at the building despite the potential for more armed demonstrators this week at another planned protest over Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s coronavirus stay-at-home order. Instead, the body appointed a study committee.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gun ban at Michigan Capitol unlikely, despite urging from Dana Nessel
Attorney General Dana Nessel says the Michigan Capitol Commission can ban guns at the state Capitol, but members say they don’t believe they have that right and it would be up to the Legislature to bar the weapons.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer reopens Michigan from coronavirus in phases: What that means to you
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer on Thursday announced details of a six-phase economic restart plan and announced that Michigan is already in the third phase because coronavirus case counts are “flattening.”
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP-led Legislature sues Michigan Gov. Whitmer over emergency powers
Senate Majority Leader MIke Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield announced the Court of Claims lawsuit at the Michigan Capitol, acting on authorization granted by lawmakers last week.
Posted inMichigan Government
In Michigan, mandatory masks a flash point for violence amid coronavirus
Three incidents, including a murder, highlight tensions betweeen retailers trying to enforce Michigan’s mask order and customers. One retail group is calling on Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to dump the mask rule because it puts clerks in a ‘horrendous position,’ one official says.
Posted inMichigan Government
Mike Shirkey: Heed Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s COVID orders now. We’ll sue later.
Michigan Republicans say they are still planning to sue Gov. Gretchen Whitmer over her emergency power, contemplating a large-scale petition drive to limit her authority and preparing to begin oversight hearings on her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Just not this week.
Posted inMichigan Government
Maybe it’s time to rethink allowing guns in Michigan Capitol, officials say
There are no metal detectors, no weapon checks and no policy to prohibit loaded weapons at the Capitol. With armed men heckling lawmakers in bulletproof vests, some critics say it may be time to change gun rules.
Posted inBusiness Watch
As Michigan economy nears reopening, businesses scramble for protective gear
Like hospitals before them, businesses across the state face the prospect of having to compete for personal protective equipment they expect will be required to reopen but remains in high demand amid the global pandemic.