The GOP-led Legislature announced plans to vote on limiting Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s emergency powers and form a panel to conduct oversight of her actions during the state’s economic shutdown.
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 Politics Watch
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wants to extend stay-home order past May 1
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer seeks to tamp down expectations that the economy will reopen next week, saying the state likely needs more time to avoid a second wave of coronavirus. Republicans have signaled an opposition to any extension.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Meet the Trump-loving group behind protest of Gov. Whitmer’s stay-home order
Once a minor player, the Michigan Conservative Coalition has worked its way into the mainstream of Republican Party politics by organizing voters who are fiercely loyal to President Trump. Hosting “Trumperware parties” and wooing women back to the GOP, it may be the most influential grassroots group you’ve never heard of.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Whitmer laying off government workers as coronavirus hits Michigan budget
Michigan state budget coffers have been hit hard by the coronavirus, and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s staff begin sending emails to state employees Wednesday announcing 10-day layoffs.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Want Michigan to reopen soon? Stay home now, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer urges
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is urging Michigan residents to continue staying at home as the state’s coronavirus curve appears to bend and she develops plans to begin reopening parts of the economy by May 1.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan residents worry about going hungry as COVID layoffs surge, poll finds
More than 1 in 4 Michigan residents are worried about being able to put food on their table, and more than half of all laid-off or furloughed workers are unsure how they’ll feed their families, according to a new statewide poll conducted amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Judge extends filing deadline for Michigan candidates, citing coronavirus
U.S. District Court Judge Terrence Berg ordered Michigan to extend Tuesday’s candidate filing deadline to May 8, halve signature requirements and provide candidates with an option to collect signatures electronically while social distancing.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Gov. Whitmer, Midwest governors team up on plans to reopen state economies
The bipartisan team includes Democratic Govs. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Tony Evers of Wisconsin, J.B. Pritzker of Illinois and Andy Beshear of Kentucky, along with Republican Govs. Mike DeWine of Ohio and Eric Holcomb of Indiana.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Government layoffs, service cuts start as coronavirus guts Michigan budgets
Local governments across Michigan are beginning to lay off and furlough workers as they brace for a “perfect storm” of increased spending demands and revenue shortfalls resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic that has ground the economy to a halt. The state — facing its own projected $7 billion hole — is in no position to help.
Posted inMichigan Politics Watch
Inside Michigan Gov. Whitmer’s coronavirus fight: ‘We know we saved lives'
First-term Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s national profile is rising, along with criticisms about her stay-at-home order and handling of the coronavirus. Internal documents show state workers spent weekends preparing but Whitmer acknowledges some regret: “If I could go back in time, would I have started stockpiling N-95 masks? Absolutely.”