Of the 321 bills signed into law by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2023, 142 will take effect Tuesday — including changes to abortion rights, pension taxes, energy policy and gun regulations.
Lauren Gibbons
Lauren covers state politics and policy for Bridge Michigan. Prior to joining Bridge's Capitol team, she worked at MLive, where she led coverage of the state Legislature and the redistricting process, and before that covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered the ins and outs of Michigan politics for nearly a decade and has won awards both for her political coverage and her work documenting the Larry Nassar sexual abuse case. Lauren grew up in the Lansing area and graduated from Michigan State University, majoring in journalism and history. She lives in Ferndale, and her party tricks include Irish dancing and telling friends what political districts they live in without looking. Reach her at lgibbons@bridgemi.com or on Twitter @LaurenMGibbons
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House speaker blasts lawmaker’s ‘blatantly racist’ social media post
House Speaker Joe Tate, D-Detroit, on Thursday said Republican lawmaker Josh Schriver ‘has deeply and personally offended the House of Representatives’ for a post referencing a conspiracy theory.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer proposes $80.7B budget for a ‘Michigan Guarantee’
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer unveiled an $80.7 billion spending proposal for the state’s next budget cycle, calling for a handful of initiatives centered around a ‘Michigan Guarantee’ of educational access and economic opportunities.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer to call for more family planning funds in budget proposal
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer will call for $26.6 million in funding for family planning and maternal health services in her executive budget proposal Wednesday, aiming for improved maternal and infant health and increased access to contraception and other reproductive health care.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lights, camera…film credits? Lawmakers consider Michigan movie incentives
Supporters say a planned tax credit for producers who film in Michigan is a departure from Michigan’s last foray into similar incentives. Critics fear it’s a variation on a theme that ultimately didn’t do much for the state.
Posted inMichigan Government
What's new in Michigan 2024 election? Early voting, ballot tracking on list
Starting in the Feb. 27 presidential primary, voters will have the option to vote in-person at least nine days before Election Day. But that isn’t the only change — here’s a look at what’s coming
Posted inMichigan Government
Analysis: Redistricting maps give GOP fighting chance, boost Detroit’s clout
Bridge Michigan analyzed House maps under consideration to replace those deemed illegal. The new districts are less overwhelmingly Democratic and far more homogenous racially.
Posted inMichigan Government
Xiong, Herzberg advance in Democratic special election primaries
Mai Xiong and Peter Herzberg won Democratic special election primaries in the 13th and 25th state House districts. They will advance to the general election in April, the last step in replacing two lawmakers who stepped down for local office and breaking a House tie.
Posted inMichigan Government
Two special election primaries first step in breaking Michigan House tie
Special election primaries in southeast Michigan’s 13th and 25th state House districts are set for Tuesday to replace two lawmakers who stepped down for local office. Their replacements will help break a House tie that’s stagnated legislative activity since mid-November.
Posted inMichigan Government
Detroit redistricting map drafts move on to next stage
The commission came up with 14 options for redrawing metro Detroit state House districts. Now the whittling down begins.