In her sixth State of the State speech, Whitmer outlined 10 goals. Most are more modest than in years past, reflecting the reality of an election year and temporarily split House of Representatives.
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
U.S. Supreme Court to redistricting commission: Keep redrawing Detroit maps
The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a request to press pause on the remapping sessions underway for metro Detroit political districts while the commission appeals a lower court’s decision that found their original maps unconstitutional.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer State of the State 2024: Did she meet last year's goals?
As Gov. Gretchen Whitmer prepares her 2024 State of the State address, did she accomplish her 2023 goals? Bridge Michigan analyzes the success of her priorities over the last year.
Posted inMichigan Government
Detroit area redistricting effort continues: Five things to know
Metro Detroiters will have their first chance to weigh in on possible new political district maps next week after the state’s independent redistricting commission began court-ordered attempts to redraw several House districts.
Posted inMichigan Government
Benson: Redrawing Detroit districts by spring ‘threatens’ 2024 elections
Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson’s request to press pause on redrawing state legislative districts before the 2024 election cycle comes as Michigan’s citizen-led redistricting commission begins a second round of mapping this week.
Posted inMichigan Government
Experts: Michigan’s economy is ‘strong and stable’
The state’s top financial experts and economic forecasters had mostly good news for Michigan heading into the new year, predicting a $418 million surplus for the current fiscal year and a relatively stable economy.
Posted inMichigan Government
Federal judges set aggressive timeline to redraw state House district maps
The three-judge panel instructed the state redistricting commission to work quickly to redraw House maps so they can be finalized by the end of March. The timeline to redraw Senate maps is yet to be finalized.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan businesses ask court to make state pay for COVID-19 losses
Two cases pending before the Michigan Supreme Court argue the state should pay for the losses business took during mandatory COVID-19 business closures. Government officials maintain they had the power to do so.
Posted inMichigan Government
Can Michigan redistricting panel play nice, draw legal maps? It may get messy
Michigan voters wanted transparency when they created a new citizens panel to draw legislative maps. They got it. Now, some are skeptical if in-fighting will doom efforts to redraw 13 maps deemed unconstitutional.
Posted inMichigan Government
Detroit legislative districts could be redrawn by spring, court suggests
Federal judges indicate they are skeptical of plans for special Senate elections this year but want to move aggressively to redraw 13 districts deemed unconstitutional.