Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed three bills Monday that will ban convicted domestic abusers from owning firearms for eight years, including those convicted on misdemeanor charges.
Lauren Gibbons
Lauren Gibbons covers state politics and government for Bridge Michigan, tracking the Michigan Legislature, elections and the impact of federal policy on the state. Before joining Bridge, she led Legislature and redistricting coverage at MLive and covered the state Senate for MIRS News. She has covered Michigan politics for more than a decade, winning awards for her political and criminal justice reporting.
A Lansing native who graduated from Michigan State University, Lauren is now based in Ferndale. Her party tricks include telling friends which political districts they live in without looking.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats eye legalizing physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill
A ‘death with dignity’ bill package introduced in the Michigan Senate last week would allow people with less than six months to live to request a prescription for life-ending medication.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gun reform, tax cuts among dozens of Michigan laws taking effect in February
The Legislature is expected to adjourn for the year on Tuesday, so 67+ bills will take effect 91 days later on Feb. 13, including changes to abortion rights, pension taxes and gun regulations.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers vote to end most juvenile court fees, citing harms
Many Michigan families in the juvenile justice system face crippling debt from court fines and fees, which some juvenile advocates say amounts to a double punishment. Lawmakers voted Wednesday to end the practice.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers OK financial disclosure rules; critics say they fall short
Michigan lawmakers must finalize disclosure rules for lawmakers, statewide officials and candidates for those offices before the end of the year. Critics of the bills say they don’t go nearly far enough.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Legislature’s Dem majority to adjourn for year over GOP objections
Thursday’s session is expected to be the last day Michigan lawmakers will meet for the year. Republicans question why Dems want early shutdown when there’s much to do on roads, education and other issues.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House will soon be divided between Dems, GOP. Gridlock coming?
Two House Democrats are vacating their seats for local mayoral positions after election victories Tuesday. Their departures will, at least temporarily, strip Democrats of their two-seat majority.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan election results: Coleman, Stone win mayor bids; Dems lose House edge
The election of two state representatives as mayors in southeast Michigan communities means that Democrats have lost their majority control of the state House.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘Watered-down’ version of bills repealing abortion restrictions head to Whitmer
The Michigan Senate on Tuesday finalized what some advocates called a ‘watered-down’ version of bills repealing several abortion restrictions, keeping intact a 24-hour waiting period law that House Democrats didn’t have the votes to repeal.
Posted inMichigan Government
Redistricting experts tell court: We followed law with Michigan maps
Experts defend splitting Detroit districts, telling a court that doing so made statewide legislative maps less partisan. A trial will determine if the new districts dilute the power of Black voters.