State voters in 2024 could decide whether good behavior should cut prison sentences. A group pushing the issue must first collect more than 350,000 signatures.
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 to end marijuana drug tests for most state jobs on Oct. 1
The change was spurred by Michigan voters’ choice to legalize recreational marijuana in 2018. Prison guards, state troopers, others will still be tested.
Posted inMichigan Government
Traffic, theft, drug crimes top Michigan automatic expungements
State police automatic expungement records obtained by Bridge Michigan show traffic offenses, theft, drug use or possession and weapons charges dominated the list of initial convictions dropped from criminal records in April.
Posted inMichigan Government
Juneteenth becomes an official state holiday in Michigan
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed legislation Wednesday making June 19, or Juneteenth, a paid state holiday for government workers. It marks the date enslaved people in Texas were emancipated by Union troops in 1865.
Posted inMichigan Government
Troy residents sick of traffic noise get $10M from state for sound walls
Michigan lawmakers included $10 million for two sections of sound walls along Interstate 75 near Troy after local residents worked for years to get relief. A statewide fix for noisy traffic could be much harder.
Posted inQuality of Life
A neighborhood party, an errant fireworks blast, leads to death, injuries
The Monday gathering that killed a Holland woman and injured nine others has authorities investigating what kind of device was at fault. It was one of two mishaps in western Michigan as lawmakers weight tighter restrictions on firework displays.
Posted inMichigan Government
A liberal Democrat goes to Lansing. His principles are quickly put to the test
Dylan Wegela is young, idealistic and learning that toeing hard lines may sometimes mean voting against your constituents’ best interests. As Democrats cling to a narrow majority in the state House, placating Wegela and other first-year lawmakers is key to their success.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer asks Biden for disaster declaration in western U.P. because of floods
Spring floods in the Upper Peninsula were ‘of such severity and magnitude’ that the state needs federal help to recover, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer wrote to President Joe Biden and emergency management officials
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court considers requiring use of preferred pronouns in courtrooms
Supporters of the change say it would make Michigan courtrooms more inclusive. Others argue it would make court records confusing and infringe on religious freedoms.
Posted inMichigan Government
Donald Trump faces second indictment, weeks before visit to Michigan
Former president and current candidate Donald Trump’s list of legal woes got longer. He’s due in Oakland County on June 25, and supporters again are standing by him.