Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s budget proposal is based on a series of interlocking monetary moves to fund roads, schools, cleanups and more. The Rube Goldberg-like plan is certainly bold, drawing a mix of admiration and caution.
Lindsay VanHulle
Lindsay VanHulle is a former reporter for Bridge Magazine
Posted inMichigan Government
Six big proposals in Gretchen Whitmer’s first Michigan budget
The new governor urges a state spending increase of 3.6 percent, with the centerpiece a 45-cent gas tax hike. She also proposes spending more for schools and to protect drinking water. The budget will test bipartisan pledges with state Republicans.
Posted inTalent & Education
Gov. Whitmer: Boost Michigan schools by $507 million, with more for neediest students
Michigan’s governor’s first budget offers a fairly radical change in how the state spends money on public school students, with questions still on where the money would come from.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan businesses to Whitmer: Focus on talent, stay consistent on taxes
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer visited local chambers of commerce and small businesses to promote her administration’s policy vision. Here’s what businesses want to see from Lansing while she’s in office.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer kills Michigan marijuana licensing board in favor of new agency
Michigan’s medical marijuana licensing board has been criticized as too slow at approving licenses. Gov. Gretchen Whitmer plans to abolish it and replace it with a new regulatory agency meant to speed up the process.
Posted inMichigan Government
Look to sales tax on gas to help fix Michigan roads, report suggests
A new analysis by the nonpartisan Citizens Research Council of Michigan offers suggestions to state policymakers looking at ways to pay to fix Michigan’s crumbling roads.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP asks high court to rule on sick leave, minimum wage changes
Bad blood still remains after the GOP-controlled Legislature adopted citizen initiatives only to gut them later. Now, they want the Supreme Court to rule on whether lawmakers have that power.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP lawmakers want Michigan Supreme Court to rule on minimum wage, sick leave
A request from the Republican-majority Legislature would sidestep the traditional litigation process, and do an end-run around Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel.
Posted inMichigan Government
Medicaid work rules another test for Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Republicans
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is trying to avoid a repeat of Arkansas, where thousands of poor people lost medical coverage because of complex work rules. Republican Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey says she has little to worry about with his legislation.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan senator seeks to end ‘revolving door’ of lawmakers turned lobbyists
Michigan state Sen. Jim Runestad, a Republican from Oakland County, is trying again to force lawmakers to wait at least two years before going to work as lobbyists.