The improbable story of how a political novice upended Michigan’s biased system for drawing legislative districts, transforming the state’s political landscape.
Riley Beggin
Former reporter for Bridge.
Posted inMichigan Government
What Gretchen Whitmer promises to do as Michigan’s next governor
Fixing the damn roads will cost some damn money, and the Democratic winner for Michigan governor must now work with the Legislature to find it. We summarize this and other promises Gretchen Whitmer made in her campaign.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Proposal 2 redistricting group defends dark money as fighting fire with fire
Voters Not Politicians makes no apologies for accepting $10 million from dark-money groups, saying its well-funded opponents are doing the same. Critics say the donations show national progressive groups are steering the ballot effort.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan redistricting group brings in whopping $13.9 million
Voters Not Politicians, advocating for a citizens redistricting committee, made nearly $14 million. Protect My Vote, a committee that does not support redistricting or voting ballot measures, has brought in $1.47 million. Bridge brings you up to the minute on spending around all three Michigan ballot issues.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer: I’ll pay to fix Michigan by ‘closing loopholes’
How will the Democratic gubernatorial candidate fund the $2B+ she promises for schools, childcare and lead pipe replacement? ‘Anticipated growth,’ ‘closing loopholes’ and new money, she says in an interview.
Posted inMichigan Truth Squad
Truth Squad | Fact-checking Michigan’s second, and final, governor’s debate
Bridge Magazine waded through a litany of stale talking points to provide context and facts to accusations leveled by Democrat Gretchen Whitmer and Republican Bill Schuette at their final debate Wednesday.
Posted inMichigan Truth Squad
Truth Squad | Scare tactics on Michigan redistricting measure get foul rating
Experts confirm Proposal 2 would be more expensive than our current redistricting system, but the ballot initiative has accountability provisions the radio ad ignores
Posted inMichigan Truth Squad
Truth Squad | Ads unfairly attack Whitmer on healthcare, missed votes
Ads accuse Michigan Democratic governor candidate Gretchen Whitmer of pushing “radical” healthcare plan, missing more than 1,000 votes in the legislature, being the “worst kind of politician.”
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan’s Republican black-sheep justice is winning some unlikely allies
Supreme Court Justice Elizabeth Clement has been snubbed by Republicans for her votes on key rulings. But moderates in both parties are rallying (and giving) to a justice they say put principles above party.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan ballot issues: What to know about Prop 3 (voting rights)
Proposal 3 ‒ aka Promote the Vote ‒ adds 7 voting reforms to Michigan’s constitution. We lay out the pros and cons, and the cash behind it. This is the last of three Bridge reports on Michigan ballot issues.