Candidates are making bold promises to address dismal reading scores and fix schools across the state. Are they realistic?
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster is a Capitol Reporter for Bridge Michigan. Simon joined Bridge Michigan in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and later covering politics on their investigative team. He spent three years tracking the influence of political money in Michigan as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit. A Michigan native, Simon received a bachelor's and a master of public policy from Michigan State University, where he was a policy fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Outside of work you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia. He lives in Lansing.
Posted inMichigan Government
Jocelyn Benson targets ‘dark money’ in Michigan transparency plan
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Jocelyn Benson wants to ban ‘dark money’ by requiring groups ‘to disclose the source of all contributions received that go towards any political spending.’
Posted inMichigan Government
In their words: What Michigan governor candidates would do to fix schools
Michigan schools have problems. Learn what nine leading candidates for governor say they’d do to fix them.
Posted inMichigan Government
Ex-CFO: I was fired after raising concerns over $25M earmark project
Testimony began Tuesday in the preliminary exam for David Coker, a former legislative aide accused of embezzling from a $25 million earmark his ex-boss added to the state budget.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP ‘false electors’ to sue Dana Nessel, alleging ‘malicious’ prosecution
Cleared of charges stemming from the 2020 election, a group of Republicans file notice of intent to sue Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel over alleged ‘malicious intent.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer says she secured ice storm relief pledge from Donald Trump
The Democratic governor meets with the Republican president for at least the third time since he returned to the White House.
Posted inMichigan Government
Aric Nesbitt includes more state psychiatric hospitals in anti-crime agenda
Michigan needs more psychiatric hospitals to cut down on homelessness and crime, the GOP gubernatorial candidate has proposed, coinciding with a Trump administration push for more institutionalization of the homeless.
Posted inMichigan Government
Tech group: Michigan will be sued over efforts to restrain social media
A major tech group suggests Michigan would be sued if it tries to regulate minors’ access to social media. State lawmakers are undeterred.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lots of tax cut promises, few specifics, from GOP gov hopefuls at forum
Four of six Republican governor candidates shared plenty of common ground during a Saginaw County forum, agreeing to slash taxes and government. They offered fewer answers about replacing lost revenue.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House rushes $152M for Selfridge expansion backed by Trump
The Michigan House proposed and quickly approved $152 million for runways at Selfridge Air National Guard Base, which Speaker Matt Hall says is needed to avoid delaying an expansion backed by President Donald Trump.