Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall says Republicans won’t take up any budget bills with earmarks for ‘sanctuary’ cities, townships or counties. Local governments would have to affirm they’ll work with ICE.
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster covers Michigan politics, campaign finance and government accountability for Bridge Michigan. He joined Bridge in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and on its investigative team, and previously spent three years as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, tracking the influence of political money in Michigan. A Michigan native, Simon holds a bachelor's degree and a master of public policy from Michigan State University.
Simon is based in Lansing. When he's not working, you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer proposes new tax on vapes, nicotine pouches
Whitmer’s proposed tax on non-tobacco nicotine products like vapes and pouches would generate $57 million a year for smoking and cancer prevention and health care.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer pitches earmark transparency. See who added $600M in ‘pork’
After signing budgets that included billions of dollars in earmarks, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is proposing a new plan that would require Michigan lawmakers to disclose which pet projects they are sponsoring before votes.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Senate Dems sue House Republicans over pension, health care bills
Democrats argue Republicans are violating the Michigan Constitution by conducting a ‘legal review’ rather than sending previously approved bills to the governor for signature.
Posted inMichigan Government
Report card: Gretchen Whitmer’s 48 promises during State of State speeches
Bridge Michigan’s analysis of six speeches shows the Democratic governor has had her most success implementing gun reforms and social policy, but struggled with infrastructure. The verdict is out on education.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: Gretchen Whitmer has made big promises. Here’s how she’s done
Bridge Michigan has analyzed six years of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s State of the State speeches to see how she’s delivered. She’s had more success working with Democratic lawmakers and accomplished about half her goals.
Posted inMichigan Government
Ranked choice voting: Michigan group plans 2026 ballot proposal. What to know
Organizers with Rank MI Vote say the election overhaul would ‘empower’ Michigan voters by allowing them to choose more than one candidate. Critics call it an overly complicated, unnecessary reform.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Senate Dems threaten to sue GOP-run House over bills in limbo
Three weeks into Michigan’s newly divided government, Senate Democrats prepare to sue House Republicans over bills approved last year but not yet sent to the governor for potential signature.
Posted inMichigan Government
Who funds Michigan lawmakers? Most get cash from PACs, not voters they represent
Michigan lawmakers get most of their campaign cash from PACs that represent industries and other special interests, including labor unions and business groups. Experts ask: Who will they listen to in Lansing?
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats’ pension, retirement bills in limbo amid GOP ‘legal review’
Michigan Democrats approved the bills last month but didn’t send them to the governor. House Republicans aren’t doing it for them.