Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson will lose oversight of IT systems under a budget provision championed by House Republicans. ‘Benson has failed miserably with these public websites,’ said one lawmaker.
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
Gretchen Whitmer signs $81B Michigan budget, roads deal. What to know
Michigan’s new budget has more money for roads, more taxes on pot and some new spending cuts. What to know about the $81B spending law.
Posted inMichigan Government
JD Vance in Michigan: Trump will send National Guard to Detroit if Whitmer asks
Vice President JD Vance offered to send National Guard troops to Detroit in a speech touting the Trump administration’s new tax-and-spending law. Bridge checked key facts from speeches by Vance and others.
Posted inMichigan Government
Gretchen Whitmer warns Michigan: ‘Undeniable signs of an ailing economy’
Tariffs are hurting Michigan, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer argued Tuesday, urging lawmakers to ‘protect Michiganders from further disruption’ by avoiding a government shutdown.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘I am Charlie Kirk’: Michigan Republicans rally for slain activist
Charlie Kirk supporters rallied Monday at the Michigan Capitol, honoring the assassinated activist and declaring, ‘We are all Charlie Kirk now.’
Posted inMichigan Government
Democrats, Republicans take fight over blocked bills to Michigan Court of Appeals
The Michigan Court of Appeals heard heated arguments Tuesday after Senate Democrats sued House Republicans for not sending nine potential laws to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s desk for likely signature.
Posted inMichigan Government
Fact check: Trump amplifies exaggerated Michigan ‘ghost employee’ claims
President Donald Trump is spreading an exaggerated version of state workforce claims by Michigan House Republicans. Here are the facts.
Posted inTalent & Education
Trump’s ed secretary in Michigan: States should embrace private school scholarships
In a day-long tour in Michigan, Education Secretary Linda McMahon promoted school choice and harshly criticized US colleges.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House Republicans OK transgender school bathroom ban
House Republican bill would block transgender students from using bathrooms consistent with their identified gender. Democrats called the bill a “distraction” that rolls back civil rights.
Posted inMichigan Government
Nessel, Michigan lawmakers seek to toughen ‘critical’ human trafficking laws
A bipartisan group of legislators partnered with attorney general Dana Nessel to strengthen human trafficking laws, but a dysfunctional legislature will pose hurdles.