With an alleged earmark embezzlement case heading to court next week, Michigan lawmakers finalize reform plan to require public disclosure 45 days before final budget votes.
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
Consumers, Blue Cross fight Michigan proposal to keep ‘money out of politics’
Consumers Energy and Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan are helping bankroll opposition to a potential 2026 ballot proposal that aims to limit their political spending.
Posted inMichigan Government
Emails: Michigan transparency portal marred by ‘unacceptable’ delays, bugs
Michigan’s public access to key ethics disclosures has been plagued by issues since its launch in early 2025. Emails obtained by Bridge Michigan cast light on the system’s troubled rollout.
Posted inMichigan Government
Trump pardons Michigan false electors, allies who challenged his 2020 loss
As President Donald Trump pardons Michigan ‘false electors,’ Attorney General Dana Nessel says she is still considering whether to appeal the dismissal of state-level charges.
Posted inMichigan Government
Lee Chatfield’s chief of staff will testify against him in corruption probe plea deal
Rob Minard has pleaded guilty after his wife, Anné, pleaded guilty in late October. Both were close associates of the former state House speaker, who is also facing corruption-related charges.
Posted inMichigan Government
On brink of SNAP crisis, Michigan sends $4.5M to food banks. Will more follow?
With federal food assistance set to stop, Gov. Whitmer announces $4.5M for Michigan food banks. Senate Democrats want more, advance $71M plan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP governor hopefuls vow to end MEDC. John James skips debate
Republicans running for governor blast Michigan’s economic development approach in a debate skipped by John James, whose campaign called him a favorite in the 2026 race.
Posted inMichigan Government
Who’s funding Michigan ballot campaigns? Dark money flows from out of state
Michigan campaigns to require proof of citizenship to vote, tax the rich to fund schools and limit corporate political spending are all at least partially funded by dark money groups from other states.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP hopeful pumps millions of own money into Michigan governor’s race
Former Attorney General Mike Cox puts another $2M of his own money into the Michigan governor’s race as John James, Mike Duggan and Jocelyn Benson raise most from donors.
Posted inMichigan Government
Plea deal: Lee Chatfield aide to testify against him in Michigan corruption case
A top aide to former Michigan House Speaker Lee Chatfield has agreed to testify against him in a corruption trial next year.