A Democratic representatives finds a legislator can be effective when his party is outnumbered, by turning policymaking into more of a chess game than an all-out assault.
Michigan Government
Citizens cannot do their job of running their government if they don’t know what their public servants are doing.
Posted inMichigan Government
One year later, undocumented immigrant children quietly settling in Michigan
The anti-immigration protests last summer in Vassar have given way to the more mundane process of placing nearly 200 unaccompanied minors with relatives or foster families. Michigan remains one of the nation’s most welcoming states.
Posted inMichigan Government
Hispanic immigrants playing more critical role in Michigan’s farm economy
As residents flee rural areas in Michigan and across the country, Hispanic workers are becoming an even greater force in agricultural production. Nearly 3-in-10 Michigan farms are now owned by non-U.S. citizens.
Posted inMichigan Government
Political notes from a small island
The Detroit Regional Chamber’s three-day policy conference is this week at the Grand Hotel. Bridge has a live stream of all the action.
Posted inMichigan Government
Reforms could mean fewer prisoners, shorter sentences – and more money for potholes
The urgent need for road repairs could be the final push needed for criminal justice reforms to be unveiled Monday by Gov. Rick Snyder.
Posted inMichigan Government
6 things we learned (and 3 things we didn’t) from Proposal 1 debacle
Legislators can’t write ballot proposals. And voters don’t read newspaper endorsements. Those are just two reasons why Proposal 1 failed.
Posted inMichigan Government
Good roads or bad, Proposal 1 hated equally across Michigan
Think the counties with the poorest roads were more likely to vote yes? Think again. This is being called a historic defeat for a reason.
Posted inMichigan Government
With roads measure crushed, a search for Plan B
With the resounding defeat of Proposal 1 on Tuesday, it's unclear how Michigan's deteriorating roads will be fixed.
Posted inMichigan Government
It’s not too late to master the basics of Proposal 1. Here’s a 5-minute version.
Latecomers to the road-funding debate who plan to vote Tuesday may want to bone up on the basics.
Posted inMichigan Government
Todd Courser hits Lansing like a cannonball
The Lapeer freshman representative and tea party favorite puts faith, family and limited government at the front of his agenda. So why are fellow Republicans running for cover?