Michigan Government

The governor is telling voters there’s no alternative to Proposal 1. Lawmakers counter that there’s always a Plan B, but fear it might be worse.

Complex problems rarely have simple solutions, say the legislators whose last-minute work in December’s lame-duck session produced the byzantine statewide vote to fix Michigan’s roads.

As Michigan drivers swerve around, and fall into, cracks in the state’s transportation infrastructure, the only solution on the table is almost as much of a headache.

A wide range of groups are urging a yes vote on the plan to fix Michigan’s roads, and a few are opposing or staying neutral. How are they lining up? It depends on who stands to get paid.

Bill Drake won an award from his peers — the people who work behind the scenes to keep the Michigan Legislature running. He’s not used to being in the center of the frame.

The bipartisan deal aligns with overwhelming public support for road investment across the state, even if it means higher taxes. The deal captures $1.2 billion a year for Michigan’s crumbling transportation infrastructure, but requires voters to approve a 1-cent sales tax increase in May.

Four legislative leaders tell Bridge Magazine what's on their mind when the new legislative session begins in January.

Bipartisan bills to ensure DNA testing is available for some convicted felons and to compensate those who are wrongly convicted remain stalled in Lansing.

Government and medical studies reveal motorcyclists are more likely to die or be seriously injured if they are not wearing helmets in a crash, raising questions about the 2012 repeal of Michigan’s helmet law. A Republican Legislature sees no reason to take up the issue.