Of the many laws Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has championed during his first 21 months in office, few have proved as divisive as the one that gave emergency managers sweeping new “superpowers” allowing them to dismiss elected leaders and rip up union contracts to help balance budgets in financially distressed cities and school districts. If […]
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
Touting of GOP justices by chamber gets 'no foul' from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Real Cases” and “Tough Judges” Who: Michigan Chamber of Commerce What: Radio ads Truth Squad call: No foul The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has endorsed Republican state Supreme Court justices Stephen Markman and Brian Zahra and Republican candidate Colleen O’Brien. Questionable statement: “A man convicted of raping a 7-year-old tries to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Flagrant foul called on Democratic attack in Supreme Court race
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Streak” and “Lily” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Web/TV ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant Foul Questionable statement: “After my daughter, Lily, was killed at the hands of a child abuser, I vowed to spend my life protecting children. I know how important it is to have judges who protect them too. […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Fouls aplenty in House 57 campaign, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: Mailings, website in Nancy Jenkins-Jim Berryman 57th House District race Who: Michigan Republican Party, Michigan Democratic State Central Committee, Jim Berryman website What: Mailers and Jim Berryman website Truth Squad calls: Flagrant foul, Fouls on GOP mailers; Technical foul on Berryman website; Foul on Democratic mailer Can We Trust Jim Berryman in […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Prop 4: A battle on the home (health) front
Ask supporters of Proposal 4 what it’s about, and they will answer as one: The registry. Ask its detractors the same thing, and they say: The union. And therein lies the debate. Proposal 4, which would amend the state constitution to create the Michigan Quality Home Care Council and allow home-care workers collective bargaining rights, presents […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Blizzard of cash obscures bridge issues
The list of supporters for the planned New International Trade Crossing in Detroit reads like a roll call of distinguished Michigan stakeholders. Five governors. Five automakers. Twenty-three chambers of commerce. The state’s largest newspapers, corporations and most influential movers and shakers all have signed on in agreement that the state needs a new, modern link […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Fouls called by Truth Squad in GOP attacks on Debbie Stabenow
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Replacement Refs”, “Stabenow: Addicted to spending”, “Stabenow: Sheepish” Who: Hoekstra for Senate, Michigan Republican Party What: TV ads Truth Squad calls: Flagrant foul on Hoekstra, Technical foul on Michigan GOP Hoekstra ad Questionable statement: “What’s the most watched sport around here? It’s the debate about Debbie Stabenow being the worst senator […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad finds problems in claims made in 103rd House District campaigns
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “The Rendon Record” and “Bruce Rendon” Who: Michigan Democratic Party, Bruce Rendon for State Representative What: TV ad, website Truth Squad call: Warning on Michigan Democratic Party. Foul on Rendon. This Truth Squad report covers numerous campaign materials from both sides in the race for the seat in District 103 of […]
Posted inMichigan Government
For cities in crisis, a wonk in wingtips
Fred Headen has been in the news lately, for reasons that do not necessarily burnish Michigan’s image. As director of the Department of Treasury’s Bureau of Local Government Services, Headen has played a regular role in reviewing the finances of Michigan’s most troubled cities. He’s served on local finance review teams and helped oversee how […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Attempt to link teachers to Detroit-Windsor bridge earns flagrant foul from Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “So why” Who: People Should Decide, pro-Proposal 6 ballot committee What: Mailer Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul As reported previously at Truth Squad, “The People Should Decide is a ballot question committee funded, according to available campaign finance statements, almost entirely from interests linked to Ambassador Bridge owner Manuel Moroun and […]
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