Five weeks into his new job as a corrections officer at a state prison, Robert McGaffigan received a horrific lesson on the dangers of the work. Tammy Sperle was a civilian worker who operated the prison store at what was then the Huron Valley Men’s Facility when an inmate angry about losing his job there […]
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
House narrows, approves ‘4 strikes’ bill on felons
Concerns about prison costs this year have not deterred the Legislature’s appetite to tweak Michigan sentencing rules. Last week, the House, following the Senate, approved a version of a “four strikes” bill designed to put violent offenders behind bars for a minimum sentence of 25 years. Senate Bill 1109 passed the House last week on […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls flagrant foul on new round of bridge ads
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Why People Are Voting Yes on Proposal 6“ “The People Should Decide, As Simple As That“ Who: The People Should Decide What: TV ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul The People Should Decide is a ballot question committee funded, according to available campaign finance statements, almost entirely from interests linked to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Anti-Prop 2 group goes too far with sexual predator claim, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Protecting Predators in the Classroom? Proposal Threatens Student Safety, Could Overturn Valuable Education Reforms.” (Press release) “Effect of “Protect Our Jobs” on Students, Public Education in Michigan” (Memo) Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: Press release and memo to statewide media Truth Squad call: Foul Questionable statements: “Under the proposal, numerous […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Hoekstra's ad isn't 'worst,' but distortions used earn foul, says Michigan Truth Squad
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Meet the Parents” Who: Hoekstra for Senate What: Internet video Truth Squad call: Foul Questionable statement: “How about that Debbie Stabenow? Never met a tax increase she didn’t like … worst senator Michigan has ever had. “ These are broad generalizations, including a personal attack on Stabenow, that the video and […]
Posted inMichigan Government
New ads on Canada bridge carry same old problem, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: Multiple ads on bridge question Who: The People Should Decide What: Television ads Truth Squad call: Flagrant foul Questionable statement: “The bridge to Canada. $500 million just in interest payments. And with hidden costs — up to $8 billion.” The source of these claims is an Aug. 12 study commissioned by […]
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Democrats slip up on couple of points about Bolger, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “End Jase Bolger’s Reign” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Web video Truth Squad call: Foul. Michigan Democrats have ramped up attacks on the House Republican speaker since revelation of a secretive scheme between Bolger and Grand Rapids House Democrat Roy Schmidt to have Schmidt file as a Republican minutes before the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Democrats get fouls for some 'hits' on Hoekstra, Truth Squad rules
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “Hoekstra’s Greatest Hits” Who: Michigan Democratic Party What: Internet ad Truth Squad call: Fouls Questionable statement: “Restricting Women’s Access to Health Care … (Pete) Hoekstra wants to ban birth control & allow insurance companies to deny coverage for mammograms & pre-natal tests.” The Michigan Democratic Party ad criticizing Republican U.S. Senate […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad calls foul on nonprofit's ad criticizing Stabenow's record
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: “What if Congress got medals?” Who: The American Future Fund What: TV ad Truth Squad call: Foul and technical foul The American Future Fund is a 501(c)4 focusing on issue advocacy “designed to effectively communicate conservative and free market ideals.” A lenghty report from ProPublica earlier this month (http://www.propublica.org/article/how-nonprofits-spend-millions-on-elections-and-call-it-public-welfare) detailed how these 501(c)4s […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Green gunk visits Mich.’s ‘most beautiful place’
EMPIRE — Ron Long recently visited one of his favorite beaches at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, only to find it marred by dark green algae that clouded the water and piled up on the sand. “This is the worst I’ve ever seen this beach — and I’ve been coming here for 50 years. It’s […]