Michigan’s primary election did not pass without a couple of bumps — one for poll workers navigating Michigan election law, another for advocates of a plan to actually dissolve one of Michigan’s 1,000-plus local governments. In Onekama, southwest of Traverse City, a proposal to abolish the government of the village of Onekama — and thereby […]
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
Truth Squad issues warning over ad opposing union ballot proposals
Who: Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution What: “Auction” – radio/Web ad Truth Squad call: Warning This ad comes from Citizens Protecting Michigan’s Constitution, a group based out of the offices of the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and formed to advocate against a variety of constitutional amendments headed for Michigan’s November ballot. The largest contributors to the […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Onekama provides test case on government consolidation
Most Michigan voters who find their ways to the polls today will be making decisions on who will run their governments and how they’ll fund such operations. The residents of the village of Onekama have a bigger question to answer: Keep the local government we have, or live under the neighbor’s? The 400 or so […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Democrats slug way to fouls in congressional primary, Truth Squad finds
Who: Democratic 3rd Congressional District candidates Steve Pestka and Trevor Thomas What: Television ads, candidate websites and candidate debate Truth Squad call: Technical fouls on Pestka and Thomas Steve Pestka, a former state representative, Kent County commissioner and Kent County circuit judge, is battling Trevor Thomas, a former staffer in ex-Gov. Jennifer Granholm’s administration, to […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Mysterious outside group earns foul in Genesee Co. primary from Truth Squad
Who: Michigan Liberty Project, 48th House District Democratic primary What: Mailings of “How Much Cash Is Too Much?” and “What Do You Call Politicians That Promote Public Schools for Your Children But Private Schools for Theirs?” Truth Squad call: Foul The ads take aim at Pam Faris, a candidate for the 48th House District seat […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Liss uses bologna, but her factual claims aren't baloney, rules Truth Squad
Who: Lesia Liss for state representative, 28th District What: YouTube video Truth Squad call: No foul Rep. Lesia Liss is facing a challenge in the Democratic primary in House District 28, which covers part of Macomb Township and Warren, and all of Center Line. Rep. John Switalski, currently representing the 25th District, and Liss were […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Pension vote claims don't hold up in legislative primary, Truth Squad finds
Who: Michael Shmina for State Representative, 32nd District What: mailer, robocall Truth Squad calls: Foul, Technical fouls and no foul In a mailer and robocall, challenger Michael Shmina makes various claims about incumbent state Rep. Andrea LaFontaine, whom he faces in the Republican primary for the 32nd House District in Macomb County. Shmina touts himself […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Special-interest money floods ballot-measure efforts
Voters could see as many as seven proposals to amend the Michigan Constitution or state law on this November’s ballot – or none at all. Bureaucratic and legal reviews continue of the various proposals. Regardless of how they play out, though, Michigan has seen an unprecedented surge of spending to collect signatures and advance ideas […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Streetcars for Detroit’s Woodward Ave. are just two years away, advocate says
Streetcars disappeared from Detroit decades ago, but a group of prominent business and philanthropic leaders are trying to build a modern version of the once-popular transit system. Auto racing legend Roger Penske, Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert, the Kresge Foundation and others have raised nearly $100 million for a proposed streetcar system running along Woodward […]
Posted inMichigan Government
Truth Squad issues flagrant foul to Schmidt, foul to Bolger on election scheme
MICHIGAN TRUTH SQUAD ANALYSIS: What: Public statements concerning state Representative Roy Schmidt’s political party switch. Who: Schmidt (a Grand Rapids Republican) and House Speaker Jase Bolger, R-Marshall. Truth Squad Call: Flagrant foul against Schmidt; foul against Bolger. In May, at the filing deadline for this year’s state House of Representatives elections, Schmidt switched parties, from […]