Under a torrent of criticism, a contingent of GOP lawmakers meets with President Trump in Washington days before Michigan is to certify the presidential election. The lawmakers say they talked about COVID.
Lee Chatfield
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP leader questions why Legislature wasn’t warned of terror plot
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield sent a letter to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer Saturday, asking why state lawmakers, who were initially a focus of an alleged domestic terrorist attack, weren’t alerted to the plan earlier.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Gov. Whitmer: Unemployment benefits are at risk and GOP is dawdling
A Michigan Supreme Court ruling invalidating executive orders from governor also could jeopardize unemployment pay extensions. Tensions are flaring, with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer calling Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey an “anti-masker.”
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | We want to work with Gov. Whitmer. She chose partisanship instead.
House Speaker Lee Chatfield writes that Michigan is ‘worse off’ because Gov. Gretchen Whitmer chose a legal battle rather than uniting with lawmakers to fight the coronavirus. History shows there’s a better way, he writes.
Posted inMichigan Government
GOP-led Legislature sues Michigan Gov. Whitmer over emergency powers
Senate Majority Leader MIke Shirkey and House Speaker Lee Chatfield announced the Court of Claims lawsuit at the Michigan Capitol, acting on authorization granted by lawmakers last week.
Posted inMichigan Government
Dems, GOP spar over Michigan Legislature’s plans to meet amid pandemic
Michigan Democrats, Republicans spar over a special session planned Tuesday about Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s request for a 70-day extension of her emergency powers.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP to Whitmer: Use your powers to ease toll of coronavirus crisis
House Speaker Lee Chatfield wants Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to issue more executive orders to relax rules on health care, unemployment, child care and education. He also wants free hunting license and alcohol take-out for restaurants struggling to stay open.
Posted inMichigan Government
New year, old problems: Six issues Michigan leaders vow to tackle in 2020
As they return to Lansing this week, Michigan’s leaders are faced with tough questions on how to improve roads, education, skilled trades and more.
Posted inMichigan Government
Larry Inman trial highlights blurred lines and boozy underbelly of Michigan politics
Testimony in state Rep. Larry Inman’s criminal trial for alleged extortion and bribery has showed unsavory side of Michigan’s political system. And Thursday, the case forced one of the state’s most powerful lawmakers to take the stand.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan House Speaker ordered to testify in Rep. Inman’s corruption trial
A federal judge on Tuesday denied an attempt by House Speaker Lee Chatfield to quash a subpoena ordering him to testify next week in embattled state Rep. Larry Inman’s corruption trial.