A year after Grace’s story drew national attention when she was jailed for not doing her online schoolwork, outcry over the shackling of young people in court has resulted in a ban on the practice unless there’s a risk of physical harm or flight.
Michigan Supreme Court
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP is repealing Whitmer emergency powers. It won’t change much.
The Senate votes to wipe an emergency powers law off the books. One Democrat calls the repeal “a waste of energy and a waste of our air” because the state’s high court already declared the law unconstitutional.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Republicans poised to strip Gov. Whitmer of emergency powers
State officials on Tuesday approved petition signatures to repeal a 1945 emergency powers law, and the GOP-led Legislature could begin voting this week to adopt the measure from Unlock Michigan.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court won’t delay redistricting map deadline
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission sought to extend a Sept. 17 deadline for redrawing political maps, noting that new U.S. Census population figures would not even be available to it until the end of September.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court weighs redistricting extension due to census delays
The state’s redistricting panel has said it will not have enough time to complete the maps. But some justices expressed want to let the process play out.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Supreme Court puts state emergency powers law on chopping block
The court Friday ordered the state canvassing board to certify Unlock Michigan petitions, paving the way for the Republican-led Legislature to repeal an invalidated law Gov. Gretchen Whitmer used to issue unilateral emergency orders early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP advances voter ID mandate: common sense or a new poll tax?
Supporters say you need an ID to buy beer so you should need one to vote. Foes say eliminating an option allowing voters without ID to still cast ballots amounts to an illegal fee. The courts may decide.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Let’s close the loophole that could limit Michigan voting rights
Long-time Michigan journalist John Lindstrom blasts the cynical ploy Republicans are considering that would suppress voting and proposes a constitutional amendment to prevent it.
Posted inGuest Commentary
Opinion | Michigan Supreme Court decision could cost lives in a pandemic
The “non-delegation doctrine” sounds innocuous, but Michigan’s highest court’s ruling could make it more difficult to react quickly to emergencies, says the state’s retired chief justice.
Posted inMichigan Government
Democratic wins shift power balance on Michigan Supreme Court
Wins for Chief Justice Bridget Mary McCormack and Grand Rapids attorney Elizabeth Welch have shifted the ideological makeup of Michigan’s high court from a 4-3 conservative majority to a 4-3 majority of justices nominated by Democrats.