This continuously updated post includes details of Michigan’s elections, campaigns, politics and voting news.
Mike Shirkey
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer, Michigan GOP make peace, will negotiate billions in federal stimulus
Michigan Republicans who control the state Legislature have bickered for a year with Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, over emergency orders.
Posted inMichigan Health Watch
Michigan may not hit 70% vaccination rate until August, as demand falls
One week after Gov. Whitmer tied lifting remaining restrictions to the benchmark, new modeling shows the state is months away from the milestone — which could amp up pressure to change paths quicker.
Posted inMichigan Government
‘A personal choice.’ Michigan GOP leaders balk at COVID vaccine incentives
State Republicans pushed Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for months to set metrics for relaxing pandemic restrictions. The governor did so Thursday, tying the loosening of pandemic rules to state vaccination rates. Republicans don’t like that metric.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan ‘transparency’ bills actually keep lawmaker finances from public
Heralded as bipartisan legislation that ensures state officials are held accountable for financial conflicts, the bills keep most officials’ sources of income a secret from the public, unlike in many states. Critics denounce the reform effort as “a farce” that maintains the status quo.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan Senate to update sexual harassment policy amid reckoning in Lansing
Following recent calls to change the culture at the Capitol, the Michigan Senate’s new policy allows visitors to file complaints and strengthens reporting protocols.
Posted inMichigan Government
Whitmer to GOP: Work with me to spend Michigan’s billions from COVID stimulus
The Democratic governor is offering an olive branch to Republicans who control the Legislature. They aren’t happy, though, that Whitmer made the peace offering through the media.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP unveils election ‘reforms.’ Most would make voting harder.
Mandatory IDs, limits on absentee ballot drop boxes and a ban on prepaid postage are among the limits Michigan Republicans are proposing in what they can an effort to deter fraud. Others call it voter suppression.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan lawmakers back transparency reform. Will Mike Shirkey let it happen?
Open records reform has the votes. It has momentum following an outcry over Gov. Whitmer’s secret payments to top aides. But the Senate majority leader has blocked similar legislation before.
Posted inMichigan Government
Michigan GOP faces civil war after Trump. ‘Our party’s failing,’ some lament.
In the weeks since the former president left office, Republicans have squabbled with themselves, floated forming a separate party and censuring those who favored to impeach.