2018 Michigan lame duck

Controversial grants to assist a southeast Michigan real estate development with strong Republican ties could be hampered by delays that could jeopardize state funding.

The law places a 15 percent cap per congressional district on signature gathering for ballot initiatives. The court said that unfairly hampers the public’s rights.

New legislation fixes minor errors so road, dam projects can move forward and funds an effort to bring a space program to northern Michigan.

Attorney General Dana Nessel claims the Republican law, which placed new restrictions on the statewide ballot initiative process, is unconstitutional. The GOP now is going to court in a bid to force the Secretary of State to ignore Nessel’s opinion.

Dana Nessel, a Democrat, said the controversial election law passed by lame-duck Republicans “creates an obstacle for voters without any support in the (state) Constitution itself.”

A controversial grant to fund Michigan’s foray into the space race is revived after being grounded by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

The grant, approved in lame duck, was intended to boost prospects for a commercial space program in Michigan. But the venture lacked detail and was derided by an expert as a “back of the napkin” plan.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has put on ice a grant that would help bring water and sewer lines to a swath of land owned by a company with ties to former GOP chair Bobby Schostak. She wants to determine if the money could be spent elsewhere.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer expressed displeasure with millions of dollars spent on dozens of pet projects during lame duck, but said state will honor the bill

The former Michigan Senate majority leader says he helped ensure money for utility lines went to a project that will benefit Bobby Schostak. ‘I don’t think that’s unusual,’ Meekhof tells Bridge.

After a contentious lame-duck session and accusations of partisan power grabs, Republican and Democratic lawmakers are pushing a resolution to ask voters to pass a constitutional amendment ending legislative terms before Election Day.

A Washtenaw County supervisor is seeking an investigation into two grants that will improve land owned by Bobby Schostak, a former GOP state chair and major political donor.

For two years, the Michigan Legislature has approved $10 million grants for utility lines on land owned by Bobby Schostak’s company. Each time, documents explaining why were left blank or don’t exist.

Last month, lawmakers approved funding to help a company headed by a prominent Republican. But there are no records detailing the process. And if they existed, they’d be shielded under Michigan law.

Should schools be graded with a letter? A number? How about a color? How about if we told you none of it has done much to help students? Michigan churns through reform while top states stick with one plan.

You can’t fatten a hog just by weighing it more often, says Ron Koehler

A company owned by former Michigan GOP chairman Bobby Schostak will benefit from one of the largest grants of the recent lame-duck spending deal. He says it’s a good investment. Others disagree.

A challenge to controversial laws passed in Michigan’s lame-duck legislative session, which ended in December, could include everything from a lawsuit to a citizen referendum in November 2020.

The Legislature and former Gov. Rick Snyder approved a new accountability system for Michigan schools. But the Michigan Department of Education questions the law’s legality.

The departing governor took a different path from Scott Walker in Wisconsin, rejecting bills to shield dark money and make it easier for the legislature to enter lawsuits.