Bolger makes House committee assignments for the 97th Legislature
With 26 newly elected state representatives, the Michigan House is still getting organized while the state Senate is already starting to move legislation.
The Backroom
Detroit News political reporters ferret out what's really going on in Lansing and Washington D.C.
Chad Livengood
Democrats lodge new complaint against Bolger
House Speaker Jase Bolger does not plan to create a formal defense fund to pay for his legal representation in an election rigging investigation – and that’s prompting another legal complaint against the Marshall Republican, The Detroit News has learned.
Hoekstra blasts Stabenow over debate format impasse
Former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra said Tuesday he’s still waiting for U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow to agree to broadly televised debates in Michigan’s U.S. Senate race, preferably on issues of foreign policy and the economy. “She has been delinquent in both of those areas,” Hoekstra said at a Lansing press conference. “I would love to … Continue Reading →
Bolger takes no position on tax restraint, bridge ballot issues
Over the past week, House Speaker Jase Bolger has released statements announcing his stance on the six statewide ballot issues voters will face in the Nov. 6 general election. Bolger said he was in favor of keeping the emergency manager law he helped passed, urging voters to vote “yes” on Proposal 1, the referendum on … Continue Reading →
Johnson to keep citizenship question on general election ballot application
Lansing — Secretary of State Ruth Johnson caught political flak for initially demanding Michigan voters affirm their citizenship in the August primary. In the middle of Aug. 7 primary, her office changed course from requiring voters to affirm their citizenship to get a ballot to instructing local election clerks to give voters who refused to answer … Continue Reading →
Michigan Democrats launch 'Bolgergate' website
As promised, the Michigan Democratic Party is planning to keep an election-rigging scandal involving House Speaker Jase Bolger and party-switching Rep. Roy Schmidt in the spotlight leading up to the November election. The state Democratic Party on Friday launched a website highlighting Bolger and Schmidt’s foiled attempt to plant a fake Democrat in a Grand … Continue Reading →
Lisa Lyons tried to arrange police protection for Roy Schmidt
Since the Kent County prosecutor released a damning report last month about state Rep. Roy Schmidt‘s foiled attempt to rig his own re-election with a fake opponent, more details of the scheme have trickled out of the state police investigation files. At the heart of the investigation are text messages between Schmidt and House Speaker … Continue Reading →
Schuette opposes adding renewable energy mandate to constitution; MEA endorses ballot initiative
Lansing–A ballot campaign seeking to add a 25 percent renewable energy mandate to the state constitution picked up a major endorsement and opponent this week. The Michigan Education Association, the state’s largest teacher labor union, endorsed requiring utility companies to get 25 percent of their electricity from renewable sources like wind, solar and hydro by … Continue Reading →
Durant Super PAC collects $210K from 14 donors
Lansing –A political action committee supporting Clark Durant over Pete Hoekstra in the U.S. Senate Republican primary reported Thursday raising another $210,000 from 14 individual donors and businesses. That’s on top of $188,500 Prosperity for Michigan PAC reported raising in the second quarter in an amended campaign finance report filed Monday with the Federal Election … Continue Reading →
Michigan Democrats question Bolger staff involvement in Schmidt party switch
Lansing – The Michigan Democratic Party on Thursday resurrected allegations that House Speaker Jase Bolger used taxpayer resources to help state Rep. Roy Schmidt defect to the Republican Party and plant a fake Democrat to be Schmidt’s opponent in a Grand Rapids district. The complaint seeks a new elections probe by Secretary of State Ruth … Continue Reading →