Fact checking the fact checkers...
The tables were turned on the Michigan Truth Squad Friday when Progress Michigan issued a press release saying “The Michigan Truth Squad … claims to be independent when that’s clearly not the case.”
The Backroom
Detroit News political reporters ferret out what's really going on in Lansing and Washington D.C.
With $10 billion at stake, every word counts
The debate over increasing Michigan’s renewable energy requirement is like the old argument about the glass being half empty or half full. Supporters of the “Michigan Energy, Michigan Jobs” ballot initiative to require 25% renewable by 2025 say the proposal would bring $10 billion in economic investment to the state. What that means, according to opponents, … Continue Reading →
75,000 weigh in on Dems' 2020 videos
Senate Minority Leader Gretchen Whitmer was thrilled at the response to Democrats’ #mi2020 scholarship contest to promote their plan for universal free tuition for Michigan high school graduates. About 75,000 people voted online or by text message on their favorite among 55 short YouTube videos submitted by high school seniors. The topic: Why college matters.and … Continue Reading →
Mackinac a budget carrot for lawmakers
Word is members of the state Legislature will sit out this year’s Mackinac Island Policy Conference. Or maybe not. Ari Adler, spokesman for Speaker Jase Bolger, said he doesn’t expect a single member of the House Republican Caucus to show up because 1) it will be held on a Tuesday through Thursday, when they have session, and 2) it’s … Continue Reading →
Equal Pay Day in hot political spotlight this year
Democratic strategist Hillary Rosen coudn’t have done more for the women’s movement than her thoughtless comment earlier this month that Anne Romney “never worked a day in her life.” The resulting backlash stirred up a storm of public dialog on women’s issues unparalled in recent memory — and resulted in an onslaught of recognition for … Continue Reading →
Dems predict "Personhood" next on right's agenda
State Sen. Rebekah Warren of Ann Arbor, Rep. Ellen Cogen Lipton, and Wayne State University Constitutional Law Professor Jocelyn Benson called a press conference Friday to caution citizens about an ultra-conservative anti-abortion measure on the ballot in Mississippi. They say it’s a tactic that’s spreading across the country and could soon become an issue in … Continue Reading →
Brewer files complaint over errant e-mail
Michigan Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer today filed a complaint with the Michigan Department of State against Greg Andrews, Gov. Rick Snyder’s Marquette-based northern Michigan representative. Andrews stepped into a sticky wicket recently when he used his state e-mail account to invite local officials to a Governor’s Breakfast before the Cherry Royale Parade, a highlight … Continue Reading →
Dems float state Senate redistricting map
The Michigan Democratic Party debuted their own plan today for reshaping Michigan’s state Senate districts based on 2010 U.S. Census numbers. The plan was unveiled at a Lansing press conference by Democratic Party Chair Mark Brewer, and submitted to the Senate Committee on Redistricting. “Redistricting should be politically fair and avoid partisan gerrymandering when drawing … Continue Reading →
Snyder not ready for report card, Center says
Gov. Rick Snyder can stop biting his lip and exhale. The Center for Michigan has postponed issuing his report card. The non-partisan think tank was scheduled to release grades for Snyder’s first 100 days in office on April 11. The governor has put forth an extraordinary number of budget and tax reform plans, but to … Continue Reading →
MDP knocks Knollenberg on redistricting
The Michigan Democratic Party doesn’t like Michigan’s redistricting process, and they don’t like Republicans either. So this week’s news that Republican Rep. Marty Knollenberg is running for Congress gave MDP Chair Mark Brewer an opening for a one-two punch. Brewer today issued a press release calling for redistricting reform, noting that Knollenberg of Troy sits … Continue Reading →