LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan’s Democratic-led House approved legislation Wednesday that would repeal the state’s “right-to-work” law that was passed more than a decade ago when Republicans controlled the Statehouse. Repealing the law, which prohibits public and private unions from requiring that nonunion employees pay union dues even if the […]
Politics
Karamo Holds Off DePerno To Be Elected GOP Chair
Former secretary of state candidate Kristina Karamo was elected the Michigan Republican Party’s new chairperson in a third and final ballot Saturday evening that truly came down to the wire as delegates rushed to cast their ballots before the contract to hold space in the Lansing Center expired. Ms. Karamo […]
Sen Damoose Opposes Senate Panel Reports Bill to Eliminate 3rd Grade Reading Law Retention
Legislation that would remove retention provisions in the state’s third grade reading law took its first step with a Tuesday committee vote following testimony in which supporters called the retention language in statute being harmful to students while opponents questioned lowering standards. The Senate Education Committee reported SB 12 by […]
Time for someone to take on Trump, Michigan Senate GOP leader says
Michigan Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, a Republican from Jackson County, criticized Donald Trump during an interview on a Jackson-area TV show Monday, arguing in favor of someone challenging the former president for the GOP nomination in 2024. Trump, who lost the presidential race to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020, launched […]
Ex-Michigan health department director gets $155,000 payoff as part of separation agreement
The former director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services will receive more than $155,000 in exchange for “releasing all claims against” the state, according to a separation agreement provided to the Free Press. The agreement states the money provided to Robert Gordon constitutes nine months of pay […]
Gov Whitmer opens up about Trump
Governor Gretchen Whitmer goes on the record saying she wished she could have arrested former President Donald Trump. In a recent interview with the magazine “Hour Detroit,” Gov. Whitmer laughed boisterously at the prospect of having arrest President Trump when his campaign rallies allegedly violated her coronavirus orders. The governor […]
Controversy hits Michigan GOP before leadership vote
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — There’s a civil war inside the Michigan Republican Party. Laura Cox had planned to step down as chairwoman Saturday but now wants to keep the job a little longer while she accuses a possible successor of misconduct when he led the party in 2018. Cox said […]
Senate GOP Rejects Several Whitmer Appointments
Senate Republicans today voted to reject 13 appointments on multiple boards and commissions as a “signal” of displeasure to Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s “refusal” to work with the Legislature. The Senate voted 19-14, with all Democrats voting no, to reject the appointments of Kristin Totten to the Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention […]
Whitmer’s Third State Of The State Speech Shrouded For Now
On the one hand, the big picture themes of what Governor Gretchen Whitmer will discuss in her third State of the State address are obvious: the coronavirus pandemic and the ensuing economic and education crises. On the other hand, the specifics of what Ms. Whitmer will say are unknown with no major […]
Michigan health director resigns; Whitmer names successor
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Michigan Health and Human Services Director Robert Gordon, who issued sweeping orders to curb the spread of the coronavirus after Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s powers were upended by a court ruling, abruptly resigned Friday. No explanation for the resignation was given. In a tweet, he said it […]