Michigan Politics & Elections

Phil Power: Michigan, let's target and sideline special interests

2012-05-31T01:25:03Z

Yes, China is an autocracy, but they have some mighty fine roadways and railroads, notes CFM founder Phil Power, who recently visited there. By contrast, he argues, Michigan's infrastructure is a mess because too many special interests can "veto" progress. Might a little of the "creative destruction" that's helped the U.S. private sector aid Michigan's public sector, too?

Senate hopeful Pete Hoekstra tries to quell 'birther' controversy, calling it an 'absolute waste of time'

2012-05-30T23:15:05Z

U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra claims he isn't trying to re-ignite the "birther" controversy by suggesting creation of a national office to vet presidential candidates; he's trying to fight such fires before they begin.

Michigan Democrats ‘desperate’ to allege misuse of resources tied to Rep. Roy Schmidt’s party jump, GOP says

2012-05-30T23:13:42Z

Mark Brewer, state Democratic Party chairman, offers no evidence of campaign finance violation allegations submitted to the Secretary of State, according to Ari Adler, a spokesman for Jase Bolger.

Stabenow says Ann Arbor-to-Detroit rail effort moving slower than she'd like

2012-05-30T22:55:00Z

MACKINAC ISLAND — Three candidates looking to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate offered different opinions on regional rail and mass transit on Wednesday. Incumbent Debbie Stabenow, the only Democrat on the ballot, said she's bullish on the prospect...

Poll: Pete Hoekstra remains clear GOP favorite, would lose handily to Sen. Debbie Stabenow

2012-05-30T20:21:45Z

“This looked like a potentially competitive race earlier in the cycle but Debbie Stabenow is in a pretty solid position now,” polling firm president says.

Miss Michigan Elizabeth Wertenberger makes lawmakers aware of juvenile chronic illnesses

2012-05-30T18:23:00Z

Wertenberger, 23, said policy makers need to know how many U.S. children are dealing with chronic illnesses and need access to medications.

Democrats don't like Michigan income tax relief plan, so will they vote for it?

2012-05-30T18:14:00Z

Michigan Democrats say the Republican-backed income tax relief plan doesn't go far enough.

Gov. Snyder answers MLive reader questions on unions, retired teachers and municipal mergers

2012-05-30T17:39:05Z

Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder is back in Lansing today as he works with legislators to finish the state budget. But before he left the Mackinac Policy Conference on Tuesday, Snyder sat down with MLive and fielded a few questions from our readers.

Algebra 2, foreign language would be dropped from Michigan graduation requirements under bill debated in House committee

2012-05-30T16:13:00Z

State Board of Education member Nancy Danhof: Please don’t go back to the dark ages where we say our students can’t learn, and roll back standards."

Michigan House Republicans defend income tax plan that would provide only modest relief

2012-05-30T15:49:00Z

But Rep. Ed McBroom says it's a start. "We're moving cautiously here."

Bill calls for retired lawmakers to pay 20 percent of health premiums, too

2012-05-30T15:43:00Z

The Michigan House could vote soon to make retired lawmakers pay higher health care premiums. It remains unclear, however, if legislators will insist on the change at the same time they consider it for retired public school employees.

Pete Hoekstra: Establish national 'birther' office for presidential candidates

2012-05-30T13:58:51Z

Former U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra, now seeking a Senate seat, told a Michigan tea party group that "I think it wasn’t fought and we lost," on President Barack Obama's birth certificate controversy.

Gov. Rick Snyder: Michigan is the comeback state (but we don't brag well)

2012-05-30T11:24:08Z

Gov. Rick Snyder wants you to run and shout it from a mountain: Michigan is the comeback state.

Tim Skubick: You can bet Gov. Snyder has a plan for Detroit-Windsor Bridge

2012-05-30T11:19:22Z

Snyder's ineptness at convincing lawmakers to support the project remains the biggest stain on his otherwise pretty good record to date (assuming you're not a Democrat).

Tony Blair in Grand Rapids: Why governments may need to take 'unpopular' actions

2012-05-30T03:33:17Z

Learn what Tony Blair had to say about the Euro, the Middle East and while poking fun at himself.

Mitt Romney clinches GOP nomination with Texas win

2012-05-30T01:55:57Z

According to the Associated Press count, Romney surpassed the 1,144 delegates needed to win the nomination by winning at least 88 delegates in the Texas primary.

Fareed Zakaria: Want jobs? Then government needs to spend more on infrastructure, education

2012-05-29T23:30:00Z

See what Zakaria says is the "most depressing statistic in America."

Gov. Rick Snyder misses big opportunities in 2011-12

2012-05-29T23:00:00Z

Gov. Rick Snyder has made big mistakes in not tying important economic initiatives -- such as the new Detroit-Windsor bridge, road repairs and work-force development -- to the annual budget process, argues Bridge columnist Peter Luke.

Another congressional candidate bumped from ballot for insufficient petition signatures

2012-05-29T22:40:31Z

Congressional candidate Shanelle Jackson of Detroit will not appear on the August Democratic primary ballot.

Congressman Fred Upton's challenger, Jack Hoogendyk, left $8,000 mailing expense off campaign finance report, resubmits filing

2012-05-29T20:47:08Z

The refiling comes after Congressman Fred Upton's campaign sent Hoogendyk's campaign a letter