Michigan Politics & Elections

Ken Cockrel, Robert Ficano react to Warren Evans' new post with Detroit Police Department

2009-07-05T23:10:21Z

Detroit City Council president Ken Cockrel said he hoped Mayor Dave Bing's decision to replace Detroit Police Chief James Barren with Wayne County Sheriff Warren Evans wasn't political....

Audit questions uses of Detroit's emergency cash

2009-07-05T23:09:32Z

A city fund intended to cover emergencies was used for expenses such as a publicist hired by ex-Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick during the text-message scandal that drove him from office last year....

Sarah Palin takes to Web for hints of political future

2009-07-05T13:45:06Z

JUNEAU, Alaska - Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin didn't wait long to give some hint of what her political life might look like after she leaves office at the end of the month....

West Michigan tea parties on Fourth of July protest federal spending

2009-07-05T01:36:03Z

Hollyn Johnson | The Grand Rapids PressBob Davis, a teacher from Freedom Baptist High School, speaks Saturday during a rally in support of limited government. GRANDVILLE -- To show her displeasure for the direction of American politics and government at...

Grand Rapids political adviser to John McCain says Sarah Palin resignation signals plan for national run

2009-07-04T17:38:16Z

Some believe she's tired of the spotlight, while others, like Grand Rapids political consultant John Yob, are certain she's positioning herself for another campaign.

Why is Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin resigning?

2009-07-04T00:06:50Z

Some West Michigan Republicans share their thoughts on Palin's move.

Michigan may cut subsidies that keep Amtrak running

2009-07-03T21:48:15Z

LANSING -- Michigan may cut subsidies that keep Amtrak running along two of its three passenger rail lines in the state, a move critics say sends the wrong message as President Barack Obama is promoting high-speed rail....

Updated: Alaska governor Sarah Palin announces her resignation

2009-07-03T20:41:29Z

AP file photoAlaska Gov. Sarah Palin Sarah Palin is resigning as Alaska governor on July 26. The one-time mayor of Wasilla, Alaska's fifth-largest city, stepped into the post in 2006, but was thrust into the national spotlight when Republican presidential...

Cap and Trade: Boon or bust?

2009-07-03T14:51:30Z

Environmentalists contend a climate change bill doesn't go far enough, and at least one mid-Michigan business leader says it goes too far....

The Michigan budget: It's all about priorities

2009-07-03T08:31:17Z

Occasionally, I hear from an irate reader who informs me that balancing the state budget is as easy as balancing his checkbook. First, I congratulate him for having $43 billion to play around with, especially in this economy. That's impressive....

Podcast: Supremes stall on Hillary Clinton documentary; GOP governor hopefuls come to Grand Rapids; Ehlers wrestles with vote on massive energy bill

2009-07-01T21:16:07Z

In this week's Talking Michigan Politics podcast, Press politics Editor Jeff Cranson and editorial page Editor Ed Golder discuss: -- The U.S. Supreme Court decision not to rule on whether an anti-Hillary Clinton documentary violated campaign finance laws. The...

TEA party to go as planned in Shiawassee County

2009-07-01T20:56:29Z

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, Michigan — James Gould, 55, of Owosso, said he was first told "quite bluntly" that he couldn't hold an anti-tax rally on the Shiawassee Courthouse lawn. After the American Civil Liberties Union stepped in to back him up,...

Reminder: Less than one week left to register for primary election

2009-07-01T17:13:57Z

Don't forget that Tuesday, July 7 is the last day to register for Aug. 4 primary elections in Michigan. In Detroit, the primary election includes candidates running for mayor, city clerk, city council, the board of education and seats on...

Shiawassee County man denied from protesting taxation on county property

2009-07-01T17:01:56Z

SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, Michigan — James Gould thinks taxes have gotten out of control, and he wants to spread the word. After being told he could not hold a Taxed Enough Already Party, or TEA Party, on the steps of the...

Want real reform in Michigan? Start with the Urban Cooperation Act

2009-07-01T14:16:58Z

The Renaissance Center in Detroit, still home to GM. When GM was about to go belly-up last month, Warren Mayor Jim Fouts had a brilliant idea to feast on its rotting carcass: Move the headquarters from Detroit to Warren! That...