Progress Michigan is a first-of-its-kind organization. Our mission is to provide a strong credible voice that holds public officials and government accountable, assists in the promotion of progressive ideas and uses state-of-the-art web based new media to creatively build grassroots support for progressive ideas.

Republican Politicians Push Radical “Transvaginal Ultrasound” Bill

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Friday, February 8, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Invasive and unnecessary requirement deemed too extreme by Republican Speaker LANSING – Last week 21 Republican state Reps. co-sponsored a bill that would have effectively forced women seeking an abortion to have an ultrasound performed with an invasive vaginal…

Michigan Leaders React to Gov. Snyder’s Budget Presentation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, February 7, 2012 CONTACT: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 LANSING – Following today’s budget presentation by Gov. Rick Snyder, leaders from labor, progressive, and non-profit organizations issued the following responses: Steve Cook, President, Michigan Education Association on school funding: “While teachers and education support professionals strongly support expanding early childhood education, we are…

Happy Birthday, Rosa Parks

The following blog is a guest piece from Michael Anderson, who is currently an intern at Progress Michigan. Today marks the 100th birthday of Rosa Parks, a woman that was a hero for the civil rights movement and a voice for the oppressed.  Parks had long been a civil rights activist but one action not only cemented…

Tea Party Leader Refers to “Ethnically Challenged” Charter School Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Friday, February 1, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Conservatives celebrate approach of “School Choice Week” with tasteless comments LANSING – On January 15 at a “Citizens Watchdog Training” sponsored by conservative advocacy group Americans For Prosperity, AFP’s state chairman Scott Hagerstrom outlined the group’s plan to continue to…

Americans For Prosperity State Director Slams Snyder’s Road Plan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Thursday, January 31, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Tells Tea Party crowd the state budget is full of “pork” LANSING – At a January “Citizens Watchdog Training” sponsored by conservative group Americans for Prosperity, AFP’s state director Scott Hagerstrom slammed Gov. Snyder’s roads proposal, telling the crowd that…

Americans For Prosperity State Director Continues Pattern of Violent Rhetoric

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Wednesday, January 30, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Tea Party leader Scott Hagerstrom tells crowd about plan for “hand-to-hand combat” LANSING – On January 15 at a “Citizens Watchdog Training” sponsored by Tea Party advocacy group Americans for Prosperity, AFP’s state director Scott Hagerstrom outlined the group’s…

Mackinac Center Admits to Lobbying Lawmakers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Tuesday, January 29, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Right-wing extremists tell Koch-funded group about lobbying activities LANSING – Today citizens advocacy group Progress Michigan released audio from an Americans for Prosperity “Citizen Watchdog Training” where lawmakers and their right-wing allies bragged about the circumstances surrounding passage of RTW in…

Statement from Progress Michigan Executive Director Zack Pohl on the $1.3 million tab from inflated police presence at Capitol

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Monday, January 28, 2012 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, 517.974.6302, jessica@progressmichigan.org LANSING – Michigan taxpayers are being forced to foot a $1.3 million bill to pay for an inflated and unnecessary State Police presence at the State Capitol during passage of so-called “Right to Work” legislation. Today citizens watchdog group…

Sen. Colbeck Tells Koch-Funded Group RTW Passed Because of DeVos Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Monday, January 28, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Behind closed doors, Colbeck gives credit to billionaire “unsung hero” DeVos LANSING – Today citizens advocacy group Progress Michigan released audio from an Americans for Prosperity “Citizen Watchdog Training” where lawmakers and activists bragged about the circumstances surrounding passage of RTW…

Republican Politicians Considering Plot to Rig 2016 Presidential Election

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Friday, January 25, 2013 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 Jase Bolger tries to handicap another election after calling Roy Schmidt scandal “appropriate” LANSING – Citizens’ watchdog group Progress Michigan today condemned Republican Speaker Jase Bolger for seriously entertaining an attempt to rig the 2016 Presidential election in Michigan. Today Gongwer…