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.

Rep. Wayne Schmidt says female lawmakers were put in ‘timeout’ as punishment for floor remarks

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress Michigan Wednesday, June 20, 2012Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302 More shameful attacks on women from Lansing Republicans  LANSING – During a radio interview yesterday, State Rep. Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) told host Michael Patrick Shiels that Reps. Lisa Brown (D-West Bloomfield) and Barb Byrum (D-Onondaga) were put in “timeout” as a…

Statement from Executive Director, Zack Pohl, on the conduct of House Republican leadership

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress Michigan Friday, June 15, 2012 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, (517) 974-6302, jessica@progressmichigan.org Statement from Executive Director, Zack Pohl, on the conduct of House Republican leadership “The actions of House Republicans yesterday were distasteful and offensive, and we encourage Speaker Jase Bolger to demonstrate the kind of decorum they claim to uphold on…

Statement from Executive Director, Zack Pohl on the Unemployment Number Increase

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress Michigan Wednesday, June 13, 2012Contact: Jessica Tramontana, 517.974.6302, jessica@progressmichigan.org “We’re seeing unemployment rise for the first time in a year, and the only place Lansing Republicans can look is in the mirror,” said Zack Pohl, Executive Director of Progress Michigan. “A massive tax cut for big corporations was passed under the…

Thousands Sign Petition Telling GM to Cut Ties With Controversial Lobby Group ALEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress Michigan Tuesday, May 29, 2012Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302Online petition calls on GM to “do the right thing,” drop ALEC membership LANSING – Today citizen’s group Progress Michigan announced that over 8,800 Michigan residents have signed an online petition calling on General Motors to drop its membership with the controversial American…

Progress Michigan Highlights Items GOP Tax Gimmick Won’t Buy for Taxpayers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress Michigan Thursday, May 24, 2012Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, 517-974-6302 $23 from election year tax gimmick won’t help taxpayers buy gas, diapers, textbooksLANSING – Today citizens group Progress Michigan released a list of items that Michigan taxpayers won’t be able to buy with the .1 percent income tax cut that is being…

Voting Rights Advocates Battle Bills that Make Voting Tougher

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, May 22, 2012 Contact: Progress Michigan: Jessica Tramontana, (517) 974-6302, jessica@progressmichigan.org Advocacy groups cry ‘foul’ over bills to weaken Michigan residents’ ability to cast their ballot  LANSING – Voting rights advocates from the Michigan League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Project Vote and the A. Philip Randolph Institute today spoke out against a…

Statement from AFT Michigan President David Hecker on the so-called Retirement “Reform” Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from AFT MichiganThursday, May 17, 2012Contact: David Hecker, (313) 204-6115, dhecker@aftmichigan.org “This so-called retirement ‘reform’ package is more bad news for Michigan’s public school retirees and future hires, denying them a secure retirement,” said David Hecker, AFT Michigan president. “First Lansing politicians created an unfair pension tax, and now they want to double the cost of retiree…

Citizens Urge GM to Cut Ties With Controversial Lobby Group ALEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress MichiganThursday, May 17, 2012Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302Online petition calls on GM to “do the right thing,” drop ALEC membershipLANSING – Today citizen’s group Progress Michigan launched an online petition calling on General Motors to drop its membership with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC). In recent weeks, corporations…

Environmental Groups Urge Hoekstra to Reject Great Lakes Drilling, Protect Pure Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News from Progress MichiganMonday, May 14, 2012 Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302 Senate candidate flip-flops on protecting Great Lakes LANSING – Today environmental groups banded together, calling on U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra to reject any form of oil or gas drilling in the Great Lakes. Clean Water Action, Sierra Club, and Progress Michigan…

Retired Macomb Teacher Named “Organizer of the Year” at Michigan Summit

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASENews from Progress MichiganSaturday, May 12, 2012   Contact: Jessica Tramontana, jessica@progressmichigan.org, (517) 974-6302 Jim DeNardis is a former teacher and full-time volunteer dedicated to making a difference  EAST LANSING, Mich.- Jim DeNardis was named “Best Organizer of the Year” for his dedication to Macomb County and organizing efforts to help area residents find their voice.…