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.

Statement of David Hecker, AFT Michigan President, on the Board of Canvassers’ Failure to put PA 4 on the Ballot

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News From AFT Michigan Thursday, April 26, 2012 Contact: David Hecker, (313) 204-6115, dhecker@aftmichigan.org It’s disappointing that the two Republican board members voted to overrule the recommendation of the Secretary of State staff that this petition be certified. Throwing out the signatures of hundreds of thousands of Michigan voters is the kind of partisan…

Voting Rights Advocates to Take Aim at Bills that Create Obstacles for MI Citizens

MEDIA ADVISORYMonday, April 23, 2012Contact: Project Vote: Sarah Massey, (202) 210 6614, smassey@projectvote.orgContact: Progress Michigan: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org Advocacy groups call voter suppression bills ‘assault on democracy’ LANSING – Advocacy groups including the Michigan League of Women Voters, Common Cause, Project Vote, A. Philip Randolph Institute and others will hold a press conference…

Citizens Urge Rep. Lund To Drop ALEC Voter Suppression Bills

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, April 10, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org  Thousands of Michiganders demanding elected officials cut off ALEC influence LANSING – Michigan citizens are urging state Rep. Pete Lund (R-Shelby Township) to drop his membership with the controversial American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and reject a package of voter suppression bills. Engulfed in controversy…

Pete Hoekstra Abandons Working Michiganders, Calls Wage Discrimination Laws A “Nuisance”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE News From Progress Michigan Monday, April 16, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org Michigan citizens write Pete Hoekstra urging him to “get real” LANSING – Last week, candidate for U.S. Senate and career politician Pete Hoekstra abandoned women and our nation’s founding principles by calling the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act a “nuisance” before…

New ALEC Report Celebrates Michigan’s Anti-Middle Class Policies

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Friday, April 13, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org                           Meanwhile, corporate backers flee controversial front group in droves LANSING – Facing a firestorm of controversy, several corporations have fled the American Legislative Exchange Council in recent days. Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Wendy’s,…

Santorum Exit a Win for Healthcare

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 10, 2012 Contact: Lonnie ScottCell: 734-323-6028 Santorum gives “RomneyCare” an early Anniversary Gift MICHIGAN – Today Rick Santorum announced that he was ending his campaign for the Republican nomination for President.  This move is being lauded by advocates as a “win” for healthcare, because it now assures that the presumptive nominee will…

Corporate Sponsors Quit ALEC, Lansing Politicians Should Follow Suit

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASETuesday, April 10, 2012Contact: Zack Pohl, (517) 980-6190, zack@progressmichigan.org Michigan citizens demand that lawmakers put constituents first LANSING – To date, five major funders of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) have indicated they will not renew their membership to the controversial conservative lobbying organization. Progress Michigan is now calling on Michigan lawmakers to join these corporate…

Email Disclosure Prompts Call for Legislature to Come Clean About Mackinac Center’s Influence

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, March 21, 2012 Contact: David Holtz, (313) 300-4454 Emails showing political cover-up point to need for more transparency LANSING, MI—Progress Michigan called today on the state Legislature to release all emails and other communications between lawmakers and the Mackinac Center for Public Policy, including those of a lobbying nature, in light…

Progress Michigan Names New Executive Director

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        CONTACT:  Zack Pohl, 517-980-6190Tuesday, March 20, 2012 Zack Pohl to lead progressive communications organization starting on April 2 LANSING – Today Progress Michigan named Zack Pohl as the organization’s new Executive Director, taking over for David Holtz, who has accepted a position on U.S. Rep. Dale Kildee’s congressional staff. Pohl currently serves…