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.

Michigan’s New Natural Gas Panel Chief Tied to Big Oil, Gas Industries

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 1, 2011 Contact: Leigh Fifelski, 517-999-3646 LANSING, MI–The Chair of a new state House panel created this week that is responsible for protecting Michigan’s waters  from a highly controversial natural gas drilling method dubbed “fracking,” has close and extensive ties to oil and gas industry lobbying and advocacy groups, state and…

Citizens Call New Natural Gas Instructions Insufficient to Protect Health, MI Water

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, May 26, 2011Contact: Leigh Fifelski, 517-999-3646 LANSING – Citizens groups today said new permit requirements affecting the removal of natural gas from Michigan deposits is not enough to address growing public concerns over the impact of the controversial process on public health and its impact on Michigan’s Great Lakes and other…

State Employees Unveil Innovative Streamlining, Accountability Solutions to Save Tax Dollars, Protect Essential Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Monday, May 23, 2011CONTACT: Leigh Fifelski, (517) 999-3646 or (248) 321-4579 LANSING – As legislators prepare to pass Michigan’s FY2011-2012 budget, state employees are pointing lawmakers toward innovative cost-savings, efficiency, and accountability solutions that could save tens of millions in taxpayer dollars in this fiscal year and beyond. State employees’ New Solutions…

New Report, Video On Electric Vehicles Powering Michigan’s Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                      Contact: Leigh Fifelski Thursday, May 19, 2011                                                                                (517) 999-3646   Lansing – Progress Michigan released today a digital video, Electric Vehicles: Made in Michigan, as a companion to the Michigan League of Conservation Voters report also released today. Through interviews with a line-worker building the Chevy Volt at…

NEW WEBSITE SHOWCASES PERSONAL STORIES OF TEACHERS, FIREFIGHTERS, PUBLIC WORKERS

Public employees fight back as Gov. Snyder pushes drastic cuts to pay for huge corporate special interest tax breaks LANSING – Today Progress Michigan and the We Are the People coalition launched IMakeMichiganWork.org, a new website that showcases the personal stories of Michigan’s teachers, firefighters and other public sector workers. With Lansing politicians pushing a…

House Snubs MI Families, Balances Unfair Budget on Backs of Ordinary Citizens

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEThursday, April 28, 2011Contact: Leigh Fifelski, 517-999-3646 LANSING – Progress Michigan today criticized the House for approving a budget plan that raises taxes on low-income working families, seniors and others to pay for a $1.73-billion tax break for rich corporations. Six Republicans joined all 43 Democrats in opposing the unfair budget, and MIRS…

Snyder Budget Raises Taxes for Michigan’s Young Families, Seniors

For Immediate Release:    April 8, 2011     Contact:   Leigh Fifelski: 517.999.3646 Snyder plans to eliminate child tax credit, investment exemption for seniors LANSING – Citizens groups today spotlighted tax increases in Gov. Rick Snyder’s budget plan that would negatively impact millions of ordinary Michigan families, including seniors and families with young children. “You don’t need to…

Right-Wing Front Launches Effort to Silence Free Speech, Strangle Middle-Class Fight

    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                 CONTACT: Leigh Fifelski Tuesday, March 29, 2011                                                                                           (517) 999-3646   Right-Wing Front Launches Effort to Silence Free Speech, Strangle Middle-Class Fight Mackinac Center FOIA targeting academics could stifle dialogue on Michigan’s future   LANSING – Groups across Michigan today warned citizens about an effort by the Mackinac…

Citizens Group Shines Light on the Real ‘Monopoly’ in State Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Tuesday, March 15, 2011 Contact: Leigh Fifelski, 517-999-3646 LANSING – Citizens group Progress Michigan today launched “Value for Michigan CEOs,” an online Monopoly-themed campaign to debunk “Value for Michigan,” a Facebook front for the Snyder Administration set up by partisan political operatives.  Progress Michigan’s “Value for Michigan CEOs” campaign includes a Facebook…