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.

Group Launches Petition to Pressure Congress Action on Budget, Avoid Devastating Shutdown

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, March 10, 2011 Contact: Leigh Fifelski, 517-999-3646 LANSING – Citizens group Progress Michigan today launched a petition designed to force Congress to pass a federal budget and avoid a devastating government shutdown, by docking legislators’ pay during a shutdown. “Politicians in Washington should live by the same rules as the rest…

Collective Bargaining, Voter Rights Under Attack by Emergency Manager Bills

Contact: David Holtz, Progress Michigan, 517-999-3646 2,000 Voters and Workers Rally at Captiol, Urge Lawmakers to Stop the Attacks (Lansing)—More than 2,000 workers and voters assembled at the Captiol Tuesday to protest the Emergency Manager bills under consideration in the state Senate, saying they attack two fundamental rights Michigan citizens hold dear – the right…

Financial Manager Plan Equals Power Grab, Attack on Taxpayers

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, March 2, 2011 Contact: Leigh Fifelski 517-999-3646 Politicians could decree class sizes, debt on taxpayers in dozens of communities LANSING – Citizens and local officials today called on the state Senate to reject a plan to send so-called emergency financial managers into local communities, saying the proposal gives sweeping unilateral powers…

SNYDER BUDGET RESPONSES FROM EXPERTS & ORGANIZATIONAL LEADERS

Below you will find comments from experts and organizational leaders in response to Governor Snyder’s proposed budget.  If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Leigh Fifelski at leigh@progressmichigan.org or via phone at 517.999.3646. David Holtz, Executive Director, Progress Michigan (517.999.3646):   “Gov. Rick Snyder’s proposed budget is heavy on cuts to families and children, and…

Citizens Groups: Elected Officials, Appointees Must Cut Salaries, Benefits

For Immediate Release           Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011 CONTACT: David Holtz (313) 300-4454, Christina Kuo (248) 508-0971, Linda Teeter (269) 352-3811 Citizens Groups: Elected Officials, Appointees Must Cut Salaries, Benefits As more budget cuts loom, Lansing must lead by example to reform government, share in sacrifice LANSING – As Governor Snyder prepares to release a proposed budget with…

Citizens Urge Snyder Not to Cut Public Services, Staff after New Study Shows Workers Underpaid

For Immediate Release                               Thursday, Feb. 3 2011 CONTACT: David Holtz PHONE: 313.300.4454                                    Independent study: public employees are undercompensated by 5.3 percent LANSING – Michigan citizens group, Progress Michigan,  today called on Gov. Rick Snyder to protect services for working families and refrain from cutting the public sector after a new independent study showed…

Citizens Group Calls on Snyder, Top Officials To Share in Sacrifice

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                            CONTACT: LEIGH FIFELSKIFriday, January 14, 2011                                                                                                    (517) 999-3646 Snyder, Cabinet, Senior Staff Should Save Taxpayer Dollars, Lead By Example LANSING – Citizens group Progress Michigan today called on Governor Rick Snyder to lead by example and forgo taking any salary as governor and cutting salary and benefits for top staff before asking others…

Corrigan’s Anti-Family, Anti-Consumer Decisions Make her Poor Choice to Lead Dept. of Human Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                             Contact: David Holtz, (517) 999-3646Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011  Decisions as a top judge put ideology before children, consumers  LANSING – Citizens group Progress Michigan today criticized the selection of Maura Corrigan as director of the Department of Human Services, pointing out the former Supreme Court justice’s rulings and actions that put ideology…

New Report From Midwest Governors Says Cleaner Fuels Will Create More Jobs

Strategies Would Support Chevy Volt, Other Electric Vehicles   LANSING – A Midwest Governors Association task force has recommended cleaner fuels and increased use of cleaner vehicles like the electric Chevy Volt to create jobs in Michigan and other Midwest states.  The recommendations come in a report from a broad-based group that included government officials,…