Progress Michigan blog posts.
Last year, a 30-year-old man in Lansing stole a semiautomatic handgun from a shooting range and killed his estranged girlfriend in a JoAnn Fabrics before turning the gun on himself. One year prior, a two-year-old boy from Flint was left in critical condition when he accidentally shot himself when a loaded gun was left…
We’ve got bad news: The party that brought you Right to Work and prevailing wage repeal is back in action with a sneaky attempt at union-busting. Last week, the Detroit News reported on a measure included in House Republicans’ proposed budget that would prohibit the state from entering into road-building contracts with firms whose…
Last week, the legislature took up bills that would make some minor changes to the Medicaid work requirements signed into law by then-Gov. Rick Snyder last year. We’re here to tell you exactly why those changes are nowhere near good enough. First and foremost, let’s make one thing very clear: these work requirements are…
It’s no secret that Republicans do not like Dana Nessel. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey has floated the idea of impeaching her, right-wing front groups have made a habit of attacking her on social media, and corporate lobbyists like the Rich Studley have been complaining about her efforts to protect the Great Lakes. Unfortunately…
Thanks to nearly a decade of total Republican control and years of cuts to public education, Michigan schools are struggling to afford resources for their students and educators. Between the Education Achievement Authority, cuts to teachers’ pensions, and stifling budget cuts to K-12 education here in the state, it’s no surprise that students are…
“Transparency hawk” is a pretty cool title—like a superhero name, but for an elected official who goes above and beyond the call of duty in the fight to ensure our government is truly accountable to the people. Senate Majority Leader Mike Shirkey, despite using that term to describe himself…does not do that. In fact,…
This week, activists with Michigan Clean Water Action gathered at the Michigan Chamber of Commerce to protest the Chamber’s environmental positions, which favor corporate polluters at the expense of Michiganders’ right to clean air and water. The link here is pretty simple: The Chamber represents businesses across Michigan, corporations often pollute our water and…
In the last few weeks we’ve seen states across the country gut access to abortion, and Michigan took heat from the organized attack by anti-abortion extremists this week. With the passing of House Bills 4320 and 4321 and Senate Bills 229 and 230, the legislation will now go to the Governor’s desk. Even with…
Republicans in the Michigan Legislature have a plan for auto insurance reform. Unfortunately, it’s not a good one. Last week, both the House and Senate passed bills that would make several changes to our insurance system, most notably letting drivers opt out of unlimited personal injury protection. The House version calls for a reduction…
Last week, it was announced that a private company will be allowed to run a prison in Michigan to house undocumented immigrants. This is not good news. What makes the deal especially disheartening is the intersection of two major problems: our continued mistreatment of undocumented immigrants and the concerning trend toward privatized incarceration. For…