October 16, 2009
‘Solving’ the Budget Fight
Clues indicate 2009-10 will be more of a transitional budget that will never really be final. | more•
October 9, 2009
Coal-Fired Fury
Did Gov. Granholm’s stance on power plants ignite Speaker Dillon’s independence? | more•
October 2, 2009
Is Everybody Happy?
Goal of the controversial budget agreement is now clear: bragging rights for all.| more•
September 25, 2009
A Short History of Legislative All-Nighters
State budgets just seem to need the oil of all-night sessions to get slipped into position.| more•
September 18, 2009
Who Holds the Budget Roadmap?
Will the current direction lead to a relatively safe budget destination or a head-on collision?| more•
September 11, 2009
Final Budget Finally Taking Shape
Out of a parking lot comes the start of the last stage of the 2009-10 budget race — a warm-up for the marathon to follow. | more•
September 4, 2009
Against the Closed Door
Held in isolation far from the public, the closed-door budget negotiations seem unreal. | more•
August 28, 2009
Ted Kennedys in Michigan
Political superstar was an icon of a political ideal that seems to have vanished.| more•
August 21, 2009
Budget Talks: Ongoing, but Going Where?
Capital growing restless over lack of information on budget negotiations.| more•
August 14, 2009
Jobs and Terror
Debate over jailing Gitmo prisoners in Standish takes on a new political overtone.| more•
August 7, 2009
Private Talks Hide Budget Plans
Social services and arts groups say they can’t afford to take any more budget cuts.| more•
July 31, 2009
Players Choosing Sides on Dillon Plan
Public employee insurance reforms become part of budget and 2010 campaign politics.| more•
July 31, 2009
Players Choosing Sides on Dillon Plan
Public employee insurance reforms become part of budget and 2010 campaign politics.| more•
July 24, 2009
Can Dillon ‘Open China?’
Speaker’s plan for public employee insurance reform taps into public sentiment.| more•
July 17, 2009
Faceoff Over AG Power
Attorney General Cox fights legislators’ attempt to curtail his authority.| more•
July 10, 2009
Young Gunning
Dems stick Justice Robert Young’s head on the 2010 electoral dart board.| more•
June 26, 2009
Republican Field Narrows for 2010
Early exit of Secretary of State Land from governor’s race helps Bouchard and Hoekstra.| more•
June 19, 2009
Senate Panel Pushes ‘Budget of Death’
State Police, higher education, community health and human services get hit with surprisingly dramatic cuts.| more•
June 12, 2009
Heading Off State Police Cuts
State trooper layoffs get locked up in politics.| more•
June 5, 2009
Auto Bankruptcies Signal End of an Era
Million-jobs question: what role does manufacturing play in Michigan’s future?| more•
May 29, 2009
Gov’s Race Off and Running
Candidates address Mackinac crowd, split on no-tax-increase pledge.| more•
May 22, 2009
Smoking Ban Compromise Remains Elusive
House and Senate still sharply divided over final form of a workplace smoking ban.| more•
May 15, 2009
Lawmakers Focus on Uninsured
New House and Senate plans take a serious stab at fixing health insurance system.| more•
May 8, 2009
Stimulus Cash Softens Budget Blow
Legislators pull trigger on $304 million in cuts — and wonder what’s next.| more•
May 1, 2009
Another Day of Economic Reckoning
State officials paint Chrysler bankruptcy as paving the way for its dramatic rebirth. | more•
April 24, 2009
Political Tug-of-War No Child’s Play
Panel urges feds to embrace mandates in Democrats’ toxic-toy package. | more•
April 17, 2009
State Budget Faces Deep Cuts
Plunging revenues force lawmakers to cut hundreds of millions more this year. | more•
April 10, 2009
Beer Tax Could Help Human Services
Task force finds inadequate funding pushes too many kids into foster care. | more•
April 3, 2009
Government Help a Bad Joke?
Feds’ tough love for auto industry puts state officials in a difficult spot. | more•
March 27, 2009
Lawmakers Greenlight $873 Million for Roads
Federal stimulus funds are coming as unemployment climbs and roads crumble. | more•
March 20, 2009
Locals Could Get Less from Stimulus
State’s falling revenues could force it to keep funds planned for local governments. | more•
March 13, 2009
Battle of Tax Cuts vs. Services Rages on
Chicken-and-egg fight between parties picks up new steam. | more•
March 6, 2009
Sending Mixed Signals on Education
Education backers scratching their heads over policymakers’ latest assaults. | more•
February 28, 2009
State Action Shifts to Washington
Governor and legislative leaders hit D.C. to talk stimulus and bailout funds. | more•
February 23, 2009
Not So Fast on Stimulus Cash
Michigan officials are eager to spend federal stimulus dollars, but still need answers. | more•
February 16, 2009
State Cuts: Significant and Symbolic
Governor’s budget, cutting $670 million and 1,500 jobs, promises new levels of angst. | more•
February 09, 2009
Governor Escalates Auto Insurance War
Insurers warn of economic backlash over rate freeze order. | more•
February 02, 2009
Crippled States Proposing Overhauls
Governor may follow others in announcing sweeping change to offset crushing deficits. | more•
January 26, 2009
Eye of Budget Storm Starts Forming
Corrections savings, stimulus cash and state overhaul come into play. | more•
January 19, 2009
Focus Shifts to Taxes and Stimulus Projects
Will lawmakers do more than talk about tax reform? | more•
January 12, 2009
Tough Economy Smacks Budget
Bad economic news sets off scramble for budget solutions. | more•
December 22, 2008
No Fix for Crumbling Road Finances
Lame duck waddles off without raising more funds for roads. | more•
December 15, 2008
Flurry Forecast for Final Day
Legislators start their final week with much to complete. | more•
December 08, 2008
Lame Duck Trips Over Budget Cuts
Senate Republicans’ stance could hold up packed agenda. | more•
November 24, 2008
Auto Crisis Cuts Trade Trip
Middle East jobs mission only brief break from economic woes. | more•
November 17, 2008
Governor Pitches Auto Bailout
Car companies’ falling stock boosts Granholm’s opportunities. | more•
November 10, 2008
Focus Shifting to 2010 Elections
What does the election immediately past tell us about the one soon to come? | more•
November 3, 2008
Chrysler’s Fate Overshadows Elections
Automakers’ job losses could devastate state finances. | more•
October 27, 2008
Tough Times Threaten GOP Incumbents
Economic meltdown could cost two congressmen their jobs. | more•
October 13, 2008
Global Turmoil Threatens State Finances
Budget cuts inevitable as tax collections fall short. | more•
October 6, 2008
Michigan Republicans Lose Air Cover
McCain’s decision to pull out weakens other candidates. | more•
September 29, 2008
Lawmakers Leave Town to Campaign
Major issues quacking for attention in upcoming lame duck. | more•
September 22, 2008
Hard-Fought Energy Plan Wins Approval
The year’s biggest policy achievement heads to the governor. | more•
September 15, 2008
Energy Agreement Close at Hand
Governor heads for Japan expecting completion of the energy reform package. | more•
September 5, 2008
Picking Up the Pieces after Kwame’s Fall
State attention now turns to budgets, trade trips and patching up Detroit. | more•
August 29, 2008
Day of Political Reckonings at Hand
September 3 is the Super Bowl, World Series and opening night of the MET. | more•
August 22, 2008
Court Tosses Unconventional Plan
Appellate judges pull plug on sweeping ‘reform’ ballot proposal. | more•
August 8, 2008
Liquor Appointment Stirs Partisans
Legislators return to dive headfirst into pool of policy and politics. | more•
August 1, 2008
Primary Key to New House
Tuesday’s vote is more than a qualifying heat. | more•
July 25, 2008
‘Stealth’ Ballot Plan Splinters Dems
Far-reaching ballot proposal blowing up in Democratic leader’s face. | more•
July 18, 2008
Victory and Defeat on Jobs Front
News of new Michigan jobs tempers Volkswagen’s decision to go south. | more•
July 11, 2008
Water Compromise Becomes Law
Great Lakes Compact sends messages of protection and cooperation. | more•
July 3, 2008
Hammer of Justice Taps Softly
Senate’s powder-puff punishment reflects realities of term limits. | more•
June 13, 2008
Energy Grenade Lobbed to Senate
House action surprises, dumbfounds soldiers in the energy conflict. | more•
June 6, 2008
Recall Foes See Clean Sweep
Dillon supporters ready to make ‘final nail’ in pig-man’s coffin final. | more•
May 30, 2008
Term Limits Spark Lively Debate
Legislative leaders agree that changes to the current limits are due. | more•
May 23, 2008
Lawmakers Return to Fighting Ways
Inability to compromise on three major issues puts abrupt end to era of goodwill. | more•
May 16, 2008
Great Lakes Compact Bills Begin Moving
Key issues still making waves, but both houses launch water-protection measures. | more•
May 9, 2008
Falling Property Values to Hit Budgets
Shaky real estate market will take a toll on local and state government revenues. | more•
May 2, 2008
Insurance Issues Dominate Agenda
Major health and auto insurance packages moving forward. | more•
April 25, 2008
Senate Nearing Vote on Blues Battle
Lawmakers still sorting through major policy differences. | more•
April 18, 2008
Michigan Not Alone in Electric Fights
80 percent of governors urge their states to go green. | more•
April 11, 2008
Film Incentives Begin as Love Story
Good reviews for film package despite uncertainty over ending. | more•
April 4, 2008
Break Pushes Energy Package Forward
House returns looking ready to move hotly debated legislation. | more•
March 28, 2008
Proposal A Pops Up Again
Senate debate over pop-up tax opens door to tweaking Proposal A. | more•
March 21, 2008
Divided Dems Let Re-do Die
Obama camp won’t go along with heavy push for primary do-over. | more•
March 14, 2008
Michigan Readies for its Close-up
Legislators play their part to make state a Mecca for filmmaking.| more•
March 7, 2008
Swift Action on ‘Save the Dream’ Mortgage Bills
Lawmakers move with uncharacteristic speed to rescue homeowners. | more•
February 29, 2008
Lawmakers Put More Energy into Energy Debate
Adopting a renewable energy standard isn’t as easy as flipping a switch. | more•
February 22, 2008
Groups urge public funding of Supreme Court races
High court justices walk tightrope of balancing donors with litigants. | more•
February 16, 2008
State fixes flap over foreign residents’ driver’s licenses
Lawmakers prove they really can move fast when the world is waiting. | more•
February 9, 2008
Governor’s New Budget Avoids Picking Fights
New spending plan a marked change from last year’s bare-knuckle brawl. | more•
February 2, 2008
State of the State Aftermath: Putting Bipartisanship to the Test
How long will this new “unprecedented era of cooperation” really last? | more
