IJP Newsletter

A corruption case tied to Lansing politics continues to raise questions about transparency, campaign donations, and oversight at the state Capitol. Plus, the U.S. Supreme Court could, once again, take up the legality of same-sex marriage.

Facing backlash over the state’s new marijuana wholesale tax, Michigan lawmakers are looking into new regulations that could stabilize the overcrowded cannabis market. Plus, Detroit Metro Airport says no thanks to Kristi Noem’s “partisan video” on federal government shutdown.

Michigan's new marijuana wholesale tax sparks lawsuits over constitutionality after Governor Whitmer signs $80 billion budget as industry argues tax violates voter-initiated 2018 law. Plus, Attorney General Dana Nessel thinks “it’s only a matter of time” before President Donald Trump sends National Guard troops to Michigan.

In the early hours of October 3rd, after months of delay and posturing, the Michigan Legislature passed a bipartisan state budget—two days after the constitutional October 1 deadline and more than three months past the statutory July 1 target. Governor Gretchen Whitmer says she will sign early next week.

Less than a week ahead of the October 1 deadline to avert a partial state government shutdown, and months past a due-date written into state law, Governor Gretchen Whitmer and the leaders of the state House and Senate announced Thursday evening that they have "reached an agreement" to pass a budget to keep the government funded. But there’s still a lot of work to be done.

On Tuesday, with two weeks before a possible partial state government shutdown, Governor Gretchen Whitmer seemingly reemerged with a speech at the State Capitol. Its focus was the economic impact on Michigan of federal tariff policy and, more to the point, that not having a state budget deal is only making things worse.

This week, attorneys for Michigan Senate Democrats faced off against House GOP lawyers in a Michigan Court of Appeals courtroom in Detroit to argue constitutional law, legislative prerogatives and who is ultimately responsible for ensuring nine bills remaining in legislation limbo get moved to the governor’s desk.

House Republicans in Lansing approve a bill to restrict students’ access to school bathrooms. Democrats say the bill is a distraction deployed by the GOP to use transgender teenagers as political pawns while the state budget remains unfinished less than a month before the October 1 deadline to avert a partial government shutdown.

A proposal to delay paychecks for future governors and legislators if the state budget is not wrapped up by the July 1 legal deadline failed Thursday in the state House. Plus, Detroit Mayor and gubernatorial candidate Mike Duggan has a good week.

Former Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm shares her thoughts on the budget stalemate at the state Capitol, today’s political divisiveness, and Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan’s independent bid for governor.