What a week:

Donald Trump on the cusp of another criminal indictment - if you’re keeping score, it would be his third…

16 of the more prominent names in the Michigan Republican Party are indicted for the Fake Electors plot…

And Marjorie Taylor Greene appears in a Biden campaign commercial – supporting his record of accomplishment.

As much as we wanted to focus on BarbenHeimer, we’re also look at possible criminality by still another former Republican state House speaker … and a brazen attempt by the very broke Michigan Republican Party to force a do-over of 2022’s state House election.

We're joined by the Detroit Free Press’s outstanding political reporter Clara Hendrickson, who maintain her equilibrium despite a very wild week! Clara covers Michigan politics with a focus on the governor's office and the state Legislature. She has previously covered voting rights, election administration and redistricting in Michigan. 

She came to The Detroit Free Press by way of Report for America – an initiative of The GroundTruth Project – to fact-check Michigan issues and politics in partnership with PolitiFact during the 2020 election. She previously worked as a research analyst at the Brookings Institution and freelance journalist in Washington, D.C.

At Brookings, she wrote on a range of public policy issues, including rising regional inequality, domestic and international efforts to regulate “Big Tech” and the financial challenges confronting local newsrooms. Her journalism has appeared in Boston Review, Democracy Journal, The Atlantic and Politico Magazine. She has also contributed feature articles for the non-profit outlet DCist, such as the impact on service workers of eliminating late-night public transportation routes and efforts to provide residents affordable exercise options in neighborhoods that don’t have a gym.

Hendrickson holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Pennsylvania where she was an op-ed columnist for The Daily Pennsylvanian, frequently covering labor and income disparity issues on campus and in Philadelphia.

Attorney General Dana Nessel announces indictments of 16 Republican "Fake" presidential electors.

President Biden celebrates his "endorsement" from MGT!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

News Stories We’re Following This Week

Michigan Politics and Policy

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel Charges 16 ‘False Electors’ with Election Law and Forgery Felonies - Attorney General's Office

Transcript: Attorney General Nessel's statement on the Fake Electors indictments

Trump's fake electors in Michigan face criminal charges - Detroit Free Press

GOP officials call Nessel's Trump elector charges a 'witch hunt,' defend slate - Detroit News

Opinion | Michigan indicts alleged plotters in fake elector scheme. Here’s what it means. - The Washington Post

What we know about the 16 Michigan Trump electors facing charges- Detroit News

Records: Wentworth secured $6.8M grant to dredge lake where former aide lives - Bridge Michigan

Michigan: Double payment concerns suspended $25M Clare health campus grant - Bridge Michigan

Five Michigan House Democrats, one Republican face recall threats - Bridge Michigan

Mayoral bids could shake up Dems' majority in Michigan House - Detroit Free Press

Michigan GOP bank accounts down to $93K, recording reveals - Detroit News

Dems seek to flip historically Republican congressional seat in West Michigan in 2024 ⋆ Michigan Advance

Whitmer approves laws implementing Prop 2, election changes - Detroit Free Press

What’s in the Budget to Lower Costs for Michiganders? - Governor’s Office

Opinion: Whitmer creates new Michigan educational reform department - John LIndstrom - Detroit Free Press

Sparse turnout for gun rights rally with Kyle Rittenhouse after Michigan gun reform laws signed ⋆ Michigan Advance

Michigan to add organ donor option to state income tax form - Detroit Free Press

Traverse City salon Studio 8 Hair Lab refuses to service trans clients - Detroit Free Press

Michigan AG: Salon Owner's Refusal of Service to Transgender Clients Unacceptable - The Advocate

National Policy and Politics

President Biden in Philly on Bidenomics - White House

Trump Plans to Expand Presidential Power Over Agencies in 2025 - The New York Times

House Republicans seek in cuts to rail, water infrastructure spending - The Washington Post

GOP donors fuel RFK Jr's presidential campaign- Judd Legum @ Popular Information

No Labels releases proposals to guide third-party presidential ticket - The Washington Post

Will Cornel West turn the 2024 presidential election into a rerun of 1948? - Brookings

Arizona escalates probe into alleged efforts to swing election for Trump - The Washington Post

Right-wing activists seek to ban "Arthur's Birthday" from Florida school libraries - Judd Legum @Popular Information

New Florida education standards say slaveryallowed enslaved people to "develop skills" - The Recount

Ta-Nehisi Coates Shows Up to SC School Meeting Over Banning His Book- Daily Beast

LGBTQ-related earmarks stripped out by GOP during House markup - Roll Call

How Harlan Crow Cut His Taxes With Clarence Thomas Cruises — ProPublica

Tommy Tuberville pledged to ‘donate every dime’ to veterans. He hasn’t. - The Washington Post

Why Republican state AGs are seeking out-of-state medical records- Maddox Blog

DeSantis PAC uses AI-generated Trump voice in ad attacking ex-president - POLITICO

Door knocker complaints illustrate risks of DeSantis super PAC strategy - The Washington Post

For a second time, physical violence breaks out at a Michigan Republican Party leadership meeting … this time, complete with criminal charges pending. And speaking of Republican criminals, the federal investigation into Trump’s efforts to steal the 2020 election now involves testimony from Jocelyn Benson as the investigation spreads to Michigan, Arizona and Georgia.

Donald Trump’s apparent “get out of jail free” strategy is to get elected President or, at worst, get one of his MAGA wannabes elected so they tell the Justice Department to back off. It’s another challenge for a court system under increasing fire for political manipulation, conflicts of interest and outright corruption. We talk about a credibility crisis for the 3rd branch of government with former Michigan Chief Justice Bridget McCormack.

McCormack served on the Michigan Supreme Court from 2013 to 2022, first as an associate justice, and as chief justice from 2019 to 2022. Previously she was a professor at the University of Michigan Law School where she served as Michigan Law’s associate dean for clinical affairs, clinical professor of law, and co-director of the Michigan Innocence Clinic, a non-DNA clinic representing wrongfully convicted Michigan prisoners. McCormack also launched and worked in a pediatric advocacy law clinic focusing on children with health problems, and a domestic violence clinic. She retired from the Supreme Court at the end of 2022 and became President and Chief Executive Officer of the American Arbitration Association in February.

Her first campaign featured an online ad that went viral with 1.9 million views. "Walk and Talk the Vote" was a reunion of the West Wing cast focusing on her candidacy. The production was organized by her younger sister Mary – one of the stars of the iconic series – complete with West Wing stars including Martin Sheen, Brad Whitford, Allison Janney, Lily Tomlin and Joshua Malina.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

News Stories We’re Following This Week

Courts Under Fire

Bridget McCormack Bio

Data for Progress Polling on SCOTUS

Supreme Court Term Limits - Brennan Center for Justice

The Trump Documents Case Puts the Justice System on Trial - The New York Times

Trump Lawyers Seek Indefinite Postponement of Documents Trial - The New York Times

Trump centers campaign on his prosecution, vilifying legal system - The Washington Post

Alito Took Unreported Luxury Trip With GOP Donor Paul Singer - ProPublica

Justice Alito Defends Private Jet Travel to Luxury Fishing Trip - The New York Times

The Elite Circle Clarence Thomas Entered That Led to the Supreme Court - The New York Times

Supreme Court Justice Sotomayor's staff prodded colleges and libraries to buy her books - AP News

Supreme Court justices and donors mingle at campus visits. These documents show the ethical dilemmas - AP News

Justices teach when the Supreme Court isn't in session. It can double as an all-expenses-paid trip - AP News

Senate panel plans to move forward on Supreme Court ethics bill after Alito report - POLITICO

Doughty's social media injunction undoes election disinformation efforts - The Washington Post

After 303 Creative Decision, Large Majority of Voters Say Business Owners Should Not Be Able to Deny Services Based on Personal Beliefs

How Supreme Court decisions are activating a generation of young voters - The Washington Post

Michigan Policy and Politics

Exclusive: Federal prosecutors interviewed Michigan secretary of state in special counsel's election interference probe - CNN Politics

Arizona escalates probe into alleged efforts to swing election for Trump - The Washington Post

Trump endorsed by full Michigan GOP congressional delegation - Bridge Michigan

Biden campaign reacts to Michigan Trump endorsements - Detroit Free Press

Judge paves way for charges in Michigan vote machine tampering probe | Bridge Michigan

Election law at heart of Michigan voting machine investigation - Detroit Free Press

Scuffle breaks out at Michigan GOP state committee meeting - Detroit News

Kicked in groin, Michigan Republican downplays party feud: ‘Some people are crazy’ - Bridge Michigan

In key battleground state, GOP shows new signs of unraveling - MSNBC

Michigan lawyer Dave Kallman wants to save GOP's conservative ideals - Detroit Free Press

Records: Firm of ex-aide to Michigan speaker paid $820K within days of grant - Bridge Michigan

Former lawmakers plan new group to stop No Labels presidential bid - The Washington Post

Oakland County wastewater being tested for polio – The Oakland Press

Actor Hill Harper enters Democratic primary for a Senate seat from Michigan - The Washington Post

Michigan 7: Behind the Scenes of the Race to Replace Slotkin - Inside Elections

Lessenberry: Leslie Love longshot Senate candidate - Toledo Blade

Tom Barrett, Curtis Hertel join race for Rep. Elissa Slotkin’s seat - Detroit Free Press

Whitmer creates new Michigan education department MiLEAP- Detroit Free Press

Opinion: Whitmer creates new Michigan educational reform department - Detroit Free Press

Biden's electric vehicle plan causes tension with United Auto Workers - The Washington Post

Lessons of Leadership — Dome Magazine

National Policy and Politics

US inflation falls to 3%, lowest level in more than 2 years - AP News

CPI June 2023: Inflation rose just 0.2%, less than expected as consumers get a break- CNBC

Dude, where’s my recession? New York Times

First GOP debate next month faces threats of boycott as lower-polling candidates scramble to qualify - AP News

Few US adults support full abortion bans, an AP-NORC poll finds - AP News

Iowa’s GOP-led legislature passes 6-week abortion ban bill - The Washington Post

Transgender Care Ban Allowed to Take Effect in Tennessee, Appeals Panel Says - The New York Times

A Nebraska Mom Helped Her Daughter Get an Abortion. They Are Both Facing Prison Time. – Mother Jones

House GOP floats rewriting D.C.'s election laws in latest hearing - The Washington Post

Six Right-Wing Activists Filed 89,000 Georgia Voter Roll Challenges — ProPublica

Editorial | House GOP's Confidence in Elections Act would limit D.C. voting rights - The Washington Post

Republicans plan efforts to tout early voting tactics they once vilified - The Washington Post

GOP AGs Target Target - Judd Legum, Popular Information

Why Republicans aren’t slamming the LIV-PGA Tour deal - The Washington Post

Gift cards for cash: Doug Burgum pledges to spend up to $1 million getting to the debate stage - POLITICO

Prosecutor David Weiss refutes allegations by Hunter Biden whistleblowers - The Washington Post

Indictment of Republican informant Gal Luft becomes conspiracy fodder - The Washington Post

Video: Sen. Tommy Tuberville doubles down on comments about White nationalism and the military - CNN Politics

Congress must act now to defend 2024 election from cyber attacks. - IndyStar.com

Flooding, extreme heat waves, and hot oceans will continue — and get worse - The Washington Post

And a fond farewell to the creator of something that's Pure Michigan

Dorothy Zehnder, co-founder and matriarch of Bavarian Inn, dies at 101 - Detroit Free Press

This week's guest: House Ethics Committee Chair Erin Byrnes (D-Dearborn).

Michigan has some of the weakest government ethics and openness laws in the nation. After years of empty promises, Democrats in the Legislature are moving on a comprehensive reform package. Joining the podcast is the chair of the state House Ethics Committee, Dearborn Representative Erin Byrnes.

After weeks of a U.S. Senate race with just one prominent candidate, both parties are seeing some movement. Detroiter Hill Harper has launched his pre-announcement campaign for the Democratic primary; a former Congressman and Wall Street millionaire are moving towards running on the Republican side. The national drumbeat for a Whitmer presidential campaign continues to build, even as the Governor firmly commits to backing President BIden’s reelection. And we’ve got some interesting developments in two of Michigan’s most closely contested congressional districts.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

News Stories We’re Following This Week

Michigan Policy and Politics

Insider: Lawmakers say 'pieces in place' for transparency overhaul - Detroit News

Actor Hill Harper poised to challenge Slotkin in Michigan Senate primary - POLITICO

Michigan Senate Race Poised to Draw More Candidates Soon - Time

GOP former congressman eyeing Michigan U.S. Senate seat - Detroit News

Michigan Democrats move to remove GOP Senate candidate from party - Detroit News

Hertel resigns as Whitmer legislative affairs director, fueling speculation of congressional run ⋆ Michigan Advance

Kristina Karamo feuds with co-chair, as Michigan Republican civil war worsens - Bridge Michigan

Ex-Michigan GOP budget chair: Karamo opposed party spending limits - Detroit News

Prosecutor describes 'multiple crimes' in Michigan voting equipment probe - Detroit News

Moms for Liberty's focus on school races nationwide sets up political clash with teachers unions - AP News

Democrats' new primary calendar remains unresolved. The party insists that's OK - AP News

The D.N.C. Has a Primary Problem - The New York Times

Macomb County, Prosecutor Peter Lucido hit with discrimination lawsuit - Detroit Free Press

Critic of Chinese battery plant once lobbied for Chinese company - Detroit News

Why Not Whitmer? - The Atlantic

Why Gretchen Whitmer Has What It Takes for a White House Run - Vanity Fair

Bypassing Biden: Democrats Think of What Could Have Been - POLITICO

Biden’s hydrogen bombshell leaves Europe in the dust - POLITICO

National Policy and Politics

Biden versus the bad news bros (Economic Fakerism) - New York Times

Republican opposition to LGBTQ rights erupts in backlash to Pride month - The Washington Post

The Supreme Court rejects Biden’s plan to wipe away $400 billion in student loan debt - WILX TV

FACT SHEET: President Biden Announces New Actions to Provide Debt Relief and Support for Student Loan Borrowers - The White House

Poll: 61% support Biden's Student Loan Debt Relief Plan - Data for Progress

Voters Not Happy with SCOTUS - Data for Progress

Ex-GOP Ohio House speaker sentenced to 20 years for role in $60M bribery scheme; appeal expected - AP News

The Mysterious Case of the Fake Gay Marriage Website, the Real Straight Man, and the Supreme Court - The New Republic

Judge limits Biden administration in working with social media companies - AP News

Trump-appointed judge botches facts - The Washington Post

Supreme Court's term showed conservative power, Roberts in control - The Washington Post

One Year After Dobbs, Abortion Access Is as Important as Ever - Data for Progress

The pandemic-era voting shift that is here to stay - POLITICO

Former congressman Mondaire Jones launches bid to reclaim his New York seat - The Washington Post

Supreme Court redistricting rulings could add Democratic seats in Louisiana, Alabama - The Washington Post

Pragmatic, swing district House Republicans push back on agenda - The Washington Post

This week's guest: Trygve Olson from the Lincoln Democracy Institute on growing violence in politics.

We now have an audio tape of Donald Trump committing a felony: sharing classified military information that he stole from the White House and giving the details to people with no security clearance. Despite that, Oakland Republicans hand him a certificate for a made-up award as "Man of the Decade" which Trump immediately "humbly" included in a fundraising email.

Back in the real world, the administration launches an all-out campaign promoting Bidenomics ... with some snark aimed at Republicans who "voted no but take the dough." The Supreme Court wraps up this term with positive results on voting rights, and reversing precedent on affirmative action in college admissions.

In Michigan, a new state budget is now on the Governor’s desk — on time and balanced, with major new funding for education, and tax cuts for millions of Michiganders.The Legislature also sends a tranche of bills on everything from expanded civil rights to allowing beer at college football games. 

And while the Michigan Legislature is passing laws to improve our elections process, there are warning signs about the potential for increased political violence. A new comprehensive national survey warns of an increasing appetite and tolerance for violence as a part of our political process. We talk with the onetime Mitch McConnell staffer who led the study … along with a collaborator on that report, the honorable and esteemed Mr. Jeff Timmer.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

This week's news links

Michigan Politics and Policy

Lincoln Democracy Project Full Study

Lincoln Democracy Project Summary

Supreme Court ruling on online harassment angers victims, advocates - The Washington Post

Michigan Legislature sends $81.7B state budget to Whitmer's desk - Detroit Free Press

Michigan lawmakers approve record $82B budget plan - Detroit News

Michigan passes $21.5B school budget with boost for at-risk students | Bridge Michigan

Michigan budget has $950M in no-bid pork projects, some transparency reforms - Bridge Michigan

Early voting, beer in college stadiums await Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s signature - Bridge Michigan

Michigan set to become 22nd state to ban conversion therapy for LGBTQ youths - Bridge Michigan

Michigan bill repeals Snyder-era law limiting state regulations - Detroit Free Press

High-speed internet is a necessity, President Biden says, pledging all US will have access by 2030 - AP News

Michigan to receive $1.5B to extend internet to 210,000 in rural areas - Bridge Michigan

Dana Nessel: $10B PFAS settlement with 3M doesn’t resolve Michigan’s claims - Bridge Michigan

Trump said EVs will ‘decimate’ Michigan. Bridge fact-checks his claims - Bridge Michigan

A return to the familiar as Trump kicks off Michigan campaigning for '24 - Detroit Free Press

USS Carl M. Levin commissioned, going on active duty in US Navy - Detroit Free Press

Across the nation

Bidonomics - White House

Embracing "Bidenomics," Biden seeks to turn an insult into a strength - The Washington Post

White House touts legislative wins on the road, in GOP strongholds - POLITICO

The public still has negative views of the national economy - AP-NORC

Supreme Court rejects GOP in North Carolina case that could have reshaped elections beyond the state | AP News

Supreme Court unfreezes Louisiana redistricting case that could boost Black voting power before 2024 - AP News

Supreme Court rules against NC Republican theory in election law dispute - The Washington Post

Supreme Court restricts affirmative action in college admissions - The Washington Post

Opinion | Why do colleges need affirmative action? America’s past and present. - The Washington Post

Gary Peters' staff details failures before Jan. 6 attack on Capitol - Detroit Free Press

Peters Report Finds Significant Intelligence Failures by FBI and DHS in Lead-Up to January 6th Capitol Attack - Committee on Homeland Security & Governmental Affairs

McCarthy confronts a spending mess that will test his speakership - POLITICO

Ron DeSantis Used Texas Taxpayer Resources on Campaign Trip - Daily Beast

What makes a social studies textbook "woke" in Ron DeSantis' Florida - Popular Information

RFK Jr. is surging only in polls among Republicans - The Washington Post

This week's guest: award-winning Detroit News Lansing reporter Craig Mauger.

Republicans keep shooting themselves in the foot — while Joe Biden stands alone in focusing on actually dealing with the challenges facing ordinary Americans. We’ve got another Republican-appointed Supreme Court Justice eyebrow-deep in a scandal over luxury vacations paid for by billionaire GOP activists; U.S. House Republicans censuring Adam Schiff for exposing the criminal history of their Lord and Master, Donald Trump; a cat fight between the two leading House crazies, with Marjorie Taylor Greene calling Lauren Boebert “a little bitch” as they fight over who gets to impeach Josef Biden; and leading the way, Donald Trump going on Fox TV and confessing to obstruction of justice and violating the Espionage Act.

And Michigan isn’t exempt from the crazy. There are internal GOP feuds in multiple county party organizations, and the chair of the party has been hit with thousands of dollars in court-ordered sanctions thanks to one of the many Big LIe lawsuits filed in Michigan. In this week's podcast we catch up with what’s happening in Lansing which has it’s own list of ongoing investigations into misdeeds. We’ll be joined by award-winning Detroit News statehouse reporter Craig Mauger.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

Michigan Politics and Policy

Michigan House passes ban on child marriage in the state - Detroit Free Press

Ex-GOP governor candidate Ryan Kelley to plead guilty in Jan. 6 case - Detroit News

Charges filed in signature scandal for 2022 Michigan governor race - Detroit Free Press

Lawmakers explore name, image, likeness deals for high school athletes - Detroit News

Teacher union bargaining rights see sweeping changes under House bills - Detroit News

Why Gretchen Whitmer Has What It Takes for a White House Run - Vanity Fair

Lawmakers explore name, image, likeness deals for high school athletes - Detroit News

Slotkin helping to recruit Hertel as possible candidate to replace her in 7th District – The Livingston Post.com

Michigan House votes to expand hate crimes to protect gay, disabled residents - Bridge Michigan

Michigan Democrats push 8 days of absentee ballot counting to curb ‘chaos’ - Bridge Michigan

Democrats meet with anti-Trump conservatives to fight No Labels 2024 bid - The Washington Post

Michigan GOP chair must pay for Detroit election lawsuit - Detroit Free Press

Michigan commission accuses former AG candidate DePerno of misconduct

Leaked Audio: Michigan GOP Chair Kristina Karamo Says Outrage Over Holocaust Tweet Was ‘Completely Hilarious’ - The Daily Beast

Michigan GOP split over new plan to select presidential delegates - Detroit Free Press

‘MAGA vs. ultra-MAGA’: Michigan’s Republican Party at war with itself - The Washington Post

Across the Nation

IRS reduces tax return backlog by 80% and is doing better job answering the phone - AP News

US murder rate declines dramatically in 2023 — but you probably haven't heard about it - Popular Information

Judge Strikes Down Arkansas Law Banning Gender Transition Care for Minors - The New York Times

DeSantis allies set up a school to train a $100 million door-knocking army - The Washington Post

Impeachment fever isn’t going away - The Washington Post

House passes GOP-led measure to censure Adam Schiff - The Washington Post

Editorial | House Republicans censuring Adam Schiff says more about them than him - The Washington Post

The Trump Documents Case Puts the Justice System on Trial - The New York Times

Trump centers campaign on his prosecution, vilifying legal system - The Washington Post

Trump Real Estate Deal in Oman Underscores Ethics Concerns - The New York Times

FBI resisted opening probe into Trump’s role in Jan. 6 for more than a year - The Washington Post

Alito Took Unreported Luxury Trip With GOP Donor Paul Singer — ProPublica

Justice Alito Defends Private Jet Travel to Luxury Fishing Trip - The New York Times

Mark and Jeff are taking a little me-time this week. With the historic 37-count federal indictment of the Defendant in Chief, nothing seemed more appropriate than going into our archives. We revisit conversations with two men who know DJT as well as anyone: outspoken Trump critic/Twitter nemesis George Conway, and onetime Trump fixer Michael Cohen.

Don't say they didn't warn us...

(Jeff and Mark return with a new episode next week)

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

UPDATE: This episode of the podcast was recorded about an hour before Donald Trump announced that he's made history again by being indicted on multiple felony counts ...

Michigan’s Quality Guru Perry Johnson now has a lot of competition for the most obscure Republican presidential candidate as the field of GOP wannabes grows to about an even dozen, and as we learn that North Dakota has a Governor and his name is Doug Burgum. Mark and Jeff take a look at the most unusual cadre of candidates … as well as the quixotic Democratic campaign of the Kennedy family’s black sheep.

Also on the agenda this week: the U.S. Supreme Court's surprising ruling in support of the Voting Rights Act, turmoil in the ranks of U.S. House Republicans, and an early start to the 2023 state legislative campaign.

Joining us on the podcast is a veteran of state capitol journalism, Kyle Melinn. Kyle has been editor of the MIRS Newsletter for 20 years. If you aren’t familiar with their newsletter, it’s a daily deep dive into everything happening in state government – a must-read for leaders in government, lobbyists, other journalists and state politics junkies. Kyle also is host of the longest-running political podcast in Michigan, the MIRS Monday Podcast, a part of the Michigan political landscape for 13 years.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

Another crisis averted after the political pros take charge in Washington. Joe Biden quietly cleans up a right-wing created mess, avoiding the shock of a first-ever U.S. credit default with deft negotiating skills and public confidence that he could get it done (and did!).

Governor Whitmer takes what could be a major step for Michigan’s future, or could end up as just another report getting dusty in the archives.

A key Michigan congressional battleground district gets more focus as the list of likely serious Democratic contenders goes down to just 1. And the state’s political/business power structure gets together on Mackinac Island to talk policy. We get an insider’s look from Michigan Public Radio’s award-winning correspondent Rick Pluta.

Pluta is Senior Capitol Correspondent for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He has been covering Michigan’s Capitol, government, and politics since 1987. His journalism background includes stints with UPI, The Elizabeth (NJ) Daily Journal, The Oakland Press, and WJR. He is also a lifelong public radio listener.

He was one of the first Michigan political reporters to write about “pay-to-play” fundraising, and the controversies surrounding recognition of same-sex relationships. He broke the news that Gov. John Engler was planning a huge juvenile justice overhaul that included adult-time-for-adult-crime sentencing, and has continued to report since then on the effects of that policy decision.

Pluta co-hosts the weekly segment “It’s Just Politics” on Michigan Radio which is co-hosted with Zoe Clark.

===========================

This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

Ron DeSantis teams up with everybody’s favorite billionaire for a 404-error campaign launch … while Donald Trump hunkers down in Mar A Lago waiting for what could be his summer of indictments. In Michigan, politics and government is a little more on track - the Governor signing another major gun safety law, the state’s attorney discipline board takes aim at the lawyers who led the Big Lie lawsuits, and there’s still another money-based scandal brewing as part of the Republican legislative legacy.

And we're sad to report that neither Jeff nor Mark is on Putin's list of 500 Americans barred from visiting Russia. Barack Obama and Stephen Colbert made the list -- but Donald Trump and Ron DeSantis are still welcome. (Also on the list: former Senators John McCain, Harry M. Reid and Orrin G. Hatch -- who are all currently dead.)

The calendar may tell us it’s the spring of 2023, but for local election administrators across the state it’s already 2024. The newly enacted voter protection rights approved by voters in 2022, the likelihood of an early presidential primary and continuing right-wing claims of 2020 election fraud, have local clerks in full implementation mode for what could well be a very challenging election cycle. Joining the conversation this week is one of the state’s leading experts on running fair and accurate elections, Ingham County Clerk Barb Byrum.

Prior to her election as Ingham County Clerk 10 years ago she served for 6 years in the state Legislature where she was ranking member of the House Elections Committee. She’s a lifelong resident of rural Lansing, and the daughter of Dianne Byrum who was the first woman to lead a party caucus in the state Legislature. Barb Byrum has a bachelor’s degree in agribusiness management, and a law degree from the MSU College of Law. Also in Clerk Byrum’s resume: after the 2014 Supreme Court ruling in favor of same-sex marriages she presided over the first gay marriage in Michigan.

===========================

This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

===========================

Stories We’re Following This Week

Michigan politics and policy

Michigan inked $25M grant without vetting ex-aide to House speaker, ex-convict - Bridge Michigan

Gov. Whitmer Signs Extreme Risk (Red Flag) Protection Order Legislation to Keep Michigan Communities Safe - Executive Office

How firearms could be confiscated under Michigan's new 'red flag' law - Detroit News

AG Nessel Joins Coalition Supporting Federal Restriction Prohibiting Handgun Sales to Individuals Under 21 - Attorney General's Office

Whitmer repeals letter grade rankings for public schools - Detroit Free Press

Pamela Pugh enters race for Michigan's open US Senate seat

Leslie Love announces run for Senate, challenges Slotkin - Lansing State Journal

Commission accuses lawyers who tried to reverse 2020 election of misconduct - Detroit News

AG Nessel Sues Avid Telecom Over Illegal Robocalls - Attorney General's Office

Voting Rights and Candidates

GOP state lawmakers try to restrict ballot initiatives, partly to thwart abortion protections - AP News

Ahead of 2024 election, several states overhauled voting laws - The Washington Post

Biden maintains edge over Trump in 2024 US election - Reuters/Ipsos poll

The GOP Culture Wars

Transgender Mississippi girl misses graduation after judge's ruling - Reuters

Abortion to be included in Michigan anti-discrimination law - Bridge Michigan

Nebraska passes 12-week abortion, gender-affirming care for minors ban - The Washington Post

South Carolina Senate passes 6-week abortion ban, sends bill to governor - The Washington Post

North Carolina Senate overrides governor’s veto of abortion ban - The Washington Post

North Carolina Senate overrides governor’s veto of abortion ban - The Washington Post

Texas legislature votes to ban transgender care for children - The Washington Post

A look at transgender restrictions moving forward in the US - AP News

Why Republicans Are Targeting Professors’ Job Security - FiveThirtyEight

Michigan Senate passes bill banning discrimination of natural hair

The polling shows Michigan voters unhappy with the economy, yet the numbers tell a different story. Unemployment rate dropped to 3.8% in April, tying the pre-pandemic February 2020 rate. 

Since the mid-1970s, Michigan’s unemployment rate only fell below 4.0% during three periods: periodically from 1998-2000, from November 2019 to March 2020, and now. 

In April, Michigan had a total labor force of 4,869,000. This was an increase of 18,000 over the month and 26,000 over the year.  The state recorded 4,420,000 payroll jobs in April, an increase of 5,000 jobs over March and an increase of 61,000 jobs over the year. 

Michigan’s labor force participation rate climbed to 60.2 percent this month, the highest rate since September 2020. 

One huge threat to that strong economy: Congress. Congressional leaders say the nation won’t default on the national debt, but we’re really at the mercy of the GOP Cuckoo Squad … and George Santos. Also in the political spotlight: Republicans are continuing to do everything they can to enact laws and nominate candidates that are only popular with their base, moves that could well lead to a GOP election bloodbath in 2024. Florida, under Ron DeSantis, is leading the way - even investigating an elementary school teacher for showing a Disney film in her classroom.

Michigan is becoming the un-Florida, enacting laws that enjoy wide voter support and using those laws as a lure for new talent. Joining our conversation is the head of the progressive think tank Michigan Future, Lou Glazer, about Michigan’s new marketing campaigns focused on promoting progressive social policies. Michigan Future, Inc., is a non-partisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to be a source of new ideas on how Michigan can succeed as a world class community in a knowledge-driven economy. Its work is funded by Michigan foundations.

Lou currently is heading efforts to implement a new agenda designed to raise household income for all. Prior to joining Michigan Future, Lou Glazer served as Deputy Director of the Michigan Department of Commerce during the Blanchard Administration. He received Bachelors and Masters degrees from the University of Michigan.

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This week's podcast is underwritten in part by EPIC-MRAEPIC ▪ MRA is a full service survey research firm with expertise in:

• Public Opinion Surveys

• Market Research Studies

• Live Telephone Surveys

• On-Line and Automated Surveys

• Focus Group Research

• Bond Proposals - Millage Campaigns

• Political Campaigns & Consulting

• Ballot Proposals - Issue Advocacy Research

• Community - Media Relations

• Issue - Image Management

• Database Development & List Management

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Stories We’re Following This Week

Michigan’s pitch to lure new residents: nature, high tech, abortion rights - Bridge Michigan

Panel: Michigan needs to act with urgency as population slides - Bridge Michigan

Michigan’s environmental rules could be stricter than national ones under bill - Bridge Michigan

Leslie Love announces run for Senate, challenges Slotkin - Lansing State Journal

Insider: Mich. lawmaker says Legislature 'infected' with corruption - Detroit News

Commission accuses lawyers who tried to reverse 2020 election of misconduct - Detroit News

Biden maintains edge over Trump in 2024 US election - Reuters/Ipsos poll

Georgia prosecutor fights back against Trump attempt to remove her from election probe - AP News

Florida teacher under state investigation for showing 5th graders a Disney movie

The Culture and Voting Rights Wars

Abortion to be included in Michigan anti-discrimination law - Bridge Michigan

Texas legislature votes to ban transgender care for children - The Washington Post

A look at transgender restrictions moving forward in the US - AP News

North Carolina Senate overrides governor’s veto of abortion ban - The Washington Post

Missouri GOP fails to sabotage abortion amendment—for now

DeSantis defunds diversity and inclusion programs at Florida colleges - The Washington Post

Why Republicans Are Targeting Professors’ Job Security - FiveThirtyEight

GOP state lawmakers try to restrict ballot initiatives, partly to thwart abortion protections - AP News

Ahead of 2024 election, several states overhauled voting laws - The Washington Post