Governor Whitmer delivered her 7th annual update on Michigan’s progress and needs this last week. We have extended highlights of her presentation. But there’s also important work from the 2024 session hanging over Lansing: the refusal, to date, of newly elected Republican Speaker Matt Hall to send 9 bills enacted by the Legislature to the Governor for signing or vetoing. The state Senate has taken the unusual step of suing the state House and Speaker Hall to force the Speaker to comply with the state constitution’s requirement that the bills go down the hall to the Governor’s office for final action. The lead attorney for the state Senate is former MDP chair Mark Brewer, commenting on the ruling this past week by Court of Claims judge Sima Patel: “We had a great decision from the judge. People should understand the context of this lawsuit. It’s very difficult for legislators to bring lawsuits. particularly against the other house. There’s always questions where they have what’s called standing to even be in court. And then people always throw up, well, this is just a political fight, political dispute, court doesn’t have any business doing that. And so we had to cut through[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes      — Trump puts the nation and world at risk — Moving on… ✹ Lt. Governor Garland Gilchrist — Danger: Musk takeover of federal computer systems Chairperson Curtis Hertel Jr.      — Building on Lavora Barne’s Six Years of Success In the News Hertel to lead Michigan Democratic Party into pivotal 2026 elections – Detroit News Trump Friends-and-Family Corruption One-third of Trump’s first month spent playing golf – The Washington Post Inside Trump’s Million-Dollar Dinners With Healthcare Executives – Wall Street Journal A look at Trump’s crypto-related ventures – AP News Memecoin Scandal Threatens Argentine President Javier Milei – WIRED Here’s How Much Money Trump Has Made Off the Presidency So Far – The New Republic Can Jared Kushner’s investment firm connect Gulf money to Trump’s Gaza plan? – Middle East Eye Michigan Politics and Policy VIDEO – AG Nessel Touts CFPB, Cautions Residents Will Miss Their Efforts if White House Shuts Down Bureau – YouTube VIDEO – Elissa Slotkin on MSNBC – Ukraine How Michigan would be affected by closing the U.S. Education Department – Detroit News Research grant cuts would ‘devastate’ Michigan hospitals, universities – Detroit Free[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes Trump policies a direct threat to Michigan’s economy ✹ Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson Candidate for Governor of Michigan ✹ This week’s Trump/GOP outrages Corruption is now legal if Trump likes you In the News 2025 State Convention – Michigan Democratic Party Trump Friends-and-Family Corruption Editorial | Trump shows tolerance for corruption with executive order and pardon – The Washington Post How Trump Is Gutting Regulatory Agencies Like the SEC, CFPB and EEOC – The New York Times Trump and Bondi are breaking America’s anti-corruption safeguards – MSNBC What to Know About the Trump Family’s Deals in the Middle East – The New York Times How the Trumps Turned an Election Victory Into a Cash Bonanza – Wall Street Journal Early Crypto Traders Had Speedy Profit on Trump Coin as Others Suffered Losses – The New York Times Here’s How Much Money Trump Has Made Off the Presidency So Far – The New Republic Jared Kushner builds a business empire off his father-in-law’s back – Financial Review Can Jared Kushner’s investment firm connect Gulf money to Trump’s Gaza plan? – Middle East Eye Jared Kushner defends his equity firm getting $2[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes The Trump-Musk Reign of Lawlessness The New DNC Leadership ✹ Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson Candidate for Governor of Michigan ✹ This week’s Trump/GOP outrages Bringing back the Spoils System In the News Michigan Politics and Policy Whitmer’s $84B plan for Michigan schools, housing and more: What to know – Bridge Michigan Whitmer unveils $83.5B Michigan budget: Here are the main focus points – ClickOnDetroit.com Senate Majority Leader Brinks Files Lawsuit Against Republican Speaker Hall for Violating Constitution, Failing to Send Passed Legislation to Governor  – Michigan Senate Democrats Fact check: Gretchen Whitmer has made big promises. Here’s how she’s done – Bridge Michigan Report card: Gretchen Whitmer’s 48 promises during State of State speeches – Bridge Michigan In New Court Filing, Attorney General Nessel: Trump Administration Not Complying with Court Order to Unfreeze Funding Cuts to Federal Programs – Attorney General Attorney General Dana Nessel Issues Guidance to Michigan Healthcare Providers and Patients – Attorney General Michigan transgender youths to continue high school sports, despite Trump order – Bridge Michigan MSU apologizes for canceling Chinese student event after Trump order – Bridge Michigan Matt DePerno faces another threat to law[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes Gary Peters’ Selfless Service Black History Month ✹ Representative Laurie Pohutsky The GOP’s War on Diversity ✹ This week’s Trump/GOP outrages America at risk: National Security, Law Enforcement, Public Health In the News VIDEO – Gary Peters – Thank You! (Full announcement on not seeking reelection) Ken Martin elected next DNC chair – The Hill The GOP War on Transgender People Progressive Women’s Caucus Condemns Republican Anti-Transgender Discrimination, Marginalization – housedems.com Trump Tells DOJ to Prosecute Teachers Who “Unlawfully” Support Trans or Nonbinary Students – Mother Jones Trump order targets transgender troops and ‘radical gender ideology’ – The Washington Post “Pure Ignorance”: Veterans Slam Trump’s Trans Military Ban – Mother Jones Michigan Politics and Policy Michigan faces new Senate battle as Gary Peters opts against reelection – Bridge Michigan Dems say nearly 1M Michiganders could be impacted by proposed cuts to Medicaid – Michigan Advance Potential ballot proposal seeks proof of citizenship for Michigan voters – Bridge Michigan Trump claims Buttigieg ‘was a disaster mayor’ of South Bend – IndyStar.com Newly arrived Michigan refugees at risk of losing rent, housing support – Detroit News Dana Nessel’s office probing $2M rocket plan[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes Trump’s First Week: Executive Orders, A Multi-Billion-Dollar Grift and Petty Revenge ✹ Representative Mai Xiong The GOP’s Unconstitutional 9-bill Hostage Ploy ✹ This week’s Trump/GOP outrages Risking Another Pandemic Through Intentional Inaction In the News Michigan Politics and Policy States including Michigan sue to stop Trump’s order blocking birthright citizenship – AP News These 400 promises Trump made in Michigan now loom over his 2nd term – Detroit News $$ Trump revoked Biden EV ‘mandate,’ but immediate impact not clear – Detroit Free Press Michigan Senate Dems threaten to sue GOP-run House over bills in limbo – Bridge Michigan Whitmer approves new Michigan gun, school safety laws – Detroit Free Press Michigan’s transgender community terrified about Trump executive order – Detroit Free Press Michigan data centers get tax break over some Dem opposition – Detroit Free Press $$ A million Michigan workers may lose sick leave guarantee under House plan – Bridge Michigan First major Democrat enters race for Michigan governor – The DownBallot VIDEO – Jocelyn Benson Campaign Launch Felonious Trump Early evidence suggests Trump will keep his grifts going from the White House – MSNBC Trump meme coin: How[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes     Government of the Billionaires, by the Billionaires and for the Billionaires ✹ Governor Gretchen Whitmer     The Road Ahead   ✹ This week’s Trump/GOP outrages     Putting National Security at Risk In the News Michigan Politics and Policy Governor Whitmer Delivers Road Ahead Address, Laying Out Commonsense, Bipartisan Vision to Grow the Economy and Save Michigan’s Auto Industry – Governor’s Office ‘Michigan’s economy is on the line,’ Gretchen Whitmer warns at Detroit Auto Show – Bridge Michigan WATCH: Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer speaks on the road ahead at Detroit Auto Show – WXYZ TV via YouTube Whitmer vetoes 13 bills passed by Democratic-led Legislature – Detroit News Michigan House GOP leader on FOIA reform: ‘Don’t get your hopes up’ – Bridge Michigan A DNC For The People: People, Not Billionaires Pledge House GOP fast-tracks Michigan minimum wage, paid sick leave bills – Detroit News Republicans launch Michigan ‘election integrity’ panel – Bridge Michigan Michigan Democrats passed bills which haven’t been sent to Whitmer – Detroit Free Press Michigan 2026 governor’s race: Senate GOP Leader Aric Nesbitt jumps in – Bridge Michigan Top targets for Michigan GOP reps:[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes     Jimmy Carter and Donald Trump – The Yin and Yang of the Presidency ✹ Senator Kevin Hertel     Raising Michigan’s Minimum Wage   ✹ This week’s Trump/GOP outrages     The 2nd Term Corruption Begins     A Hyper-Partisan Start for 2025 in the Michigan House In the News RSVP: Democratic National Committee Officer Candidate Forum Opinion | Joe Biden: What to remember about Jan. 6 – The Washington Post Michigan Politics and Policy Feds finalize $325 million mid-Michigan semiconductor grant – Detroit News Senate Fiscal Agency says Michigan’s revenue forecast may be stronger than expected – WEMU-FM Experts: Wealthy Michiganders fueling boom in state tax revenues – Detroit Free Press Michigan wants to become a hub for hydrogen production, fueling stations – Bridge Michigan Michigan Democrats’ pension, retirement bills in limbo amid GOP ‘legal review’ – Bridge Michigan Nessel vows to fight Trump if he violates rights of Michigan residents – Detroit Free Press Transparency time? Michigan House plans oversight, Senate pushes public records – Bridge Michigan The Case for Subsidizing Electric Vehicles – Wall Street Journal Climate change, erratic weather taking toll on Michigan cherry industry[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes: Holding Trump to His Promises ✹ Two Michiganders Honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom  ✹ Endangering Our Health In the News Michigan Politics and Policy Data Breaches: What to do Next – Attorney General Nessel Michiganders George Romney, Earvin “Magic” Johnson among Biden’s Presidential Medal of Freedom recipients – The Washington Post Detroit on pace for fewest killings since 1965, fewest carjackings ever – Detroit News $$ Michigan moms get cash each month to ease financial troubles. Does it work? – Bridge Michigan Michigan landlords can’t deny renters based on source of income – Detroit News DNR’s possible lease of Michigan forest land for solar farm rankles lawmakers – Detroit News $$ Trump Grifting Trump Fans Are Finding Out How Much He Actually Cares About Them – The New Republic Trump Eyes Axing These Key Programs to Help His Friends Get Richer – The New Republic As Musk gains influence, questions hover over US probes into his empire – Reuters Judge sets Donald Trump’s sentencing in hush money case but signals no jail time – AP News Appeals court upholds $5 million award in sexual abuse verdict against Donald Trump[...]

This Week’s “Party on the Peninsulas” ✹ Chairperson Barnes: Lansing Democrats: a two-year record of historic achievements ✹ Governor Jim Blanchard: The threat to Michigan from Trump’s Canada trolling ✹ Trump’s corruption agenda In the News Michigan Politics and Policy Minimum wage in Michigan going up twice in 2025 – Detroit Free Press Stabenow ending ‘unprecedented’ half century run in Michigan politics – Detroit News Timeline of Debbie Stabenow’s career in Michigan politics – Detroit News Housing squeezes bustling Traverse City. Are rehabbed warehouses an answer? – Bridge Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signs expansion of unemployment benefits – Detroit News New Medicaid benefit for some Michigan patients: Better food – Bridge Michigan Michigan Senate passes dozens of bills in 29-hour-long marathon session – Detroit News $$ Michigan Senate OKs hate crime, birth control access bills in marathon final push – Bridge Michigan Former Michigan AG Mike Cox considers GOP gubernatorial run – Detroit Free Press Finley: Ex-ambassador to seek state GOP party chair – Detroit News $$ Trump’s Tariff Plan Will Raise Prices of Affordable Cars – Wall Street Journal The Democrats Have a Crime Problem. Blame the Media. – The New Republic Insider: Thanedar calls for decriminalizing sex work[...]