Petitions include plans to implement ranked choice voting, tax on the wealthy to fund schools and end a lower minimum wage for tipped restaurant workers
Simon D. Schuster
Simon D. Schuster is a Capitol Reporter for Bridge Michigan. Simon joined Bridge Michigan in 2024 after working as MLive's senior political reporter and later covering politics on their investigative team. He spent three years tracking the influence of political money in Michigan as executive director of the Michigan Campaign Finance Network, a nonpartisan nonprofit. A Michigan native, Simon received a bachelor's and a master of public policy from Michigan State University, where he was a policy fellow at the Institute for Public Policy and Social Research. Outside of work you'll find him in Detroit, backpacking northern Michigan or visiting his fiancée in Scandinavia. He lives in Lansing.
Posted inPolice & Public Safety
As resistance grows, Michigan Dems disagree on path to ‘take back our country’
Six months into Trump’s second term, Democratic officials are at odds over how to rehabilitate their party’s image and shape its response to Trump’s sweeping political project ahead of 2026 elections that will decide Michigan’s next governor, an open US Senate seat, the state Legislature, Congress and more.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Time to rewrite the Michigan Constitution? Voters will decide 2026 ballot proposal
In the 62 years since the current constitution was ratified in 1963, voters have approved 39 of 85 amendments.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Michigan SOS Jocelyn Benson violated campaign finance law — but won’t be punished
Benson violated state law when she moved her gubernatorial campaign press conference into a Secretary of State building, according to Attorney General Dana Nessel, a fellow Democrat.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Ex-Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate jumps into US Senate race
Joe Tate says he’s running to “lay a foundation for the next generation of Michiganders.” He joins a Democratic primary field that already includes Haley Stevens, Abdul El-Sayed and Mallory McMorrow.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Pet project day in Lansing: Lawmakers seek $3.3B for pools, roads and more
Legislators are jockeying to spend big in their districts, filing 800 requests to spend millions on everything from teachers and museums to youth programs, agriculture and bridges.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Kwame Kilpatrick: I went to ‘work’ to elect Trump after he ‘promised’ a pardon
In a voicemail, the former mayor says Donald Trump promised a pardon during his first year in office and asks a lawmaker to put in a good word on his behalf. Now, Kilpatrick says there is no ‘quid pro quo.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Jocelyn Benson spent $9M on new transparency portal. Critics say it’s a mess
The multimillion-dollar new Michigan transparency portal is still a work in progress after its March debut, state officials said.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist makes his 2026 gubernatorial run official
Gilchrist is set to launch his gubernatorial campaign Tuesday morning, making him the fifth major candidate to enter the race that already includes two other Democrats: Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and Genesee County Sheriff Chris Swanson.
Posted inPolitical and Public Policy Information
Tax, cut or both? Whitmer needs House GOP help to fix Michigan roads
House Republicans and Democrats introduce competing roads plans as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer again calls for a long-term fix.