Michigan Democrats

Debbie Dingell decides against 2014 US Senate run

Associated Press — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 19:54:33 +0000

Democratic national committeewoman Debbie Dingell says she has decided not to run for the U.S. Senate seat that opened up with Carl Levin's impending retirement.

Democrats call for repealing some state taxes

Jake Neher — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 00:26:42 +0000

State House Democrats spent “tax day” pushing a plan to repeal several state tax policies.

In this morning's news: Democrats' budget, Detroit restructuring, Royal Oak explosion

Michigan Radio Newsroom — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 13:10:55 +0000

Democrats announce budget priorities

State House Democrats announced a new set of priorities for the state budget yesterday.

“The Democrats’ plan calls for $1.5 billion in new spending on education, tax cuts for middle-class residents and seniors, and small business investments. They say they would pay for that partly by eliminating government waste and cutting corporate tax breaks,” Jake Neher reports.

Consultants recommend changes to Detroit city departments

A restructuring firm hired by the city of Detroit has presented two proposals to re-shape city departments to a city-state advisory board.

“One proposal would downsize the City Council, and make its members part-time. The other suggests ways to consolidate the Police Department,” Michigan Radio’s Sarah Cwiek reports.

Safety violations at fault for natural gas explosion in Royal Oak

In a letter to state regulators, Consumers Energy said utility workers failed to follow company protocols in the lead-up to a deadly natural gas explosion in Royal Oak earlier this year.

“The utility says workers didn't follow procedures as they replaced a gas main near the house, and then left the area after smelling gas,” reports Michigan Radio’s Tracy Samilton.

Finding Carl Levin's replacement

The Associated Press — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 14:12:00 +0000

LANSING, Mich. (AP) - The new leader of the Michigan Democratic Party says it has time to agree on top-flight candidates to replace Sen. Carl Levin and take on Gov. Rick Snyder.

Lon Johnson told The Associated Press that he takes exception to the notion that Snyder is safe because no Democrats have stepped forward to run for governor and the party has to focus on holding Levin's seat.

Tuesday primary begins the process of filling an empty state senate seat

Steve Carmody — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 04:01:00 +0000

Tomorrow, primary voters in Genesee County will narrow down the field of candidates to fill an open state senate seat.

There are seven candidates on the 27th state senate district primary ballot, though one has dropped out of the race.

On the Democratic side, State representatives Woodrow Stanley and Jim Ananich are facing off against Genesee County Commissioner Ted Henry and GM auto worker Chris Del Morone.

At a recent public forum, Stanley echoed the comments of his fellow Democratic candidates in hoping for a change at the state capitol.

Michigan Democrats dump longtime chair, elect new leader

The Associated Press — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 21:32:54 +0000

DETROIT (AP) - The longtime leader of the Michigan Democrats is losing his job.

Mark Brewer on Saturday withdrew from the race for party chairman at the state Democratic Party convention in Detroit. He said he wishes challenger Lon Johnson all the best.

Brewer announced his decision to thousands of delegates rather than continue an uphill climb to retain his seat after unions and Michigan's Democratic congressional delegation got behind Johnson. Brewer said he wishes Johnson all the best.

Michigan House Democrats call for action on health care exchange

Jennifer White, Mercedes Mejia and Zoe Clark — Tue, 24 Jul 2012 20:58:48 +0000

Since most of the Affordable Care and Patient Protection Act was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, Michigan has been facing the ongoing of issue of implementing a Michigan health care exchange.

While Republican Gov. Rick Snyder has long called for the state to move ahead with the exchanges, many Republicans in the legislature are pushing back.

There is also a call from Republican members of the legislature and Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette, to wait until after the election in November to move forward.

The Governor and the Budget

Jack Lessenberry — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 15:34:10 +0000

Yesterday, while everyone was focusing on the details of Governor Snyder’s budget proposal, I was struck instead by something Lieutenant Governor Brian Calley said about it.

The state needs to “resist the temptation to go back to the old way because the old way did not serve us well.” And it’s impossible to disagree with that, whatever your politics or ideology.

The Secret Primary

Jack Lessenberry — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:35:25 +0000

Well, we now know who won the New Hampshire primary. Michigan’s Republican primary is going to be held February 28. Democrats will pick their delegates in caucuses four months from now, on May 5. There isn’t any urgency for them; they have only one candidate: President Barack Obama.

State House Dems say "right-to-work" won't bring Michigan jobs

Laura Weber — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 20:15:00 +0000

Democratic leaders in the state Legislature say making Michigan a "right-to-work" state would give many families a reason to leave the state.

Supporters of Michigan being a right-to-work state say it would help attract businesses, especially if Indiana and other neighboring states also adopt right-to-work policies. And supporters cite examples of right-to-work states that have flourished because they got rid of compulsory union dues for workers.

Democratic House Minority Leader Rick Hammel said those examples are misleading.

“You can slant it whatever way you want, but there are other cases that show it’s not true," said Hammel. "If you’re looking for investment in the state, you want to make sure you have a great, healthy education system. We’ve done a horrible job of making sure we have that. You want to make sure you attract young, talented people… you’re pushing people away, but yet you think you can do it by a right-to-work law. That’s not going to happen.”

Hammel said he thinks the policies approved by Republican state lawmakers and Governor Rick Snyder will be unpopular with voters in Legislative elections this year.

Michigan Democrats release jobs plan

Zoe Clark — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:52:25 +0000

Democratic lawmakers at the state Capitol have released a plan that they say would help small businesses grow and hire the unemployed. “The plan includes taking a portion of the money that’s in a state trust fund and investing it in local banks and credit unions to make small business loans… the package would allow small banks and credit unions to pool their finances to invest in larger projects… and also calls for a tax credit for small businesses that hire long-term unemployed people and veterans,” Rick Pluta reports.

On Monday, “State Rep. Kate Segal of Battle Creek, the House Democratic floor leader, and Rep. Vicki Barnett of Farmington Hills proposed their 'Invest in Michigan: Small Business Jobs’ plan',” the Detroit News reports. “Segal said her bills offering incentives for hiring veterans and the long-term unemployed will be introduced when the Legislature returns from its two-week Thanksgiving break on Nov. 29,” the News explains.

It’s unlikely the measures will find support among Republican lawmakers. “Republicans shy away from job creation credits. They say the state should not single out specific businesses for tax breaks,” Pluta explains. Republicans are in the majority in both the state House and state Senate.

Democrat leaves Lansing to lobby for school reforms

Laura Weber — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:48:20 +0000

The former state House Education Committee chairman is resigning his office to become a national school reform lobbyist.

Democratic state Representative Tim Melton (D-Pontiac) will work for the Students First organization in California starting in early September.

Students First is an organization headed up by a nationally polarizing figure in education reform, Michelle Rhee.

"I’ll be helping other state’s throughout the country pass reforms similar to the ones we did in Michigan," said Melton. "The Students First organization is a national grassroots advocacy for school reform. We’re going to really try to move the United States and this country forward as far as what the rest of the world’s doing on education reform."

Melton says the job will allow him to build on the work he did with the controversial "Race To The Top" legislation he spearheaded in Michigan.

He is the third state lawmaker in the past couple years to leave office early for a different job. Melton says term limits could make leaving early a trend for politicians.

"I’ve got two young kids and I guess not knowing what’s going to happen after your term is up, and if an opportunity arises that allows you to do the thing that you’re really passionate about—you know, school reform to me is something that is a major issue," said Melton.

Melton’s departure will leave the House with 46 Democrats, to the majority of 63 Republicans. He was known for frequently working with and voting with Republicans.

He had contemplated a run at a House seat in Congress, but says he has reached the end of his career as an elected official.

AP: Michigan Dems say no presidential primary here in 2012

The Associated Press — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 18:12:40 +0000

There will be no presidential primaryelection for Michigan Democrats in 2012.

Chairman Mark Brewer said Wednesday that national convention delegates will be picked through party meetings around the state, starting next May.

President Barack Obama, a Democrat, is expected to run unopposed for a second term next year.

Brewer says Michigan Democrats will hold caucuses in May at approximately 200 locations. He says more than 200 people will be delegates or alternates at the national convention.