Insider Intelligence

On Thursday, the Board of State Canvassers rejected eight recall petitions filed against Governor Rick Snyder.  Each petition included as their main reason the Flint water crisis, but each stated different incidences related to the situation.  One stated he should be recalled for “failing to protect the health and safety of the citizens of Flint,” […]

This week, Senator Dale Zorn (R-Ida) introduced a bill that would provide clarity to the legislative intent of campaign finance reforms that were signed by the Governor earlier this month.  After the legislature passed the bill in December, several groups and legislators voiced concerns of the unintended consequences of the legislation.  Notably, the new law […]

On Thursday, the Board of State Canvassers approved petition language to recall Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof (R-West Olive) and Senator Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City).  The reason stated for the recall is due to their votes on approval on the infrastructure funding package, raising diesel and gasoline fuel taxes.  In order for the recalls to […]

Former Michigan State Senator and Representative, Jason Allen, this week announced his run for the 1st United States House District.  He is running to replace retiring U.S. Representative Dan Benishek (R-Crystal Falls).  In 2010, Mr. Allen lost the Republican primary election for the seat to Congressman Benishek by only fifteen votes.  Prior to his announcement, […]

This week, Governor Rick Snyder signed a piece of legislation eliminating straight ticket voting in Michigan.  Under the newly enacted law, a vote must be cast for each partisan race on a ballot, instead of casting one vote by party for all partisan races on the ballot.  It also includes a $5 million appropriation for […]

On Wednesday, after several contentious days of negotiation, the House and Senate came to an agreement on a bill that would eliminate straight ticket voting in Michigan.  Additionally, the bill appropriates $5 million to the Department of State for the purchase of voting equipment.  Due to the appropriation, the bill is referendum proof.  Before final […]

Recall petitions filed against Governor Rick Snyder and Senator Wayne Schmidt (R-Traverse City) were denied this week by the Board of State Canvassers.  An individual filed the petition against Senator Schmidt due to the Senator’s vote on increasing road funding.  However, the petition language failed because it didn’t factually state clearly the reason for the […]

This week the House passed two bills making changes to Michigan’s voting laws. The first bill would eliminate straight ticket voting, thus removing the ability to cast one vote for a single party in all partisan races. The bill includes a $5 million appropriation for the Department of State to purchase voting equipment to help with the changes, thus making it referendum proof.