IJP Newsletter

There is an empty state Senate seat in Michigan's thumb region. No one currently represents the district because Governor Gretchen Whitmer has not yet called a special election. Some Republicans are saying she's playing politics with the 35th state Senate District.

Michigan House Republicans adopted a resolution this week to continue to hold onto nine bills from the last legislative term. Is the state Capitol getting closer toward its own constitutional crisis? Plus, Governor Gretchen Whitmer meets with President Donald Trump in D.C.

State House Republicans without advance notice on Thursday muscled through a $20 billion dollar bare-bones budget, touching off a rancorous floor fight and setting up a showdown with the Senate Democratic majority. Plus, Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist preps for a gubernatorial announcement.

Governor Gretchen Whitmer delivered her seventh State of the State address this week and tacked to the political center; plus, a judge rules in the state Legislature’s nine bills case, and Michigan U.S. Senator Elissa Slotkin will deliver the Democratic response to President Donald Trump’s address to the nation next week.

Republicans and Democrats come to an agreement on new minimum and tipped wages for some Michigan workers, plus changes to the state’s paid sick leave law. And, Michigan Republicans and Democrats meet separately this weekend in Detroit to choose new state party chairs.

The final legal briefs were filed this week in a lawsuit that pits state Senate Democrats against House Republicans for failing to send bills adopted by both chambers to Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Is this leading the state Capitol toward its own constitutional crisis?

Advocates of making the Michigan legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's office more transparent saw success this week in Lansing. But, is this the year the state Capitol really becomes more open? Plus, new names in the 2026 race to be Michigan's next governor.

U.S. Sen. Gary Peters’ announcement that he won’t run for reelection has left Democrats and Republicans across Michigan to reevaluate 2026's races. Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta evaluate the stakes.

Jocelyn Benson announces her run for governor, the state House passes legislation to change the state’s tipped wage and sick time leave laws and state Senate Dems authorize a lawsuit to release bills from last year’s chaotic lame-duck legislative session.

In this week’s It’s Just Politics newsletter, Zoe Clark and Rick Pluta explore what Governor Gretchen Whitmer said in her big speech this week at the Detroit Auto Show (and why she said it now). Plus, Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt throws his hat in the ring for Michigan governor in 2026, and the latest changes to Michigan’s tipped wage and sick time leave laws.