Michigan Politics & Elections

National, State, Local Political News, Polls, Blogs & Video

Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan and other abortion opponents will be given an opportunity to try and insert tougher restrictions into the legislation during debate on the House floor. Full story »

The unemployment number masks the fact that job losses slowed compared to past months — the work force went down by 190,000 in October compared to 219,000 in September. Full story »

Two local lawmakers say they'll be in the "no" column if House Democrats call for a vote today on a $1 trillion health-care measure that would cover 36 million uninsured people and create a government health plan. Full story »

President Barack Obama signed into law a $24 billion economic stimulus bill providing tax incentives to prospective homebuyers and extending unemployment benefits to the longtime jobless who have been left behind as the U.S. economy veers toward recovery. Full story »

U.S. House of Representatives moves toward a vote on a sweeping health-care reform bill Saturday. Full story »

LANSING — The Michigan House has voted to tap federal stimulus money set aside for next year to soften a cut in school funding now. By a vote of 74-29, a majority of House members said Thursday the $184 million should be used to help schools avoid all but $10 of a $127 per student cut ordered by Gov. Jennifer... Full story »

It's easy to look around Detroit and see signs that capitalism may have failed the city: The nation's highest unemployment rate, scattered pockets of abandoned homes and foreclosure signs sprouting like weeds. Heck, a Detroit bishop even told Michael Moore that capitalism violates Christ's teachings. But according to Dr. Carl Schramm, capitalism hasn't failed Detroit, it's just been distorted.... Full story »

Is House Republican version of health care bill attempt at reform or political stunt? Full story »

WASHINGTON — Congress is one vote away from sending the president legislation that continues aid to more than a million jobless people and extends tax breaks to hundreds of thousands of prospective homebuyers and struggling businesses. The legislation, recognizing the lingering distresses of the recession, passed the Senate Wednesday on a 98-0 vote and could come up in the House... Full story »

The sentencing of former Detroit Councilwoman Monica Conyers for taking bribes has been delayed. Conyers' sentencing hearing has been moved from Dec. 1 to Jan. 15, 2010. U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn issued a brief order Wednesday, saying both Conyers and federal prosecutors agreed to the delay in "the interests of justice." Conyers admitted in federal court in June... Full story »

Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele will speak at an Ottawa County GOP luncheon next week. Full story »

Elections Director Daniel Baxter says mayoral write-in votes in Detroit's nonpartisan election added up to 30 minutes of counting time at some precincts. Baxter tells The Associated Press that a total of 3,849 write-in votes were cast Tuesday for Jerroll Sanders, Robert Allman, Angelo Brown, Carolyn A. Huff and Rosalind Russell. He says the number of votes each candidate received... Full story »

About 55 laid-off state troopers who expected to be recalled now that the state budget is in place will stay off the job a little longer. Gov. Jennifer Granholm's spokeswoman said Wednesday that the budget office needs a week to 10 days to go over the Michigan State Police budget the governor signed last week. Liz Boyd says the governor... Full story »

Podcast crew discusses big wins by Republicans, including N.J.'s Chris Christie. Full story »

"Weak-kneed liberals in Washington ... will paint a target on the backs of Michiganders," letter says. Full story »