Progressive changes continue in our state thanks to the Democratic majority in the state legislature as both the general and education budgets passed this week. These budgets provide significant funding boosts for K-12 spending, including more per-pupil funding and universal free breakfast and lunch. And the general budget provides more funding for roads, infrastructure, health…
Tag: Michigan Republicans
Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 42: Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang
We’re officially in Summer, and I’m serving up the 42nd episode of the weekly podcast! My opening monologue deals with why I’m supporting the Michigan Multimedia Jobs proposal, which provides tax credits for companies wanting to make movies, shows, commercials, and other multimedia productions in the state. Michigan Democrats are busy helping people, including providing…
Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 41: Will New Film Incentives Work For Michigan?
Here’s Episode 41 of the podcast devoted to highlighting the progressive fight to revive and restore Michigan’s greatness! My opening monologue describes how old time Michigan Republicans have no power in their party anymore, and they have nobody to blame but themselves as the extremists lead the party. And I explain how these extremists are…
Left of Lansing Short–Michigan Is A Place Where Everyone Belongs
Since it’s Friday, it’s time for a Left of Lansing Short. In this week’s “short,” I take my cue from Greta VanZetten, who explained in a Detroit Free Press op-ed that while she loves her home state of Michigan, she suffers great apprehension and anxiety on coming back to her home on the west side…
Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 40: Dr. Joshua Cowen on The Right Wing’s Attack on Public Schools Using Vouchers
Here’s the 40th episode!!! In this week’s episode, I share some thoughts on WJR-AM’s “next generation” of talk show hosts, which kinda sounds a lot like the last generation. I also talk about how former Republican “Nerd” Governor, Mr. Flint Water Crisis, himself, Rick Snyder is back in the news, announcing that he’s helping Michigan…
Left of Lansing Short–Michigan Democrats Trying To Get 16-Year Olds Pre-Registered To Vote
It’s Friday! Here’s another Left of Lansing Short! This week, I talk about while Republicans are continuing their hateful war against trans kids, Michigan Democrats are trying to get 16-year olds pre-registered to vote. Democrats are trying to include all kids in getting involved in our democracy. That’s the difference. Michigan Republicans look to divide…
Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 39: Ottawa Co. Politics & More with Joe Spaulding
Wow, 39 episodes are in the can! This week, I speak with progressive activist Joe Spaulding on the right wing movement happening with the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners as they passed a resolution declaring the county a “constitutional county.” It’s quite similar to what the equally extreme right wing Livingston County Board of Commissioners…
Left of Lansing Podcast–Episode 38: Rick Haglund, Business Writer for Michigan Advance
Here’s the 38th episode of Left of Lansing! Coming back to the podcast is veteran business writer, Rick Haglund. He writes the “Micheconomy” on Michigan Advance, and has been covering the state’s economy, and the auto industry, since the 1980’s. We talk about Michigan’s population problem in which not only are people leaving, but we’re…
Left Of Lansing Podcast–Episode 37: Talking Livingston Co. Politics w/ Kasey Helton
A new episode of the Left Of Lansing Podcast is posted. This week, progressive activist Kasey Helton joins me to talk about life as a progressive in ruby red Republican Livingston County. We talk about Livingston County politics, why it’s been difficult for progressives to make a dent there, but how progressives are beginning to…
Left Of Lansing Short–GOP Loses Young Voters, But Democrats Must Fight To Keep Them–May 5, 2023
Here’s this week’s LOL “Shorts,” which I post every Friday right here exclusively on the blog. I take my cue from this fine article by The American Prospect’s Gabrielle Gurley, which is titled, “Republicans Declare War On Young Voters.“ Even though Michigan had the highest youth voter turnout in 2022, that’s still lower than the…