Friday, May 17,2013

What can Dems pick up?

Michigan Democratic Party chairman puts 8th Congressional District in play

by Kyle Melinn

Friday, May 17 — The chairman of the Michigan Democratic Party considers the 8th Congressional District an “absolutely winnable race” for Democrats regardless of whether seven-term U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers, R-Howell, runs for the U.S. Senate in 2014 or is tapped to run the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Wednesday, April 17,2013

What's next for Whitmer?

Checking in with City Pulse readers' favorite politician: Grateful to serve and unsure of the future

by Kyle Melinn

About 13 years ago, 28-year-old Gretchen Whitmer knocked her first door in East Lansing and Meridian Township as a candidate for the 69th state House district. The eager first-time candidate had a law degree. She had a couple of years' experience as an attorney. She served on the staff of former House Speaker Curtis Hertel, Sr., father of Ingham County Register of Deeds Curtis Hertel, Jr.

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Wednesday, March 20,2013

Count on 'Bernero '13,' not 'Bernero '14'

by Kyle Melinn

We've heard this before, haven't we? Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero saying he will run for re-election and isn't interested in running for a higher office next year?

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Tuesday, March 19,2013

Bauer opts out of 2014 Senate race

Former Lansing state representative won't seek Sen. Gretchen Whitmer's seat come 2014

by Kyle Melinn

Tuesday, March 19 —Former Rep. Joan Bauer will not run for the state Senate in 2014, saying in a Facebook post on Tuesday afternoon that she wants to "explore other options and also want to spend quality time with my husband, Doug Langham."

Monday, March 18,2013

Take millage vote out on Council

Lansing says no to tax increase

by Kyle Melinn

Tuesday, May 3 — If you're as mad as I am about Tuesday's millage going down in flames, don't waste your time lashing out at the 52.23 percent of Lansing voters who put a black mark through "no" on their ballot.

Wednesday, March 13,2013

69th House race gets chippy

Singh, Schmidt go negative over campaign contributions

by Kyle Melinn

Friday, Aug. 3 — It was bound to only last so long. The friendly but competitive Democratic primary in the 69th House District turned chippy today when Sam Singh accused opponent Susan Schmidt of negatively attacking him through a fundraising email that says 60 percent of Singh's money came from out of the district.

Wednesday, February 6,2013

Replacing Whitmer

Curtis Hertel Jr. positioning himself for a state Senate run in 2014

by Kyle Melinn

Ingham County Register of Deeds Curtis Hertel Jr., is positioning himself for a 2014 state Senate race to replace term-limited Sen. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, multiple sources have confirmed.

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Wednesday, January 23,2013

Gun limits

Schor seeks open carry ban in schools, other gun-free zones

by Kyle Melinn

President Barack Obama last week laid out what were reportedly "the most expansive gun-control policies" in generations. In Lansing, state Rep. Andy Schor is preparing to introduce his own gun control proposal that would tighten Michigan's rules for openly carrying guns.

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Wednesday, January 9,2013

10 issues to watch in '13

by Kyle Melinn

Just when you thought Gov. Rick Snyder and the Republican-led Legislature's 2011 mojo petered out in 2012, out pops right to work, the phase-out of the Personal Property Tax, the long-sought regional transit authority for southeast Michigan and new abortion restrictions.

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Wednesday, December 19,2012

GOP shooting itself in foot

by Kyle Melinn

It was midnight last Thursday, I think, when I got around to compiling a list of some 20 bills my MIRS team and I needed to track going into the last day of an already overly active lame duck in the Michigan Legislature.

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