By Beth LeBlanc, Chad Livengood, Melissa Nann Burke, Grant Schwab, MediaNews Group

After vowing to bring state employees back to Lansing, the Legislature’s actual written instructions included in this year’s spending plan leaves much of the decision-making on remote work up to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer‘s administration, as it has been for the past several years.

The so-called boilerplate language in the state budget bill requires state departments to “optimize” in-person work, to monitor remote workers and ensure all state employees comply with Office of State Employer standards.

But it leaves those standards up to Whitmer’s administration, which has allowed state workers to operate under a patchwork of remote work policies that differ by agency since the governor sent them home in March 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Additionally, the provisions in the budget require state buildings to have about 80% occupancy, without defining how that occupancy would be measured. Currently, the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget measures building occupancy by available square footage versus the amount of square footage allocated to an agency or tenant.

In other words, an increased occupancy rate, under the current definition, does not necessarily mean more individuals in a building.

More: Amid remote work scrutiny, Michigan refuses to release state office building occupancy data

House Speaker Matt Hall, R-Richland Township, had been an outspoken critic of the Whitmer administration’s post-pandemic in-person work requirements, vowing in April to “bring the state workers back to work” through a state budget mandate. One Republican-controlled House committee held a blistering hearing about the issue in May.

When asked about the budget’s work requirements last week, Hall said through a spokesman that the language included in the budget stems from “productive conversations” between Hall and Whitmer about how to get employees back from the office.

While the speaker believes the language represents progress, “the House will be monitoring that progress over the next few weeks to see how it plays out,” said Gideon D’Assandro, a spokesman for Hall.

D’Assandro referred questions on specifics to the governor’s team.

The Department of Technology Management and Budget said it is “constantly evaluating our state-owned buildings and leased footprint.”

“That work will continue as we implement the new boilerplate,” spokeswoman Laura Wotruba said.

The Office of State Employer, when asked about the possibility of new work requirements, did not answer directly.

“The Office of the State Employer is currently reviewing the budget recently signed into law by Gov. Whitmer and will provide information and appropriate guidance to our department and agency partners in the near future,” the office’s spokeswoman, Lauren Leeds, said.

The vagueness of the budget language prompted the Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce to formally ask for clarification last week on when workers might return to the capital city. The letter from the chamber’s president and CEO, Tim Daman, seeks a clear timeline for the implementation of return-to-work policies and a clear indication of how occupancy will be measured.

“As the chamber continues to collaborate with state agencies and business partners to strengthen Michigan’s capital region economy, clear communication about the policy’s timing and application will help ensure businesses are prepared to support increased workforce activity downtown,” Daman wrote.

Will autism funding be restored?

The Autism Alliance of Michigan laid off 18 employees last week who worked in their autism navigator program, helping thousands of families find services for their children on the spectrum, said Colleen Allen, president and CEO of the nonprofit organization.

The Autism Alliance’s $2 million appropriation in the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services was swept up in targeted spending cuts as lawmakers sought to find funds for a roughly $1.8 billion annual road repair increase.

Allen said the layoffs amounted to half of the organization’s staff and will result in the remaining autism navigator staff being able to serve 1,000 families annually instead of 4,000.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer has signaled her support for restoring the $2 million in a year-end spending bill.

“The governor included funding for the Autism Alliance in her executive recommendation and would support restoring the funding,” Whitmer spokesman Bobby Leddy said.

But Allen said she couldn’t take a chance of not being able to make payroll in the coming monts if lawmakers don’t come through with promises to restore the funding.

In an Oct. 8 interview, House Speaker Matt Hall said he’s unsure if lawmakers will be able to restore the $2 million program.

“I don’t see a vehicle to do that,” Hall said of restoring the funding. “I don’t think that we wanted it out. I think that essentially there wasn’t enough money left to pay for it.”

The Kalamazoo County Republican characterized the decision to cut the autism navigator program as “an oversight.”

“I think it was also an oversight because I don’t know that anyone intended for it to happen,” Hall told The News.

Hall also labeled the $2 million line-item as “pork,” a description Allen took exception with.

“We’re not an earmark,” Allen said. “We’re embedded in the MDHHS budget.”

Clerks oppose ranked choice voting

County clerks across the state voted unanimously Tuesday to oppose a ballot initiative that would allow for ranked choice voting in Michigan.

The Michigan Association of County Clerks’ rare public rebuke of a ballot initiative was based on concerns over the effect RankMiVote’s voting initiative would have on ballot length, voter confusion, audits and recounts and delayed results.

“We support the rights of voters to amend the state constitution through the initiative process. And as county clerks, it is our duty to implement all election requirements, including this one, if enacted,” Washtenaw County Clerk Larry Kestenbaum said in a statement. “But we feel that this proposal, as written, will have unintended consequences for Michigan elections.”

More: Backers of ranked choice voting want proposal on Michigan ballot despite Trump opposition

Ghalib to get ambassadorship hearing

Hamtramck Mayor Amer Ghalib is scheduled for a hearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Thursday morning, about seven months after President Donald Trump nominated him to be ambassador to Kuwait.

The hearing comes after New Hampshire U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, last month said the panel’s chairman, Republican Idaho Sen. Jim Risch, had agreed to postpone consideration of Ghalib’s nomination as senators await more details about Ghalib’s background.

Ghalib’s nomination has prompted criticism from groups accusing him of antisemitism and of being anti-Israel. But Ghalib earlier this month said he had received a call from Trump, who “renewed” his support for Ghalib, despite the pushback to his nomination.

Last year, the mayor endorsed Trump for president and campaigned with him in Hamtramck in October at a critical juncture in the 2024 election when the Republican nominee was trying to win over Arab American voters in battleground Michigan.

Groups devoted to fighting antisemitism have come out strongly against Trump’s pick of Ghalib.

They have highlighted Ghalib’s support for the movement to boycott, divest and impose sanctions on Israel and called him a “denier” of sexual violence by the militant group Hamas in its 2023 attack on Israel ― an apparent reference to Ghalib’s remarks at a protest following the Oct. 7 attack.

Both the Anti-Defamation League and the grassroots group StopAntisemitism called on Trump to withdraw the nomination months ago, with the ADL saying it “strongly” opposes the pick. The American Jewish Committee expressed similar concerns.

McClain, Slotkin on No Kings rallies

Republicans in Congress spent the last week deriding the No Kings protests against the Trump administration as the “I Hate America” rallies, and suggesting that Democratic lawmakers were only trying to keep the government shutdown until after the protests.

“I hope after they have the ‘I hate America’ rally on Saturday that some reasonable Democrats will stop being ruled by their Marxist left-wing arm of their party and come to their senses and open up the government for the American people,” said U.S. Rep. Lisa McClain of Bruce Township, chairwoman of the House Republican Conference.

Sen. Elissa Slotkin of Holly led a group of Democratic members of Congress last week, pushing back against the narrative. The group, which served in the military or, like Slotkin, in national security roles, called on veterans and others to show up “patriotically” and protest peacefully at their local No Kings rally on Saturday.

“We are all watching what President Trump is doing with the uniform military, using it to police American streets. … We’ve seen this authoritarian playbook before in too many other countries,” Slotkin and the others said in a montage video.

“As people who have served, we think it’s important that we say something. … Let’s exercise our freedoms and make clear that this is out of a deep sense of patriotism, love of country and collective desire to make our country better. … Because this is our country, and we need to fight for it, because America … has no king.”

Appearing in the video with Slotkin were Sens. Mark Kelly and Ruben Gallego of Arizona and U.S. Reps. Jason Crow of Colorado, Pat Ryan of New York, Chris Deluzio and Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire.

Reps: Pay federal law enforcement

U.S. Rep. Bill Huizenga, R-Holland, led a group of lawmakers in writing to the director of the White House Office of Management and Budget to encourage efforts to pay federal law enforcement during the government shutdown after the administration previously reprogrammed funds to ensure troops wouldn’t miss a paycheck last week.

The shutdown is in its third week, with most civilian federal employees scheduled to miss their first paycheck Oct. 24.

“Federal law enforcement are currently performing dangerous, mission-critical work without pay—including Border Patrol, ICE agents, CBP officers, DEA, Secret Service, Federal Air Marshals, and Transportation Security Officers,” Huizenga wrote.

“This is especially true in this climate of increasingly hateful rhetoric and violence directed at these officers — from the recent sniper assault on an ICE facility in Dallas to the nationwide harassment, endangerment, and doxxing of federal agents by extremist groups like Antifa, and by cartels placing assassination bounties on law enforcement officials.”

The letter was also signed by Reps. Tom Barrett of Charlotte and John James of Shelby Township, among others.

Rep. Debbie Dingell, D-Ann Arbor, last week introduced legislation in Congress to pay Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees during government shutdowns.

Former candidate endorses in 10th District Dem primary

Days after posting the top quarterly fundraising haul in a suburban Detroit Democratic congressional primary, attorney Eric Chung won the endorsement of a one-time opponent.

Chung, of Sterling Heights, is one of three Democratic hopefuls looking to replace James after the twice-elected GOP lawmaker’s term expires at the end of 2026. James is running for governor of Michigan instead of seeking reelection to Congress.

Alex Hawkins of Rochester, an Army veteran and former congressional fellow for then-Rep. Slotkin, recently dropped out of the race. He will instead challenge GOP state Rep. Mark Tisdel of Rochester Hills for a seat in the state Legislature.

“I’ve gotten to know Eric Chung over the course of this campaign, and I’m proud to endorse him for Congress in Michigan’s 10th District. Eric’s the real deal,” Hawkins said in a statement.

He continued: “(Chung) shows up, listens, and fights for people instead of playing politics. At a time when so many are tired of career politicians and empty promises, Eric brings honesty, integrity, and a deep commitment to serving our communities. I’m proud to stand with him in this race and look forward to working alongside him to deliver real results for Michigan.”

Hawkins chose Chung over former special victims prosecutor Christina Hines of Warren and Pontiac Mayor Tim Greimel.

“I am honored to have Alex’s endorsement,” said Chung, a former U.S. Commerce Department attorney during the Biden administration. “A veteran and a community leader, Alex understands what it means to lead with integrity and purpose. I am looking forward to working with him to build a brighter future for workers and families in Macomb and Oakland County and across Michigan.”

Tweet of the Week

The Insider report’s “Tweet of the Week,” recognizing a social media post that was worthy of attention or, possibly, just a laugh, from the previous week, goes to Republican gubernatorial candidate Mike Cox.

The former attorney general had a bone to pick with the way the recent state budget was portrayed when the actual numbers told a different story.

eleblanc@detroitnews.com

mburke@detroitnews.com

gschwab@detroitnews.com

By Max Bryan and Craig Mauger, MediaNews Group

Nearly 100 “No Kings” rallies throughout Michigan on Saturday brought thousands of demonstrators to the streets and spurred a war of words between local officials in the country’s two major political parties.

The cross-country rally initially organized in opposition to President Donald Trump’s birthday parade in June returned Saturday to Metro Detroit, Lansing and the Upper Peninsula in response to moves including sending immigration agents into cities, pushing for the redrawing of congressional maps to favor Republicans and “gutting health care,” according to the rally website.

The rallies were held as the federal government is shut down amidst a fight between Republicans and Democrats over Medicaid policy, and after Trump’s attempts to send National Guard troops into Chicago and Portland, Ore. to reduce crime. Trump has also sent an influx of Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents into Chicago to arrest undocumented immigrants.

In Oakland County’s Ferndale, the No Kings rally was on Woodward Avenue between Cambourne and Albany streets, where hundreds of demonstrators lined each side of the thoroughfare and the median and waved signs at traffic. Motorists honked their horns as they passed by, prompting cheers from the crowd.

Beth McGraw held a sign with her father’s picture from his service in the Navy with the words “My dad fought for freedom, not fascism.” McGraw said her father served on one of the ships that bombarded the Germans in the allied invasion of Normandy.

McGraw said today’s political landscape is “a slap in the face” to her father.

“We’re barreling into fascism if we’re not already there yet, the way that there’s no checks and balances anymore,” she said. “It’s almost like everybody forgot their civics classes.”

Demonstrator Michael Bachman had a sign with playing cards showing four poker hands, none of which had kings.

Bachman said the protesters were exercising their constitutional right to peacefully assemble, noting that tea party members publicly demonstrated against the Affordable Care Act in the early 2010s.

“The shoe’s on the other foot now,” he said. “We have the right to protest.”

Ahead of the rallies Saturday, the Oakland County Republican Party claimed that “affiliates” of the No Kings rallies “have a well-documented history of fueling division and unrest in our communities.” The party’s news release listed the Communist Party USA, the Freedom Socialist Party and the Democratic Socialists of America as affiliates, though none of these groups are listed as partners on the No Kings website.

“The Oakland County Republican Party stands for law and order, and we reject the radical and violent tactics that have become the hallmark of the No Kings movement and its extremist sponsors,” Chairman Vance Patrick said in the release.

The release also asked anyone with “intelligence or information regarding Antifa domestic terrorism activity” to report it to the FBI, referencing the leftist group recently designated by the Trump administration as “a militarist, anarchist enterprise.”

In June, confrontations at the No Kings rallies were isolated and the protests were largely peaceful.

Police in Los Angeles, where protests over federal immigration enforcement raids erupted the week prior and sparked demonstrations across the country, used tear gas and crowd-control munitions to clear out protesters after the formal event ended. Officers in Portland also fired tear gas and projectiles to disperse a crowd that protested in front of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement building well into the evening.

In a prepared statement, members of the Oakland County Democratic Party said they were “deeply disturbed” by the local Republican Party’s statement.

“Their statement, cloaked in the language of safety, instead fans the flames of division and fear by mischaracterizing peaceful civic mobilizations as threats and by implying that those who exercise their constitutional rights should be treated as suspects,” the statement reads. “At a moment when our democracy demands leadership rooted in truth and responsibility, this kind of rhetoric is not only reckless, it is dangerous.”

State leaders had opinions of Saturday’s demonstrations as well. Michigan Democratic Party Chairman Curtis Hertel praised them and said demonstrators are making clear that “the power belongs to the people.”

“Today’s marches are a peaceful demonstration of patriotism in the face of a Republican Party that is more interested in Trump’s power grabs and passing tax cuts for billionaires than serving the American people,” Hertel said in a prepared statement.

State Republican Party Chairman Jim Runestad had an unfavorable view of the demonstrations, calling them “a canard” that gives credence to the idea that Trump will take citizens’ rights away. Runestad said presidents have the right to federalize law enforcement when they see fit, and used Dwight Eisenhower sending troops into Little Rock, Ark., during school integration as an example.

Runestad said accusations of Trump acting in a “totalitarian” manner are a deflection on the part of the Democrats in the wake of the federal government shutdown. Republican leaders are refusing to negotiate on an end to the shutdown until a short-term funding bill to reopen the government is passed, while Democrats say they won’t agree without guarantees on extending health insurance subsidies.

“They’re frustrated with the shutdown, and they want to cast all the blame on the Republicans, and this thing is just a big canard pretending that President Trump is the dictator-in-chief when Biden went after conservative groups in every way he possibly could, and there never was a peep out of them on any of that,” Runestad said.

In Lansing, demonstrators crowded outside of the Michigan Capitol for the event, marking one of largest rallies on the Capitol lawn this year.

Among them was 78-year-old Bob McVeigh of Dimondale. He carried multiple signs, including one that said, “Nobody paid me to be here. I just hate Trump.”

The crowd chanted things like, “Lock him up,” referring to the Republican president.

“We’ve got to do what we can to save the country,” McVeigh said, as he stood on the Capitol lawn.

Speakers at the Lansing event frequently focused on immigration and criticized the deportation efforts of the Trump administration.

Rick Martinez, 66, of Potterville, who described himself as a lifelong Democrat, contended Republicans had been “stagnant” in the face of Trump’s actions and said Trump had been “jailing his enemies.”

“We just need to make sure that we have a good democracy here,” Martinez said.

In Detroit, demonstrators brought their signs to Roosevelt Park, where they heard speakers give calls to action.

Sharon Jeter, who stood in the crowd with an American flag, said she marched with the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. when he visited Detroit in the 1960s. She said she came to the rally “to save America.”

“I’ve seen so much happen, and so many things that were really bad, improve. And now we’re supposed to go back? We’re supposed to go in our corners and be quiet? I don’t think so,” said Jeter.

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