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Yesterday — 16 January 2026Main stream

The Metro: Power, money and silence — Michigan politics this week

8 January 2026 at 20:09

In Michigan, hundreds of millions of dollars that people are counting on remain frozen.

Last year’s state budget included roughly $645 million in “work-project” funding for things like local roads, public safety, and community services. But in December, House Republicans voted to block it. With that money still on hold, projects aren’t moving.

The Democrat-controlled Senate voted to restore the funding

This week, Attorney General Dana Nessel said the committee didn’t have the constitutional authority to do that, calling it an improper “legislative committee veto.” 

House Republicans are considering a court challenge. 

Meanwhile, lawmakers debate tax breaks for data centers, how cannabis revenue should be used, and the regulation of consumable hemp products—decisions that affect utility bills, road repairs, and small businesses.

Politics reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network, Colin Jackson, joined Robyn Vincent to break down the constitutional fight over the funding freeze and what it reveals about power, process, and everyday life in Michigan.

 

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More stories from The Metro

The post The Metro: Power, money and silence — Michigan politics this week appeared first on WDET 101.9 FM.

Before yesterdayMain stream

Nessel challenges fast-tracked DTE data center deal, citing risks to ratepayers and lack of public scrutiny

9 January 2026 at 16:06

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel is urging state utility regulators to reconsider their approval of special power contracts for a massive data center planned in Washtenaw County, warning the fast-tracked decision could leave electric customers exposed to higher costs.

The post Nessel challenges fast-tracked DTE data center deal, citing risks to ratepayers and lack of public scrutiny appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

Detroit public defender Bill Noakes launches bid for Michigan AG

30 September 2025 at 13:17

William “Bill” Noakes, a longtime public defender and professor, announced Tuesday he is running for Michigan attorney general, positioning himself as the only Democrat in the race who has never been a prosecutor and could become the first Black person to hold the office. Noakes, who has practiced law since 1982, is the fourth Democrat […]

The post Detroit public defender Bill Noakes launches bid for Michigan AG appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

Sterling Heights cops to stand trial after violent arrest of Black man captured on disturbing video

22 September 2025 at 15:09

Two Sterling Heights cops accused of brutally beating a Black man and siccing a police dog on him during his arrest in February 2024 have been ordered to stand trial in Macomb County Circuit Court. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced that officers James Sribniak, 31, and Jack Currie, 29, were bound over on felony […]

The post Sterling Heights cops to stand trial after violent arrest of Black man captured on disturbing video appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

State AG urged to investigate how popular Detroit Democrat avoided mandatory jail time for third DUI

5 September 2025 at 18:41

Local activist Robert Davis is calling on Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel to investigate how Wayne County Commissioner Jonathan Kinloch dodged a mandatory jail sentence after pleading guilty to his third drunk driving offense in 2005.  In a letter sent Thursday to Nessel’s office, Davis argued that the Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office “blatantly failed” to […]

The post State AG urged to investigate how popular Detroit Democrat avoided mandatory jail time for third DUI appeared first on Detroit Metro Times.

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