Michigan Democrats, with the help of pro LGBTQ+ groups, passed a bill which Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law, banning the degrading and hateful practice of conversion therapy. In just a few short months after gaining power, Democrats have passed bills expanding LGBTQ+ rights, and also adding more protections. It’s another example of how progressive…
Category: Blog
Left of Lansing Short: Rep. Betsy Coffia Helping All Boats Rise
There’s something in my eye 🥺Getting thankyou’s from school leaders in small rural communities & districts like Posen, McBain, Leland, Forest Area for the work my team & I did to get transportation equity into our School Aid Budget …. makes this rural northern girl so proud. pic.twitter.com/oAZkwbty1W — Betsy Coffia (@BetsyCoffia) July 13, 2023…
Left of Lansing Short: Let College Athletes Unionize!
My Left of Lansing Short this week deals with Democratic State Rep. Carrie Rheingans’ bill, which would allow college athletes to unionize in Michigan. Click here to read the actual bill. The effort might fail this time, but it’s something progressives ought to be pushing. Shockingly, legislative Republicans are voicing opposition to such a bill….
Left of Lansing Short: DTE’s Expensive Failures Are Why Michigan Must Push Towards A Greener & Reliable Future
Here’s the Left of Lansing Short. DTE Energy CEO Jerry Norcia makes around $10 million per year while the energy company is failing to provide reliable energy. To make matters worse, Michigan pays the 12th highest rate for energy, and ranks 45th among states in energy reliability. That’s why it’s time to push for a…
Who could be against free meals for public school students?
The main reason the Right wants to prevent free meals is to avoid strengthening the community bond between #parents and #publicschools. The other reason is it’s a competitor to big anti-labor grocery chains. https://t.co/Aw6eeTlhnx — Josh Cowen (@joshcowenMSU) June 19, 2023 As I discussed with Democratic State Senator Stephanie Chang in this week’s podcast, Michigan…
Judge Orders Line 5 Shut Down In Three Years
This is clearly not the end, but it’s a bit of good news. From Michigan Advance: Enbridge Inc. must shut down its Line 5 pipeline within three years and pay more than $5 million in profits to the Chippewa Indians Bad River Band, a federal judge in Madison ruled Friday. Judge William Conley reaffirmed his September…
Left of Lansing Short–Newsrooms must have freedom to report news
It’s time for a Left of Lansing “Short” for this Friday, June 16, 2023. Wood-TV in Grand Rapids became the news this week when a leaked internal memo showed how its assistant news director ordered reporters to do fewer LGBTQ+ stories during the rest of PRIDE month. But because those stories didn’t sit well with…
Closing Line 5 Won’t Lead To Higher Gas Prices
One of the major planks of Enbridge’s misinformation campaign is that closing the old pipeline will lead to skyrocketing gas prices. Chemical Engineer and researcher Gary Street says the evidence proves otherwise. Street, who worked at Dow for 30 years but now works pro bono for environmental groups, took note of when Enbridge closed both…
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 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…
