Michigan politics

Hailey Huggett said she felt like she’s living through a paradox.“Here I am, missing school today,” she said, “to fight for the right to go to school without being killed.”

After one week of session, Democratic state lawmakers are already taking steps to repeal Michigan’s “right to work” law.“Right to work” bans making the payment of some union fees a condition of employment. It was a major Republican priority at the time.

Tomorrow, Wednesday January 11, marks the opening of the new session of the state Legislature, with the Democrats running the show for the first time in nearly 40 years.It’s been almost four decades since Democrats controlled both the House and the Senate. And with another Democrat, Gretchen Whitmer, in the governor’s office, a lot of change could be in store.

Controversial partial recounts for two ballot questions concerning abortion and voting rights have begun.

The Michigan Senate is preparing to welcome its first woman as majority leader in state history.Democratic Senator Winnie Brinks emerged out of her party’s caucus room Thursday morning ready to take over the reins of the chamber next year.Brinks says Democrats have a lot of “pent up policy” after being in the minority for nearly four decades.

The House Government Operations committee advanced a bill to reduce the state's penalty for failing to report deer harvests to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources.

A bill before a Michigan Senate committee would require state regulators to commission a feasibility study on nuclear energy.

Roger Marsh, a member of the Onaway city council in Presque Isle County, was the only elected official from Michigan listed on a leaked member roster of the far-right militia group known as the Oath Keepers. MLive's Ben Orner spoke with WCMU's Rick Brewer about Marsh's membership and what the leaked document could mean for the November mid-term elections.

Incumbent John Moolenaar has won the GOP's nomination for Michigan's second congressional district. Unofficial results show Moolenaar has over 60% of the vote to defeat Tom Norton. Moolenaar will face Democrat Jerry Hilliard in the November general election.

Tom Norton, a former combat veteran from Kent county, says Republicans have failed over the last 30 years to deliver effective policies and accused them of not having a "backbone." Norton is challenging incumbent John Moolenaar, who is seeking his fifth term in the House of Representatives.