Rashida Tlaib had the audacity to invoke what Dan Savage has been saying for two years with his hashtag #ITMFA (“Impeach the motherfucker already”) when she made comments to a group of MoveOn activists yesterday and, to hear the Republicans’ response to it, you’d think she had said it during the half-time show at the Superbowl. “People love you. And […]

If Michigan gets this kind of turnout on Election Day, pro-women candidates will win big. Michigan’s first annual V to Shining V event was a smashing success! Held at the Park Bar on September 27, this official Lady Parts Justice gathering brought in talent from across the country, along with some of Michigan’s strongest advocates for women. The nearly sold-out […]

An all-star lineup of speakers and entertainers will engage and energize women’s advocates and voters at free event. On Saturday, September 27, Lady Parts Justice is hosting a nationwide celebration of women, with official events and house parties in every state. The V to Shining V celebration will mobilize pro-women advocates — and send a clear message to elected officials […]

Initiative highlights the need for policy solutions, citizen engagement and more women in leadership. You’d think we’d be done fighting for women’s rights, but there’s still work to do. And Organizing for Action (OFA) is standing with women and helping them be heard. On Thursday, Mootown Ice Cream & Dessert Shoppe in Detroit hosted the first local launch of a […]

Nothing to see here, please hold your breath and move along As if they weren’t already dealing with enough in their daily lives, residents of downtown Detroit now have something else to contend with: exposure to toxic petroleum coke or “pet coke” dust. The Detroit Free Press is reporting that the state confirms that the dust is prevalent in the […]

Michigan citizens: 1, Attorney General Bill Schuette: 0

Back in January, I wrote about a lawsuit filed by the ACLU, the MEA, the AFL-CIO and others that challenged Michigan’s Right to Work law since it was passed in violation of the Michigan Open Meetings Act. Because Republicans locked citizens (and Democratic lawmakers) out of the building during the vote, the plaintiffs say the law should be invalidated.

This could be a HUGE deal because Republicans passed the legislation by a margin that was larger than than the margin they hold in the House after last November’s election. They would be forced to bring more of their GOP caucus over to vote yes on this legislation which may be difficult do, politically speaking.

Yesterday, Ingham County Circuit Judge William Collette overruled a request by Attorney General Bill Schuette to throw the case out of court.

Details after the jump.

Chapeau: doffed

2012 was a year full of politics in Michigan. As a political writer, particularly one writing from the progressive side of things, I never had a single day where there wasn’t something happening in Michigan worth writing about. We weren’t far into 2012 before I realized that women were standing up and speaking out in larger numbers and with a louder, stronger voice than any other group of people in our state. So much so that I have taken to calling 2012 the Year of Michigan Women in Politics.

Progress for Michigan

Last night, the most effective progressive action group, Progress Michigan, held their September fundraiser at the Majestic Theater in Detroit. Supporting this essential organization is critical for maintaining a positive force for political action in the state of Michigan. The progressive community knows this and their leaders showed up to demonstrate that support both financially and in person.

Photos and report after the jump.

The Students First kiss of death

State Representative Maureen Stapleton had received the UAW endorsement for the newly drawn 6th House district seat as a Democrat. However, thanks to a “kiss of death” endorsement by Michelle Rhee’s anti-teacher, pro-charter schools group Students First, they have withdrawn their endorsement and are throwing their support behind Rashida Tlaib, instead.

Details after the jump.

Powerful women are powerful

A newly formed group called the Michigan Women’s Power Assembly is kicking off tomorrow with a daylong meeting in Detroit. Their focus is to “broaden and update the women’s movement and tackle public policy assaults on women’s rights.

The event will take place this Saturday, June 16th from 8 am to 5 pm on the campus of Wayne State University at the McGregor Conference Center and is open to the public. Registration is $20 and includes lunch and childcare. Scholarships are available. Register at www.miwomenspowerassembly.com.

More information after the jump.