Inside and outside of Oakland

In and out: Another day in Michigan political life

  One politician jumped into a high profile race today, and another former politician went way, way out.

Human Trafficking: 'The Slave Across The Street'

  Lawmakers in Michigan are beginning to zero in on the problem of human trafficking, which they say is the equivalent of modern-day slavery.

Who will the GOP put up for U.S. Senate seat in Michigan?

  Much speculation and polling about who the Republicans will field for the seat being vacated by U.S. Sen. Carl Levin in 2014.
  But there could soon be an end to it.

Rogers, Land lead pack of in GOP poll for Michigan U.S. Senate seat

  A new poll sets up the possibility of a three-way primary for Republicans to pick a candidate to run for retiring U.S. Sen. Carl Levin's seat in 2014.
  An automated poll of 1,158 likely Republican primary voters taken May 20 indicates U.S. Rep. Mike Rogers from Howell and former Michigan Secretary of State Terri Lynn Land lead a pack of Republicans interested in taking a look at the open U.S. Senate seat.

'Smart' meter opponents plan public meetings over new opt-out policy

  Opponents of "smart" utility meters being installed by Michigan's major utilities will hold two meetings in June in Oakland and Wayne counties to talk about the new "opt-out" policy approved last week by the Michigan Public Service Commission.

Smart meters in Michigan: Opposition continues over new order

  Opponents of electric service smart meters say they'll likely appeal a Michigan Public Service Commission order that allows DTE Energy to continue to install smart meters and to charge monthly fees for people who want their transmitting capabilities disabled.

List of Michigan Republicans interested in U.S. Carl Levin's seat gets a little longer

  Michigan Republicans powwowed in Boyne City this past weekend, laying out a strategy to protect the offices held by Republicans in 2014. Part of that strategy includes opening up new offices around the state with the goal of keeping them open in perpetuity.
  And no powwow is complete without some speculation about who Republicans might back for the open seat of U.S. Carl Levin, who is retiring at the end of 2014.


Michigan teens face 'competitive' summer job market

  Michigan says the job market for teens ages 16-19 this summer will be "competitive." Surely, teens hunting a job for the summer will think of other adjectives for it.

Some Democrats want Schauer against Snyder in Michigan in 2014

  Bolstered by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's poll numbers, driven into the negative after right-to-work legislation was passed in December, Democrats are lining up behind a possible opponent to run against the governor in 2014.
  John Austin, president of the Michigan State Board of Education, announced his support Wednesday for former U.S. Rep. Mark Schauer in 2014.

Michigan no-fault insurance debate: Apology for Hitler analogy may not be enough for some

  Did Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson's tweeted apology Friday comparing Michigan House Speaker Jase Bolger to Adolf Hitler go far enough?
  Some Republicans don't think so.

Hitler comparison inflames debate over Michigan no-fault auto insurance


Politics does indeed make for strange bedfellows sometimes.
  In the escalating debate over reforms to Michigan's no-fault auto insurance, Republican Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson finds himself in the rare position of being on the same team with Michigan Democrats.

With Peters in U.S. Senate race in Michigan, who will the GOP draft?

  Now that U.S. Rep. Gary Peters has announced his intent to run for U.S. Senate in 2014, the next question is who will step up to run for the Republicans.
  Peters a Bloomfield Township Democrat, made his announcement Wednesday in Rochester, saying that there'll be a clear contrast between him and whoever the eventual Republican candidate may be.