Jack Lessenberry from Michigan Radio

Tomorrow is the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President Kennedy. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, reflects.

Detroit Public Schools emerged from high-risk status this week, but at the same time, the investor’s service Moody’s downgraded the bond ratings of schools all across the state. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says while this is good news, DPS is still in bad shape.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Mark Schauer yesterday proposed raising the minimum wage in Michigan. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst says even if that happened, working families would still be in poverty.

Last week Michigan Secretary of State Ruth Johnson said she planned to require groups funding so-called issue-oriented political ads to disclose who is supplying the funds. Michigan Radio’s  political analyst Jack Lessenberry has the details.

As Mayor-elect Mike Duggan scrambles to build a team for the future, Detroit waits for a judge to decide whether the city is eligible for bankruptcy. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, has been wondering if there’s hope for the city. 

Last Saturday a distorted sound system at Michigan Stadium started a wave of speculation about U of M President Mary Sue Coleman. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has been thinking about journalism standards.

In recent months, we’ve learned that out-of-control and underfunded pension and health care costs helped drive Detroit to bankruptcy courts. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, says a new study shows that statewide, it’s much worse than you probably think.

Those worried about out troubled cities have often concentrated on revitalizing their downtowns. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, suggests that a different message in last week’s election is coming from an unlikely place.

Detroiters are voting in a primary election today, many still smarting from their Emergency Manager’s depiction of their city as “dumb, lazy, happy and rich.” Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has been thinking about this.

Though there’s been controversy about the need for a new bridge, last month attention turned to the Detroit-Windsor tunnel, which suddenly declared bankruptcy. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, is thinking about what happens next.

The Michigan state Senate has postponed a vote on expanding Medicaid until late this month, in part because opposition from those opposed to expanding government. Michigan Radio's Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry looks at this differently.

 A state senate committee finally sent not one, but three Medicaid bills to the full senate yesterday. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s Political Analyst, says the meaning of what they did is not what you might think.

Though Detroit’s problems are absorbing lots of attention these days, there’s a lot more going on in the state. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry has been talking to folks in Marquette.

Though nobody seems to support government relief for Detroit, the government is willing to spend millions to help build new sports stadiums. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has been thinking about this.

Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette says he will intervene in Detroit’s bankruptcy filing to protect the pensions’ of city workers. Michigan Radio’s  political analyst Jack Lessenberry says there is more here than meets the eye.