Jack Lessenberry from Michigan Radio

Governor Snyder is renewing his push for new money to fix Michigan’s roads, though some are skeptical the need is really there. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says business groups have little doubt where they stand.

Both major parties held state conventions last Saturday, and both elected statewide leaders. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says Republicans and Democrats had very different results. 

A dramatic race to determine the next Democratic state chair will be settled at the party’s convention in Detroit tomorrow. Michigan Radio's political analyst Jack Lessenberry reports.

Yesterday, a conservative county executive who was in a bad auto accident suddenly came out against any move to reform our insurance laws to limit benefits. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry sees a trend here.

Yesterday, a state review team found that Detroit was in a financial emergency, meaning an emergency manager is all but certain. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s senior political analyst, reflects.  

The Michigan legislature is about to pass a bill that will add more people to the public sex offender registry. Jack Lessenbery, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, thinks this is a bad idea. 

Last week the governor proposed a formula to raise the money needed to fix Michigan’s roads — but legislators don’t seem to want to go along. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, takes a look at their priorities.

Detroit Mayor Dave Bing gave his annual State of the City address last night. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry thinks there is more to the speech than meets the eye.

Governor Rick Snyder and some legislators are at odds over whether to raise fees for hunting and fishing licenses, and how to pay for dredging our harbors. Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says in both cases, common sense should prevail.

Should elected officials be able to leave office and immediately take jobs as lobbyists for firms they were supposed to be regulating? On Lincoln's Birthday, Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says there is a clear need for tougher standards.

Whatever happened to the great debate over the new bridge over the Detroit River? Michigan Radio’s political analyst Jack Lessenberry says a new bridge is still in the works – but there’s a new controversy over hazardous materials and the old bridge.

In his budget message yesterday, Governor Rick Snyder called for increases in the gas tax and car registration fees to fix Michigan’s roads. Michigan Radio's political analyst Jack Lessenberry has been thinking about the problem.

Governor Rick Snyder yesterday proposed a  large-scale expansion of Medicaid. Michigan Radio's political analyst Jack  Lessenberry says the politics of this are trickier than they may  seem.

The state chairs of both major parties are being challenged for reelection this month. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, thinks this says a lot about the weaknesses of both Republicans and Democrats.

Carl Levin has now served in the U.S. Senate longer than anyone in Michigan history. By the end of the month, he plans to announce whether he will run for a record seventh term next year. Jack Lessenberry, Michigan Radio’s political analyst, has been thinking about what that would mean for Michigan politics.