Grand Rapids MI Politics & Civic News — Page 8
Covering Grand Rapids City Council, Kent County Council, Michigan Legislature, and your federal representatives in Washington, D.C. Accountability journalism for Kent County residents.
Kent County sits inside one of the most layered governmental structures in the region. Residents answer to at least five levels of elected authority simultaneously: the federal government, statewide offices, Kent County Council, Grand Rapids City Council, and school district boards — each a separately elected body covering its own geographic slice of the county.
Kent’s federal delegation includes US Rep. Hillary Scholten (MI District 3) and Senators Gary C. Peters and Elissa Slotkin.
Kent County Council controls property tax millage, land-use zoning outside city limits, and fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements. Downtown zoning decisions and the Grand Rapids Police Department budget run through Grand Rapids City Council. State funding for schools, roads, and Medicaid flows from the Michigan Legislature. The Kent County Elections and Voter Registration Office administers local balloting under MI Election Commission oversight.
HEREGrandRapids covers Kent County Council meetings, Grand Rapids City Council sessions, Michigan Legislature session, federal delegation votes and town halls, school board meetings, and candidate filing windows. We also pull FOIA-sourced travel records and contracts at both the city and county level. If it shapes how Kent County is governed, it’s HERE.
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What do you think: Troy Jackson Ousts Susan Collins in Maine Senate Race?
What do you think: Democrats Win Back the Senate and House in Midterm Sweep?
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Quick Resources
Grand Rapids is in Kent County, Michigan. Mayor: David LaGrand; City Manager: Mark Washington.
Latest Grand Rapids Politics News — Page 8
Mississippi High Court Backs Michigan Consumer Judgment
LANSING, Mich. — Mississippi highest court has green-lit Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel efforts to collect on a consumer-protection award against an out-of-state online furniture seller that took…
Senate Kids Online Safety Bills Still Idle in House
LANSING, Mich. — Sponsors of Michigan Senate legislation known as Kids Over Clicks pressed the House again Friday to schedule a vote on online-safety measures that passed the…
Senate Bill Push Renews Michigan Paid Family Leave Fight
DETROIT, Mich. — Lawmakers and advocates gathered in Detroit on Friday, as a multi-state paid-leave bus tour crossed Michigan, to revive momentum for a state paid family and…
Election Law Keeps Immigration Agents Off Michigan Polls
LANSING, Mich. — Online rumors about Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents watching Michigan voting sites collide with limits written into federal and state election law as early voting…
Trump Faults Kyiv Over Fresh Hits on Russian Fuel Plants
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump blasted Kyiv for restarting attacks on Russian oil and diesel plants, saying the raids lift world fuel prices after an energy pause he…
Alaska Senate Rivals Trade Personal Blows in Final Debate
ANCHORAGE, Alaska — Republican Sen. Dan Sullivan and Democratic former Rep. Mary Peltola spent Thursday night hammering each other on character and policy in the closing Debate for…
Democratic Senate Candidates Post Huge Third-Quarter Hauls
WASHINGTON — Fresh midterm finance filings show Democratic Senate hopefuls flooding accounts in the July-September window, with Texas Democrat James Talarico reporting a $64 million quarter. His team…
Michigan Senate Bill Would Let More Drivers Skip PIP
LANSING, Mich. — A bipartisan group of seven state senators wants to open Michigan's no-fault medical opt-out to more drivers, under a bill filed in Lansing on Tuesday,…
Grand Rapids Voting Machines Pass Public Accuracy Test
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — City voting equipment passed its public accuracy test Monday, Oct. 12, ahead of early voting for the Nov. 3 general election. City Clerk Joel…
No Kings Vote Early Rally Set for Rosa Parks Circle Saturday
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Downtown will host a No Kings: Vote Early gathering from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, at Rosa Parks Circle on Monroe…
Lawmakers Push Reforms on Hidden Hospital Facility Fees
LANSING, Mich. — Lawmakers are advancing bipartisan bills to curb hospital facility fees on care at off-site clinics, labs and telemedicine visits after reporting showed patients often pay…
Huizenga and Glanville Face Off in 30th State Senate District
Grand Rapids, Mich. — Republican Sen. Mark Huizenga of Walker is defending his 30th District seat in the Michigan Senate against Democratic state Rep. Carol Glanville, also of…
