Grand Rapids MI Politics & Civic News — Page 9
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 9
Poll: Michigan voters oppose constitutional convention 2 to 1
LANSING, Mich. — A new survey finds Michigan likely voters reject a call to rewrite the state constitution by nearly 2 to 1 ahead of November’s Proposal 1…
Schumer says he will stay leader as some nominees balk
WASHINGTON — Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says he is running again to lead Senate Democrats, even as several of his own nominees refuse to commit to supporting…
House GOP enters triage as deep-red seats turn competitive
WASHINGTON — House Republicans are entering triage mode four weeks from Election Day, with a growing number privately fearing their chances of holding the majority are vanishing as…
Ann Arbor, Mich., hosts Gilchrist-Forlini secretary debate
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — Thursday night at the University of Michigan, Michigan’s secretary of state race took the stage as candidates traded views on election integrity, appointments and…
Grand Rapids, Mich., hosts El-Sayed-Rogers Senate debate
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Democrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers held their first televised U.S. Senate debate Thursday night, Oct. 8, inside a Grand Rapids, Mich., television…
Senator Whitehouse Renews Push for Supreme Court Term Limits and Appointment Reforms; Bill Draws Attention in Grand Rapids
Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, a Democrat, is renewing his legislative effort to impose term limits on Supreme Court justices and reform the process by which they are appointed. The…
U.S.-Iran Strait of Hormuz Escalation Sparks Shipping and Energy Concerns
International and business news outlets reported on July 15 that U.S.-Iran hostilities have intensified around Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation has sent ripples through…
U.S.-Iran Strait of Hormuz Escalation Raises Shipping and Energy-Risk Concerns
International markets reacted with concern this week as reports emerged of renewed U.S.-Iran hostilities in the vicinity of Iranian ports and the Strait of Hormuz. The escalation, which…
Qatar Mediation Efforts Focus on Iran De-escalation Talks
A diplomatic initiative spearheaded by Qatar is providing a new avenue for de-escalation talks with Iran, following a period of heightened tensions in the Gulf region. This effort…
Kagan, Barrett Testimony Focuses on Supreme Court Budget and Security Before Congress
Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared before a congressional panel on Thursday to address the Court’s budget and security requirements. The joint testimony marked…
U.S. Strikes Iran Amid Strait of Hormuz Tensions and New Oil Sanctions
The United States has conducted strikes in Iran, a development directly tied to recent attacks on commercial vessels navigating the Strait of Hormuz. International and U.S. reporting has…
Justices Kagan and Barrett Testify on Supreme Court Budget and Security
Supreme Court Justices Elena Kagan and Amy Coney Barrett appeared before a congressional panel on Wednesday to address the judiciary’s budget and security requirements. The joint testimony marked…
