As faces change during the transition to a new administration, join Capitol Issues Forum to hear Jonathan Oosting of Detroit News talk about newly elected and returning leaders, Wednesday Nov. 28, 8 to 9 a.m. Oosting joined Detroit News Lansing Bureau in 2016, where he covers the Legislature, governor's office and state agencies. He was an MLive Group reporter for eight years and earned a bachelor's degree in English at Grand Valley State University and a master's degree in

The governor's race will tighten as election day nears, predicted Adrian Hemond, Grassroots Midwest, who spoke at Capitol Issues Forum Oct.24. "I think we're all going to wake up to a lot of surprises on Nov. 7," said Hemond who expects Gretchen Whitmer to win the governor's race. Brian Began, Grassroots Midwest, who joined Hemond on the panel, pointed out that during big midterm elections more campaigning and funding goes into big ticket issues such as the governor's race or

As the Nov. 6 election draws closer, join Capitol Issues Forum Wednesday Oct. 24, 8 – 9 a.m. to hear Adrian Hemond and Brian Began of Grassroots Midwest predict election outcomes. Grassroots Midwest is a bipartisan advocacy firm providing polling and consumer data collection and campaign consulting. Adrian Hemond, partner and CEO, specializes in appropriations, local government, regulatory affairs and procurement. Brian Began, elections and research director, has had extens

President Trump's low approval ratings could impact Michigan elections in November, said Zach Gorchow, editor of Gongwer News service, at Capitol Issues Forum Sept. 27. Gorchow, who is covering the midterm elections, said Gretchen Whitmer, the Democratic Candidate, is favored to win the governor's race. Bill Schuette, the Republican Candidate, may struggle to win the election due to his alignment with President Trump. "We're seeing a middle class wave of educated people with

A US economic recession is likely not imminent, according to Economist Dr. Charles Ballard who explained the current economic outlook at the May 24th Capitol Issues Forum. The US is experiencing its second longest economic expansion at 107 months, which began in June 2009. The years 1991 – 2001 experienced 120 months of growth and, according to Ballard, could be overlapped by the current expansion before another recession hits. “In the words of Yogi Berra,” Ballard joked, “‘

As pollsters attempt to predict elections outcomes, those who rely on the results need to evaluate them for credibility, cautioned Jeff Williams, CEO of Public Sector Consultants (PSC), who spoke at Capitol Issues Forum March 21. In his presentation, “Predicting Elections: Lies, Damned Lies, Statistics ... and Surveys", Williams pointed out that survey results can be skewed by using inaccurate population sampling or surveying non-voters instead of voters. Williams further not