--- title: "Lansing Politics & Government News" url: https://www.herelansing.com/politics-lansing-mi/ date: 2026-06-22T16:13:41-04:00 modified: 2026-06-22T16:26:21-04:00 author: "" site: "HERE Lansing" attribution: "HERE Lansing" --- # Lansing Politics & Government News *Source: [HERE Lansing](https://www.herelansing.com/politics-lansing-mi/) — June 22, 2026 by * Lansing MI Politics & Government # Lansing Politics & Civic News Covering **Lansing City Council**, **Ingham County Council**, **MI General Assembly**, and your **federal representatives** in Washington, D.C. Accountability journalism for Ingham County residents. City Council County Council MI Senate MI House US Congress Elections Civic Issues POLITICS NOW POLITICS[El-Sayed and Rogers meet Thursday in Michigan Senate debate](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/el-sayed-rogers-michigan-senate-debate-thursday/)◆POLITICS[Mike Rogers breaks with Trump, calls for end to Canada tariff war](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/mike-rogers-breaks-with-trump-canada-tariff-war-ad/)◆POLITICS[Detroit, Michigan, voters: Benson, James clash in first debate](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/07/detroit-voters-benson-james-first-governor-debate-takeaways/)◆POLITICS[Plymouth, Michigan, sets Oct. 19 voter sign-up cutoff](https://www.hereplymouth.com/2026/10/07/plymouth-voter-registration-oct-19-public-ballot-test-oct-9/)◆POLITICS[Novi, Michigan, voters to weigh 10-year capital millage renewal](https://www.herenovi.com/2026/10/07/novi-capital-improvement-millage-renewal-nov-3-ballot/)◆POLITICS[Ann Arbor, Michigan, council moves to challenge Proposal E](https://www.hereannarbor.com/2026/10/07/ann-arbor-council-challenges-proposal-e-public-power/)◆POLITICS[El-Sayed and Rogers meet Thursday in Michigan Senate debate](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/el-sayed-rogers-michigan-senate-debate-thursday/)◆POLITICS[Mike Rogers breaks with Trump, calls for end to Canada tariff war](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/mike-rogers-breaks-with-trump-canada-tariff-war-ad/)◆POLITICS[Detroit, Michigan, voters: Benson, James clash in first debate](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/07/detroit-voters-benson-james-first-governor-debate-takeaways/)◆POLITICS[Plymouth, Michigan, sets Oct. 19 voter sign-up cutoff](https://www.hereplymouth.com/2026/10/07/plymouth-voter-registration-oct-19-public-ballot-test-oct-9/)◆POLITICS[Novi, Michigan, voters to weigh 10-year capital millage renewal](https://www.herenovi.com/2026/10/07/novi-capital-improvement-millage-renewal-nov-3-ballot/)◆POLITICS[Ann Arbor, Michigan, council moves to challenge Proposal E](https://www.hereannarbor.com/2026/10/07/ann-arbor-council-challenges-proposal-e-public-power/)◆ Ingham 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, **Ingham County Council**, **Lansing City Council**, and school district boards — each a separately elected body covering its own geographic slice of the county. Ingham’s federal, state, and local representation is currently being updated. Check the *Your Lansing Reps* section below for the live roster. **Ingham County Council** controls property tax millage, land-use zoning outside city limits, and fee-in-lieu-of-tax agreements. Downtown zoning decisions and the **Lansing Police Department** budget run through **Lansing City Council**. State funding for schools, roads, and Medicaid flows from the **MI General Assembly**. The **Ingham County Elections and Voter Registration Office** administers local balloting under **MI Election Commission** oversight. HERELansing covers **Ingham County Council** meetings, **Lansing City Council** sessions, **MI General Assembly** 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 Ingham County is governed, it’s HERE. ### Is Government Helping or Hurting Lansing Business? [View all impact ratings →](https://www.herelansing.com/government-impact-herelansing-mi/) No graded business-impact stories in the lookback window yet. Check the archive for older ratings. [← Back to Business Hub](https://www.herelansing.com/business-herelansing-mi/) [Full archive →](https://www.herelansing.com/government-impact-herelansing-mi/) Live Updates ## HERE! NOW! — Politics Pre-Breaking Political Briefs — As It Develops Live Political Feed HERELansing · Politics Category Oct 8 [El-Sayed and Rogers meet Thursday in Michigan Senate debate](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/el-sayed-rogers-michigan-senate-debate-thursday/) Oct 8 [Mike Rogers breaks with Trump, calls for end to Canada tariff war](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/mike-rogers-breaks-with-trump-canada-tariff-war-ad/) Oct 7 [Detroit, Michigan, voters: Benson, James clash in first debate](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/07/detroit-voters-benson-james-first-governor-debate-takeaways/) Oct 7 [Plymouth, Michigan, sets Oct. 19 voter sign-up cutoff](https://www.hereplymouth.com/2026/10/07/plymouth-voter-registration-oct-19-public-ballot-test-oct-9/) Oct 7 [Novi, Michigan, voters to weigh 10-year capital millage renewal](https://www.herenovi.com/2026/10/07/novi-capital-improvement-millage-renewal-nov-3-ballot/) **Tip line:** See something? Send tips to **[info@herelansing.com](mailto:info@herelansing.com)** or tag us **#LansingPolitics** Community Accountability What's Wrong HERE? Report infrastructure issues, government failures, and civic concerns ### Report a Civic Issue Anonymous. No sign-up. Your report goes to the right people. Leave this blank 1 Category Category * — What type of issue? — Infrastructure Public Safety Schools & Education Zoning & Development Parks & Recreation Budget & Taxes Housing Transportation Environment Government Services 2 Where is it? Where is it? * 0/200 3 Describe the Issue Issue Title *120 chars max 0/120 Description *500 chars max 0/500 Neighborhood / AreaOptional — e.g. "Northside" Submit Issue 100% anonymous — no name, no email, no account needed HOW IT WORKS ### Your Voice. Their Responsibility. The only local news platform where citizens can publicly surface issues to elected officials and get answers. 1 Report Your Issue Select a category, choose your location, and describe the problem. No sign-up, no email, completely anonymous. Your identity is never collected or stored. 2 We Match You to Officials Our system identifies which elected officials and government agencies have jurisdiction over your issue — from the Mayor and City Council to your State Representative and U.S. Congressman. 3 Public Accountability Your issue is published publicly with the names of officials who can help. Politicians, campaign managers, and community leaders monitor this page. When their name appears next to a problem, they pay attention. Why Use This? **It's anonymous.** No name, no email, no account. Your privacy is absolute. **It creates a public record.** Issues don't disappear into a voicemail box or email inbox. They're visible to the entire community. **Officials are watching.** Every elected official in Ingham knows their name appears here when constituents report problems in their jurisdiction. **Community upvoting.** Other residents can upvote your issue, showing officials how many people care about the same problem. ### HERE Answers Civic issues submitted by the community. Answers pending from officials. No issues reported yet. Be the first to speak up. Community Voice ## Lansing Speaks Voice your opinion on local political issues POLITICS 214 responses #### What do you think: El-Sayed and Rogers meet Thursday in Michigan Senate debate? Strongly support — this is overdue 36% Cautious support — depends on the details 28% Skeptical — need to see the cost first 21% Oppose — not the right direction for Lansing 15% Based on [our coverage](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/el-sayed-rogers-michigan-senate-debate-thursday/) · October 8, 2026 POLITICS 180 responses #### What do you think: Mike Rogers breaks with Trump, calls for end to Canada tariff war? Strongly support — this is overdue 40% Cautious support — depends on the details 26% Skeptical — need to see the cost first 17% Oppose — not the right direction for Lansing 17% Based on [our coverage](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/mike-rogers-breaks-with-trump-canada-tariff-war-ad/) · October 8, 2026 Political Coverage ## Local & State Political News Lansing, Ingham County, & Michigan Capitol [All Political News →](https://www.herelansing.com/category/politics/) ![El-Sayed and Rogers meet Thursday in Michigan Senate debate](https://www.herelansing.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/el-sayed-rogers-michigan-senate-debate-thursday-300x200.jpg) Oct 8, 2026 [El-Sayed and Rogers meet Thursday in Michigan Senate debate](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/el-sayed-rogers-michigan-senate-debate-thursday/) From the HERE City State DeskDemocrat Abdul El-Sayed and Republican Mike Rogers, the major-party candidates for Michigan's open U.S. Senate… ![Mike Rogers breaks with Trump, calls for end to Canada tariff war](https://www.herelansing.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/mike-rogers-breaks-with-trump-canada-tariff-war-ad-300x273.jpg) Oct 8, 2026 [Mike Rogers breaks with Trump, calls for end to Canada tariff war](https://www.herelansing.com/2026/10/08/mike-rogers-breaks-with-trump-canada-tariff-war-ad/) From the HERE City State DeskMike Rogers, the Republican nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, is breaking with President… ![Detroit, Michigan, voters: Benson, James clash in first debate](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/detroit-voters-benson-james-first-governor-debate-takeaways.jpg) Oct 7, 2026 · MI Statewide · HERE Detroit [Detroit, Michigan, voters: Benson, James clash in first debate](https://www.heredetroitmi.com/2026/10/07/detroit-voters-benson-james-first-governor-debate-takeaways/) Via HERE Detroit: DETROIT, Mich. — Voters in Detroit, Michigan, got their first side-by-side look at the two major candidates for governor Tuesday night, Oct. 6, as Democrat Jocelyn Benson and Republican John James met in an hourlong televised debate in Grand Rapids. Benson, the secretary of state, repeatedly tied James to President Donald Trump, arguing he would […] ![Plymouth, Michigan, sets Oct. 19 voter sign-up cutoff](https://www.hereplymouth.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/plymouth-voter-registration-oct-19-public-ballot-test-oct-9.jpg) Oct 7, 2026 · MI Statewide · HERE Plymouth [Plymouth, Michigan, sets Oct. 19 voter sign-up cutoff](https://www.hereplymouth.com/2026/10/07/plymouth-voter-registration-oct-19-public-ballot-test-oct-9/) Via HERE Plymouth: PLYMOUTH, Mich. — Residents of the city of Plymouth, Michigan, who are not registered to vote have until Monday, Oct. 19, to sign up online or get a mailed application postmarked for the Nov. 3 general election, the city announced in its newsletter Monday, Oct. 5. Starting Oct. 20, anyone registering for this election must […] ![Novi, Michigan, voters to weigh 10-year capital millage renewal](https://www.herenovi.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/novi-capital-improvement-millage-renewal-nov-3-ballot.jpg) Oct 7, 2026 · MI Statewide · HERE Novi [Novi, Michigan, voters to weigh 10-year capital millage renewal](https://www.herenovi.com/2026/10/07/novi-capital-improvement-millage-renewal-nov-3-ballot/) Via HERE Novi: NOVI, Mich. — Voters in Novi, Michigan, will decide on Nov. 3 whether to renew a 1-mill capital improvement tax for another 10 years, and the city is holding information sessions on the question this fall. The millage was first approved in 2016 and is set to expire. City leaders say the renewal would keep […] ![Ann Arbor, Michigan, council moves to challenge Proposal E](https://www.hereannarbor.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/ann-arbor-council-challenges-proposal-e-public-power.jpg) Oct 7, 2026 · MI Statewide · HERE Ann Arbor [Ann Arbor, Michigan, council moves to challenge Proposal E](https://www.hereannarbor.com/2026/10/07/ann-arbor-council-challenges-proposal-e-public-power/) Via HERE Ann Arbor: ANN ARBOR, Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, City Council on Monday night, Oct. 5, passed a resolution directing the city attorney to challenge the legality of Proposal E, the November ballot measure backed by local public power advocates. Proposal E would authorize a municipal electric utility board, with members to be elected in 2028. Supporters […] Evergreen Guides Political Resource Center Civic education & voter resources for Ingham County residents [🗳️ Voter Registration Guide How to register in Michigan, key deadlines, and what to expect at the polls. Photo ID required. Register at scvotes.gov →](https://www.scvotes.gov/) [🔍 How to Evaluate Candidates Research voting records, campaign finance, debate performance, and endorsements before Election Day. Read the guide →](#) [🗺️ Find Your District Look up your MI Senate, House, and Congressional districts after the latest redistricting. Find your rep →](https://www.scstatehouse.gov/legislatorssearch.php) [🏛️ How MI Government Works The structure of City, County, State, and Federal government — who does what and where decisions get made. Read the explainer →](#) [🤝 Civic Participation Guide How to attend town halls, submit public comment, contact your rep, and volunteer on local campaigns. Get involved →](#) [📖 Political Terms Glossary Plain-English definitions of quorum, ordinance, referendum, appropriations, redistricting, and more. Browse the glossary →](#) Upcoming ## Civic Calendar Political Events & Deadlines — Ingham County Finance Transparency HERE's the Money Trail Campaign finance & lobbying — Michigan Ethics Commission data 💰 Money Trail MI Ethics Commission · Campaign Finance Reports LOCAL RACES — Ingham County Candidate / Office Total Raised Total Spent Balance Last Filed No local campaign finance reports filed for the current period. Check back after the next MI Ethics Commission filing window. STATEWIDE RACES Candidate / Party Total Raised Party Local Tie Source **Gretchen Whitmer** Governor See MI CFR D Statewide MI CFR **Garlin Gilchrist II** Lt. Governor See MI CFR D Detroit (former Detroit Dir. of Innovation) MI CFR **Dana Nessel** Attorney General See MI CFR D Statewide MI CFR **Jocelyn Benson** Secretary of State See MI CFR D Statewide MI CFR Source: MI Ethics Commission · Public Disclosure Reports Elected Officials ## Your Lansing Reps Every official with a vote on Lansing's future — pulled live from our roster. HERELansing · Free Newsletter ## HERE Politics Brief Local government news, voting alerts, and civic updates — free every weekday morning for Ingham County residents. Subscribe No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. Delivered by HERELansing. Quick Access ## Quick Resources Official links for Ingham County civic engagement [Lansing City Council Agendas →](https://www.herelansing.com/government/city-council/) [Ingham County Council →](https://www.herelansing.com/government/county-council/) [Find Your US Rep →](https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative) [Ingham County Elections Office →](https://www.herelansing.com/government/elections/) [City of Lansing Official Site →](https://www.herelansing.com/) [Sen. Tim Scott · US →](https://www.scott.senate.gov/) [Sen. Lindsey Graham · US →](https://www.lgraham.senate.gov/) @HERECityNetwork Live Feed [Follow →](https://x.com/HERECityNetwork) [Posts by @HERECityNetwork](https://twitter.com/HERECityNetwork) Follow the conversation #LansingPolitics — tag @HERECityNetwork to be heard [Submit a Tip → info@herelansing.com](mailto:info@herelansing.com) ITS ALL HERE! Politics News Near You! [THE HERE CITY NETWORK](https://www.herecity.com) [Ann Arbor, MI](https://hereannarbor.com/politics-ann-arbor-mi/) [Novi, MI](https://herenovi.com/politics-novi-mi/) [Northville, MI](https://herenorthville.com/politics-northville-mi/) [Grand Rapids, MI](https://heregrandrapids.com/politics-grand-rapids-mi/) [Plymouth, MI](https://hereplymouth.com/politics-plymouth-mi/)