Sergio Martínez-Beltrán
Bridge Magazine
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Past articles by Sergio:
Michigan redistricting panel sticks with pay raise despite fewer meetings
The maps are set to take effect this month, but one commissioner says the 7 percent raise is justified because the panel is his full-time job now. → Read More
Michigan AG candidate Matt DePerno gets his moment at Trump’s Mar-A-Lago
Trump talked mostly about himself at the Palm Beach fundraiser, insisting he “won Michigan by so much” in 2020. But Trump’s endorsement is critical to DePerno’s primary challenge in the race for attorney general. → Read More
Michigan redistricting panel finished maps month ago. Why is it still meeting?
A constitutional amendment creating the citizen panel in 2018 didn’t specify when its work would end. Now, members are not only still convening, but giving themselves pay raises. → Read More
Democrats fear redistricting could kill Black representation in Detroit
America’s Blackest city may face a future without a Black representative in Congress, thanks to new political districts and competition among Democrats. → Read More
Lee Chatfield’s brother fights Michigan State Police search warrant of iPhone
Troopers have executed at least two search warrants in the past week of associates of the former House speaker, who is under investigation following sex abuse allegations. → Read More
Lee Chatfield’s wife comes to his defense, calls sex assault claims ‘false’
Stephanie Chatfield released a statement Thursday acknowledging her husband’s infidelities, including with sister-in-law Rebekah Chatfield. But she challenged Rebekah’s account that Lee assaulted her as an underage student. → Read More
Michigan redistricting panel sued again. This time, by its own member.
The 13-member citizen panel has been beset with bickering and accusations of bullying. Now, a commissioner is suing the group on claims it violated the Freedom of Information Act. → Read More
Michigan State Police raid home of Lee Chatfield associates
Anne and Rob Minard were senior staffers for the former House speaker. She ran a nonprofit tied to Chatfield that spent nearly a half-million on travel, while a business connected to the pair was paid $1 million by Republicans. → Read More
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: Replace Michigan’s unemployment system. Critics: What took so long?
The governor seeks $88 million to replace a notorious computer system that falsely accused workers of fraud and caused other headaches. → Read More
Voters Not Politicians’ bid to intervene in suit prompts fairness questions
The nonpartisan group is partnering with a Washington D.C. law center in seeking to intervene against a Republican lawsuit challenging new congressional boundaries. → Read More
Michigan petition seeks 9 days of early voting, funds for absentee ballots
The proposal would undo most of the proposals under a Republican-led ballot initiative that also could go before voters. → Read More
Michigan political districts to face third lawsuit, alleging Republican bias
League of Women Voters, other groups target Michigan House map. Groups representing Democrats and Republicans also have sued the redistricting panel. → Read More
The Michigan redistricting panel is done mapping. Now it’s time for drama.
Commissioners swap insults, accuse the chair of bullying and vote to spend $50,000 on a documentary about themselves in the face of a nearly $1 million deficit. → Read More
Detroit caucus to court: Don’t make Blacks ‘sacrificial lamb’ of redistricting
Michigan Supreme Court hears oral arguments over racial composition of new districts. Makers of the maps say minorities don’t need to be in majority to elect candidates. → Read More
Michigan redistricting panel’s top attorney quits amid two court challenges
Julianne Pastula’s resignation came hours after oral arguments in one of the two legal challenges pending against the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. → Read More
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer: Cut taxes, boost schools. Michigan GOP agrees, but devil’s in details
Tax relief. Historic school funding increases. More money for mental health. Gov. Whitmer’s pledges in her fourth State of the State align with some Republican priorities. Can they find common ground? → Read More
Lee Chatfield raised millions, traveled often. Michigan law kept much secret
The former House speaker and associates raised millions in campaign cash and dark money. Now, spending on food, travel and a connected company is under scrutiny as he faces assault claims. → Read More
Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, don’t forget these four pressing issues facing Michigan
The first-term Democrat is set to deliver her 2022 State of the State address on Wednesday. From mental health and sagging test scores to COVID and the economy, she has a lot on her plate. → Read More
Republicans sue redistricting commission over congressional map
The suit claims the districts violate the constitution because they don’t have even populations. One of the plaintiffs is challenging Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson for re-election. → Read More
Trump backers inch closer to ballot measure to overhaul Michigan vote audits
Voters could decide whether a political board should conduct post-election audits rather than the Secretary of State. Boosters say it’s a transparency measure. Foes say it’s dangerous. → Read More