Macomb County Judge David Viviano Appointed to State Supreme Court

David Viviano, chief judge of the Macomb Circuit Court, was appointed Wednesday to serve on the Michigan Supreme Court.

Gov. Rick Snyder has appointed Macomb Circuit Court Chief Judge David Viviano to the Michigan Supreme Court. Viviano, 41, has served on the 16th Circuit Court bench since 2006 and takes the open seat created by the resignation of former Justice Diane Hathaway. "Judge Viviano has a distinguished record of judicial integrity and innovation," Snyder said in a release. "His deep respect for the judicial branch of government and his commitment to the rule of law will serve Michigan well." Viviano, who holds degrees from Hillsdale College and the University of Michigan Law School, previously was in private practice and served as the city attorney for Center Line. He also connections to St. Clair Shores. His extended family owns Viviano Flower …

• Photos (4)

WATCH: Gov. Rick Snyder Delivers State of the State

His speech is expected to address job creation in Michigan.

Gov. Rick Snyder will deliver his third State of the State address to a joint session of the Michigan Legislature at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Watch the speech live on the embedded video player from Livestream.

• Photos (1)

How Will You Remember 2012?

2012 was filled with triumph and tragedy. With a new year approaching, tell us how you will remember the last 12 months.

How will you remember 2012? That’s the question Patch is asking this week as the year comes to an end. USA Today called 2012 the Year of the Cheater, citing separate scandals involving Lance Armstrong, Gen. David Petraeus and Olympic athletes. Time magazine named President Barack Obama the Person of the Year, and the New York Times posted its Year in Pictures, which included photos of the tragedy of the school shooting in Newtown, CT, and the devastation of superstorm Sandy. But we want to know what defined 2012 for you. Was it a moment in Michigan politics, such as when Gov. Rick Snyder signed right-to-work legislation? Was it a moment of triumph, such as the Detroit Tigers trip to the World Series? Or was it something else? How will you …

•  4 Comments
• Photos (1)

Will Right-to-Work Law Lead to Recall of Gov. Snyder?

A political expert said Michigan could be “ground zero for a recall vote” against Snyder in 2013.

Could the sudden passage of the highly controversial right-to-work legislation lead to Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder's name appearing on a statewide ballot for something other than his re-election campaign? One political expert thinks it's possible. Joshua Spivak, a senior fellow at Wagner College’s Hugh L. Carey Institute for Government Reform, told Politico that Michigan could be “ground zero for a recall vote” against Snyder in 2013. “There doesn’t seem to be a specific goal of going after state legislatures or state governors in any significant way, though that might change in Michigan because of right-to-work (legislation),” Spivak said in the Politico story.  Local recall elections, such as the one voters recently approved against Troy …

•  146 Comments
• Photos (1)

Snyder Vetoes Bill That Would Have Allowed Guns in Schools

The bill would have allowed concealed weapons in gun-free zones such as schools and sports arenas.

  Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder has vetoed a bill that would have allowed concealed weapons into public schools and sports arena, according to a report on Michigan Public Radio. The Michigan Legislature passed Senate Bill 59 late last week that would have allowed concealed weapons in gun-free zones, but in the wake of the school shooting in Newtown, CT, many had called for Snyder to veto the legislation. David Hecker, Michigan President of American Federation of Teachers (AFT) said in a Friday statement, "We’re aghast that this lame duck legislature thinks it’s a good idea to put MORE guns in our schools, let alone places of worship or sports arenas...The House passed SB 59 on Thursday. How dare these lame duck legislators put the safety of …

• Photos (1)

Barack Obama Takes Aim at Right-to-Work Laws

President says proposed right-to-work laws give people "the right to work for less money" during an appearance in Redford Township.

President Barack Obama took direct aim at proposed right-to-work legislation during an appearance Monday in Redford Township. Obama waded into Michigan’s brewing labor battle that erupted last week when Gov. Rick Snyder said right-to-work legislation was on his agenda and union groups protested at the state Capitol in Lansing. "We should do everything we can to keep creating good middle-class jobs that help folks rebuild security for their families," Obama said Monday in a speech at the Daimler Detroit Diesel plant, according to the Huffington Post. Obama added that with right-to-work laws, “what they're really talking about is giving you the right to work for less money.” More protests are expected in Lansing on Tuesday as right-to-work …

•  12 Comments
• Photos (2)

DJG

7:28 pm on Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Ohh..Lianne, don't get me started on Politicians. They get time off like they still travel with horse and buggy, compared to 20th and 21st century means of transportation. Our government, their work schedule and pay/benefits is a mockery of our system. I'm with you 100% on that one!   more ›

What Do You Think? Influential Republicans Disagree with Snyder on Voter Fraud Veto

Leave a comment to join the conversation on the first Red Mitten survey.

Influential Republicans Disagree with Snyder on Voter Fraud Veto

In our first Red Mitten survey, more than half of the respondents say they disagree with Republican Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to veto a GOP-backed bill that requires photo ID for first-time voter registration or to obtain an absentee ballot.

Conservative Michigan insiders disagree with Gov. Rick Snyder’s decision to veto a bill dealing with voter fraud: that’s the finding of this week’s inaugural Red Mitten survey of influential Republicans. Fifty-one conservatives from southeastern Michigan used an automated anonymous survey tool to offer their opinions about voter fraud in the state. Thirty responses were collected. According to Politico.com, Snyder said he vetoed the bill because it could cause "confusion among absentee voters." But some respondents in the Red Mitten survey feel differently. In fact, more than half, 53.3 percent, say they disagree with Snyder’s decision to veto a GOP-backed bill that requires photo ID for first-time voter registration or to obtain an …

•  272 Comments
• Photos (1)

Hundreds Rally Outside Troy Marriott Before Romney Fundraiser Event

The presidential candidate is in town for a private event hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder on Wednesday night.

A crowd of about 200 people gathered Wednesday afternoon outside the Troy Marriott hotel on Big Beaver Road to rally in protest of visiting Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Romney is in Troy for a private fundraiser hosted by Gov. Rick Snyder at the hotel. Protesters carried signs and waved at motorists along Big Beaver, many of whom were honking as they passed by. "We're here to support Barack Obama," said Jeff Klayo of Mt. Clemens, who attended the rally with two fellow UAW members. "He stands for the little guys... The working class." Liz Ratzloff of Ann Arbor attended the rally and wore the official "Pillamina" mascot costume for Planned Parenthood. "I'm here sporting Pillamina because Romney doesn't support low-cost …

•  165 Comments
• Photos (34)
• Videos (2)

Dianne Miller

12:33 am on Monday, July 16, 2012

Unsubstantiated claim.   more ›

Video: Michigan Republicans Impressed With Santorum Speech, GOP Event

Republicans praise GOP star-studded Lincoln Day Dinner in Novi.

Michigan Republicans who attended Thursday's Lincoln Day Dinner at Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi lauded the star-studded lineup, which included surging GOP presidential candidate Rick Santorum. Santorum spoke before 1,400 party supporters, and was joined by Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder, Ann Romney — wife of presidential candidate Mitt Romney — and other party leaders and political organizers.

•  6 Comments
• Videos (1)