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“It's important to show that yes, we are serious about solving problems,” Whitmer told POLITICO on the sidelines of the Democratic Governors Association winter meeting earlier this month. “This is the first time in 40 years that this opportunity has presented itself. And we are aware of that." In the brief interview, Whitmer said she wanted to "stay focused on the fundamentals" for the next two years and build on her first term. She set general principles such as focusing on economic development and public education. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow said Michigan Democrats can “signal to the rest of the…

Minnesota State Rep. Kelly Moller, a Democrat, plans to schedule a hearing early in the session on her red flag bill, along with measures to require stricter storage protocols, mandatory background checks and reporting firearms. stolen. A version of the red flag bill would allow family members to seek court orders, an option that many states do not offer. “Every time we talk about increasing crime, we also have to talk about preventing gun violence,” Moller said in an interview. "It's horrible to hear that guns are the leading cause of death for children, because it's completely preventable." In Michigan,…

cartoon carousel Every week, political cartoonists from across the country and across the political spectrum apply their inky skills to capture the foibles, memes, hypocrisies, and other shocking events in the world of politics. The fruits of this labor are hundreds of cartoons that entertain and infuriate readers of all political persuasions. Here's a deal on the best of this week's crop, fresh from the Toonosphere. Edited by Matt Wuerker. By POLITICAL STAFF 12/23/2022 04:30amEST

Representative Bob Good speaks during a House Budget Committee hearing on Tuesday, March 29, 2022 in Washington DC | Rod Lamkey/Pool Photo via AP Rep. Bob Good (R-Va.) and his allies are trying to end Kevin McCarthy's reign as leader of the House Republicans. Good is one of five Republicans in the far-right Freedom Caucus who have vowed to block McCarthy's path to the 218 votes needed to become House speaker. The two have a story. In 2020, Good ran for Congress to represent Virginia's 5th congressional district. Incidentally, he also hosts the race between James Madison and James Monroe…