Politics

MADISON, WI (AP)--   A new report says the sand mining and natural gas industries have given Wisconsin candidates nearly $758,000 since 2007, with contributions spiking last year as sand mining took off in the state.   

The Wisconsin Democracy Campaign study found the gas and sand mining industries gave candidates a total of $18,762 in 2007 when only five sand mines were operating in the state. Last year the industries gave candidates $413,642.

About 100 mines and processing plants were running in Wisconsin that year.

NOVI, MI (AP)--   Donald Trump says if the U.S. creates a path to citizenship for immigrants who don't have permission to be here, "every one of those people will be voting Democrat." 

The billionaire real estate magnate and sometime presidential hopeful made the statement to reporters Tuesday night before an address to Oakland County Republicans in Novi.

Trump says his habit of blunt talking is one reason he gets so much attention.  He says people like to watch him and says he doesn't know "if that's a good thing or a bad thing."

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Michigan Republicans say they plan to open five regional offices but aren't yet saying where they'll be. 

State Chairman Bobby Schostak says the party also will hire more staff and invest in new technology as part of an effort to improve Republican results in the 2014 elections and beyond.

Schostak tells the Detroit Free Press the GOP also will improved training for staff and volunteers as it rolls out a "refreshed playbook" that the party completed at its meeting in Boyne Falls this month.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Rick Snyder’s early June deadline to finish the budget, come up with more money for roads, and expand the Medicaid program is fast approaching.  But as we hear from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta, making that target could be hurt by political fights in the Legislature:

The fighting came to a head this week when Republican House Speaker Jase Bolger took the unprecedented step of stripping several Democrats of their committee assignments.

WEST BLOOMFIELD, MI (AP)--   Michigan Representative Gary Peters has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate seat opening up with the retirement of Carl Levin. 

With Peters' announcement Wednesday, the Democratic field is cleared until his November 2014 showdown with a Republican.

The three-term Congressman is a former state Senator and lottery commissioner who won tight House races in 2008 and 2010.

The 54-year-old is from Bloomfield Township in Oakland County, a bellwether important to winning a statewide race.