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A White House Excursion

Fritz Benson

It’s important for governments to talk with each other. Federal to state, state to locals. And for those involved in policy to develop relationships. Longtime legislative staffer, then lobbyist, and co-founder of MiGoodGovernment, Charles “Fritz” Benson tells how that works.

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MIGG Stories The Chief Justice

The Chief Justice

Fritz Benson

Former Michigan Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas M. Kavanagh, a giant in state politics, was my first employer in my political career. It would be hard to imagine a finer mentor and person to set you off on your new career path.

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Benson Carter for Benson story
A White House Excursion
It’s important for governments to talk with each other. Federal to state, state to locals. And for those involved in policy to develop relationships. Longtime legislative staffer, then lobbyist, and co-founder of MiGoodGovernment, Charles “Fritz” Benson tells how that works.
Read Story
Screenshot 2026 03 22 at 21.16.15
Using Compromise To Pass Charter School Legislation
Of all the legislative reforms adopted by the Michigan Legislature over the past 50 years, the complete revision of public education funding and financing, as reflected in voter approval of Proposal A in 1994, is probably the most significant.
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MIGG Stories How a “BLT” of Republicans and Democrats Teamed Up to Reform Michigan’s School Finance System
How a “BLT” of Republicans and Democrats Teamed Up to Reform Michigan’s School Finance System
One July day in 1993, Michigan had a system to pay for public schools across the state. The next day it was gone.
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Michigan’s Capital Press Corps: The Watchdogs of State Government
Covering Michigan politics has changed dramatically in recent years. For one thing, the level of vitriol aimed at political journalists today is more intense than it was “back in the day,” although hostility toward the media by politicians and even parts of the general public has always been with us.
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MIGG Stories When a Crisis of Michigan Government Demanded Political Courage
When a Crisis of Michigan Government Demanded Political Courage
Leadership sometimes requires hard and unpopular decisions – particularly when the state is at a crossroads.
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MIGG Stories I am an optimist
I Am Optimistic
The political landscape can look pretty depressing these days. A veteran of 40 years in Lansing, John Cherry looks at history and then the next generation to find some optimism.
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MIGG Stories The Milliken Wit
The Milliken Wit
Too often in today’s politics we hear insults and harsh words – the kind that make comity difficult. A Republican executive with a Democrat-controlled Michigan Legislature, Bill Milliken took a different approach and found results.
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MIGG Stories Living in Interesting Times with Joe Schwarz
Living in Interesting Times with Joe Schwarz
Introduction by Michael Ranville
I’m often asked how a liberal Democrat like me could for years play Sancho Panza to a Republican Don Quixote like Joe Schwarz? To some degree the answer is simple. We share a love of history, political history in particular. He’s fun to be around, has a great sense of humor that is complemented by a hearty, guttural laugh. He refuses to sacrifice good public policy on the altar of partisanship. He possesses a rare sense of loyalty not readily seen in political circles.
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