Inside 83

Here’s how we did it

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Our team of Michigan State University journalism students recently analyzed 2017 campaign finance reports filed by Michigan state lawmakers.

Inside 83

Researchers at MSU, elsewhere fear government shutdown

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As Congress races toward another possible government shutdown on Thursday, researchers who rely on government grants and facilities fear debilitating consequences to their work.
January’s three-day shutdown provided a taste of what could come, but students and faculty at Michigan State University and across the nation fear the consequences of a lengthier shutdown.

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Latinx town hall describes fears through stories

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When a member of the Black Poet Society saw a group of young men using chalk to write “Build a wall” in front of the Spartan Statue, agribusiness major Alondra Alvizo felt she had to do something. “The Black Poet Society is a group of activists that use our words to defend our community,” said Alvizo. “That’s what we try to do.” Alvizo’s mother did not support the idea. The MSU junior attends the university on a full-ride scholarship; her mother feared activism could cost her scholarship money.

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East Lansing City Council lowers penalty for underage marijuana possession

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When attorney Jeffrey Hank drafted East Lansing’s successful ballot proposal to decriminalize the possession of marijuana in 2015, residents under the age of 21 were left in a legal limbo. “There was still a huge debate whether to go 18, 19 or 21 years of age,” said Hank. “We went with 21 because it was the most politically safe.” The proposal mandated that those over 21 could possess up to an ounce of marijuana, but those under 21 could still face a misdemeanor charge, along with a hefty fine and jail time, if caught in possession of the drug. On Oct.

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No proposals on state ballot; Ingham to vote on 1 issue

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Jeanne Day-Labo spent dozens of hours each week volunteering for MILegalize, an organization aiming to legalize recreational marijuana in Michigan. The woman stood on intersections and other high-traffic locations gathering signatures to get a question on November’s ballot. In the end, MILegalize came up short. Although the organization turned in more than 370,000 certified signatures, well above the 252,000 required, the organization failed to collect the signatures within the mandated 180-day window. The activist said she believed Michigan’s laws work against grassroots and volunteer-based organizations.