Hi Reader,
For informed decision-making at the polls, voters need to know how their leaders govern, which campaign promises they keep and where they fall short. ProPublica’s nonpartisan investigations reveal what’s going on behind closed doors in government buildings all over the country.
Three recent examples:
Minnesota: Tim Walz
A cache of thousands of internal emails reveal how Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz worked to enact police reform in the spring of 2021 in wake of the police killings of George Floyd and Daunte Wright, ProPublica and the Minnesota Reformer found. The emails provide a glimpse behind the scenes at how Walz tried to influence the legislative process. They reveal a politician struggling to push for the police reforms he publicly supported while dealing with a dug-in Republican-controlled Senate and working to maintain credibility with activists while cracking down on protests. In the end, Walz emerged from the 2021 special legislative session with a police reform bill that seemingly satisfied no one. For some Democrats, it didn’t go far enough. Some Republicans felt it went too far.
Texas: Greg Abbott
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is waging a crusade for pro-school voucher legislation. During the Texas primary, Abbott persuaded voters to reject members of his party who had defied him by voting against legislation that would allow the use of state money to pay for private school tuition. Abbott’s success campaigning against fellow Republicans sent a clear message that disloyalty would not be tolerated even for those who supported other priorities he outlined. If the pro-voucher candidates win in the November general election, as many are expected to, the governor could secure the votes to finally pass legislation. In partnership with The Texas Tribune, this story traces how the governor’s voucher crusade represents the culmination of more than three decades of work by Christian conservative donors, whose influence in Texas politics has never been more pronounced.
Michigan: Gretchen Whitmer
Heralded for her pragmatism and effectiveness, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is celebrated as an ascending leader of the Democratic party — someone who won over a decidedly purple state in 2018 by promoting commonsense solutions to issues affecting millions of people. As a candidate, Whitmer vowed to “fix the damn roads,” bring transparency to state government, fight for a $15 minimum wage, repeal the emergency manager law and get a handle on companies that extract and sell large quantities of Michigan groundwater. Six years later, those populist pledges are partially or entirely unfulfilled. Advocates and even some allies are waiting for Whitmer to take up the causes she campaigned on during a critical period, when Democrats still have firm control over how the state is run.
As a nonprofit, nonpartisan investigative newsroom, we are committed to ensuring transparency across all branches of government. And we hold leaders accountable. The power of journalism to activate change in this world is made greater by the number of folks standing beside us. Join us today, with your gift of any amount, and help us continue this critical mission of investigative journalism that spurs impact.
Thanks so much,
Jill Shepherd
Proud ProPublican
