Free read, May 12-16: Shri's failed impeachment push, state economists cast uncertain future
Here's what the news people were paying attention to this week
Hey, subscriber gang!
With the news that Detroit’s population is going up again, I thought I’d remind subscribers why I call this website Detroit one million.
No, I’m not advocating for one million people to return to the city. Detroit is the only city in the country to lose one million residents. Take a look at a map of the U.S. States with thriving, dense cities are fare better economically than those without them.
It’s my goal to capture the thoughts and feelings of a generation of Michiganders growing up in a state without a city with one million people, and the next generation of leaders set to shape its future.
Here’s what you missed this week:
Economists warn Trump tariffs will reduce Michigan auto jobs
President Donald Trump’s tariffs could spell disaster for auto jobs in the state, University of Michigan economists predicted Friday morning.
Yinuo Zhang of UM's Research Seminar in Quantitative Economics said that economic momentum was “solid” coming into the quarter but that the effect of tariffs will soon damper the state’s economy.
Researchers said in their report that tariffs could reduce employment within the auto, steel and aluminum sector by roughly 13,000 jobs over the next several years.
Zhang and economist Gabriel Ehrlich outlined their findings inside the Michigan Capitol Friday as part of the bi-annual Consensus Revenue Estimating Conference, which meets two times a year to inform lawmakers on how much tax revenue to expect while crafting the state’s fiscal year budget.
Ehlrich also said that though Trump’s tariffs will likely boost auto manufacturing in the U.S., other countries implementing retaliatory tariffs will increase prices of domestically made vehicles.
Dig into the details researchers found as part of their report, U.S. economic outlook for 2025-2027.
Shri Thanedar’s impeachment plot foiled by angry Democrats
U.S. Rep. Shri Thanedar, D-Detroit, this week nearly forced Congress members to vote whether to impeach President Donald Trump.
He tabled his plans at the last minute Wednesday after immense pressure from House Democratic leadership, according to media reports.
Adrian Hemond, a Lansing-based political strategist, told the Associated Press’ Isabella Volmert the impeachment effort could drive fundraising and momentum for Thanedar’s reelection bid, and “box out” his primary challengers — former state Sen. Adam Hollier and state Rep. Donavan McKinney, D-Detroit — from garnering media attention.
Hollier called the impeachment resolution a “publicity stunt” in an interview with the Associated Press. Thanedar introduced his articles of impeachment the same day Rep. Rashida Tlaib-endorsed McKinney announced he would challenge Thanedar.
Thanedar told me on Tuesday he would force a floor vote on the matter before the end of the day Thursday, but Democratic leadership voted to table it. He rejected the suggestion he’s moving to impeach the president to boost his reelection bid.
“Nobody is focused on the primary right now,” Thanedar said. “To say I’m doing this for an election is ridiculous.
Thanedar told me he didn’t care if he stood alone.
“There will be one vote to impeach, I’m not sure who else will join me,” he said Tuesday.
Thanedar said that the reports other democratic members hadn’t signed their name onto the bills was incorrect, they decided to pull out after, he said.
Several of Thanedar’s House colleagues told Andrew Solendar that his introduction of articles of impeachment were unhelpful. The effort wouldn’t be approved, as House Republicans, who control the House, would vote against impeachment.
Read more: Dems privately rage over "utterly selfish" Trump impeachment vote
Try Dirty Shake’s cauliflower
Look at this sauced-up cauliflower.
If you’re too full to try Dirty Shake’s $11 happy meal (beer + burger + treat), order their cauliflower dish for the same price. It’s amazing. Not too spicy but the flavor, made up of rice jam, pepper jam, cilantro and scallion onions, is just right.
I’ve been walking to Dirty Shake to chill on the new restaurant and bar’s porch on Second and Forest Ave.