This "week in review," Rina Miller and Jack Lessenberry discuss the U.S. Senate race, allowing health coverage for live-in partners and the retirement of the emergency manager for Detroit Public Schools.
Peters runs for U.S. Senate
U.S. Democratic Representative Gary Peters announced this week that he would run for the U.S. Senate seat held for so long by the retiring Carl Levin.
Lessenberry says, “he’s the only candidate the Democrats have now and probably for the foreseeable future. . . what people are wondering now is who his republican opponent will be.”
Live-in partners continue to get health coverage
This week the Michigan Supreme Court said it would not hear a challenge to the policy that allows live-in partners of state employees to be covered by their health coverage. The appeal was filed by Attorney General Bill Schuette.
Lessenberry says the concern was mostly over same-sex domestic partners that receive the benefits.
Emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools steps down
Roy Roberts announced that he’s stepping down as emergency manager of Detroit Public Schools.
Lessenberry says during Roberts’ two years as emergency manager he was able to reduce the schools’ deficit, cutting it from more than $300 million to $76 million.
However, Lessenberry says Roberts was not able to tackle the issue of dropping enrollment. Lessenberry says Detroit Public Schools lost 20,000 more students in Roberts’ years.
