This week in Michigan politics, Jack Lessenberry and Emily Fox discuss Governor Snyder and Randy Richardville's final efforts to expand Medicaid, a bill recently signed to dissolve financially struggling school districts in Michigan, and another ballot initiative to ban wolf hunting.
Medicaid expansion efforts continue
Even Jack Lessenberry isn't sure how the Medicaid expansion debate will play out. After relentless efforts by Governor Snyder and Democrats in the Senate, Republicans are still not convinced that accepting federal money to expand Medicaid in Michigan is a good idea. Republicans, led by Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville, want to impose conditions on the state accepting the aid. Richardville hopes these stipulations will create a majority of Republicans that support the legislation.
Financially struggling school districts can be dissolved
A bill signed by Governor Snyder yesterday will allow the state to dissolve two financially struggling school districts in Michigan, Buena Vista and Inkster. The language of HB 4813 specifies that this law only applies to school districts with enrollment between 300 and 2,400 pupils. Jack Lessenberry calls this legislation a "micro-effort"; however, it may lead to further efforts to consolidate other struggling school districts throughout the state.
A second referendum to ban wolf hunting has been filed
The group Keep Michigan Wolves Protected has filed language to pose another question to voters on the 2014 ballot. The group wants to ban wolf hunting in Michigan and this is their second attempt at a referendum. This is a highly controversial issue in Michigan where some say we should protect the species' fragile population and others believe wolves are a danger to livestock. Jack Lessenberry thinks a referendum is not the best way to enact this ban, and the issue is not likely to end any time soon.
- Erica Decker, Michigan Radio Newsroom
