It's Wednesday, the morning we speak with Michigan Radio's Political Analyst Jack Lessenberry about what's going on in state politics.
This week Lessenberry and Christina Shockley discuss the approval of a Medicaid expansion in Michigan, Governor Rick Snyder's trade mission to Asia, and Duggan becoming the official front runner of the Detroit mayoral race.
Medicaid Expansion awaits governor Snyder’s signature
After months of debate, the state House took final action yesterday to approve a Medicaid expansion in Michigan.
However, the bill does not have immediate effect, meaning it won’t start until the spring, instead of in January.
The delay will cost the state 7 million dollars a day in federal funds.
Lessenberry says while we do know this will cost the state $630 million in total. But what we don’t know is if people will be fined for not having health insurance by January.
Snyder's third trade mission to China
The Governor says he'll sign the expansion when he returns from a trade mission to China.
This is the third time he's visited the region.
Lessenberry says this trip is to strengthen ties and that there’s no assurance that the governor will come back with a business deal.
But Lessenberry says, “[Snyder] seems to be interested in the possible export of agricultural crops [such as] soybeans and blueberries.”
Lessenberry also mentions that former governor Jennifer Granholm never visited the region after political ads against Dick Devos focused on him sending business and jobs to China.
“Some people think we lost a lot of potential investment that way,” Lessenberry says.
Duggan confirmed as front runner in Detroit mayoral race
The board of state canvassers has declared write in candidate Mike Duggan the winner of Detroit’s mayoral primary.
The state took over the issue after Wayne County elections officials threw out thousands of write-in votes based on how they had been tabulated.
The state restored more than 24,000 votes to Duggan, giving him a big margin of victory over Wayne County Sheriff Benny Napoleon.
Lessenberry says, “This is certainly the most messed up case of counting votes I’ve ever seen in Michigan.”
