This week, Jack and Emily discuss what’s missing from President Obama’s proposed budget, a grant to help Flint’s water woes, and a new bill that would make it legal for unmarried people to jointly adopt children.
Obama’s budget proposal
President Obama unveiled his $4 trillion budget proposal this week, but it doesn’t look like Michigan will be getting much of anything.
This is the second year in a row money for a new customs plaza for the New International Trade Crossing hasn’t made the budget. The president also left out funds for the General Services Administration’s Detroit building projects.
Lessenberry thinks this may be a sign Michigan doesn’t have much clout in Washington.
“It’s sometimes hard to remember that Michigan has always been one of President Obama’s strongest supporting states,” Lessenberry said.
Flint water relief
The governor’s office yesterday announced that Flint will receive a $2 million grant to help with the city’s water quality issues.
The grant is a small dent in the $50 million Flint mayor Dayne Walling estimates the city will need in water-related upgrades over the next six years.
Lessenbery said Flint’s not alone.
“A lot of these systems, infrastructure all over the state in our older cities is aging and wearing out and hasn’t been maintained,” he said.
Joint adoption bill
A Detroit area same-sex couple who want to jointly adopt each other’s children helped spark the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to take up a case challenging Michigan’s gay marriage ban.
Now, Democratic Representative Jeff Irwin has introduced legislation in the state House that would legalize joint adoption between two unmarried people.
Lessenberry is doubtful the new bill will go anywhere, unless it receives Republican support.
“I think everybody right now is holding their breath, waiting to see what the U.S. Supreme Court does before they launch into anything further,” he said.
-Rebecca Kruth, Michigan Radio Newsroom
