Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Twp.; audio on mental health reform
Rep. Whiteford, who worked as a nurse prior to serving in the Michigan House, says the current House session has seen an increased focus on mental health issues, but that more needs to be done. Rep. Whiteford serves as a member of the House CARES (Community, Access, Resources, Education and Safety) Task Force which has…
Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt; audio on end of Driver Responsibility Fees
Speaking to reporters on the House floor Tuesday night, Speaker Leonard said a chief accomplishment of the House in 2018 was the vote that will end driver responsibility fees on October 1. The Speaker says the fees are an impediment to employment for thousands of Michigan residents.
Rep. Dan Lauwers, R-Brockway Twp.; audio on House passage of ballast water legislation
Rep. Lauwers talks about final House passage Tuesday evening of his HB 5095, which brings Michigan’s ballast water discharge regulations in line with federal standards. Rep. Lauwers says the state’s current ballast water laws put Michigan at a competitive disadvantage with neighboring states.
Rep. Aaron Miller, R-Sturgis; audio on final passage of 2019 Michigan State Police budget
Rep. Miller, who chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Michigan State Police, says the 2019 MSP budget that went to the Governor Tuesday has funding for 155 new troopers and additional laboratory services.
Rep. Brandt Iden, R-Oshtemo Twp; audio on House passage of internet gaming legislation
Rep. Iden talks about House passage Tuesday of his a three-bill package that establishes a Division of Internet Gaming in the Michigan Gaming Control Board. Rep. Iden notes that online gaming is currently illegal in Michigan and argues the state should legalize and regulate such games to protect its citizens who chose to participate and to…
Rep. Dr. Ned Canfield, D.O., R-Sebewaing; audio on House passage of 2019 state budget
Rep. Canfield, who Chairs the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Department of Health and Human Services, says the state’s 2019 budget sent to the Governor Tuesday includes language designed to bring more physicians to rural, underserved areas, and adds his two years chairing the state’s largest budget has been a lesson in government.
Rep. Laura Cox, R-Livonia; audio on House passage of Fiscal Year 2019 budget
House Appropriations Committee Chair Rep. Laura Cox speaks on the House floor Tuesday afternoon, prior to passage of the state’s General Fund budget for the 2019 Fiscal Year. Rep. Cox says the budget controls spending, respects the taxpayer and provides additional dollars for priorities like roads and school safety.
Rep. Tim Kelly, R-Saginaw Twp.; audio on final passage of 2019 School Aid budget
Rep. Kelly, the Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on School Aid, says the 2018,-2019 fiscal year spending plan for Michigan’s public schools has record funding of almost $15 billion, with a focus on early literacy and career technical education. The House gave final approval to the budget on Tuesday.
Rep. James Lower, R-Cedar Lake; audio on local occupational licensing reform
Rep. Lower, the Chair of the House Local Government Committee, speaks prior to House passage Thursday of an 11-bill package he says will eliminate local occupational licensing regulations that duplicate what the state already has on its books.
Rep. Gary Howell, R-North Branch; audio on Free Wishing Weekend
House Natural Resources Committee Chair Rep. Gary Howell talks about Free Fishing Weekend, set for this coming weekend, June 9 and 10, saying it marks a good opportunity to bring new people into the sport. Michigan residents can fish without a license during the weekend, although the usual limits still apply.
Rep. Mary Whiteford, R-Casco Twp.; audio on Senate committee passage of sexual assault legislation
Rep. Whiteford talks about passage by the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday of her HB 5783, which mandates that records of a variety of medical treatments be kept for 15 years. The legislation is part of the multi-bill sexual assault legislative package approved by the House in May that now will be moving to the full…
Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain; audio on House passage of Medicaid work requirement legislation
Rep. LaFave talks about House passage Wednesday of Senate legislation requiring able-bodied adults to work, prepare for a job or engage in community service for an average of least 80 hours a month to keep Medicaid coverage.
Rep. Pamela Hornberger, R-Chesterfield Twp.; audio on House passage of prevailing wage initiative
Rep. Hornberger speaks on the House floor Wednesday prior to passage of the citizen initiative that repeals the state’s half-century old prevailing wage law.
Rep. Lee Chatfield, R-Levering; audio on prevailing wage debate
Rep. Chatfield speaks on the House floor Wednesday on during the debate on the citizen initiative to repeal the state’s half-century old prevailing wage law, calling the system a government mandate that costs roads and schools.
Rep. Dr. John Bizon, M.D.; audio on House passage of bicycle safety legislation
Rep. Bizon talks about House passage Tuesday of his HB 4185, which requires a motorist to keep at least a distance of three feet when passing a bicyclist on the left.
Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt; audio on House declining to vote on marijuana initiative
Speaker Leonard talks to reporters on the House floor after Tuesday’s session, saying there was never sufficient support in the House to vote on the citizen-initiated legislation to legalize marijuana. In accordance with the Michigan Constitution, the plan will now go before Michigan voters.