Rep. Thomas Albert, R-Kent County; audio on pension reform legislation in committee
Rep. Albert, the sponsor of HB 4647, the plan to reform the teacher pension system for new hires, talks about his testimony on his legislation before the House Education Committee Wednesday morning.
Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain; audio on Essential Air Service Resolution in House
Rep. LaFave talks about House passage Tuesday of his HR 59, which calls on the federal government to continue funding the Essential Air Service program throughout Michigan.
Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland; audio on human trafficking legislation reported from committee
Rep. Glenn talks about approval by the House Law and Justice Committee Tuesday of his HB 4355, which makes it illegal for law enforcement to engage in sex acts with prostitutes or victims of human trafficking during an investigation. Rep. Glenn says there’s no evidence of the practice but says human trafficking victims nonetheless deserve…
Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt; audio on teacher retirement reform
House Speaker Tom Leonard talks to reporters on the House floor Thursday afternoon about a tentative agreement between himself, Senate Majority Leader Arlan Meekhof and Governor Snyder on reforming the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System.
Rep. Beth Griffin, R-Mattawan; audio on House passage of FGM legislation
Rep. Beth Griffin talks about House passage Thursday of her legislation targeting female genital mutilation, part of a larger bipartisan package that establishes penalties and statutes of limitations.
Rep. Bronna Kahle, R-Clinton; audio on House passage of FGM package
Rep. Kahle talks about passage by the House Thursday of a package of legislation providing penalties for female genital mutilation, including her own HB 4690, which creates a statute of limitations.
Rep. Michelle Hoitenga, R-Manton; audio on House passage of FGM package
Rep. Hoitenga speaks on the House floor Thursday afternoon prior to the passage of bi-partisan legislation creating penalties for female genital mutilation in Michigan, saying the package is instrumental in protecting young women.
Rep. Sue Allor, R-Wolverine; audio on House passage of concealed weapon legislation
Rep. Allor talks about House passage Wednesday of a multi-bill package that allows law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a permit, saying the plan is welcomed news for residents in her district.
Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain; audio on House passage of concealed weapon legislation
Rep. LaFave talks about House passage Wednesday of a multi-bill package that allows law-abiding citizens to carry a concealed weapon without a permit.
Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain; audio on committee passage of sanctuary city legislation
Rep. LaFave talks about passage by the House Local Government Committee Wednesday of his legislation that would prevent local governments from establishing sanctuary status or penalize municipal employees for contacting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Rep. Kim LaSata, R-Bainbridge Twp.; audio on House passage of second-residence tax legislation
Rep. LaSata talks about House passage Wednesday of a two-bill package she sponsored with Rep. Dave Pagel that prohibits claiming a principal residence exemption for a home in Michigan if a similar exemption is already claimed in another state, a move Rep. LaSata says will be good for local schools.
Speaker of the House Tom Leonard, R-DeWitt; audio on 2018 FY state budget and teacher retirement
Speaker Leonard talks with members of the Capitol press Wednesday afternoon about ongoing discussions between legislative leaders and the Governor on retirement reforms for new teachers and completion by the House and Senate of the state’s budget for the 2018 Fiscal Year.
Rep. Curt VanderWall, R-Ludington; audio on House passage of emergency ag loan legislation
Rep. VanderWall talks about House passage Tuesday of his HB 4562, which extends the state’s 2012 low-interest ag disaster loan program, which had been due to expire. Rep. VanderWall says conditions even this spring underscore the continuing need for the program.
Rep. Peter Lucido, R-Macomb County; audio on final House passage of juror compensation legislation
Rep. Lucido talks about final House passage Tuesday of his HBs 4209 and 4210, which increase juror compensation and mileage allotments for the first time in more than 15 years. Rep. Lucido says the judicial system does not function without jurors and argues they deserve a fair increase in their daily stipends.
Rep. Dr. John Bizon, M.D., R-Battle Creek; audio on introduction of Michigan Youth Challenge Academy legislation
Rep. Bizon talks about his plans to introduce legislation in the state House this week that would give judges the ability to expunge the records of individuals who graduate from the Michigan Youth Challenge Academy, saying that teens benefit from participation in the Academy and arguing that it is better that a young person goes…
Rep. Gary Glenn, R-Midland; audio on wind energy and local control
Rep. Glenn, the Chair of the House Energy Committee, says he sees the construction of additional wind power facilities as being a matter for local control instead of state mandates, adding that more needs to be done to make sure decision makers at the local level are not benefitting financially from leases involving wind power….