Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann; audio on this week’s House Transportation Committee meetings
House Transportation Committee Chair Rep. Jack O’Malley talks about the two planned meetings this coming week of the Committee, where he says lawmakers will be asking questions of construction industry leaders about materials and costs. Rep. O’Malley says digging deeper into transportation policy could mean better Michigan roads for the future.
Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield, R-Levering; audio on House approval of criminal justice reform measures
Following a House session where the chamber approved a bi-partisan plan ending the state’s long-time practice of trying 17-year olds in the adult judicial system, and gave final approval to bi-partisan bills which require a criminal conviction before the government can take ownership of personal property through civil asset forfeiture, Speaker Chatfield tells the Capitol…
Rep. Roger Hauck, R-Union Twp.; audio on House passage of Raise the Age legislation
Rep. Hauck speaks on the House floor Thursday afternoon, prior to House passage of his legislation in a bi-partisan package of bills that would end the policy requiring all 17-year-olds to be treated as adults in Michigan’s criminal justice system. Including 17-year-olds in the juvenile system has been shown to reduce reoffending by 34 percent,…
Rep. Steven Johnson, R-Wayland; audio on final passage of wrongful conviction legislation
Rep. Johnson talks about Senate passage Thursday of his HB 4286, which ensures those who have been exonerated of a crime would receive the compensation due to them from the state. Rep. Johnson’s plan would benefit exonerated Michiganders such as Richard Phillips – who spent more than 45 years in prison after a wrongful conviction,…
Rep. Mike Mueller, R-Linden; audio on April as Autism Awareness Month
Rep. Mueller talks about April as Autism Awareness Month at the Capitol and links the issue to his own work with mental health reform. Rep. Mueller was joined at the Capitol Wednesday by Sgt. Dave Archer of the University of Michigan Department of Public Safety, a former colleague who now works to train law enforcement…
Rep. Bronna Kahle, R-Adrian; audio on local guests at Capitol during Autism Awareness Month
Rep. Kahle talks about April as Autism Awareness Month in Michigan and her guests at the Capitol Wednesday, Dave and Melissa Archer, the creators of Jasmynn’s Voice, which provides tablets to individuals and families living with autism.
Rep. Beau LaFave, R-Iron Mountain; audio on updated disabled parking sign
On Wednesday, when hundreds gathered at the state Capitol to raise awareness of disabilities, Rep. LaFave introduced legislation that would update the symbol on signs designating parking spots for the disabled in Michigan to employ the image of a more dynamic, active individual. The plan would also eliminate the use of the word “handicapped” from…
Rep. Bradley Slagh, R-Ottawa County; audio on House passage of speed limit legislation
Rep. Slagh talks about House passage Tuesday of his HB 4118, which restores to local governments the ability to set a 25 mile-per-hour speed limit in residential areas unless otherwise posted. Rep. Slagh says some ambiguity exists regarding residential limits in the speed limit legislation approved in 2016.
Rep. Jack O’Malley, R-Lake Ann; audio on intensive House Transportation Committee Hearings
House Transportation Committee Chair Jack O’Malley talks about the twice-weekly hearings on road issues he began this last week, and says committee members are getting answers to questions about toll roads and warranties.
Rep. Matt Hall, R-Emmett Twp.; audio on legislative response to CPS audit
House Oversight Committee Chair Matt Hall talks about the amendments to Michigan’s Child Protection Law announced by the Committee Thursday. The amendments were the result of multiple hearings on the Michigan Office of Auditor General’s (OAG) September 2018 Performance Audit of Children’s Protective Services Investigations.
Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Watervliet; audio on volunteering to fight pediatric cancer
Rep. Wendzel talks about how she is volunteering this weekend to get dunked to support the Alex Mandarino Foundation in Benton Harbor and its fight against pediatric cancer.
Rep. Pauline Wendzel, R-Watervliet; audio on House passage of mental health reform legislation
Rep. Wendzel talks about House passage this week of HB 4156, which allows certain retired mental health professionals to come back to work with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) without forfeiting their pension benefits, something she says will benefit Berrien county and the rest of Michigan.
Rep. Matt Hall, R-Emmett Twp.; audio on CPL reform legislation
Rep. Hall talks about his new HB 4434, which protects Michigan citizens with concealed pistol licenses from unfair prosecution in the event they simply forget to renew their license.
Rep. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso; audio on House passage of snow day legislation
Rep. Frederick talks about House passage Wednesday of his HB 4206, that would forgive school snow days that took place during the state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor this past winter.
Rep. Brandt Iden, R-Portage; audio on House passage of school snow day legislation
Rep. Iden talks about House passage Wednesday of legislation that would forgive school snow days that took place during the state of emergency proclaimed by the Governor this past winter, and his amendment to the plan, that stipulates that hourly school workers in districts where contracts are silent about snow day pay will receive income…
Speaker Lee Chatfield, R-Levering; audio on jail population study
Speaker Chatfield speaks at a press conference at the Michigan Supreme Court with other state leaders on Wednesday to announce a partnership with Pew Charitable Trusts that will review the state’s country jail system and expand jail alternatives. The Speaker argues that criminal justice reform cannot be a partisan issue.