Gongwer News Service Michigan

For more of this solid gold, links to the full MichMash Podcast in the comments.

The House passed a slate of education bills on Thursday, which would enable districts to consolidate and allow students to dual-enroll in trade schools. "We're talking about ways to improve our curriculum," House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland) said. "We want to bring transparency and accountability back to education…We can lead on real life skills."

Community college advocates told lawmakers on Wednesday the state's programs providing funds for students to seek post-secondary credentials are working and should continue. Brandy Johnson, president of the Michigan Community College Association, spoke before both the Senate and House higher education subcommittees on Wednesday while three community college representatives also spoke to House lawmakers. The officials praised the funding available through the Michigan Achievement Scholarship guaranteeing tuition coverage for many community college students. They also said the Michigan Reconnect program, which allows for older students to receive scholarships, should be permanently expanded to 21–24-year-olds rather than only applying to students older than 25.

Some House Democrats joined Republicans to pass legislation that would reduce the individual income tax from its current 4.25 percent back down to 4.05 percent. HB 4170 would reduce the rate and ensure any reduction in the income tax set in motion under a 2015 trigger law is permanent. The bill passed 65-45 with some bipartisan support.

The tariffs being implemented by President Donald Trump's administration toward Canada could severely damage a strong economic and political alliance as well as lead to increased costs to Michigan residents, Michigan political and business leaders warned Monday. U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly), Detroit Regional Chamber CEO Sandy Baruah and Colin Bird, Consul General of Canada in Detroit, were largely in agreement on these beliefs while speaking during a Monday morning panel in Detroit. Baruah said a second Trump presidency had excited the business community about the potential or a reduction in regulations. Instead, Baruah said, there are now significant concerns over the steep tariffs on key trading partners and allies.

House members are calling on the state to reduce violent crime by establishing the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund. "It's about making sure we're matching the moment right now," Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) said. "These bills are a national model for other communities to look at. This is a first of its kind package where we're actually using violent crime reporting, matching dollars and having a performance metric." Next week, Farhat and Rep. Mike Harris (R-Waterford Township) plan to reintroduce legislation to create the Public Safety and Violence Prevention Fund. The bills, HB 4260 and HB 4261, would earmark sales tax revenues for public safety in counties, cities, villages and townships. https://lnkd.in/ew8jZzK5

So much health care news right now! A good time for the MichMash Podcast to check in with Brian Peters from the Michigan Health & Hospital Association. In the first segment, Cheyna Roth and I unpack the Garlin Gilchrist for governor announcement, and I date myself by mentioning the year I graduated from high school. Listen via links in comments.

The Michigan Supreme Court on Friday vacated a Court of Appeals order invalidating state rules setting limits on PFAS, with orders from the high court to reconsider key factors in the lawsuit. The move was essentially a win for the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy, which appealed the ruling that brought 3M Company v. EGLE (MSC Docket No. 166189) before the high court. But the majority, consisting of Justice Richard Bernstein, Justice Megan Cavanagh, Justice Elizabeth Welch and Justice Kyra Harris Bolden, did not dispose of the case, remanding it back to the appellate panel to parse key questions. Chief Justice Elizabeth Clement and Justice Brian Zahra said they would have denied leave to appeal. Justice Kimberly Thomas did not participate in the case because it was considered by the court before she was elected to the bench.

This week on MichMash, Alethia Kasben and Cheyna Roth talk with Jocelyn Benson about her campaign for governor and efforts from Republicans to require proof of citizenship when registering to vote. Listen via links in comments.