A new report found Michigan school districts spent their COVID-19 funds similarly to their general budget, with nearly half spent on employee compensation and benefits. A Mackinac Center for Public Policy report shows how school districts have spent $2.5 billion of the $6 billion in federal pandemic aid between the 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22 school years. To help address the challenges of the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Congress distributed unprecedented amounts of money to public schools across the country from March 2020 to March 2021. Michigan schools received $6 billi ..read more

 Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel announced 13 felony charges against former House Speaker Lee Chatfield, 35, accusing him of stealing political funds for personal use. The state accused Lee of illegally taking political money for personal use from the 501(c)(4) Peninsula Fund, his own electoral political action committees, The Chatfield Majority Fund, The Chatfield Majority Fund 2 and the state House budget. Lee is accused of conducting a criminal enterprise, a 20-year felony; embezzlement from a non-profit organization less than $20,000, a felony punishable by 10 years in prison an ..read more

Michigan Republicans are calling for accountability within the Michigan Economic Development Corp. after taxpayers reportedly bought an $11,000 flight to Budapest and a $4,500 coffee maker. Metro Detroit businesswoman and MEDC executive committee member Fay Beydoun received a $20 million grant for her company Global Link International to attract international business. The Detroit News reported that money paid for a flight to a conference in Budapest and a Jura coffee maker. Full story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_bd198ccc-f71a-11ee-b214-436639f5bf60.html --- Su ..read more

 Twenty-five Michigan lawmakers oppose President Joe Biden administration's electric vehicle mandate through the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA rules for light-duty and medium-duty vehicles phased in from 2027 through 2032 will require about 67% of new car sales to be electric by 2032. Republican lawmakers said the mandate will destroy auto jobs in Michigan responsible for 19% of U.S. automotive production. Producing EVs requires 30% less human labor. This story: https://www.thecentersquare.com/michigan/article_44bb13d2-f0d9-11ee-8f99-c3be7ce3ba49.html --- Support this podc ..read more

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed nine bills into law to legalize surrogacy contracts. Michigan is the last state to legalize surrogacy contracts. Democrats say that nine bills, House Bills 5207, 5208, 5209, 5210, 5211, 5212, 5213, 5214, and 5215, will help more people get children born through surrogacy or in vitro fertilization. The bills will regulate surrogacy, ensure surrogates are fairly compensated, have legal representation and are screened by medical professionals. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/s ..read more

The federal government will give a $1.5 billion loan to restart the Palisades nuclear plant. The loan follows Michigan shuttering coal plants at a record pace while chasing a 100% renewable energy standard by 2040. In 2022, renewables comprised 12% of Michigan's electricity net generation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support ..read more

New analysis shows Michigan school districts are underperforming against districts in other states. Launch Michigan, a nonprofit public education organization, released a dashboard showing how Michigan school districts compare to similar districts in top-performing states in reading and math proficiency, graduation rate, and other metrics. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support ..read more

 Rep. Mike Harris, a retired police sergeant, opposes bills that aim to allow murderers, rapists and other violent offenders to reduce their prison sentences. The House Criminal Justice Committee held a hearing on House Bills 4556, 4557, 4558, 4559, and 4560. The “Second Look Sentencing Act” aims to allow sentence reconsideration for eligible prisoners who have served at least ten years of a sentence. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support ..read more

A company taking $715 million of taxpayer subsidies is suing the local government for revoking vital water infrastructure for its electric vehicle plant. In October 2023, the Green Charter Township board approved the water line for Gotion, which bought 270 actors of land in Mecosta County in August 2023. In November, voters ousted the entire board, claiming it signed non-disclosure agreements to give Gotion taxpayer dollars to build the $2.4 billion electric vehicle plant without telling the local community. Get your Audible Membership today! (As an Amazon Associate, w ..read more

Michigan officials traveled to Austin, Texas to speak at the SXSW festival's Midwest House. Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II is featured on a Tuesday panel while Michigan Chief Mobility Officer Justine Johnson will discuss “The Future of Air Travel: Innovation From the Ground Up.” It’s unclear if the Michigan Economic Development Corp. or taxpayers are funding the trip and how much the trip will cost. The Center Square has filed a records request seeking the total cost. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/michigan-in-focus/support ..read more