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Michigan 45th District Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) returns to Community Matters for an update on legislative activity. In particular, Lightner discusses the beginning of the state budget process. The state must pass a balanced budget by July 1 every year. Lightner serves as the minority vice chair of the Michigan House Appropriations Committee. Lightner also expresses …
Michigan 45th District Representative Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) returns to Community Matters as she comes back to Lansing following the holiday break. Lightner talks about citizens’ concerns voiced during an virtual town hall meeting, including about recent gun legislation and energy-related measures passed in 2023. She also discusses the 54-54 party dynamic in the House after …
In her October legislative update on Community Matters, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) reflects on juvenile justice reform bills moving through the Michigan House and Senate. The package comes after the governor-appointed Juvenile Justice Task Force completed its work earlier in 2023. Lightner also discusses her view on a package of bills meant to increase solar power …
In his regular update to Community Matters listeners, Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) echoed other community leaders, saying he expects construction on Ford’s EV battery plant to continue at the Marshall Megasite. Ford announced a temporary stop on construction on September 25, 2023, citing concerns over the ability to “competitively operate the plant”. In the …
First Aired September 2, 2023 In her last Community Matters check-in before the fall 2023 legislative session in Lansing, Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) of Michigan’s 45th District talks about a number of subjects. Among them: The House independent contractor bill lingering in Lansing, bills associated with juvenile justice and more. She also offers perspective on what the …
First Aired August 26, 2023 Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) of Michigan’s 44th District including Battle Creek, speaks with Community Matters just ahead of the autumn session in Lansing. In doing so, Haadsma discusses legislative priorities, the so-called independent contractor bill and his perception that political conflict between Democrats and Republicans will be more significant. Episode ResourcesMichigan …
First Aired July 15, 2023 Rep. Sarah Lightner (R-Springport) of Michigan’s 45th House District joins Community Matters to discuss a number of current events. First, Lightner offers her perspective after having voted “no” on the incentive package for the proposed Ford BlueOval Battery Park Michigan at the Marshall Megasite. Lightner also discusses the recent state budget process, …
First Aired May 20, 2023 Calhoun County Rep. Jim Haadsma (D-Battle Creek) tells Community Matters Michigan budget reconciliation will likely come right up to the July 1 deadline. Haadsma discusses some of the priorities he sees in the House version, emphasizing a yet-to-be-completed reconciliation between budgets proposed by the Michigan Senate and Governor Gretchen Whitmer. …
