Host: Stephan Currie
Guests: Deena Bosworth, Jimmy Johnson of Samantha Gibson of MAC
Topics: With the Legislature preparing for a two-week spring break, MAC’s Podcast 83 team reviewed activity in Lansing on election dates and the future of 13 Consumers Energy dams across Michigan and reviewed MAC’s state budget agenda for fiscal 2027.
Election legislation: “(We've been talking about this for … seems like a month worth of podcasts now,” said Samantha Gibson. “Sen. Sam Singh (D-Ingham) and some bipartisan sponsors on a larger elections package that move the August primary up to May. There are some other bills in the package that are logistical changes that go along with it, but we were primarily tracking the primary election date change.
“MAC did not weigh in with a position on the bills, however, the county clerks’ association does support moving that primary up to May, and as we've talked about in previous weeks, it alleviates the burden that clerks face between that close August primary and November general.”
Dams: “There are 13 dams … most of them are up north,” said Deena Bosworth, “but these are those hydroelectric dams that need to have some significant improvements done to them. Consumers Energy has long talked about selling off those dams, and they now have a buyer.
“But the problem is the Department of Natural Resources is encouraging the Natural Resources Commission to oppose the sale of these dams. Which, you know, is kind of problematic. I mean, Consumers doesn't want to do it. They don't want to have to do all the improvements (federal regulators are) going to require. They want to be considerate to all those residents near and around those dams, because they're used significantly for recreational opportunities for everyone,” Bosworth continued.
Budget: “We are expecting, post-spring break, a heavy dose of budget discussions to really get up and going and kind of take the air out of the room for the next few months, as we get closer to the July 1st deadline,” said Stephan Currie. “Let's talk a little bit about some of our budget highlights … over the next couple months.”
“Revenue sharing is always at the top of the list,” replied Bosworth. “We're concerned, because this would be another year of flat funding, at least according to what the governor has recommended. And we do know that the state budget is already hurting. They're going to be looking for a significant number of cuts from what current budget looks like.”
See video versions of all Podcast 83 episodes on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/@michiganassociationofcount2606
Visit the Podcast 83 page at www.micounties.org
