politics

Lawmakers have ideas for how to ensure there is not a repeat of the Flint water crisis.

A report released Wednesday by Republican Senator Jim Stamas (Midland) makes 36 recommendations.

The recommendations include smaller, quicker fixes like increasing the criminal penalty for misconduct by public officials if someone experiences bodily harm as a result and reestablishing the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention and Control Commission.

Incumbent - Rep. Roger Victory (R-Hudsonville)    

Q: Why politics?

A: “Well, when I came into politics because I was active in the agricultural community I realized the impact it had on me specifically, but also industry-wide, and also I became more involved in the community and seen the impact a good, solid policy can have on the community and also on the district. As I got more involved I felt my voice should be heard and serving the 88th District.”

Q: Under what dire circumstance or government necessity would you be willing to support a tax increase?

Democratic Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine was in Michigan Tuesday. He spoke at a Detroit non-profit about eliminating poverty. Focus:HOPE provides services like job training and education in an effort to overcome racial injustice. During his speech, Senator Kaine emphasized the importance of fixing crumbling infrastructure. He says fixing Flint’s water system should be at the top of the list. “A safe home means being able to drink the water. I mean, it means being able to drink the water.

Steve Shoemaker (D-Caledonia)

Q: Why politics?

A: “Why not? Everything that takes place around us for the most part is impacted by political decisions whether it’s the condition of the roads, safety of our medications, the safety of our food, the public schools, housing, just everything almost is impacted by political decisions. I’ve sat on the sidelines far too long and watched things take place that I think were wrong coming out of Lansing. I don’t think they appreciate the will of the voters and I think they’re circumventing that most, most times, or a lot of times.”

Changes could be in store for Michigan’s veterans’ services. A House and Senate joint committee heard testimony Monday about a package of bills that would create a new Michigan Veterans’ Facility Authority.

The Authority would oversee new veteran facilities, and eventually, lawmakers hope, the entire Michigan Veteran Health System would go under the umbrella of the Authority.

The legislation comes after an audit of the Grand Rapids Home for Veterans last February revealed persistent issues like staffing shortages and not following through on abuse complaints.

A state GOP leader is being removed from her party position because she won’t support Republican nominee Donald Trump for president. Michigan Republican grassroots vice chair Wendy Lynn Day is the liaison between the party and the Tea Party movement.

Day was elected at a state party convention last year. She supported Senator Ted Cruz in the primary but has publicly said she can’t back Trump, whom she does not consider a true Republican.

One month ago Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton held a four percent lead over Republican Donald Trump in Michigan.

Now, with less than a month before voters head to the polls, Lansing-based Epic-MRA says Clinton has extended the lead to double-digits over the GOP nominee.

Epic-MRA polled 600 registered Michigan voters, 30-percent of those surveyed by cellphone, October 1st through the 3rd just days after the first Presidential debate.

An Oakland County rally brought Trump back to Michigan on Friday.

The rally was Trump’s fifth Michigan event, but his supporters showed no signs of slowing down.

Attendees stood in the rain for hours before Trump’s rally began. Some got there as early as 10:00 a.m. for a 5:00 p.m. event.

Trump appears to view Michigan as key to the road to the White House. And while Trump may want to be in the White House, he also continually brought up that he is a political outsider.

Before his scheduled campaign rally in southeast Michigan, GOP Presidential nominee Donald Trump made a last minute stop in Grand Rapids. He visited Kent County GOP headquarters with former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani, and then headed to the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum.