LANSING – Gov. Gretchen Whitmer targeted education and help for unemployed people in a $67.1-billion state budget unveiled Thursday that she said is aimed at ensuring the state recovers quickly from the economic shock of the coronavirus pandemic.
Improving bridges, roads and other state infrastructure is also a major focus of the budget plan, which proposes no tax increases.
In terms of priorities, Whitmer said her 2022 spending plan cannot be separated from a $5.6-billion supplemental spending plan for 2021 that she requested in January as a major coronavirus recovery package. It proposes $225 million aimed at small businesses, more than $90 million to step up vaccinations, and billions for food assistance and schools. It has not yet been approved by the GOP-controlled Legislature.
High court launches Justice For All Commission
The Michigan Supreme Court has created the Michigan Justice For All Commission to expand access to and enhance the quality of the civil legal justice system in Michigan.
The commission will lead the implementation of the JFA Task Force’s Strategic Plan that was released in December 2020. Its aim is to help people solve civil legal problems, such as landlord-tenant issues or family law disputes.
Chief Justice McCormack
“All Michigan residents must have equal access to our courts and to resources needed to navigate our justice system, regardless of who they are, what they earn, or where they come from,” Chief Justice Bridget M. McCormack said. “With dedicated and diverse members, the JFA Commission has the roadmap, commitment, and focus to close the justice gap in Michigan.”
December 23, 2020 By Mike Kruzman / news@whmi.com
With a year of service to reflect on, the Livingston County Public Defenderâs Office is looking to add another attorney to its ranks.
Chief Public Defender Karen Groenhout was before the Livingston County Board of Commissionerâs Public Safety and Infrastructure and Development Committee meeting, held online, Monday.
When the Public Defenderâs Office was originally set up last year, one of the unknowns was how many attorneys they would need. Groenhout said she thought they had enough, but when the Office started covering arraignments- a new process for the county- she said it quickly became an overwhelming task. Groenhout said they began with having their attorneys rotate who would cover arraignments on days they didnât have to make appearances, but she eventually had to pull one to just focus on that full time. She said it proved to be a logistical nightmare for her office and