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The 2024 State of the State would include her comments on what was done by the first Democratic-led Legislature. She will also be talking about education and her Michigan Lifelong Education, Advancement, and Potential (MiLEAP) department, her continued push for affordable housing expansion, protection of seniors and how to boost the economy. “After one of the most successful years in our state’s history, we’ve delivered on our promises to Michiganders, ranging from record tax cuts for families and free school meals for students to safer communities and more personal freedoms under the law,” Whitmer said. Whitmer previously mentioned she would be sharing her expectations for what could be done with a 54-54 split in the House, and what legislation she would like to see worked on while the special election was rolled out. “I look forward to sharing my vision for how we continue getting things done so everyone can build a brighter future in Michigan,” Whitmer said. She also didn’t mention the Growing Michigan Together Council recommendations that she put together to help inform her policy decisions on how to attract more people to Michigan. “Michigan’s story can be seen in our people’s stories,” Whitmer said. “We are a state of humble, hardworking people with simple dreams for themselves and their families.” Citizens for Local Choice are looking to repeal a portion of Public Act 233 of 2023 that moved siting authority to the Public Service Commission . In a statement Wednesday, Norm Stephens, Citizens for Local Choice committee member, said the groups refuses to "sit on the sidelines as local control gets stripped from our communities." The group provided this summary to the Bureau of Elections: "A proposed initiated law to allow local units of government to retain authority to regulate the development of solar, wind, or energy storage facilities in their jurisdictions by repealing laws that mandate statewide standards for energy facilities and permit the Michigan Public Service Commission to override local energy facility development decisions. If enacted, this proposal will allow local units of government to continue to determine their own standards regarding setback distance, structure height, and the amount of light and sound emitted by energy facilities, and to exercise final authority over the construction of energy facilities within their jurisdictions." The group needs to collect at least 356,958 valid signatures. To be placed on the November 2024 ballot, they will need to collect the signatures by May 29. The Board of State Canvassers posted a notice Friday for a January 19, 2024, meeting at 10 a.m. An agenda was not immediately posted. That is according to its recently issued forecast of 12 overarching issues expected to trend this year based on recent proposals considered or enacted by states in 2023, as well as new federal laws and investments, advancing technologies and the global landscape. For example, last year, state legislators introduced more than 23,000 bills on health policy, not including resolutions and budget bills. "Health policy will continue to be a focus in legislatures in 2024 as states grapple with health workforce shortages and increased behavioral health challenges," NCSL wrote. "Perennial topics such as Medicaid, which takes about 30 percent of state budgets will continue across the country. The conference expects lawmakers to take a look at a number of health-related issues including expanding behavioral health care, decriminalizing fentanyl test strips and covering community health workers and doulas under Medicaid. Doulas are covered by Michigan’s Medicaid program. States may also consider adding innovative services to Medicaid coverage such as prescription digital therapeutics and biomarker testing. Given initial federal funding has run out for the federally mandated 988 service, states will also likely be discussing how to permanently fund the mental health help line. In another category, NCSL projects several states will discuss workforce issues specific to the military and veteran community. This could come in the form of licensure compacts, other licensure expansion programs, support for military installations and expanded benefits for National Guard members. Bills focusing on cleaner, on-demand energy are also on the horizon, NCSL experts said, particularly given the rise of extreme weather events that have highlighted the need for reliable and resilient grids and federal funding opportunities that can accelerate electric vehicle infrastructure programs. Along those same lines, NCSL predicts continued discussions of gas tax alternatives. One option is taxing electricity consumed at public EV charging stations as has been done in Georgia, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Utah. Another is implementing road usage charges that require drivers to pay based on miles driven instead of gallons of fuel consumed, which has been implemented in Hawaii, Oregon, Utah and Virginia. Also trending in on-the-road topics, according NCSL, is a crackdown on impaired driving, particularly as states continue legalize cannabis. NCSL noted that Alabama and Indiana have permanent oral fluid roadside screening programs while Michigan and Minnesota have authorized pilot programs. The forecast also predicts that more states will consider legislation requiring impaired drivers convicted of vehicular homicide to pay child support for victims’ surviving children, a law that has already been enacted in Tennessee, Kentucky, Maine and Texas. State-level changes to the justice system could be coming, NCSL said. "From battling the fentanyl crisis to dealing with ongoing catalytic converter thefts, lawmakers continue to rethink criminal justice policy," it wrote. "Legislatures are focusing resources on community-oriented approaches that prioritize public safety and prevent people from becoming more deeply involved with the justice system." NCSL said states may also consider mandating participation in the National Decertification Index, the role of money in the pretrial process, expanding deflection programs and sealing criminal records to ease reentry. Artificial intelligence is likely to be a topic, NCSL said, given its potential implications on elections and other state operations. Some states have already prohibited the use of AI to influence elections by generating fake content using candidates’ images and voices, while others have mandated disclosures on political communications using AI-generated content. Michigan has required disclosures. "In 2024, more states may enact these or other as-yet unimaginable AI policies," NCSL wrote. Meanwhile, 15 states and Puerto Rico have already adopted resolutions or enacted legislation creating task forces or commissions to study and inventory state government use of AI. "The technology raises issues of accuracy and bias in generated educational content, the use of disinformation and misinformation, copyright and intellectual property infringement, and the vulnerability of employment and financial services, to name but a few," it wrote. "Few technologies have been as widely or quickly adopted as generative AI without a full understanding of the risks." Some of NCSL’s other trending topics include:
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DCD continues to exist as the premier resource helping municipalities navigate the waters of cannabis policy. We would be more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding medical or recreational cannabis policy, procedure, and more. DCD is available for presentations to municipal boards, for one-on-one meetings, and for consultations. We are here to help you with: municipal lobbying, license application writing and assistance, business plans, state required operations manuals and compliance, facility design, corporate structure, and design and branding. We are experts in both medical and recreational cannabis policy and have been in the space for over ten years. We welcome any opportunity to work with you in the future! ARTICLES OF CANNABIS INTEREST: Marijuana Shop Closed and Didn’t Pay It’s Weed Bill, Lawsuit Claims. It’s Not The First. The Risk of Buying Weed Along the Michigan-Wisconsin Border CRA Announces New Social Equity Grant Program 7 Predictions For the Cannabis Industry in 2024 Canada Destroyed 3.7 Million Pounds of Unsold, Unpackaged Cannabis Since 2018 Doing Things Differently DCD is rebranding, and our bottom line is your bottom line. We are striving to create and foster strong relationships with clients and lawmakers, deliver results with strong ethics and class, but above all else, out-hustle and out-smart our competition every day to be the very best. We’re making chess moves while others are playing checkers. Everything we do is with you in mind, we’re doing things we’ve never done before and aggressively pursuing opportunities. The time is now. DCD has taken our firm to the next level and your involvement and investment paired with our knowledge and expertise is going to launch the great state of Michigan forward. |
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WHITMER TO GIVE 6TH STATE OF THE STATE JANUARY 24TH
GROUP FILES BALLOT INITITAIVE TO RETURN SITING OF SOLAR ENERGY TO LOCALS
NCSL FORECASTS TRENDING LEGISLATIVE TOPICS FOR 2024
THE DCD MARIJUANA TEAM: YOUR COMPETITIVE EDGE!
