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New Republican Leadership In State Legislature Plan Session Priorities

Income and sales tax revenues plummeted during the coronavirus pandemic. Now, the state faces a two-fold problem—how to avoid cuts before this fiscal year ends, and what to do about the projected shortfalls next year.
Reginald Hardwick
/
WKAR-MSU

The state Legislature will return on January 9th with new leadership. Capital Correspondent Cheyna Roth tells us about the priorities of Republican leaders in the House and Senate.

Changing the state’s auto no-fault law is a top priority for both new Republican leaders. Senator Mike Shirkey will lead the Senate and Representative Lee Chatfield will be the new Speaker of the House.

Chatfield says he’ll go over priorities with members of his party. But his personal top three priorities are roads, auto no-fault, and increasing government transparency.

“I think we’ve taken many strides in Michigan in the last 8 years. But we still have more that we can do and accomplish and I think that requires building relationships and that’s what I intend on doing.” Chatfield said.

Shirkey wants to improve the state’s education system. He’ll also be looking out for things that could negatively impact the state’s economy in the wake of a potential recession.

Before becoming the newest Capitol reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network, Cheyna Roth was an attorney. She spent her days fighting it out in court as an assistant prosecuting attorney for Ionia County.
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