Ingham County

Ingham County Controller Tim Dolehanty is considering the Ingham Health Plan and other issues facing the county's finances.

Continued funding for the Ingham Health Plan debated as U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Obamacare looms. Current State speaks with Tim Daman of the Greater Lansing Regional Chamber of Commerce and County Commissioner Robin Naeyaert.

The Ingham County Health Plan was created in 1998 to help the region’s most vulnerable residents help pay for medical care. At one time, the program served around 14,000 people. But after the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, many of those people became eligible for insurance, either through the expanded Medicaid program or the private insurance market. That means that the yearly $3.2 million dollar millage for the program that voters renewed last fall is supporting a much smaller program.

Developers are about to become the owners of 30 acres of city land straddling Lansing and East Lansing. Monday evening, the Lansing City Council approved the sale of the former Red Cedar Golf Course property to Ferguson/Continental Lansing LLC. Developer Joel Ferguson and his partner Frank Kass want to build a $276-million complex at the site that could include a ten-story hotel, restaurant and housing. Part of the site would remain green space.

On Monday, East Lansing’s Eric and Nancy Schertzing spoke with Current State to look back on an unforgettable year. 2014 was the year Eric Schertzing decided to pursue a dream:  to represent Lansing and East Lansing in the U.S. Congress. The effort failed. The Democrat lost November’s general election to Republican Mike Bishop, who, today, represents Michigan’s 8th District. Despite the loss, both described the experience of running as an unforgettable honor. Schertzing is again focused on his responsibilities as Ingham County Treasurer and Executive Director of the Ingham County Land Bank. Today, Current State host Mark Bashore talks with Eric and Nancy Schertzing for the second part of their conversation.

For 14 years, Ingham County residents have known Eric Schertzing as the county Treasurer, and more recently, Director of the Ingham County Land Bank.  Last year, they assessed him in a different light: as a Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress.  

The issues and the stakes expanded, as the 52-year old Stockbridge native pursued the soon to be vacant seat in Congress held since 2001 by Republican Mike Rogers.

Schertzing lost to his Republican opponent, Mike Bishop.  

Last November, Ingham county voters resoundingly approved two millage proposals. The new Board of Commissioners will be turning its attention to those soon, as it launches its  2015 session. One will expand the county’s network of trails. The other will maintain the Ingham County Health Plan, which provides medical care coverage for the county’s neediest residents.

Today is National HIV Testing Day. Across Michigan this weekend there will be events and opportunities for free HIV tests, including Ingham County, which has one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in the state.

Tomorrow is the filing deadline for all potential political candidates to run in the August 5th primary election. Last month, 8th District Republican Congressman Mike Rogers  shocked many of his constituents with news that he will not seek re-election.

The Ingham County Board of Commissioners is looking at a possible county parks millage. Earlier this week, the body asked its County Services committee to begin work on a draft proposal. The focus of a millage would primarily be an expansion of Lansing’s Rivertrail network.