Government

MADISON, WI (AP)--   Wisconsin Republicans are looking to curtail public access to an iron mine site in far northwestern Wisconsin in hopes of stopping protesters from interfering with the project. 

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports Representative Mark Honadel is trying to persuade Republican leaders to make changes in the state budget limiting access. Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, a Republican, acknowledged the discussions on Monday.
 

LANSING, MI (AP)--   The Michigan Legislature could consider whether to eliminate gas chambers as a means of euthanization in state animal shelters.   

Most counties no longer use such chambers, and three are using them serve Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties.

Last week, the Senate Agriculture Committee approved placing before the full Senate a bill known as Grant's law. Named for a dog that was euthanized in 2008 in a county shelter, it would outlaw such facilities and order euthanizations be done by lethal injection.

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   Governor Rick Snyder signed the new state budget Thursday.  As we hear from Michigan Public Radio’s Rick Pluta, the $50 billion spending plan includes more money for early childhood programs.

A boost to Great Start funding will allow 16 thousand kids from low-income families to enroll in the early childhood program. Governor Snyder says that would cut the program’s waiting list in half. 

LANSING, MI (MPRN)--   The state House has approved a plan to overhaul and expand Medicaid in Michigan.

As Michigan Public Radio’s Jake Neher reports, the bill passed the House with bipartisan support.

State lawmakers have been debating for months whether to add hundreds of thousands of Michiganders to the Medicaid rolls under the federal healthcare law. 

Democratic state Representative Brandon Dillon praised Republican House leadership for taking a vote on the bill.

LANSING, MI (AP)--   Michigan lawmakers have approved legislation aimed at improving the legal counsel for low-income criminal defendants. 

Bills overwhelmingly approved by the House and Senate Thursday would create state standards so counties are forced to bring legal aid up to par. The legislation could win final approval next week.

The measure would create a permanent state commission to establish standards that ensure effective counsel is given to poor defendants.