Sorry about the language; this is a summary of good law passed after the election....
The state Senate passed House Bill 4982, to correct problems with an automated fraud detection system that has been denying benefits for eligible workers in need of unemployment benefits.
Also noteworthy, says Richards, is the passage of a package of bills (HB 5618-5621; HB 5693-5695) aimed at making school expulsion and suspension policies sensible and uniform.
Richard explains some Michigan students faced severe punishments for minor incidents or oversights. The new legislation calls for these incidents to be evaluated on an individual basis with the intent of resolving the issues at school.
"Keeping a child in school instead of suspending or expelling them really benefits everybody, in that sometimes the parents don't need to find daycare, don't need to stay home in order to take care of the child,” she states. “And it also helps the child, because the child is still in school and learning."
State lawmakers return to work the second week of January, and Richards says her group and others are hoping to see the same bipartisan cooperation on other policies that can help struggling Michiganders.