Last week the legislature adjourned until September.  There are a few tentative days scheduled in July and August but, as of now, there will be no voting and no attendance taken on those days. The legislature broke without voting on anything regarding future transportation funding.  This will continue to be a hot topic for the fall when they return to full session.

One other issue left hanging for the summer is Medicaid expansion. The House passed Medicaid expansion two weeks ago giving the Senate one week to pass it themselves.  Coming down to the final day of session before the summer recess, the Senate adjourned last Thursday without taking a vote.  Senate Majority Leader Randy Richardville has stated he wants at least half of the Republican caucus to vote for the package.  Governor Snyder cut an overseas business trip short and flew back on Thursday to try and help shore up the votes but no vote was ever taken.  He has publicly expressed his disappointment with a no vote action and is making his rounds across the state to some key republican districts in order to get citizens to engage in persuading their legislator to vote for the expansion.  This will likely be a hot topic going through the summer and into the fall if they can’t get it done this summer.

Nikki Brown is a legislative associate for the League.  She can be reached at nbrown@mml.org or 517-908-0305.