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Lawmakers Kick Off 2018 With Wide Array Of Bills

State Capitol Rotunda - file photo by Cheyna Roth, Michigan Public Radio Network
Cheyna Roth
/
Michigan Public Radio Network

(MPRN-Lansing) Sexual harassment by public officials is one of the topics lawmakers are looking to tackle this term. 

The bill introduced was inspired by a scandal on the federal level. Representative Gary Glenn sponsored it. It would prevent tax dollars from going toward sexual harassment settlements against public officials. It was recently revealed that former U.S. Congressman John Conyers did just that in 2015.

“In no case should taxpayers have to pay for an elected or public official’s sexual misconduct.”

State Senate Minority Leader Jim Ananich has a lot of priorities he wants to take care of this year. A big priority is to bring all lawmakers together to reevaluate the state’s infrastructure plan.

“Especially with this deep freeze and thaw our roads our just crumbling. People are paying more taxes for worse roads and that’s something that’s unacceptable.”

A bill in the state House would ensure students who transfer school districts can still play sports. Republican Representative Jim Tedder is a bill sponsor. He says it’s a response to a student who was barred from basketball after he transferred school districts.

“This is frankly putting adults and political gamesmanship ahead of kids. And as a former educator I think that’s an affront to the whole education system.”

Critics of the bill say it’s not the place of the Legislature to interfere with the decisions of the Michigan High School Athletic Association.

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