The first new WestSouthwest of 2016 focuses on the year ahead in state government.
The Michigan Public Radio Network's Capitol Bureau Chief Rick Pluta joins us from Lansing. He discusses the state's response to the drinking water crisis in Flint, election reforms and what this year's election may mean for passing legislation this year.
The U.S. Justice Action Network is working to get criminal justice reform approved in 2016. The bi-partisan group is focusing its efforts in Michigan and other states. Executive Director Holly Harris says changes on issues such as sentencing and seizing the property of criminal suspects are good policy, and also smart politics.
