It's been a busy session, so far, for Michigan's Legislature. In 2015 they passed a controversial $1.2 billion roads funding bill that will eventually address Michigan's deteriorating roads, as well as increase fuel taxes and registration fees. With the Holidays over and many back to work, Michigan State Legislators won't be back on the job until January 13th. When they do return, there are some issues they plan on addressing, like energy reform. A package in the house includes incentives for utilities to use renewable energy sources as well as some controversial points, such as the possibility of raising consumer utility rates to lower the rates for big businesses. Michigan Radio Network Capitol Reporter Ryan Hermes says in an interview with our Paul Miller that the package is still in the initial stages. Detroit's failing school system will also be on the legislature's agenda. Governor Rick Snyder revealed a plan during the summer that would setup two separate school districts in Detroit. The new district would be devoted to teaching the students, while the old district would stay around to pay off the debt. The plan is controversial though, as it would cost $710 million , with funding coming from the State's School Aid Fund. Which would take money from other school districts, including schools in St. Clair County. Hermes notes that testimony in the fall revealed, that if Detroit Public Schools doesn't have something worked out to payoff it's debt, they will be out of money either by this spring or summer.
