LANSING, Mich - The state of Michigan is handing out $250 million in tax credits for low-income housing. The cost per housing unit? An astounding $236,000 each.
That’s more than the average value of a house in Michigan right now, which Zillow pegs at $232,500. In other words, taxpayers will dish out more per unit in subsidies than it costs to buy a whole house in Michigan.
And this spending won’t all go to new housing stock or for many single-family homes. Most appears to be going to developers for new one- or two-bedroom apartments and complexes. Other funds will only “rehabilitate” existing units.
The credits come from the federal government but are distributed by the Michigan State Housing Development Authority. They will go to 22 housing projects in 14 municipalities across Michigan. These projects often receive lots of press coverage: $1.2 million for 48 units in Kalamazoo, $8.2 million for 300 units in West Michigan, $1.65 million for 48 units in Battle Creek and $366,000 to rehabilitate 32 existing units in Escanaba. Rarely does anybody question the total cost of the project or the amount subsidized by taxpayers. Click here to read more.
LANSING, Mich - Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and legislative allies have repeatedly praised a state program that extended the federal free lunch program to higher income students in public schools.
The Legislature added $160 million to the school aid budget to provide free breakfast and lunch for all 1.3 million public school students in Michigan.
Whitmer said the change reduces stress, saves families $850 per student and is based on “the science of improving outcomes for students across the state.” State Superintendent Michael Rice called it “an investment that gives our children the opportunity to focus on learning and a healthier future rather than worrying about their next meal.” State Board of Education President Pamela Pugh compared these no-charge meals to clean air and clean water. Media accounts that focus on anecdotes call the program “wildly popular.” Click here to read more.
WASHINGTON D.C. - Some January 6 defendants are being released from prison on federal judges’ orders pending an appeal in the United States Supreme Court centered on interpretations of obstructing an official proceeding as oral arguments approach.
The Washington Post reported on federal judges’ decisions to release a “handful” of defendants amid the appeal in the Fischer v. United States case. Some have already been released, and others are scheduled to be released soon.
The case potentially bears substantial implications for more than 100 January 6 defendants, whose lone felony charge is obstruction of an official proceeding, per the Post.
It also impacts former President Donald Trump’s federal case concerning his challenge of the 2020 election results. As Breitbart News Capitol Hill Correspondent Bradley Jaye reported in December, a key issue in the Fischer case is the judicial scope of obstruction of an official proceeding which was enacted following the Enron scandal: Click here to read more.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – A federal court ruled on Tuesday that Florida cannot enforce part of a 2023 law with provisions restricting how pronouns can be used in schools against one of the teachers who filed suit.
The latest ruling does not block statewide enforcement of the law.
The judge ruled that the teacher had expressed personal pronouns before the 2023 law took effect, according to the Orlando Sentinel, and that she is prevented from expressing them now under “threat of mandatory discipline.”
The case, filed against the Florida Department of Education last year, disputes the enforcement of requiring educators only provide pronouns if they match their biological sex rather than their gender identity. Click here for story.
WASHINTON D.C. - The Senate passed a disapproval resolution overturning a Transportation Department rule requiring states to measure and set goals for reducing carbon emissions from cars and trucks on the road.
The measure, introduced by Sens. Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), and Joe Manchin (D-WV), passed a 53 to 47 vote, sending the resolution to the House. Three Democrats and independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (AZ) joined Republicans to support overturning the rule.
The disapproval resolution is aimed at a rule finalized by the Federal Highway Administration in November that establishes a method for the agency to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles. It also requires state departments of transportation and local planning organizations to establish carbon targets and report on progress toward meeting those goals. Click here for more.
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