This week, Jack Lessenberry and Zoe Clark discuss legislation that would allow faith-based adoption agencies to refuse service to LGBT couples, State Superintendent Mike Flanagan’s call for a moratorium on charter school expansion, and Candice Miller’s announcement that she won’t seek reelection.
Faith-based adoption bills
A state House committee has passed legislation that would allow Michigan adoption agencies to deny services based on “sincere religious objection,” including adoptions to LGBT couples.
This comes the same week the U.S. Supreme Court announced April 28 as the day it will hear arguments in Michigan’s same-sex marriage case.
Lessenberry said the faith-based adoption bill may soon be a moot point.
“My guess is the U.S. Supreme Court [will say] there’s a right to same-sex marriage,” he said. “These agencies probably won’t be able to get federal funds if they continue to deny adoptions to same-sex couples.”
Charter school moratorium
State Superintendent Mike Flanagan Thursday called for a moratorium on the opening of new charter schools in Michigan, though he doesn’t have the authority to implement such a measure.
His remarks to the mostly pro-charter Legislature included concerns over how charter school creation affects enrollment and funding for the state’s public schools.
Lessenberry called the move a “final shot across the bow” from Flanagan, whose last day in office will be this summer.
“This reminds me, oddly enough, a little bit of Eisenhower’s farewell address and warning about the military industrial complex,” Lessenberry said.
Candice Miller
Republican Congresswoman Candice Miller announced this week she will not seek reelection in 2016.
Rep. Miller has held the 10th District seat since 2003. Before that, she served eight years as Michigan’s Secretary of State.
Lessenberry said Miller could’ve kept her current post “until her dentures fell out.”
“She may have just decided enough was enough, and she ought to go live life,” Lessenberry said. “In that case, I think we should take our hats off to her.”
-Rebecca Kruth, Michigan Radio Newsroom
