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Washtenaw County may consider giving mental health services its own millage funding source. Numerous residents asked commissioners Wednesday to separate mental health from the public safety millage. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.
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We’re about to enter a new year, and Michigan and Washtenaw County are looking to grow environmental sector jobs. In November, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed into law the Clean Energy and Jobs Act. Supporters say it puts Michigan on a path for quicker buildout of renewable energy, like wind and solar. And that could mean significant job growth. Washtenaw County Commissioner Yousef Rabhi is a proponent of such measures and advocated for such legislation when serving as a state representative. He joined WEMU's David Fair to take a look at what growth we might see in Washtenaw County in 2024.
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A loaded resolution was passed unanimously by the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners who reflected the frustration of last week's ice storm. It addresses issues surrounding the area’s extensive power outages. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
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Washtenaw County Commissioner calls for countywide electric utility on heels of massive power outageHundreds of resident complaints about loved ones and pets suffering in the cold with no power has moved one Washtenaw County commissioner to take action on multiple fronts. WEMU’s Cathy Shafran reports.
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Justin Hodge kicked off his second term as a fifth district commissioner by being unanimously voted the new chair of the Board of Commissioners. WEMU's Josh Hakala reports.
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Yousef Rabhi's tenure as a state representative has ended. However, he will be sworn in Wednesday evening and return to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners. Rabhi joined WEMU's David Fair to fill us in on local environmental priorities in the new year and how his tenure in the Michigan Legislature may help in his return to the county board.
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The Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners will elect a new chair and vice chair on Wednesday night. At the first meeting of 2023, they will also swear in two new commissioners and welcome another back to the board. WEMU’s Josh Hakala reports.
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The Huron River has, once again, been put at risk because of a chemical spill. First it was PFAS contamination, and now it's Hexavalent Chromium. In both instances, the same Wixom-based company is responsible. Yet, the laws in Michigan do not allow for holding the company liable. That wasn't always the case. WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director, Lisa Wozniak, got together with the author of Michigan's original and now-dismantled polluter pay legislation. Former Ann Arbor State Senator Lana Pollack weighed in on the need to re-institute liability laws to better protect the environment.
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The same Wixom company that dumped PFAs into the Huron River may be causing more damage with the release of a carcinogenic chemical into the sewer system. Monitoring continues to see if the contamination will reach Washtenaw County. Huron River Watershed Council executive director, Rebecca Esselman, joined WEMU's David Fair with the latest on the health of the Huron River.
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Advocates for municipal or community power utilities in Ann Arbor believe that moving away from a centralized, privately held utility provider to one that is owned and operated by the local government or another state body will provide a better service to the public. It is part of a larger energy conversation being held around the state and country. WEMU’s David Fair checked in with 53rd District State House Representative Yousef Rabhi (D-Ann Arbor) to see what movement is being made locally and in state government.