© 2024 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
TECHNOTE: WKAR broadcast signals will be off-air or low power during tower maintenance

State Legislature Starts Clock On Abortion, Medicaid, And Other Bills Taking Effect

Some of the most high-profile laws passed by this year by state lawmakers will take effect in 90 days.

The Legislature officially ended its 2013 session Friday.

We have more from The Michigan Public Radio Network’s Jake Neher.

A handful of laws passed this year are set to take effect on March 14th. They include a new ban on abortion coverage in standard health insurance plans, and a law extending Medicaid benefits to hundreds-of-thousands of low-income Michiganders.

The Legislature adjourning also means groups hoping to repeal any new laws have 90 days to collect enough signatures to put referendums on the 2014 ballot.

Ari Adler is a spokesperson for state House Speaker Jase Bolger. He says lawmakers will spend much of that time explaining to the public why they passed those bills.

“We’ll be working with the governor’s office and our colleagues in the Senate, and many other people, to make sure folks are educated on what’s going to be happening,” he says.

Organizations have already shown interest in repealing the new abortion insurance law and one that led to the state’s first wolf hunt in recent history.

Jake Neher is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He covers the State Legislature and other political events in Lansing.
Journalism at this station is made possible by donors who value local reporting. Donate today to keep stories like this one coming. It is thanks to your generosity that we can keep this content free and accessible for everyone. Thanks!