Elections & Politics

State Senate: Make February about taking care of you

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By CAITLIN TAYLOR
Capital News Service
LANSING — If taking time for yourself often feels like an impossible task, now you have a reason to be a little more selfish. A  Senate resolution promoting healthy lifestyle choices was adopted at the end of January. Introduced by Sen. Tonya Schuitmaker, R-Lawton, the resolution recognizes February 2017 as Self Care Month. The resolution’s sponsors include Sens. Darwin Booher, R-Evart; Margaret O’Brien, R-Portage; John Proos, R-St.

Business & Economy

Less state money for mandates makes counties pay

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By ELIZABETH FERGUSON
Capital News Service
LANSING — Michigan is requiring Kent County to increase public health counseling with no additional state funding. Ottawa County has just discovered it must begin reimbursing foster parents’ mileage under Department of Human Services requirements. State funding for Marquette County’s senior services has dropped more than 20 percent since 2007, leaving these expenses for the county to cover. Michigan counties say issues like these are created by unfunded or underfunded mandates — new services the state requires counties to perform without paying its share of the costs. “This is a sore spot with local government throughout the state,” said Alan Vanderberg, Ottawa County administrator.