The final days of the current iteration of the Michigan Legislature are upon us as the Republican majority in the House begins in January. Education and the environment are two of the many topics circulating these legislative sessions. This week on MichMash, host Cheyna Roth and Gongwer News Service’s Zach Gorchow sit down with Jane McCurry from Clean Fuels Michigan to discuss biofuels, carbon capture and electric vehicles. Then, they switch gears and chat with Chalkbeat’s Hannah Dellinger about charter schools. Finally, Zach reports live from the Michigan State Capitol where all of these topics come together in this exciting, jam-packed episode.

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In this episode:

• The legislative sessions before the end of lame duck session.
• Electric vehicles and their future in Michigan.
• Democrats want transparency from charter schools

McCurry shared that the among all the bills going through legislative sessions, there are some that are top of mind and show the most potential to pass.

“We know there are various priorities and opportunities in lame duck. The bill that we see the most opportunity for is that sustainability fuel bill,” McCurry said.

Electric vehicles are another topic that has occupied the headlines. McCurry hopes that EVs are included in future vehicle options for Michiganders.  

“I think it’s unfortunate that EVs became a political football, because I really do believe that automotive innovation transcends political boundaries, especially in Michigan,” she said. “There is no EV mandate. Plainfield, Mich. is a strong proponent of vehicle choice, and we want to make sure that consumers have access to all of the fuels, including electrification.”

Charter schools are another topic being discussed during these legislative sessions. Dellinger said that Democrats are not dismissing charter schools, but just want more transparency with how they operate.

“The hearing that they had, they were not arguing about the efficacy of the charter schools or the performance of students at the schools,” she said.

Dellinger added that although the data questions if charter schools are performing at the same level as public schools, those discussions on performance aren’t happening legislatively.  

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• Electric vehicles, mobility trends shape the future of revamped Detroit Auto Show