Legislation to address a coming shortfall in county veteran service efforts was a focus of this week’s episode of Podcast 83, whose ranks were expanded with the return of a familiar face.

“The Veterans Service Grant Fund has a shortfall of roughly $3.7 million,” noted Jimmy Johnson, governmental affairs specialist. “The veterans affairs department has really been taking a lot of heat on this. And this is not a partisan issue. This has been bipartisan. And luckily, we have a very great champion in the House, Rep. Julie Rogers, who introduced House Bill 4423.

“This is an appropriation from the General Fund for $3.7 million. … We are really feeling good about the chances of this hurrying up and passing with broad, bipartisan support. … And what makes me feel really good about this is that the chair of (the key) committee is also one of the sponsors on it.”

Rejoining the Podcast 83 team is Samantha Gibson, who has returned to MAC in the role of governmental affairs specialist after assisting with the recent transition in Washington, D.C.

“I am so excited to be back at MAC,” Gibson said. “I missed this office and all of our commissioners very much. So, I went to D.C. for a little bit, but I'm a Michigan girl at heart, so I had to come back. I'm just elated to be back with the counties.”

For details on the new shape of responsibilities among MAC’s governmental affairs team and other details, view the full episode, recorded on May 5, by clicking here or on the image above.