The state budget, signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, has a provision that could threaten the funding of local health departments that issue mask mandates. The governor says it's unenforceable, but some counties aren't willing to risk it. On this episode, we'll sort through what this all means for public health policy on the ground with a political reporter and someone from a county health department.

GUESTS: Jonathan Oosting, state politics reporter with Bridge Michigan. 

Gillian Conrad, communications manager for the Berrien County Health Department

Looking for more conversations from Stateside? Right this way.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work.

Stateside’s theme music is by 14KT.

Additional music by Blue Dot Sessions.

The state budget, signed by Governor Gretchen Whitmer, has a provision that could threaten the funding of local health departments that issue mask mandates. The governor says it's unenforceable, but <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/news/2021-09-30/berrien-county-makes-appalling-decision-to-drop-mask-mandates-in-schools-cites-new-state-budget" data-cms-id="0000017c-3752-dece-ab7e-37de047f0000" data-cms-href="https://www.michiganradio.org/news/2021-09-30/berrien-county-makes-appalling-decision-to-drop-mask-mandates-in-schools-cites-new-state-budget">some counties </a>aren't willing to risk it. On this episode, we'll sort through what this all means for public health policy on the ground with a political reporter and someone from a county health department.
GUESTS: Jonathan Oosting, state politics reporter with <a href="https://www.bridgemi.com/michigan-government/whitmer-signs-70b-michigan-budget-what-survived-thrived-and-died">Bridge Michigan. </a>
Gillian Conrad, communications manager for the Berrien County Health Department
Looking for more conversations from Stateside? <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">Right this way</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/358m02D">supporting our work.</a>
Stateside&rsquo;s theme music is by <a href="https://14kt.bandcamp.com/">14KT.</a>
Additional music by<a href="https://www.sessions.blue/"> Blue Dot Sessions.</a>

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="http://michiganpublic.org/podfund">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

Stateside

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.

To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit michiganpublic.org.

If you like what you hear on the pod, consider supporting our work: michiganradio.org/podfund

Conversations that matter to Michigan. Each weekday, host April Baer will bring you stories from people across the state—from policymakers in Lansing, to entrepreneurs in Detroit, to artists in Grand Rapids.
To access full episodes and individual story segments, please visit <a href="https://www.michiganradio.org/programs/stateside">michiganpublic.org</a>.
If you like what you hear on the pod, consider <a href="https://bit.ly/3RJN5Ul">supporting our work</a>: michiganradio.org/podfund

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