A three-bill package creating a framework for the distribution of about $776 million in opioid settlement funds in Michigan garnered widespread support as the state House approved it Thursday.
But several Republicans in more rural areas criticized the settlement's lack of money for "small town America," specifically communities with fewer than 10,000 people.
Rep. Jeff Yaroch, R-Richmond, criticized Attorney General Dana Nessel from the House floor Thursday for failing to secure funding for all small communities. Yaroch said he had to tell the Memphis mayor pro-tem recently he wouldn't get a direct payment from the settlement because the community's population falls below the 10,000-person threshold.
