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Rick Pluta/Michigan Public Radio Network
LANSING, Michigan — In this year’s state address, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer had something no other Democratic governor had since the early 1980s. both rooms.
“We spoke in clear voices in November,” Whitmer said. I would like to strongly protect the
And Democrats wasted no time in bringing their top priorities to the governor’s desk. Passed legislation to repeal the repealed 1931 abortion ban, and to create civil rights protections for LGBTQ people.
pass their big priority
Some agenda items, such as expanding civil rights, received fewer Republican votes, while repealing the abortion ban came closer to party policy.
Democrat Rep. Laurie Poftsky, who sponsored abortion, said: As he spoke, Pohutsky physically ripped pages containing old laws from the Michigan law book.
But it wasn’t all easy. The Democratic leadership learned a hard lesson when votes over a deep tax cut scrambled.
The plan started as two separate proposals to reduce the tax on pension income and increase the earned income tax credit, but funded business incentives and other spending.
When the House vote took place, after hours of waiting, no one was allowed to speak.
Sprint with all your might, so that you have no regrets
This Moxie comes after years of Democrats feeling minority, powerless, and often given the gavel. Now they find themselves using some of the same tactics they once criticized Republicans for.
Democratic House Speaker Joe Tate said, “Voters have used their power in terms of what they want us to do. They want us to be effective, and they want us to be effective. I think we have shown that.”
Now the Democrats are rushing to pass one last goal early on before spring break.
This means gaining labor priorities, including repealing the state’s 2012 Right to Work Act and requiring construction contracts to pay the governor at prevailing wages. Also, the deadly shooting at Michigan State University has pushed gun control legislation to the priority list.
Chris Dumond/Getty Images
Some warn Democrats may move too fast
Republicans, on the other hand, want speed to backfire. While their colleagues market the workers’ proposals as pro-workers, Republicans argue they are unpopular and costly.
“This is the beginning of Democrat excesses and the end of them and the Republican takeover of the House,” Republican House Majority Leader Matt Hall told reporters before the House passed the labor rights bill. It will lead to redemption,” he said.
“They shouldn’t gag, they should take a sip,” says Michigan president and CEO Jimmy Green, a longtime supporter of labor rights, associated builders and contractors. .
He says he understands why the Democrats are moving so fast this time around, but cautions them against overplaying their hand.
“They should show that they are responsible for power. Right now they seem power hungry,” says Green.
According to Green, it’s hard to tell how strong the Democratic majority really is. Perhaps the Democrats won control of Congress with the help of massive turnout spurred by the abortion rights ballot measure. Needless to say.
However, one factor in the Democratic Party’s support is infighting within the state Republican Party.
“I think the Republicans are the greatest gift the Democrats have. The idea that they’re doing all this right now [an] Completely dysfunctional, inoperable, and broke the party machine?” Green says. “Let’s be honest. They’re not afraid of the Republicans. I wouldn’t. ”
A long road may lie ahead. The legislative branch still has meetings all year long.
Colin Jackson Capitol Reporter for Michigan Public Radio Network.
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